Arteriolipidosis-prone rats (ALR) were successfully selected among SHR by repeatedly breeding rats with a greater reactive hypercholesterolemia. When fed on a HFC diet for few weeks, they rapidly developed hypercholesterolemia and ring-like fat deposits in mesenteric and cerebrobasal arteries. The establishment of ALR has proven that not only hypertension but also possible genetic abnormality in cholesterol metabolism is important for atherogenesis.