[Animal Modeling]-A stable rat model of middle cerebral artery embolism and cerebral infarction

  Objective: To explore the feasibility of using laser Doppler blood flow monitoring technology to make a stable middle cerebral artery embolism cerebral infarction model in rats.

  Method: 16 SD male rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: 8 experimental group and 8 control group. The experimental group judged that the cerebral blood flow dropped to 30% of the basic value during the model making process was judged as successful model making; the control group did not monitor the cerebral blood flow and inserted the nylon tether at a depth of 1.8 cm as judged successful model making. Nerve injury severity scores (mNSS) were performed before and 24 hours after the model; rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the model, and the brains were taken for 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) Stain and calculate the cerebral infarct volume.

  Results: 8 rats in the experimental group all developed typical symptoms of hemiplegia 24 hours after the model, the mNSS score was stable at 10 to 13 points, and the infarct volume stability and uniformity were good, which was (37.5±3.9)%. The 8 rats in the control group had poor mNSS score stability. 5 rats had mNSS scores ranging from 10 to 13 points. The cerebral infarction foci of 5 rats were similar to those of the experimental group, but 3 rats had cerebral infarction. The volume was significantly smaller than the experimental group (P<0.05). The model success rate of the experimental group was 100%, and the model success rate of the control group was 62.5% (P<0.05).

  Conclusion: Laser Doppler blood flow monitoring technology can significantly improve the success rate, stability and uniformity of the rat MCAO model.