Standard, natural ingredient diets with cholesterol added are fed to induce hypercholesterolemia. Various levels of cholesterol, fat, and/or bile salts can be added to one of the numerous standard rodent diets stocked by Envigo Teklad. For many applications, adding these components to Envigo’s minimal-to-moderate phytoestrogen global rodent diets is recommended. Our minimal phytoestrogen global rodent diets are soybean meal free, limiting the effect of phytoestrogens on your research outcomes. Soybean meal, a common dietary source of phytoestrogens, has been shown to decrease aortic fatty streak development and modify plasma cholesterol, which may reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Limiting dietary soybean meal may reduce confounding variables within your dietary-induced atherosclerosis model. Contact a nutritionist to discuss additional diet options.
Examples of minimal and moderate phytoestrogen rodent diets with added cholesterol:

• TD.120097  1% cholesterol diet (2020 – minimal phytoestrogens)
• TD.07841    2% cholesterol diet (2016 – minimal phytoestrogens)
• TD.01383    2% cholesterol (2018 – Moderate phytoestrogens)

Research use:
Induce hypercholesterolemia in genetically-modified and wild type models without promoting obesity.
Key dietary features:

• Standard, grain-based rodent diet
• Minimal/moderate phytoestrogen diets recommended
• Cholesterol (1 – 4%)

References:

1. Belch, J.J., et al., Longitudinal assessment of endothelial function in the microvasculature of mice in-vivo. Microvasc Res, 2013. 85: p. 86-92.
2. Hartvigsen, K., et al., A diet-induced hypercholesterolemic murine model to study atherogenesis without obesity and metabolic syndrome. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 2007. 27(4): p. 878-85.

Rabbits, hamsters, and swine are common models of atherosclerosis. Contact a nutritionist for information and formula examples. See rabbit, swine and other speciesfor information and formula examples.