Use of Animal Models in Plant Sterol and Stanol Research.

Abstract Cholesterol-lowering properties of plant sterolswere reported approximately six decades ago. However, over the past couple of decades we have learnt more about other cardiovascular benefits of regular consumption of plant sterolsand/or plant stanols. In particular a series of animal studieshas consistently reported that dietary plant sterolsand/or plant stanolsor their fatty acid esterscan reduce atherogenesis to a different extent in different animal models. Such effects may be mediated not only through reductions in LDL cholesterol levels, but also through other mechanisms including anti-inflammatory effects. In this manuscript, various animal modelsincluding mice, rabbits, hamsters, and others which have been used to establish cardiovascular benefits of plant sterolsare discussed.