Porcine Models of Accelerated Coronary Atherosclerosis: Role of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypercholesterolemia
Table 1
Relative advantages and disadvantages of the 4 atherosclerotic porcine models.
Model
Advantages
Limitations
Diabetes/ hypercholesterolemic
Well characterized. Reproducible human-like atherosclerosis. Results obtained from diagnostic and pharmacologic treatment studies corroborate data obtained in humans. Complex lesions detectable as early as 6 months after induction.
Type I diabetic model. Variable development of atherosclerosis.
Rapacz familial hypercholesterolemic
Well characterized Models a known human disease state.
Long induction period for atherosclerosis. Large size of animals (although genetic modified mini-pig has been developed). Expensive.
PCSK9 gain of function
Small size. Models a known human disease state. Reproducible lesions.
Limited commercial availability. Relatively long-term induction period (12 months).
Ossabaw
Only model of metabolic syndrome induced atherosclerosis. Small size. Relatively short induction period after a high fat diet regimen.
