A rabbit model of spontaneous thrombosis induced by lipopolysaccharide

Aim: inflammation plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic plaque,and lipopolysaccharide (lps) is a potentially important source of inflammation. the aim of this study was to develop a rabbit model of spontaneous thrombosis mimicking the pathophysiological and morphological characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in humans.methods: the rabbits were randomized into four groups: group a (n = 10) received a normal diet; group b (n = 10) received a regular diet and weekly lps injections (1 μg/kg,escherichia coli); group c (n = 15) received a cholesterol-enriched diet before and after sustaining a balloon injury to the right common carotid artery; and group d (n = 15) was treated the same as group c in addition to receiving lps injections. the morphological characteristics of the resulting lesions were evaluated using optical coherence tomography (oct) and histology.results: no significant atherosclerotic plaque was observed in groups a or b. group d exhibited a higher incidence of spontaneous luminal thrombi than group c or b (60% vs. 20% vs. 10%,p＜ 0.05). all of the thrombi detected with oct were confirmed on histology. a good correlation between the fibrous cap thickness and thrombus arc was obtained on oct and the histological evaluations.conclusions: a rabbit model of lps-induced spontaneous thrombosis was developed in which oct was used to follow changes in plaque morphology. © 2014,japan atherosclerosis society. all rights reserved.