Building a model of hyperlipidization in experimental mice using lardo

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the dose of lard that induces hyperlipidemia in mice. Methods: Mice were fed a standard pellet diet supplemented with either 25% or 50% lard in their daily food intake. Blood lipid concentrations were measured after 4 weeks in three groups of mice:Control group-100% standard pellet diet; Experimental group 1 - Diet consisting of 75% standard pellets (8.64 kcal) and 25% lard (6.75 kcal); Experimental group 2 - Diet consisting of 50% standard pellets (5.76 kcal) and 50% lard (13.5 kcal). Results: At 4 weeks, the lipid profiles were as follows:Experimental group 1: Triglycerides = 0.92 mmol/L ± 0.07, Cholesterol = 2.59 mmol/L ± 0.05, HDL-C = 1.82 mmol/L ± 0.05, LDL-C = 1.36 mmol/L ± 0.03; Experimental group 2: Triglycerides = 2.51 mmol/L ± 0.11, Cholesterol = 4.58 mmol/L ± 0.08, HDL-C = 2.67 mmol/L ± 0.07, LDL-C = 0.77 mmol/L ± 0.05. Levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C were significantly higher in experimental group 2 compared to both group 1 and the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A daily diet consisting of 50% standard pellets and 50% lard (equivalent to 3g of food/mouse/day = 129 kcal/day/mouse) over a period of 4 weeks led to a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) in blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, and LDL-C compared to the control group.