Endothelial Dysfunction in the Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mouse: insights into the influence of diet, gender and aging

Lipids in Health and Disease

Elisardo C Vasquez²  Thiago MC Pereira³  Veronica A Peotta¹  Silvana S Meyrelles⁴ 

[1] The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA;Emescam School of Health Sciences, Vitoria, ES, Brazil;Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology (IFES), Vila Velha, ES, Brazil;Departament of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil

关键词: gender;    oxidative stress;    endothelial dysfunction;    atherosclerosis;    hypercholesterolemia;    apoE;   

Others  :  1212419
DOI  :  10.1186/1476-511X-10-211

 received in 2011-10-22, accepted in 2011-11-14,  发布年份 2011

【 摘 要 】

Since the early 1990s, several strains of genetically modified mice have been developed as models for experimental atherosclerosis. Among the available models, the apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE^-/-) mouse is of particular relevance because of its propensity to spontaneously develop hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic lesions that are similar to those found in humans, even when the mice are fed a chow diet. The main purpose of this review is to highlight the key achievements that have contributed to elucidating the mechanisms pertaining to vascular dysfunction in the apoE^-/- mouse. First, we summarize lipoproteins and atherosclerosis phenotypes in the apoE^-/- mouse, and then we briefly discuss controversial evidence relative to the influence of gender on the development of atherosclerosis in this murine model. Second, we discuss the main mechanisms underlying the endothelial dysfunction of conducting vessels and resistance vessels and examine how this vascular defect can be influenced by diet, aging and gender in the apoE^-/- mouse.

【 授权许可】

   
2011 Meyrelles et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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