Integrated morphological assessment of experimental atherosclerotic lesions in the rabbits aortas

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop integrated morphological macro- and mісrоscоpіс evaluation of vascular lesions on the rabbits atherosclerosis model, to choose the optimal staining techniques, and to develop assessment criteria for evaluating severity of proceeding pathology. The study was carried out on Californian rabbits. Hypercholesterolemia in animals was developed by cholesterol gavage, and cholecalciferol and adrenaline injection. Biochemical markers were measured and atherogenic index was calculated to confirm pathology. Animals were euthanized on the 60, 90 and 120-th day of study. Aortas were extracted for morphological study. For a comprehensive evaluation of aorta injuries we performed macroscopic examination of lesion size and histological staining methods of the standard dyes. The degree of aortic lesions was expressed in points by the specified criteria. We obtained the progression of disease model, confirmed by biochemical markers, and by results of morphological studies. Atherogenic index increased from 1 to 26 for 4 months. Macroscopic analysis of aortas revealed atherosclerotic lesions expansed to 84% of the total area at the end of the study. During the microscopic analysis of aortic histological sections we observed all stages of atherogenesis: from pre-lipid phase to the complications stage. Thus, this model allowed to trace the stages in the formation and progression of Californian rabbits atherosclerosis. The proposed comprehensive evaluation system makes possible to clearly and objectively characterise the pathology and “ ensures the reliability and informativity of the study.