Name: osmotic drug delivery to ischemic hindlimbs and perfusion of vasculature with microfil for micro-computed tomography imaging
Uploaded: 2013-06-29T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Osmotic Drug Delivery to Ischemic Hindlimbs and Perfusion of Vasculature with Microfil for Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging at JoVE.com

The authors would like to thank Keith Michel of the MD Anderson Small Animal Imaging Facility for his technical assistance with micro-CT imaging, Edward T.H. Yeh, MD, for surgical assistance, and Rebecca Bartow, PhD, for editorial assistance. This work was supported in part by the American Heart Association.

1. Priming the Osmotic Pump
<ol>
	<li>Use sterile techniques (e.g. gloves, laminar flow hood) when preparing the pumps. Remove the pump and flow moderator from the packaging. Weigh the empty pump and record the weight (mg).</li>
	<li>Fill the pump slowly, to avoid creating air bubbles, by using a small 1cc syringe and blunt-tipped 27G filling tube. When the solution reaches the top of the pump, stop filling.</li>
	<li>Wipe off the excess solution and weigh the filled pump. For most aqueous solutions, the weigh...

<ol>
	<li>Epstein, S. E., Fuchs, S., Zhou, Y. F., Baffour, R., Kornowski, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Therapeutic+interventions+for+enhancing+collateral+development+by+administration+of+growth+factors:+basic+principles,+early+results+and+potential+hazards.">Therapeutic interventions for enhancing collateral development by administration of growth factors: basic principles, early results and potential hazards.</a> Cardiovasc. Res. 49, 532-542 (2001).</li><li>Esaki, J., Marui, A., Tabata, Y., Komeda, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Controlled+release+systems+of+angiogenic+growth+factors+for+cardiovascular+diseases.">Controlled release systems of angiogenic growth factors for cardiovascular diseases.</a> Expert Opin. Drug Deliv. 4, 635-649 (2007).</li><li>Bentley, M. D., Ortiz, M. C., Ritman, E. L., Romero, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+use+of+microcomputed+tomography+to+study+microvasculature+in+small+rodents.">The use of microcomputed tomography to study microvasculature in small rodents.</a> Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 282, 1267-1279 (2002).</li><li>Golomb, B. A., Dang, T. T., Criqui, M. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Peripheral+arterial+disease:+morbidity+and+mortality+implications.">Peripheral arterial disease: morbidity and mortality implications.</a> Circulation. 114, 688-699 (2006).</li><li>Hiatt, W. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pharmacologic+therapy+for+peripheral+arterial+disease+and+claudication.">Pharmacologic therapy for peripheral arterial disease and claudication.</a> J. Vasc. Surg. 36, 1283-1291 (2002).</li><li>Hirsch, A. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Peripheral+arterial+disease+detection,+awareness,+and+treatment+in+primary+care.">Peripheral arterial disease detection, awareness, and treatment in primary care.</a> JAMA. 286, 1317-1324 (2001).</li><li>McDonald, D. M., Choyke, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Imaging+of+angiogenesis:+from+microscope+to+clinic.">Imaging of angiogenesis: from microscope to clinic.</a> Nat. Med. 9, 713-725 (2003).</li><li>Hirsch, A. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ACC/AHA+Guidelines+for+the+Management+of+Patients+with+Peripheral+Arterial+Disease+(lower+extremity,+renal,+mesenteric,+and+abdominal+aortic):+a+collaborative+report+from+the+American+Associations+for+Vascular+Surgery/Society+for+Vascular+Surgery,+Society+for+Cardiovascular+Angiography+and+Interventions,+Society+for+Vascular+Medicine+and+Biology,+Society+of+Interventional+Radiology,+and+the+ACC/AHA+Task+Force+on+Practice+Guidelines+(writing+committee+to+develop+guidelines+for+the+management+of+patients+with+peripheral+arterial+disease)--summary+of+recommendations.">ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (lower extremity, renal, mesenteric, and abdominal aortic): a collaborative report from the American Associations for Vascular Surgery/Society for Vascular Surgery, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology, Society of Interventional Radiology, and the ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines (writing committee to develop guidelines for the management of patients with peripheral arterial disease)--summary of recommendations.</a> J. Vasc. Interv. Radiol. 17, 1383-1397 (2006).</li><li>Zagorchev, L., Mulligan-Kehoe, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+imaging+of+vessels+in+mouse+models+of+disease.">Molecular imaging of vessels in mouse models of disease.</a> Eur. J. Radiol. 70, 305-311 (2009).</li><li>Losordo, D. W., Dimmeler, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Therapeutic+angiogenesis+and+vasculogenesis+for+ischemic+disease.+Part+I:+angiogenic+cytokines.">Therapeutic angiogenesis and vasculogenesis for ischemic disease. Part I: angiogenic cytokines.</a> Circulation. 109, 2487-2491 (2004).</li><li>Waters, R. E., Terjung, R. L., Peters, K. G., Annex, B. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preclinical+models+of+human+peripheral+arterial+occlusive+disease:+implications+for+investigation+of+therapeutic+agents.">Preclinical models of human peripheral arterial occlusive disease: implications for investigation of therapeutic agents.</a> J. Appl. Physiol. 97, 773-780 (2004).</li></ol>

Here we present a method for osmotic drug/substance delivery in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia. In addition, we describe a casting technique in which we have used Microfil to produce a 3D reconstruction for analysis of the vascular network. 
 The level or severity of ischemia varies according to where the arterial ligation/excision is made. We created a double ligation in the common femoral artery proximal to the origin of the profunda femoris and epigastrica arteries; this approac...

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic disease that causes insufficient blood supply in the legs4. It affects 8 to 12 million Americans, and current medical treatments offer only limited relief5,6. Novel therapeutic agents that improve blood circulation in legs would not only restrain disease progression but also enhance quality of life. The incidence of PAD is higher in people over the age of 50 years, so local pharmacologic therapy is a more desirable treatment modality because the reduced kidney and liver function often seen in older patients can decrease drug metabolism and increase side effects with systemic administration.
Thus, we created a mouse model of PAD to examine whether locally administered agents alleviate hindlimb ischemia by promoting angiogenesis and microvascular remodeling. Specifically, we used a catheterized osmotic pump to continuously deliver the therapeutic agent to the ischemic thigh muscle of mice. Using our delivery system, we were able to maintain optimal concentrations of the drug in the local environment; this approach allows for appropriate drug bioactivity, avoids possible systemic side effects, and overcomes the disadvantage of limited local drug access associated with systemic administration. Additionally, to assess whether locally administered agents promote revascularization, we used advanced casting and high-definition imaging techniques that enable quantification of changes in the microvasculature. Collectively, the combination of methodologies used in this video article is useful in preclinical studies to aid in understanding pharmacologically induced revascularization in PAD patients7-9.

<table border="1">
		<tbody>
		 <tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Reagent/Material</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Surgical tools</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Type: Tool</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Puritan sterile cotton swabs</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22-029-499</td>
			<td>Type: Tool</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Betadine (povidone-iodine)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>19-065534</td>
			<td>Type: Reagent</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>70% Alcohol pads</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>NC9926371</td>
			<td>Type: Reagent</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffered saline</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>17-516F</td>
			<td>Type: Reagent</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>6-0 prolene suture</td>
			<td>Cardinal Health</td>
			<td>8709</td>
			<td>Type: Tool</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>8-0 prolene suture</td>
			<td>Cardinal Health</td>
			<td>2775</td>
			<td>Type: Tool</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Depilatory cream</td>
			<td>Nair</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Type: Tool</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Osmotic pump</td>
			<td>ALZET</td>
			<td>1002</td>
			<td>Type: Tool, 14 day release</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Vinyl catheter</td>
			<td>ALZET</td>
			<td>7760</td>
			<td>Type: Tool</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Heparinized saline (0.9%)</td>
			<td>Baxter</td>
			<td>2B0944</td>
			<td>Type: Reagent</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Neutral buffered formalin</td>
			<td>Richard-Allan Scientific</td>
			<td>5705</td>
			<td>Type: Reagent</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Microfil (silicone rubber contrast agent)</td>
			<td>Flowtech</td>
			<td>MV-112</td>
			<td>Type Reagent, Microfil White</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Cal-Ex II (formic acid solution)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>CS511-1D</td>
			<td>Type: Reagent</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Buprenex</td>
			<td>CIII</td>
			<td>7571</td>
			<td>Type: Analgesic</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Bupivicaine</td>
			<td>Hospira, Inc.</td>
			<td>381</td>
			<td>Type: Analgesic</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Dissecting microscope</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss Microimaging</td>
			<td>Zeiss Stemi 2000-C</td>
			<td>Type:Equipment</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Laser Doppler perfusion imager</td>
			<td>Perimed Inc.</td>
			<td>Periscan PIM3 </td>
			<td>Type:Equipment</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Micro-CT imaging system</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>Explore Locus SP </td>
			<td>Type:Equipment</td>
		 </tr>
		</tbody>
 </table>

osmotic drug delivery to ischemic hindlimbs and perfusion of vasculature with microfil for micro-computed tomography imaging

Preclinical research in animal models of peripheral arterial disease plays a vital role in testing the efficacy of therapeutic agents designed to stimulate microcirculation. The choice of delivery method for these agents is important because the route of administration profoundly affects the bioactivity and efficacy of these agents1,2. In this article, we demonstrate how to locally administer a substance in ischemic hindlimbs by using a catheterized osmotic pump. This pump can deliver a fixed volume of aqueous solution continuously for an allotted period of time. We also present our mouse model of unilateral hindlimb ischemia induced by ligation of the common femoral artery proximal to the origin of profunda femoris and epigastrica arteries in the left hindlimb. Lastly, we describe the in vivo cannulation and ligation of the infrarenal abdominal aorta and perfusion of the hindlimb vasculature with Microfil, a silicone radiopaque casting agent. Microfil can perfuse and fill the entire vascular bed (arterial and venous), and because we have ligated the major vascular conduit for exit, the agent can be retained in the vasculature for future ex vivo imaging with the use of small specimen micro-CT3.

The animation demonstrates the osmotic pump insertion and hindlimb ischemia surgery detailed in the protocol. Figure 1 shows laser Doppler images of perfusion of the hindlimb, confirming ischemia. After vascular casting with Microfil, a 3D micro-CT image of the vascular network shows that Microfil can fill the vessels effectively (Figure 2A) but that discontinuities can occur (Figure 2B) due to various procedural factors (e.g., air bubbles, lack of pressure, vis...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Osmotic Drug Delivery to Ischemic Hindlimbs and Perfusion of Vasculature with Microfil for Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging at JoVE.com

Osmotic Drug Delivery to Ischemic Hindlimbs and Perfusion of Vasculature with Microfil for Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging

We show here the in vivo insertion of an osmotic pump for constant local drug delivery and the creation of hindlimb ischemia in a mouse model. Moreover, the hindlimb vasculature is perfused with Microfil, a silicone radiopaque agent, to prepare for micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging.

Preclinical research in animal models of peripheral arterial disease plays a vital role in testing the efficacy of therapeutic agents designed to ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Retrograde Perfusion and Filling of Mouse Coronary Vasculature as Preparation for Micro Computed Tomography Imaging

Visualization of the vasculature is becoming increasingly important for understanding many different disease states. While several techniques exist for ...

Assessment of Viability of Human Fat Injection into Nude Mice with Micro-Computed Tomography

Lipotransfer is a vital tool in the surgeon&#8217;s armamentarium for the treatment of soft tissue deficits of throughout the body. Fat is the ideal soft ...

Using Micro-computed Tomography for the Assessment of Tumor Development and Follow-up of Response to Treatment in a Mouse Model of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in the world. Intensive research is ongoing worldwide to identify new therapies for lung cancer. Several mouse ...

Intraluminal Drug Delivery to the Mouse Arteriovenous Fistula Endothelium

Delivery of therapeutic agents to enhance arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation can be administered either via intraluminal or external routes. The ...

Combined Near-infrared Fluorescent Imaging and Micro-computed Tomography for Directly Visualizing Cerebral Thromboemboli

Direct thrombus imaging visualizes the root cause of thromboembolic infarction. Being able to image thrombus directly allows far better investigation of ...

Method of Direct Segmental Intra-hepatic Delivery Using a Rat Liver Hilar Clamp Model

Major hepatic surgery with inflow occlusion, and liver transplantation, necessitate a period of warm ischemia, and a period of reperfusion leading to ...

Optimized LC-MS/MS Method for the High-throughput Analysis of Clinical Samples of Ivacaftor, Its Major Metabolites, and Lumacaftor in Biological Fluids of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Defects in the cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator (CFTR) are the cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a disease with life-threatening ...

Improved Method for the Establishment of an In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model Based on Porcine Brain Endothelial Cells

Improved Method for the Establishment of an In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model Based on Porcine Brain Endothelial Cells

The aim of this protocol presents an optimized procedure for the purification and cultivation of pBECs and to establish in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) ...

Tissue Preparation Techniques for Contrast-Enhanced Micro Computed Tomography Imaging of Large Mammalian Cardiac Models with Chronic Disease

Structural remodeling is a common consequence of chronic pathological stresses imposed on the heart. Understanding the architectural and compositional ...