APOE and atherosclerosis: Compared with the mice in the ApoE−/− + HFD + AAV-NC group, a significant increase in Oil Red O positive area and arterial plaque area was observed in the ApoE−/− mice injected with STZ (ApoE−/− + HFD + STZ + AAV-NC), highlighting the exacerbating effect of diabetes on atherosclerosis.