Objective    To establish a practical

stable and reliable animal model of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE

－/－

) mouse and investigate the development of renal injury.      Methods    After the ApoE

－/－

mouse models aged 25-51 weeks were respectively sacrificed

the renal arteries and the kidneys were obtained. The stenosis degree was measured by elastic fibers straining and analyzed by a software  system. According to the stenosis degree

the renal arteries were divided into 3 groups (A: 50%; B:

50%-70%; C: 70%)

and group A was divided into 2 subgroups (A

1

: stable

A

2

: unstable) depending on whether the atherosclerotic plaque is ruptured or not.      Results    The mouse model of ARAS was established successfully. Renal pathological changes were not found in group A

1

. Obvious tubulointerstitial injury was noted in group A

2

such as decreased peritubular capillaries (PTC)

the broken and disordered cristae arrangement and swollen mitochondia in renal tubular epithelial cells. The atherosclerotic plaque was ruptured in groups B and C

and greater tubulointerstitial injury was noted with markedly decreased PTC density than group A

2

(P0.01).      Conclusion    The ARAS model we established is steady

credible

and easily repeated.