Biomaterial Database

Guinea pigs as models for cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. 2001

M L Fernandez

Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4017, USA. maria-luz.fernandez@uconn.edu

Guinea pigs carry the majority of their plasma cholesterol in LDL, making them a unique animal model with which to study hepatic cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. In this review, the benefits and advantages of using this particular model are discussed. How dietary factors such as soluble fiber, cholesterol and fatty acids that vary in saturation and chain length affect hepatic cholesterol homeostasis and influence the synthesis, intravascular processing and catabolism of lipoproteins is reviewed. In addition, alterations in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and plasma lipoproteins as affected by treatment with cholestyramine or 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, exercise, marginal intake of vitamin C, ovariectomy (a model for menopause) and similarities to the human situation are addressed. A review of guinea pigs as models for early atherosclerosis development is also presented.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008074	Lipoproteins	Lipid-protein complexes involved in the transportation and metabolism of lipids in the body. They are spherical particles consisting of a hydrophobic core of TRIGLYCERIDES and CHOLESTEROL ESTERS surrounded by a layer of hydrophilic free CHOLESTEROL; PHOSPHOLIPIDS; and APOLIPOPROTEINS. Lipoproteins are classified by their varying buoyant density and sizes.	Circulating Lipoproteins,Lipoprotein,Lipoproteins, Circulating
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D002784	Cholesterol	The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.	Epicholesterol
D004043	Dietary Fiber	The remnants of plant cell walls that are resistant to digestion by the alimentary enzymes of man. It comprises various polysaccharides and lignins.	Fiber, Dietary,Roughage,Wheat Bran,Bran, Wheat,Brans, Wheat,Dietary Fibers,Fibers, Dietary,Roughages,Wheat Brans
D004195	Disease Models, Animal	Naturally-occurring or experimentally-induced animal diseases with pathological processes analogous to human diseases.	Animal Disease Model,Animal Disease Models,Disease Model, Animal
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001161	Arteriosclerosis	Thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of ARTERIES of all sizes. There are many forms classified by the types of lesions and arteries involved, such as ATHEROSCLEROSIS with fatty lesions in the ARTERIAL INTIMA of medium and large muscular arteries.	Arterioscleroses