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The Bio F1B Hamster as a Model for Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis
The hamster is a widely used animal model to study the effects of drugs and diet on
lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. The lipoprotein profile of the hamster resembles
more closely that of humans than the profiles of e.g. rats and mice do (Bravo et al. Comp.
Biochem. Physiol. 107B: 347, 1994) and the hamster is very susceptible to atherosclerosis
(Nistor et al, Atherosclerosis 68: 159-173, 1987). In addition, the hamster has plasma
cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity (Ahn et al. 1994) similarly as seen in
humans whereas other animal models, like the pig, rat, and mouse have virtually no plasma
CETP activity (Ha and Barter, Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 71B: 265, 1982). Moreover,
increases in plasma lipid concentrations can be easily induced in hamsters by adding only
small, physiological amounts of cholesterol to the diet (0.05 – 0.10 weight% cholesterol or
about 125 – 250 mg cholesterol per 1000 kcal of energy intake, Kowala et al. 1991, 1993,
Nicolosi et al. 1998, Terpstra et al 1991).
In particular the Bio F1B hamster is an excellent animal model for hyperlipidemia and
atherosclerosis (Pien et al. 2002, McAteer et al. 2003). The Bio F1B hamster is a hybrid and
derived from two highly inbred hamster strains, namely the male Bio 1.5 and the female
Bio 87.20. The Bio F1B hamsters have a relatively high body weight and are strong
animals. As a consequence, they can withstand very well various surgical procedures.
Further, they have a relatively long life span (50% survival at 30 months) which makes them
also a good model for long term lipid and atherosclerosis studies (Smith et al. 2001).
Humans carry most of the plasma cholesterol in the very low and low density
lipoproteins (VLDL+LDL) and these fractions are usually elevated in hypercholesterolemic
subjects.
Most animal models, on the other hand, carry the plasma cholesterol
predominantly in the high density lipoproteins (HDL). Feeding an atherogenic diet to Bio
F1B hamsters results in elevated plasma cholesterol levels but this increase is in contrast to
other strains of hamsters more pronounced in the VLDL+LDL fraction than in the HDL
fraction. This difference in response may be due to the low lipoprotein lipase activity in the
F1B hamster fed an atherogenic diet (McAteer et al. 2003). As a consequence, the HDL to
total plasma cholesterol ratio is lower in the hyperlipidemic Bio F1B hamster than in other
hyperlipidemic hamster strains (Kowala et al. 1991, Trautwein et al. 1993a,b) which makes
the hyperlipidemic Bio F1B model more comparable to the human situation. Further, the
degree of atherosclerosis in the F1B hamster fed an atherogenic diet is considerably higher
than in other strains of hamsters fed a similar atherogenic diet (McAteer et al. 2003).
Male Bio F1B hamsters are more susceptible to induction of hyperlipidemia and
atherosclerosis than female Bio F1B hamsters (Robins et al. 1995a, Wilson et al. 1999) and
feeding an atherogenic commercial diet instead of an atherogenic semipurified diet further
lowers the HDL to total cholesterol ratio and enhances the susceptiblity to atherosclerosis
The Bio F1B Hamster as a Model for Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis
Bio Breeders Inc., Watertown MA 02472, USA
(Kowala 1991, Nicolosi et al. 1998). Further, groupswise housing of Bio F1B hamsters has
been shown to result in higher lipid levels and a higher degree of atherosclerosis than when
the hamsters are housed individually (Smith et al. 1997, Yoganathan et al. 1998). Hamster
HDL lipoproteins can be easily isolated by precipitation of the VLDL+LDL with
phosphotungstic acid/MgCl2 (Weingand and Daggy, Clin. Chem. 36, 575, 1990, Kowala et al,
1991) and HDL cholesterol levels in Bio F1B hamsters measured with this precipitation
method are identical to those obtained by the ultracentrifugation method (Kowala 1991). A
complete separation of all the lipoprotein fractions, i.e. HDL, LDL, and VLDL, can be done by
ultracentrifugation and these lipoprotein fractions in hamsters have density limits similar to
those in humans (Kowala et al. 1991).
Literature
Cholesterol Metabolism and Atherosclerosis Studies in Bio F1B Hamsters
Alexa, A., Wilson, T.A., Atallah, M.T., Handelman, G. & Nicolosi, R.J. (2004) Hamsters fed
diets high in saturated fat have increased cholesterol accumulation and cytokine
production in the aortic arch compared with cholesterol-fed hamsters with moderately
elevated plasma non-HDL cholesterol concentrations. J. Nutr. 134: 410-425. (PDF)
Ahn, Y.-S., Smith, D. E., Osada, J., Li, Z., Schaefer, R.J. & Ordovas, J.M. (1994) Dietary fat
saturation affects apolipoprotein gene expresssion and high denstity lipoprotein size
distribution in golden syrian hamsters. J. Nutr. 124: 2147-2155.
F1B hamsters have plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity like humans.
Ausman, L.M., Rong, N. & Nicolosi, R.J. (2005) Hypocholesterolemic effect of physically
refined rice bran oil: Studies of cholesterol metabolism and early atherosclerosis in
hypercholesterolemic hamster, J. Nutr. Biochem. 16: 521-529. (PDF)
Blair, R.M., Aptt, S.E., Bennetau-Pelissero, C., Clarkson, T.B., Anthony, M.S., Lamothe, V. &
Potter, S.M. (2002) Dietary soy and soy isoflavones have gender-specific effects on
plasma lipids and isoflavones in Golden Syrian F1B hybrid hamsters. J. Nutr. 132:
3585-3591. (PDF)
Carr, T.P., Weller, C.L., Schlegel, V.L., Cuppett, S.L., Guderian, D.M. & Johnson, K.R.
(2005) Grain sorghum lipid extract reduces cholesterol absorption and plasma nonHDL cholesterol conventration in hamsters, J. Nutr. 135: 2236-2240. (PDF)
De Deckere, E.A.M., de Fouw, N.J., Ritskes-Hoitinga, J., van Nielen, W.G.L. & Blonk, C.G.
(1993) Effect of an atherogenic diet on lipoprotein cholesterol profile in the F1B hybrid
hamster. Atherosclerosis 103: 291-294.
DeDeckere, E.A.M., Van Amelsfoort, J.M.M., McNeill, G.P. & Jones, P. (1999). Effects of
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers on lipid levels and peroxisome proliferation in
the hamster. Br. J. Nutr. 82: 309-317. (PDF)
Delaney, B., Nicolosi, R.J., Wilson, T.A., Carlson, T., Frazer, S., Zheng, G.-H., Hess, R.,
Ostergren, K., Haworth, J. & Knutson, N. (2003) ß-Glucan fractions from barley and
oats are similarly antiatherogenic in hypercholesterolemic syrian golden hamsters. J.
Nutr. 133: 468-495. (PDF)
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The Bio F1B Hamster as a Model for Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis
Bio Breeders Inc., Watertown MA 02472, USA
DeSilva, P.P., Davis, P.J. & Cheema, S.K. (2004) Hyperlipidaemic effect of fish oil in Bio F 1B
hamster. Br. J. Nutr. 91: 341-349. (PDF)
Dorfman, S.E., Smith, D.E., Osgood, D.P. & Lichtenstein, A.H. (2003) Study of diet induced
changes in lipoprotein metabolism in two strains of golden syrian hamsters. J. Nutr.
133: 4183-4188. (PDF)
El-Swefy, S., Schaefer, E.J., Seman, L.J., van Dongen, D., Sevanian, A., Smith, D.E.,
Ordovas, J.M., El-Sweidy, M. & Meydani, M. (2000) The effect of vitamin E, probucol,
and lovastatin on oxidative status and aortic fatty lesions in hyperlipidemic-diabetic
hamsters. Atherosclerosis 149: 277-286. (PDF)
Faia, K.L , Davis, W.P., Marone, A.J., & Foxall, T.L. (2002) Matrix metalloproteinases and
tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in hamster aortic atherosclerosis: Correlation
with in-situ zymography. Atherosclerosis 160: 325-337. (PDF)
Foxall, T.L., Shwaery, G.T., Stucchi, A.F., Nicolosi, R.J. & Wong, S.S. (1992) Dose-related
effects of doxazosin on plasma lipids and aortic fatty streak formation in the
hypercholesterolemic hamster model. Am. J. Pathol. 140: 1357-1363.
Kowala, M. C. & Nicolosi, R. J. (1989) Effect of doxazosin on plasma lipids and
atherogenesis: a preliminary report. J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 13 Suppl 2: S45-49.
Kowala, M.C., Nunnari, J.J., Durham, S.K. & Nicolosi, R.J. (1991) Doxazosin and
cholestyramine similarly decrease fatty streak formation in the aortic arch of
hyperlipidemic hamsters. Atherosclerosis 91: 35-49. (PDF)
Kowala, M.C. (1993) Effects of an atherogenic diet on lipoprotein cholesterol profile in the
F1B hybrid hamster. Atherosclerosis 103: 293--294.
F1B hamsters fed a cholesterol-enriched semipurified diet have a higher HDL to total
cholesterol ratio than F1B hamsters fed a cholesterol-enriched chow diet.
Kowala, M. C., Mazzucco, C. E., Hartl, K. S., Seiler, S. M., Warr, G. A., Abid, S., & Grove, R.
I. (1993) Prostacyclin agonists reduce early atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic
hamsters. Octimibate and BMY 42393 suppress monocyte chemotaxis, macrophage
cholesteryl ester accumulation, scavenger receptor activity, and tumor necrosis factor
production. Arterioscler. Thromb. 13: 435-444. (PDF)
Kowala, M. C., Grove, R. I., & Aberg, G. (1994) Inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme
decrease early atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic hamsters. Fosinopril reduces
plasma cholesterol and captopril inhibits macrophage-foam cell accumulation
independently of blood pressure and plasma lipids. Atherosclerosis 108: 61-72.
(PDF)
Kowala, M. C., Reece, R., Beyer, S., & Aberg, G. (1995) Regression of early atherosclerosis
in hyperlipidemic hamsters induced by fosinopril and captopril. J. Cardiovasc.
Pharmacol. 25: 179-186.
Kowala, M. C., Rose, P. M., Stein, P. D., Goller, N., Recce, R., Beyer, S., Valentine, M.,
Barton, D., & Durham, S. K. (1995) Selective blockade of the endothelin subtype A
receptor decreases early atherosclerosis in hamsters fed cholesterol. Am. J. Pathol.
146: 819-826.
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The Bio F1B Hamster as a Model for Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis
Bio Breeders Inc., Watertown MA 02472, USA
Lee, J.-Y. & Carr, T.P. (2004)
Dietary fatty acids regulate acyl-CoA:cholesterol
acyltransferase and cytosolic cholesteryl ester hydrolase in hamsters. J. Nutr. 134:
3239-3244. (PDF)
Lee, J.-Y. & Carr, T.P. (2005) Dietary fatty acids regulate the expression of ABCG5 and
ABCG8 in hamsters. Nutrition Research 11: 167-175. (PDF)
McAteer, M.A., Grimsditch, D.C., Vidgeon-Hart, M., Benson, G.M. & Salter, A.M. (2003)
Dietary cholesterol reduces lipoprotein lipase activity in the atherosclerosissusceptible Bio F1B hamster. Br. J. Nutr. 89: 341-350. (PDF)
Meijer, G.W., van Tol, A, van Berkel, Th.J.C. & Westrate, J.A. (2001) Effect of dietary elaidic
versus vaccenic acid on blood and liver lipids in the hamster. Atherosclerosis 157:
31-40. (PDF)
Nicolosi, R.J., Rogers, E.J., Kritchevsky, D., Scimeca, J.A. & Huth, P.J. (1997) Dietary
conjugated linoleic acid reduces plasma lipoproteins and early aortic atherosclerosis
in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Artery 22: 266-277.
Nicolosi, R.J., Wilson, T.A., Lawton, C., Rogers, E.J., Wiseman, S.A., Tijburg, L.B.M. &
Kritchevsky, D. (1998) The greater atherogenecity of nonpurified diets versus
semipurified diets in hamsters is mediated via differences in plasma lipoprotein
cholesterol distribution, LDL oxidative susceptibility, and plasma -tocopherol
concentration. J. Nutr. Biochem. 9: 591-597. (PDF)
F1B hamsters fed a cholesterol-enriched semipurified diet have a higher HDL to total
cholesterol ratio and are more susceptible to atherosclerosis than F1B hamsters fed a
cholesterol-enriched chow diet.
Nicolosi, R.J., Wilson, T.A., & Krause, B.R. (1998) The ACAT inhibitor, CI-1011 is effective in
the prevention and regression of aortic fatty streak area in hamsters. Atherosclerosis
137: 77-85. (PDF)
Nicolosi, R.J., Lawton, C.W. & Wilson, T.A. (1999) Vitamin E reduces plasma low density
lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL oxidation, and early aortic atherosclerosis compared with
black tea in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Nutrition Research 19: 1201-1214.
(PDF)
Otto, J., Smith, D., van Dongen, D., Nicolosi, R.J. & Schaefer, E.J. (1995) Lovastatin inhibits
diet induced athersclerosis in F1B golden syrian hamster. Atherosclerosis 114: 19-28.
(PDF)
Pien, C.S. (1995) Cellular and molecular characterization of hamster aortic athersclerosis.
M.S. Thesis, University of New Hampshire.
Pien, C.S., Davis, W.P., Marone, A.J. & Foxall, T.L. (2002) Characterization of diet induced
aortic atherosclerosis in Syrian F1B hamsters. J. Exp. Anim. Sci. 42: 65-83.
Pitman,W.A., Osgood, D.P., Smith, D., Schaefer, E.J. & Ordovas, J.M. (1998) The effects of
diet and lovastatin on regression of fatty streak lesions and on hepatic mRNA levels
for the LDL receptor and HMG CoA reductase in F1B hamsters. Atherosclerosis 138:
43-52. (PDF)
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The Bio F1B Hamster as a Model for Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis
Bio Breeders Inc., Watertown MA 02472, USA
Robins, S.J., Fasulo, J.M., Patton, G.M., Schaefer, E.J., Smith, D.E. & Ordovas, J.E. (1995a)
Gender differences in the development of hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis in hybrid
hamsters. Metabolism 44: 1326-1331. (PDF)
Male F1B hamsters fed a cholesterol-enriched semipurified diet are more susceptible to
hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis than female F1B hamsters.
Robins, S.J., Fasulo, Pritzker, C.R., Ordovas, J.M. & Patton, G.M. (1995b) Diurnal changes
and adaptation by the liver of hamsters to an atherogenic diet. Am. J. Physiol. 269:
R1327-1332). (PDF)
Rong, N., Ausman. & Nicolosi, R.J. (1997) Oryzanol decreases cholesterol absorption and
aortic fatty streaks in hamsters. Lipids 32: 303-309.
Smith, D.E., Schaefer, E.J. & Ordovas, J.M. (1995) The effects of fasting on plasma lipids in
an animal model for the study of diet-induced atherosclerosis (the F1B Golden Syrian
Hamster). Canadian Assoc. Lab. Animal Sci. 30: 78-79.
Smith, D. E., Pedro-Botet, J., Cantuti-Castelvetri, I., Schaefer, E.J. & Ordovas, J.M. (1997)
Influence of age, diet, and laboratory caging on lipid profile among F1B hamsters.
Nutr. Res. 17: 1569-1575. (PDF)
F1B hamsters housed in groups have higher plasma lipid levels and degree of atherosclerosis
than F1B hamsters housed individually.
Smith, D. E., Espino-Montoro, A., Perez-Jimenez, F., Pedro-Botet, J., Jimenez Perperez, J.
& Ordovas, J.M. (2000) Effect of a high saturated fat and cholesterol diet
supplemented with squalene or β-sitosterol on lipoprotein profile in F1B hamsters.
Nutr. Res. 20: 1309-1318. (PDF)
Smith, D.E., Pedro-Botet, J., Cantuti-Castelveti, J., Shukitt-Hale, B., Schaefer, E.J. &
Ordovas, J.M. (2001) Influence of photoperiod, laboratory caging and aging on
plasma lipid response and atherogenic diet among F1B hamsters. Int. J. Neurosci.
106: 185-194.
Spady, D.K. & Dietschy, J.M. (1989) Interaction of aging and dietary fat in the regulation of
low density lipoprotein transport in the hamster. J. Lipid Res. 30: 559-569. (PDF)
Terpstra, A.H.M., Holmes, J.C. & Nicolosi, R.J. (1991) The hypocholesterolemic effect of
dietary soybean protein vs casein in hamsters fed cholesterol-free or cholesterolenriched semipurified diets. J. Nutr. 121: 944-947.
Terpstra, A.H.M., Laitinen, L.L., Stucchi, A.F. & Nicolosi, R.J. (1994) The effect of
semipurified diets containing two levels (20% and 40%) of either casein or soybean
protein isolate and concentrate on plasma lipids in hamsters. Nutr. Res. 14: 885-895.
Terpstra, A.H.M., Lapré, J.A., de Vries, H.T. & Beynen, A.C. (2002) The smooth or
polygalacturonic acid regions of pectin have similar hypocholesterolemic properties in
hybrid F1B hamsters as the intact pectin. Nahrung-Food 46: 83-86. (PDF)
Terpstra AHM, Lapré JA, de Vries HT, Beynen A.C. (2002) The cholesterol lowering effect of
lemon peels, lemon pectin, and the waste stream of lemon peels in hybrid F 1B
hamsters. Eur. J. Nutr. 41: 19-26. (PDF)
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The Bio F1B Hamster as a Model for Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis
Bio Breeders Inc., Watertown MA 02472, USA
Trautwein, E.A, Liang, J. & Hayes, K.C. (1993a) Plasma lipoproteins, biliary lipids and bile
acid profile differ in various strains of Syrian hamsters, mesocritus auratus. Comp.
Biochem. Physiol. 104A: 829-835. (PDF)
F1B hamsters fed a cholesterol-free semipurified diet have
cholesterol ratio than other strains of hamsters.
a lower HDL : total plasma
Trautwein, E.A, Liang, J. & Hayes, K.C. (1993b) Cholesterol gallstone induction in hamsters
reflects strain differences in plasma lipoproteins and bile acid profiles. Lipids 28: 305312.
F1B hamsters fed a cholesterol-enriched semipurified diet have a lower HDL : total plasma
cholesterol ratio than other strains of hamsters.
Wilson, T. A., Meservey, C. M., & Nicolosi, R. J. (1998) Soy lecithin reduces plasma
lipoprotein cholesterol and early atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic monkeys and
hamsters: beyond linoleate. Atherosclerosis 140: 147-153. (PDF)
Wilson, T.A., Romano, C., Liang, J. & Nicolosi, R.J. (1998) The hypocholesterolemic and
anti atherogenic effects of cholazol H, a chemically functionalized insoluble fiber with
bile acid sequestrant properties in hamsters. Metabolism 47: 959-964. (PDF)
Wilson, J., Nicolosi, R.J., Lawton, C.W. & Babiak, J. (1999) Gender differences in response
to a hypercholesterolemic diet in hamsters: effects on plasma lipoprotein cholesterol
concentrations and early aortic atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 146: 83-91. (PDF)
Wilson, T.A., Nicolosi, R.J., Rogers, E.J., Sacchiero, R.J., & Goldberg, D. (1998) Studies of
cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and early atherogenesis in hamsters fed GT16239, a novel bile acids sequestrant (BAS). Atherosclerosis 140: 315-324. (PDF)
Wilson, T.A., Nicolosi, R.J., Chrysam,, M. & Kritchevsky, D. (2000) Conjugated linoleic acid
reduces early atherosclerosis greater than linoleic acid in hypercholesterolemic
hamsters. Nutr. Res. 20: 1795-1805. (PDF)
Wilson, T.A., Foxall, T.L. % Nicolosi R.J. (2003) Doxazosin, an alpha-1 antagonist, prevents
further progression of advanced aortic lesion in hypercholesterolemic hamsters.
Metabolis 52: 1240-1245. (PDF)
Wilson, T.A., Nicolosi, R.J., Delaney, B., Chadwell, K., Moolchandani, V., Kotyla, T.,
Ponduru, S., Zheng, G.-H., Hess, R., Knutson, N., Curry, L., Kolberg, L., Goulson, M.
& Ostergren, K (2004) Reduced and high molecular weight barley β-glucans
decrease plasma total and non-HDL-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic Syrian
golden hamsters. J. Nutr. 134: 2617-2622. (PDF)
Wilson, T.A., Nicolosi, R.J., Handelman, G., Yoganathan, S., Kotyla, T., Orthoefer, F. &
Binford, P. (2004) Comparative effect of emu oil and olive oil on aortic early
atherosclerosis and associated reisk factors in hypercholesterolemic hamsters.
Nutrition Research 24: 395-405. (PDF)
Wilson, T.A., Nicolosi, R.J., Kotyla, T., Sundram, K. & Kritchevsky, D. (2005) Different palm
oil preparations reduce cholesterol concentrations and aortic cholesterol
accumulation compared to coconut oil in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. J. Nutr.
Biochem. 16: 633-640. (PDF)
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The Bio F1B Hamster as a Model for Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis
Bio Breeders Inc., Watertown MA 02472, USA
Wilson, T.A., Nicolosi, R.J., Saati, A., Kotyla, T. & Kritchevsky, D. (2006) Conjugated linoleic
acid isomers reduce blood cholesterol levels but not aortic cholesterol accumulation
in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Lipids 41: 41-48.
Yoganathan, S., Wilson, T.A. & Nicolosi, R.J. (1998) Housing conditions effect plasma lipid
concentrations and early atherogenesis independent of treatment in hamsters. Nutr.
Res. 18: 83-92. (PDF)
F1B hamsters housed in groups have higher plasma lipid levels and degree of atherosclerosis
than F1B hamsters housed individually.
7