Use of the Chicken as an Experimental Animal Model in Atherosclerosis

Authors: Ayala, I.; Pérez, B. García; Doménech, G.; Castells, M.T.; Valdés, M.

Source: Avian and Poultry Biology Reviews, Volume 16, Number 3, August 2005 , pp. 151-159(9)

Publisher: Science Reviews 2000 Ltd

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Abstract:

The first evidence of experimental atherosclerosis was reported almost100 years ago. In this review, research into spontaneous and induced atherosclerosis as well as drug intervention studies in the experimental chicken model is discussed together with trends for the future. The chicken is a good animal model for the study of atherosclerosis research, since it presents lipoprotein levels similar to those in humans. It is a biped, and develops spontaneous and induced atherosclerosis mainly in response to high cholesterol diets (being stimulated by hormones and vitamin D), vascular injury or infections (mainly Marek's disease) in a similar way to how humans develop atherosclerosis. The chicken atherosclerosis model proved itself useful and very suitable for in vivo drug intervention studies. Emerging risk factors of this potentially fatal disease (such as oxidative stress, inflammation or infection) could be assessed with this model.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; chicken; experimental animal model

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3184/147020605783437968

Affiliations: 1: Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, Murcia 30100, Spain

Publication date: 2005-08-30

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