A new model for arteriosclerosis. An electron-microscopic study of the lesions induced by i.v. administered fat.

Lesions in the arterial wall induced in rats by means of intravenous injection of Lipofundin-S were studied by electron microscopy. The morphological changes in this model are the enlargement of the subendothelial space, proliferation of smooth muscle and accumulation of basement membrane-like material. These changes are a closer model for the fibro-proliferative aspects of human atherosclerosis than those seen in short-term (2-3 month) cholesterol feeding. Moreover, such changes are produced in 8 days rather than 2-3 month. These factors indicate that the Lipofundin-S model may be of value in testing anti-atherosclerotic drugs.