The existing animal models such as apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe<sup>-/-</sup>) mice cannot reproduce all the conditions of AA/AD, including elevated LDL-cholesterol levels and spontaneous atheroma formation; therefore, a more reliable in vivo model is required.
Intriguingly, HHcy greatly increased the incidence of angiotensin II-induced AAA and aortic dissection in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (vehicle versus Hcy: 50% versus 100%; P<0.05).