Histological analysis of the aortic root sections using HE and Masson’s Trichrome staining demonstrated that the HF diet significantly increased the aortic plaque area (Fig. 10B top and F), necrotic core area (Fig. 10B top and G), collagen-positive area (Fig. 10B bottom and H), and serum LDL cholesterol levels (Fig. 10E) in ApoE−/− mice. This evidence concerns the gene APOE and hydrops fetalis.