A spontaneously hypertensive diet-induced atherosclerosis-prone mouse model of metabolic syndrome

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a complex and multifactorial condition often characterised by obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and fasting hyperglycaemia. Collectively, MetS can increase the risk of atherosclerotic-cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. However, no animal model currently exists to study MetS in the context of atherosclerosis. In this study we developed a pre-clinical mouse model that recapitulates the spectrum of MetS features while developing atherosclerosis. When BPHx mice were placed on a western type diet for 16 weeks, all the classical characteristics of MetS were observed. Comprehensive metabolic analyses and atherosclerotic imaging revealed BPHx mice to be obese and hypertensive, with elevated total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, that accelerated atherosclerosis. Altogether, we demonstrate that the BPHx mouse has all the major components of MetS, and accelerates the development of atherosclerosis.