Furthermore, although body mass was modestly but significantly lower in male Ldlr−/−Diaph1−/− vs. Ldlr−/− mice, in female Ldlr−/−Diaph1−/− vs. Ldlr−/− mice, there were no differences in body mass; in both cases, however, the mice devoid of both the Ldlr and Diaph1 displayed significantly less atherosclerosis and lower plasma concentrations of cholesterol vs. the Ldlr−/− mice. This evidence concerns the gene DIAPH1 and atherosclerosis.