Abstract: Objectives To identify a quick, stable and reliable method for establishing atherosclerosis (AS) model in rabbit. Methods The atherosclerosis rabbit models were established by feeding high-fat diet plus carotid artery balloon injury. twenty healthy New Zealand white male rabbits weighting 2.0-2.5 kg were injured by carotid artery balloon and fed with high fat diet. Before and after 12 weeks feeding, blood from jugular vein were collected to detect total cholesterol (TC), triglyeride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FSI), insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Total carotid artery endometrium morphology was observed with naked eye and microscope. Results After feeding high fat diet for 12 weeks, the body weight, TC, TG, LDL-C of the rabbits were significantly higher than pre-treatment (P<0.01). The difference of FBG was not statistically significant compared with pre-treatment (P=0.550). FSI and HOMA-IR were significantly higher than pre-treatment (P<0.01). HDL-C and ISI were significantly lower than pre-treatment (P<0.01). The typical atherosclerosis mottling in common carotid artery lumen under macrography was visible and intima thickness increased significantly. Plaque and structure of fibrous cap had formed. Conclusions The typical carotid atherosclerosis lesion can be successfully induced by high fat diet combining with balloon injury in carotid artery. On the other hand, high fat diet can induce insulin resistance model.

Key words: Rabbit, Atherosclerosis (AS), Insulin resistance (IR), Balloon injury, Animal model establishment