Are Zebrafish the Key to Atherosclerosis Research?

Zebra fish are now being used in research at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine to better understand atherosclerosis. These see-through fish are given a high cholesterol diet and as the fish grows, you can actually see the plaque developing inside their blood vessels. The fish are supplemented with a red fluorescent lipid to easily distinguish the plaque build-up. They also use a red fluorescent protein to illuminate immune cells to regulate the development of atherosclerosis.

Mice and rabbits have been given a high cholesterol diet in the past, but the plaque buildup was only able to be looked at after death. This method gives researchers a way to investigate the causes and influences of atherosclerosis while the animal is still alive.

Researchers investigated the drug ezetimibe, used to lower plasma cholesterol levels, by mixing it with the fish tank water. Surprisingly, the fish responded quite well to the drug. Scientists were actually able to see the vascular walls being reduced.

The study is being led by Yury I. Miller, MD, PhD. He believes that the research being done on the zebra fish is a promising method for new drugs and cardiovascular imaging techniques. Also, because the disease needs to be treated in the earliest possible stage, this discovery should be very useful in the early development of the disease.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090305164350.htm

Nicole Maxey

Section 502