Abstract: Objective To compare the effect of air-drying and collar method on establishment of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits. Methods Rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: an air-drying group and a collar group with 10 subjects each. After operations, they were fed with fat-rich diet. The plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured by ELISA in the 0th, 4th, 8th week, and the carotid artery was scanned by ultrasound in the 4th, 8th, 12th week. All rabbits were sacrificed at the end of experiment time. The morphology of the plaques was observed after HE staining. Results With high fat diet, the injured carotid of both groups were thickened and attached by strongly echoed plaques. HE staining showed a large number of foam cells, and all of these phenomenon showed earlier and more serious in the silicone collar group when compared with the air-drying group. Conclusion Carotid artery silicone collar method is safer and more effective than air-drying way in leading to the formation of atheromatous plaque.

Key words: Rabbit, Animal models, Atherosclerosis plaque, Collar, Air-drying