A model of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia in rats induced by injection of elastase into cisterna magna / 国际脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the feasibility of a model of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD)in rats induced by injection of elastase into cisterna magna. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into elastase model group (n = 20) and saline control group (n = 20). The elastase model group was intracisternal injected with 0. 3 μl of elastase at a concentration of 1. 5 U/μl, and the saline control group was injected with 0. 3 μl of normal saline. All the animals were sacrificed at 28 d after model preparation.The degree of VBD was observed in both groups, and conventional HE and elastic fiber stain were performed. The tortuosity index and increased percentage of artery diameter were used to determine whether the model was successful. Results One and three rats died in the saline control group and the elastase model group, respectively. The diameter of the basilar artery in the elastase model group was significantly thicker than that in the saline control group (0. 452 ± 0. 062 mm vs. 0. 284 ± 0. 046 mm; t = 9. 113, P < 0. 001).None of the saline control groups showed morphological characteristics of VBD, and 15 in the elastase model group met the morphological characteristics of VBD. The success rate of model preparation was 88. 2％ (15/17 ). Histopathological examination showed that the structure of the vascular wall of was destroyed, the wall of the blood vessel was thinned, and internal elastic layer was discontinuous in the elastase model group; the saline control group had a clear wall structure, a uniform wall thickness, and a complete continuous elastic layer. Conclusion Injection of elastase into occipital cistern can successfully induce VBD in rats, which can be used to make a rat VBD model.