Guinea Pigs as Models to Study the Hypocholesterolemic Effects of Drugs

Abstract

ACAT, acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase; ASBT, apical sodium co-dependent bile acid transporter; ApoB, apolipoprotein B; CHD, coronary heart disease; CYP7, cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase; HDL, high density lipoprotein; HMG-CoA, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A; FCR, free catabolic rate; LDL, low density lipoprotein; PPAR, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; VLDL, very low density lipoprotein.

Cholesterol-lowering effect of bezafibrate is independent of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activation in mice

“…For example, the degree of contribution of the alternative pathway to overall bile acid synthesis is thought to be low in mice compared to humans [36]. The same experiment using other mammals such as guinea pigs, which have more similarities in cholesterol metabolism to humans than mice [56,57], would confirm our results.…”

Cytochrome P450 2E1 participation in the pathogenesis of experimental metabolic syndrome in guinea pigs

“…It is known that guinea pigs, owing to certain organism peculiarities, such as blood lipid composi tion and the absence of endogenous vitamin C, are the optimal model for the study of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders [2,3]. When modeling of MS in these animals, there is no extraneous influen ce of enhanced antioxidants secretion and blood atherogenic properties on the development of patho logical processes.…”

“…Currently, in clinical practice several definitions of MS are used [1]. Thus, to develop new MS and DM (diabetes mel litus) models, the necessity of reconstruction of a broad spectrum of pathological processes that occur in humans upon these diseases must be considered.It is known that guinea pigs, owing to certain organism peculiarities, such as blood lipid composi tion and the absence of endogenous vitamin C, are the optimal model for the study of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders [2,3]. When modeling of MS in these animals, there is no extraneous influen ce of enhanced antioxidants secretion and blood atherogenic properties on the development of patho logical processes.…”

Animal Models as Tools for Translational Research: Focus on Atherosclerosis, Metabolic Syndrome and Type-II Diabetes Mellitus

“…A number of seminal reviews on the details of the criteria that make guinea pigs suitable animal models for studying lipoprotein metabolism are available (see reviews [85][86][87]) and a summary will be presented here. Guinea pigs in contrast to other rodents have higher levels of plasma LDL-C compared to HDL-C. As humans, guinea pigs have higher concentrations of free compared to esterified cholesterol found in the liver and they show evidence of moderate rates of hepatic cholesterol synthesis and catabolism.…”