Oral Administration of a Hypercholesterol Feed Formula to Develop a Dyslipidemia Animal Model in Male Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated cholesterol levels, which can be induced through high-fat and high-cholesterol diets. Establishing an animal model of dyslipidemia is essential for studying its pathophysiology and for evaluating potential therapeutic agents. This study aimed to develop a dyslipidemia model in male white rats (Rattus norvegicus) through oral administration of a hypercholesterol feed formula. A true experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group was used, involving healthy male rats aged 2–3 months with an average weight of 150–200 g. The experimental group received a high-fat feed consisting of lard, duck egg yolk, and propylthiouracil administered orally for 14 days, while the control group received a standard diet. Total cholesterol levels and body weight were measured on day 1 and day 14. Statistical analysis using paired t-test showed a significant increase in body weight and total cholesterol levels in the dyslipidemia group (p < 0.001), whereas the control group only demonstrated slight, non-significant increases. These findings indicate that oral administration of hypercholesterol feed successfully induces dyslipidemia in rats. This model can be applied as a valid experimental platform for further research on dyslipidemia mechanisms and the evaluation of anti-hyperlipidemic agents.