Comparison of Three Procedures in the Establishment of Rat Models of Focal Cerebral Ischemia / 中国实验动物学报

ABSTRACT

@#Objective To compare and evaluate the efficacy of three operating procedures to produce permanent rat models of cerebral ischemia, including mortality, neurological evaluation score, infarction volume of ischemia and time consumed in the operation. Methods The rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 The common carotid artery (CCA) and external carotid artery (ECA) were ligated during the operation and ICA was clipped temporarily by artery clamp. Group 2 The CCA and ECA were ligated and the superior thyroid artery and pterygopalatine artery were exposed but not ligated. Silk suture was utilized to hang the internal carotid artery (ICA). Plastic suture was inserted into ICA and stepped over the initiation point of pterygopalatine artery under microscopic observation. Group 3 The CCA and ECA were ligated and ICA was hanged with a silk suture, and the pterygopalatine artery was not exposed, but during the period of inserting plastic suture, the proximal part of the suture was pressed to make the suture's round distal end elevated, and then pass the initial point of pterygopalatine artery. Mortality, neurological score, volume of ischemic infarction and operation time consumed of the three groups were compared after the operation. Results The procedure to prepare the model was most efficient in the group 3, taking only 17.5 min to complete, significantly less than that in the group 1 (50 min) and group 2 (40 min), (P<0.05), and with a lower mortality and more steady neurological evaluation score and infarction volume. Conclusion The use of the third operating method can shorten the operation time and improve the efficacy of operation. Using this method, more consistent and repetitive focal cerebral ischemia models can be produced effectively, and meet the demands of clinical trials.