Animal models are designed to be preliminary tools for a better understanding of the pathogenesis, improvement in diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of vascular diseases in humans. Animal models are easily manageable, as compounding effects of dietary and environmental factors can be controlled experimentally. Blood vessel samples can be taken for detailed experimental and biomolecular examination. A thorough understanding of the animal models used is necessary and complete analysis must be validated so that the data can be extrapolated to humans. There are several species that are used for studying vascular pathophysiology, including mice, rats, rabbits, and pigs. Attracted by the well-defined genetic systems, a number of investigators have begun to use the mouse as an experimental system for arteriosclerosis research. Because vascular disorder is a complicated disease, which includes spontaneous (native) atherosclerosis, transplant arteriosclerosis, vein graft atherosclerosis, and angioplasty-induced restenosis, several models for studying all types of vascular disease have recently been established. Using these animal models, much knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of the disease and therapeutic intervention has been gained. This chapter will not attempt to cover all aspects of animal models, but will rather focus on the major progress in understanding the pathophysiology of the vasculature, the (dis)advantages of a variety of models, and how specific models can be appropriately chosen for different purposes of study.
Animal models of diabetes‐associated vascular diseases: An update on available models and experimental analysis