ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss a method to induce vascular remodeling (intimal regeneration) after partial ligation of the left common carotid artery. Methods Forty 8-week-old male C57BL / 6 J mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group (WT), sham group (sham), 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks and 12 weeks postoperative groups. Only the internal carotid, external carotid and occipital arteries in the four distal branches of the left common carotid artery (LCA) were ligated, and the superior thyroid artery was retained, resultsing in intimal neovascularization and vascular remodeling of the left common carotid artery. The changes of body weight and forage were observed after operation. Morphological changes of blood vessels were observed by HE staining. The aggregation of collagen fibers in blood vessels was observed by sirius red staining. Results In addition to the WT group, the weight and dietary quantity of other groups were reduced 1-2 days after the operation, and began to rise from the third day, while the sham group began to rise from the second day. HE staining showed that no new intima was formed in the left common carotid artery of sham group and WT group, and thickening of intima and media layer and stenosis of the nasal cavity were observed in the 4, 8, 10 and 12 weeks groups after partial ligation. There was no intima thickening in the unligated carotid artery on the right side, but there was an enlargement of the lumen. This sirius red stain demonstrated collagen accumulation in the intima and tunica media. Conclution Partial ligation of the left common carotid artery can establish a mouse model of arterial endothelial injury with obvious intima regeneration.