Selective endothelial dysfunction in early atheroma-like lesions in the rabbit

Abstract

Background: The general aim of this study was to use the collar model of atherosclerosis to investigate the extent to which endothelial cell function is impaired at the early stages of lesion development and to determine whether other mechanisms of vascular control at the level of the smooth muscle might be disrupted by the development of these lesions. Methods: Atheroma-like lesions that mimic the events of early human atherosclerosis were induced in rabbits by placing flexible, nonocclusive collars around each common carotid artery. The arterial responsiveness to vasodilator drugs was studied in isolated rings from the arteries both before morphologic changes would be evident (2 days after..