Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats as an experimental model of brain ischemia / Modelo experimental de isquemia cerebral em ratos por obliteração temporária da artéria cerebral média

PURPOSE: To assess a rat model of cerebral ischemia induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and its effect on the area of cerebral infarction. METHODS: Brain ischemia was induced in 52 male Wistar rats by introduction of a 3-0 nylon suture into the middle cerebral artery for either 90 (n=28) or 120 (n=24) minutes. Ischemic injury volume was determined by TTC staining, digital photography and analysis with the Image J software. Statistical analysis employed Student’s t test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of weight (p=0.59). The length of thread inserted was 14.7 mm in the 90 min group and 20.2 mm in the 120 min group (p=0.37). Ischemic injury was detected in 11 animals (39 percent) after 90 min and 11 (45 percent) after 120 min (p=0.77). In animals exhibiting injury, filament length was 16.1±11 mm (90 min) vs. 21.9±7.4 mm (120 min) (p=0.15). The mean infarction zone volume was greater after 120 (259.2 mm³) than after 90 min (162.9 mm³) (p=0.04). The neurological deficit score for the 90 and 120 min groups was 2.0 and 2.4, respectively (p=0.84). CONCLUSION: The experimental model induced significant ischemic cerebral injury in both groups.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o modelo de isquemia cerebral por oclusão da artéria cerebral média, mediante introdução de fio intraluminal por 90 e 120 minutos, e seu efeito sobre a área de infarto cerebral em ratos. MÉTODOS: 52 ratos machos Wistar foram submetidos à isquemia cerebral por introdução de fio de nylon 3-0 na artéria cerebral média por 90 ou 120 minutos. O volume da lesão isquêmica foi determinado pelo corante TTC, fotografia digital e utilização do programa ImageJ. Na análise estatística, foi utilizado o teste t- student e o U de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: O comprimento do fio introduzido foi de 14,7 mm no grupo 90 minutos e 20,2 mm no grupo 120 minutos. Lesão isquêmica foi detectada em 11 animais (39 por cento) no grupo que de 90 minutos e 11 (45 por cento) do grupo de 120 minutos. Nos animais que apresentaram lesão, o comprimento do fio foi de 16,1±11 mm (90 minutos) e 21,9±7,4 mm (120 minutos). O volume médio da área de infarto foi maior no grupo 120 minutos do que no grupo 90 minutos. O escore de déficit neurológico foi de 2,0 no grupo 90 minutos e de 2,4 no grupo 120 minutos. CONCLUSÃO: O modelo experimental estudado induz lesão isquêmica cerebral significativa em ambos os grupos.

Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats as an experimental model of brain ischemia.

PURPOSE: To assess a rat model of cerebral ischemia induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and its effect on the area of cerebral infarction. METHODS: Brain ischemia was induced in 52 male Wistar rats by introduction of a 3-0 nylon suture into the middle cerebral artery for either 90 (n=28) or 120 (n=24) minutes. Ischemic injury volume was determined by TTC staining, digital photography and analysis with the Image J software. Statistical analysis employed Student's t test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of weight (p=0.59). The length of thread inserted was 14.7 mm in the 90 min group and 20.2 mm in the 120 min group (p=0.37). Ischemic injury was detected in 11 animals (39%) after 90 min and 11 (45%) after 120 min (p=0.77). In animals exhibiting injury, filament length was 16.1 ± 11 mm (90 min) vs. 21.9 ± 7.4 mm (120 min) (p=0.15). The mean infarction zone volume was greater after 120 (259.2 mm³) than after 90 min (162.9 mm³) (p=0.04). The neurological deficit score for the 90 and 120 min groups was 2.0 and 2.4, respectively (p=0.84). CONCLUSION: The experimental model induced significant ischemic cerebral injury in both groups.