Year: 2025 | Month: October | Volume: 12 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 354-362
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20251036
Histopathological Evidence of Early Coronary Atherosclerosis in an Obese Rat Model Fed with High-Fat and Fructose Diet
Prima Adelin1,2, Efrida1,3, Rauza Sukma Rita1,4, Eka Fithra Elfi1,5
1Doctoral Program in Biomedical, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia.
2Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Baiturrahmah, Padang, Indonesia.
3Department of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia.
4Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia.
5Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia.
Corresponding Author: Efrida
ABSTRACT
Background: Atherosclerosis is a major cardiovascular complication associated with obesity. Experimental models often require proinflammatory induction, while the direct effect of a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHF) on coronary artery pathology remains underexplored.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate histopathological changes in coronary arteries of obese rats subjected to HFHF diet.
Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (AIN-93 diet) and HFHF groups for 12 weeks. Coronary arteries were processed for H&E staining. Lesions were assessed using histopathological atherosclerosis scoring (0–3) and measurement of intimal thickness with ImageJ. Data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney test, p < 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Rats receiving HFHF diet developed obesity (increased body weight and Lee’s index, p < 0.05). Coronary arteries of HFHF group showed significant higher scores histopathological atherosclerosis compared to controls. Lesions included endothelial discontinuity, foam cells, and vascular smooth muscle cell disorientation.
Conclusion: HFHF diet for 12 weeks is sufficient to induce coronary artery lesions in obese rats without additional inflammatory induction.
Keywords: atherosclerosis, coronary arteries, high fat diet and fructose, histopathology, obesity
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