Pathologic findings and laboratory data in a new strain of obese hypertensive rats

• Published in: The American journal of pathology Vol. 80; no. 1; pp. 129 - 142
• Main Author: Koletsky, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States ASIP 01-07-1975
• Subjects: Adrenal Glands - pathology; Age Factors; Animals; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Cholesterol - blood; Female; Glycosuria; Hypertension - blood; Hypertension - genetics; Infertility; Male; Obesity - blood; Obesity - genetics; Pituitary Gland, Anterior - pathology; Proteinuria; Pyelonephritis; Rats; Sex Factors; Triglycerides - blood; Urinary Calculi
• ISSN: 0002-9440; 1525-2191

A new strain of rat characterized by genetic obesity, endogenous hyperlipidemia, and hypertension was obtained in this laboratory. The abnormal phenotype is inherited as a homozygous recessive trait. The animals exhibit marked hypertriglyceridemia, moderate hypercholesterolemia, and an electrophoretic pattern resembling that of human Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia. The average life-span is less than 1 year, due largely to the development of premature renal and vascular disease. The kidney lesion has both glomerulonephritic and nephrosclerotic components and is accompanied by marked proteinuria. About 12% of animals develop urinary tract calculi. The vascular disease consists of fibrous and fatty-fibrous intimal plaques, and polyarteritis. The obese animal offers a useful model for investigating abnormal lipid metabolism and the etiology and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.