Apolipoprotein E-knockout Mice as a Lifestyle-related Disease Model of Atherosclerosis and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and obesity are the "deadly quartet" of lifestyle related diseases, those whose onset and slow progression are the result of choices made in everyday living. Each condition is bad enough alone, but combined they significantly increase the risk of death. Atherosclerotic lesions are a frequent hallmark of lifestyle-related disease; they develop silently and often go undetected until their condition and location precipitate myocardial and/or cerebral infarction and, not infrequently, sudden death.