A new model of brainstem ischemia by embolization technique in cats

Dl-3-N-Butylphthalide Promotes Angiogenesis in an Optimized Model of Transient Ischemic Attack in C57BL/6 Mice

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) has been widely regarded as a clinical entity. Even though magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of TIA patients are negative, potential neurovascular damage might be present, and may account for long-term cognitive impairment. Animal models that simulate human diseases are essential tools for in-depth study of TIA. Previous studies have clarified that Dl-3-N-butylphthalide (NBP) promotes angiogenesis after stroke. However, the effects of NBP on TIA remain unknown. This study aims to develop an optimized TIA model in C57BL/6 mice to explore the microscopic evidence of ischemic injury after TIA, and investigate the therapeutic effects of NBP on TIA. C57BL/6 mice underwent varying durations (7, 8, 9 or 10 min) of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion were assessed by laser speckle contrast imaging. TIA and ischemic stroke were distinguished by neurological testing and MRI examination at 24 h post-operation. Neuronal apoptosis was examined by TUNEL staining. Images of submicron cerebrovascular networks were obtained via micro-optical sectioning tomography. Subsequently, the mice were randomly assigned to a sham-operated group, a vehicle-treated TIA group or an NBP-treated TIA group. Vascular density was determined by immunofluorescent staining and fluorescein isothiocyanate method, and the expression of angiogenic growth factors were detected by western blot analysis. We found that an 8-min or shorter period of ischemia induced neither permanent neurological deficits nor MRI detectable brain lesions in C57BL/6 mice, but histologically caused neuronal apoptosis and cerebral vasculature abnormalities. NBP treatment increased the number of CD31+ microvessels and perfused microvessels after TIA. NBP also up-regulated the expression of VEGF, Ang-1 and Ang-2 and improved the cerebrovascular network. In conclusion, 8 min or shorter cerebral ischemia induced by the suture MCAO method is an appropriate TIA model in C57BL/6 mice, which conforms to the definition of human TIA, but causes microscopic neurovascular impairment. NBP treatment increased the expression of angiogenic growth factors, promoted angiogenesis and improved cerebral microvessels after TIA. Our study provides new insights on the pathogenesis and potential treatments of TIA.

Focal brainstem infarction in the adult rat

Animal models are required to study the pathogenesis of brainstem ischemia and to develop new therapeutic approaches to promote functional recovery after ischemia in humans. Few models of brainstem ischemia are available, and they show great variability or cause early lethality. New, reliable animal models are therefore needed. By selectively ligating four points of the lower basilar artery, we developed a new focal basilar artery occlusion model that causes a localized brainstem ischemic lesion in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Analysis of ischemic lesion volume and neurological deficits over a period of 28 d showed that the rats present symptoms specific to this type of stroke while the ischemic lesion remains relatively unchanged over time. This procedure allows higher survival rates and extended observation periods compared with other models of brainstem ischemia. The procedure takes ~40 min, can be performed by researchers with basic surgical skills and does not require specialized surgical equipment. This protocol is highly reliable and will be useful to evaluate new therapeutic approaches to promote functional recovery in patients with brainstem ischemia.

Infratentorial strokes for posterior circulation folks: clinical correlations for current translational therapeutics

Approximately 20 percent of all strokes will occur in the Infratentorial brain. This is within the vascular territory of the posterior vascular circulation. Very few clinical specifics are known about the therapeutic needs of this patient sub-population. Most evidence-based practices are founded from research about the treatment of anterior circulatory stroke. As a consequence, little is known about how stroke in the Infratentorial brain region would require a different approach. We characterized the neurovascular features of Infratentorial stroke, pathophysiological responses, and experimental models for further translational study.

A new model of thromboembolic stroke in the posterior circulation of the rat

The prognosis of vertebrobasilar occlusion is grave and therapeutic options are limited. The aim of the present study was to develop a new model of embolic hindbrain ischemia in the rat that closely resembles the clinical situation and that can be used to study pathophysiology and treatment options. After thoracotomy in 20 male Wistar rats, 15 animals received an injection of in vitro prepared autologous blood clots into the left vertebral artery. Five animals without clot injection served as controls. Neurological deficits were assessed in all animals 2 h after embolism. After 2 h, five animals were sacrificed to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) by iodo-antipyridine autoradiography, and to calculate early cerebellar swelling by comparison of both hemispheres in brain slices. In these animals, autoradiography revealed ipsilesional brain swelling and significantly reduced blood flow values relative to the contralateral (unaffected) structures. Immunohistology showed the typical pattern of focal cerebral ischemia in the brain stem and/or cerebellum in 7 of 10 animals allowed to recover to 24 h. Hence, successful thromboembolism was achieved in 12 of 15 animals (80%). With this novel model, the pathophysiology and potential treatments of posterior circulation stroke can be investigated.

Defining the Effect of Cervical Manipulation on Vertebral Artery Integrity: Establishment of an Animal Model

BACKGROUND

Cervical spine manipulation is most often performed to affect relief of musculoskeletal complaints of the head and neck. Performed typically without complication, this modality is thought to be a potential cause of cerebrovascular injury, although a cause-effect relation has yet to be established. To explore this relation, an experimental platform is needed that is accessible and biologically responsive.

OBJECTIVE

To establish an animal model capable of accommodating (1) direct study of its vertebral arteries and (2) creation of controlled interventions simulating arterial injury.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive.

METHODS

Under fluoroscopic guidance, an ultrasonic catheter was inserted into the left vertebral artery of 3 anesthetized dogs. The ultrasonic probe was then drawn proximally through the artery at a specific rate, and cross-sectional images of the vessel were collected. These images were then reconstructed to provide a variety of 2- and 3-dimensional representations of the vessel. This procedure was repeated after the overinflation and/or displacement of an angiographic balloon within the vertebral artery itself.

RESULTS

The resulting ultrasonic images were able to delineate the structural layers that constitute the vertebral artery. Analysis of 2- and 3-dimensional reconstructions before and after angiographic intervention revealed the creation of discrete vascular injuries (aneurysm or dissection).

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, an animal model has been established that permits direct interrogation of the internal structures of the vertebral artery. This model can also be manipulated to create "preexisting" vascular injuries that are thought to be possible prerequisites for cerebrovascular injury associated with manipulation. As a result, an experimental platform has been established that is capable of providing investigators of all backgrounds with the ability to quantify biologic and mechanical outcomes of cervical manipulation.

A proposed role for nerve growth factor in the etiology of multiple sclerosis

It is proposed that, in addition to genetic factors involved in immune attack on myelin, higher concentrations of nerve growth factor in certain tissues during development determine susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. High early nerve growth factor in some vasculature of spontaneously hypertensive rats increases sympathetic innervation and catecholamine production in these vessels. They become more sensitive than controls to noradrenaline after chemical sympathectomy. Continued exposure to high noradrenaline can result in sympathectomy-like effects, heightening sensitivity to constricting neurotransmitters. Vasoresponses of spontaneously hypertensive rats are impaired with submaximal but not maximal hypoxia. Such a situation in multiple sclerosis patients could result in insufficient blood flow by vasoconstriction until it becomes maximal. Glutamate increase by ischemia and hyperemic release of free radicals could injure neurons, prompting an immune response to myelin proteins in susceptible people. Developmental adaptation to situations requiring lower sympathetic activity might help counteract these effects.

A canine model of acute hindbrain ischemia and reperfusion

Animal models of brain stem ischemia are needed for pathophysiological study and evaluation of treatment; few such models are available currently. A new canine model of hindbrain ischemia and reperfusion is introduced in this article. Through an anterior cervical approach, the basilar artery was surgically exposed in 18 dogs. The posterior communicating and superior cerebellar arteries were embolized with cyanoacrylate glue to isolate the posterior circulation from the anterior circulation. Reversible hindbrain ischemia was induced in 14 dogs by the temporary clipping of the vertebral and ventral spinal arteries for various periods (10-30 min), then the clips were removed and reperfusion was achieved for 5 hours. In all 14 dogs, the hindbrain ischemia was confirmed by the decreased perfusion pressure in the basilar artery (< 10 mm Hg), the diminished regional cerebral blood flow as measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter at the medulla oblongata (< 10 ml/100 g/min), the flattened brain stem auditory evoked potentials, and the increased leakage of Evans blue dye from tissue. These parameters did not change in the four control dogs. The changes in brain stem auditory evoked potentials were closely related to the length of ischemic interval; after 10 minutes of ischemia, reperfusion fully reversed the changes in brain stem auditory evoked potentials, but 20-minute and 30-minute ischemic intervals partially or totally depleted the brain stem auditory evoked potentials. Delayed postischemic hypoperfusion occurred in all five dogs that underwent the 30-minute ischemic interval. The early physiological changes in this model allowed us to estimate the severity of brain stem ischemia and the resulting damage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)