Selected animal models for systematic antiatherosclerotic drug development.

Abstract

We have developed an integrated system for antiatherosclerosis drug development utilizing rats, SEA quail, and cynomolgus monkeys as animal models. In general, the way the system is presently functioning is that thousands of compounds per year are randomly screened for hypobeta- or hyperalphalipoproteinemic activity in rats, and hundreds of compounds per year are screened in SEA quail for antiatherosclerotic and hypocholesterolaric activity. A few selected compounds that have activity in both rats and quail are then tested for lipoprotein modifying activity in cynomolgus monkeys. Nontoxic compounds having very good lipoprotein modifying activity in the monkey will then be recommended for clinical trials in man. We do not anticipate that this battery of testing will guarantee activity in man, but are hoping that it will at least increase the probability for finding a truly effective antiatherosclerotic drug to control the human disease.