Metabolic and morphometric changes in Indonesian cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) fed an atherogenic diet composed of locally sourced ingredients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study was designed to determine the effects of a new atherogenic diet formulated at Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) (Bogor, Indonesia) on metabolic, morphometric, and carotid artery imaging of cynomolgus monkeys.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 adult male cynomolgus monkeys fed IPB-1 atherogenic diet for 1 year. Total plasma cholesterol (TPC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and morphometric measurements were evaluated at baseline and monthly during the study. Carotid plaques and intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured using ultrasonography at baseline and after 8 months of treatment.

RESULTS: This diet increased TPC, LDL, and TPC/HDL ratio and induced carotid atherosclerosis in this model. The TPC, LDL, and TPC/HDL ratio were positively associated; however, HDL was negatively associated with carotid plaques and IMT.

CONCLUSION: The IPB-1 atherogenic diet formulated with locally and readily available ingredients provides an economically and scientifically feasible monkey model to study atherosclerosis in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.