ABSTRACT
Objective Investigating alterations of axon microstructures in white matter lesions in a rat model of hypertension. Methods Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (n=9) and operation group (n=9). Operation group received two kidneys two clips surgeries and bilateral common carotid arteries ligations. In the 12th week after common carotid arteries ligation, rats were evaluated by Morris Water Maze test and then sacrificed for evaluation of pathological features, including small arteries' pathologies, white matter lesions, glia changes and axon micro organizations. Results Morris Water Maze test showed that escape latencies was significantly higher in operation group than in sham operation group. The number of times of cross-over cite in the target quadrant was significantly lower in the operation group than in sham operation group (P＜0.05). Compared with sham operation group, operation group showed a series of pathological features, such as arteriosclerosis, leukoaraiosis, loss of oligodendrocyte and disorganized paranode. Conclusions White matter lesion is a chronic progressive disease which involves both demyelination and axon injuries.