Recommendation on design, execution, and reporting of animal atherosclerosis studies: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association

Alan Daugherty, Alan R. Tall, Mat J.A.P. Daemen, Erling Falk, Edward A. Fisher, Guillermo García-Cardeña, Aldons J. Lusis, A. Phillip Owens, Michael E. Rosenfeld, Renu Virmani

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

Animal studies are a foundation for defining mechanisms of atherosclerosis and potential targets of drugs to prevent lesion development or reverse the disease. In the current literature, it is common to see contradictions of outcomes in animal studies from different research groups, leading to the paucity of extrapolations of experimental findings into understanding the human disease. The purpose of this statement is to provide guidelines for development and execution of experimental design and interpretation in animal studies. Recommendations include the following: (1) animal model selection, with commentary on the fidelity of mimicking facets of the human disease; (2) experimental design and its impact on the interpretation of data; and (3) standard methods to enhance accuracy of measurements and characterization of atherosclerotic lesions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e53-e79
JournalCirculation Research
Volume121
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)R00HL116786

    Keywords

    • AHA Scientific Statements
    • Animal models
    • Atherosclerosis
    • Cholesterol
    • Histology
    • Pathology

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Physiology
    • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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