This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants HL087990 (G.L.).

Ethics Statement: Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 330-380 g) were used in this protocol. This protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at the LSU Health Science Center-Shreveport and is in compliance with the &#39;Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals&#39; (eighth edition, National Academy of Sciences, 2011).
1. Preparation of Modified PE-50 Tube
<ol>
	<li>Hold a 30 cm long PE-50 tube above a gas fire by hands, gradually soften the ...

<ol>
	<li>Overgaard, K., Sereghy, T., Boysen, G., Pedersen, H., H&#248;yer, S., Diemer, N. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+rat+model+of+reproducible+cerebral+infarction+using+thrombotic+blood+clot+emboli.">A rat model of reproducible cerebral infarction using thrombotic blood clot emboli.</a> J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 12 (3), 484-490 (1992).</li><li>Zhang, R. L., Chopp, M., Zhang, Z. G., Jiang, Q., Ewing, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+rat+model+of+focal+embolic+cerebral+ischemia.">A rat model of focal embolic cerebral ischemia.</a> Brain Res. 766 (1-2), 83-92 (1997).</li><li>Dinapoli, V. A., Rosen, C. 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T., Bastan, B., Shea, M., Fisher, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser+Doppler+flowmetry+predicts+occlusion+but+not+tPA-mediated+reperfusion+success+after+rat+embolic+stroke.">Laser Doppler flowmetry predicts occlusion but not tPA-mediated reperfusion success after rat embolic stroke.</a> Exp Neurol. 215 (2), 290-297 (2009).</li><li>Zhu, H., 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=Annexin+A2+combined+with+low-dose+tPA+improves+thrombolytic+therapy+in+a+rat+model+of+focal+embolic+stroke.">Annexin A2 combined with low-dose tPA improves thrombolytic therapy in a rat model of focal embolic stroke.</a> J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 30 (6), 1137-1146 (2010).</li><li>Cheng, 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=Activated+protein+C+inhibits+tissue+plasminogen+activator-induced+brain+hemorrhage.">Activated protein C inhibits tissue plasminogen activator-induced brain hemorrhage.</a> Nat Med. 2 (11), 1278-1285 (2006).</li><li>Taniguchi, H., Andreasson, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+hypoxic-ischemic+encephalopathy+model+of+perinatal+ischemia.">The hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy model of perinatal ischemia.</a> J Vis Exp. 21 (955), (2008).</li><li>Sicard, K. M., Fisher, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Animal+models+of+focal+brain+ischemia.">Animal models of focal brain ischemia.</a> Exp Transl Stroke Med. 1 (7), (2009).</li><li>Florian, B., 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=Long-term+hypothermia+reduces+infarct+volume+in+aged+rats+after+focal+ischemia.">Long-term hypothermia reduces infarct volume in aged rats after focal ischemia.</a> Neurosci Lett. 438 (2), 180-185 (2008).</li><li>Noor, R., Wang, C. X., Shuaib, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+hyperthermia+on+infarct+volume+in+focal+embolic+model+of+cerebral+ischemia+in+rats.">Effects of hyperthermia on infarct volume in focal embolic model of cerebral ischemia in rats.</a> Neurosci Lett. 349 (2), 130-132 (2003).</li><li>Westendorp, W. F., Nederkoorn, P. J., Vermeij, J. D., Dijkgraaf, M. G., van de Beek, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Post-stroke+infection:+a+systematic+review+and+meta-analysis.">Post-stroke infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.</a> BMC Neurol. 11 (110), (2011).</li></ol>

We do not have any potential conflicting interests to disclose.

In this study, we demonstrated a standard method for performing an embolic MCAO stroke model in the rat, in which the origin of the MCA is occluded by a fibrin-rich clot. The major advantage of this model is: the occlusion of the stem of MCA with a fibrin-rich blood clot is similar to thromboembolic stroke in humans, the embolic stroke model is suitable for performing preclinical investigation of fibrinolytic therapy, and that this model can develop a reproducible and predictable infarct volume within the territory suppl...

A correction was made to <a href="/video/51956">Embolic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) for Ischemic Stroke with Homologous Blood Clots in Rats</a>. The institution information was updated.
The institution "Louisiana State University Health Science Center" was changed to "Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport".

A correction was made to <a href="/video/51956">Embolic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) for Ischemic Stroke with Homologous Blood Clots in Rats</a>. The institution information was updated.

Erratum: Embolic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) for Ischemic Stroke with Homologous Blood Clots in Rats

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, but treatment options for acute stroke remain limited. At present, intravenous infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to dissolve the blood clots is the most efficient therapy for acute ischemic stroke. However, the use of tPA is limited by its narrow therapeutic window and by increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, a model of stroke suitable for thrombolytic research is urgently needed.
The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is the artery most often occluded in stroke in humans. Focused on this artery, many animal models of ischemic stroke have been established. At present, two major types of rodent focal ischemia models by occluding MCA have been developed: suture MCAO model and embolic MCAO model. Although MCAO models via the intraluminal suture technique have been widely used in mechanism-driven stroke research, these suture models do not mimic human stroke, as up to 80% of human strokes are caused by thrombosis or embolism. However, embolic stroke model using blood clots closely mimics human stroke and is considered suitable for thrombolytic study. This embolic model was first developed in rats by&#160;Overgaard et al.1 in 1992 and further characterized by Zhang et al. in 19972 and by Dinapoli et al. in 20063. Although embolic MCAO has gained increasing attention, there are technical problems faced by many laboratories.
In this article, we demonstrate a standard method for producing embolic MCAO with homologous blood clots in the adult rat, which can develop a predictable infarction within the MCA territory. The techniques presented in this article should help investigators to overcome technical problems for establishing this model for stroke research.

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embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (mcao) for ischemic stroke with homologous blood clots in rats

Clinically, thrombolytic therapy with use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) remains the most effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke. However, the use of tPA is limited by its narrow therapeutic window and by increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation. There is an urgent need to develop suitable stroke models to study new thrombolytic agents and strategies for treatment of ischemic stroke. At present, two major types of ischemic stroke models have been developed in rats and mice: intraluminal suture MCAO and embolic MCAO. Although MCAO models via the intraluminal suture technique have been widely used in mechanism-driven stroke research, these suture models do not mimic the clinical situation and are not suitable for thrombolytic studies. Among these models, the embolic MCAO model closely mimics human ischemic stroke and is suitable for preclinical investigation of thrombolytic therapy. This embolic model was first developed in rats by Overgaard et al.1 in 1992 and further characterized by Zhang et al. in 19972. Although embolic MCAO has gained increasing attention, there are technical problems faced by many laboratories. To meet increasing needs for thrombolytic research, we present a highly reproducible model of embolic MCAO in the rat, which can develop a predictable infarct volume within the MCA territory. In brief, a modified PE-50 tube is gently advanced from the external carotid artery (ECA) into the lumen of the internal carotid artery (ICA) until the tip of the catheter reaches the origin of the MCA. Through the catheter, a single homologous blood clot is placed at the origin of the MCA. To identify the success of MCA occlusion, regional cerebral blood flow was monitored, neurological deficits and infarct volumes were measured. The techniques presented in this paper should help investigators to overcome technical problems for establishing this model for stroke research.

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was used to monitor rCBF during induction of cerebral ischemia6,7. Many laboratories including our laboratory have been using rCBF to identify animals with successful MCA occlusion, but the thresholds of baseline varied between laboratories which are related to the site of measurement. The probe of the LDF is positioned at 2 mm posterior and 5 mm lateral to the bregma as described previously6. rCBF was monitored at 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after injection of th...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Embolic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion MCAO for Ischemic Stroke with Homologous Blood Clots in Rats at JoVE.com

Embolic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion MCAO for Ischemic Stroke with Homologous Blood Clots in Rats

In this paper, we demonstrate a standard method for producing an embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion with homologous blood clots (fibrin-rich) in adult rat. This model closely mimics human ischemic stroke and is suitable for preclinical study of thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke.

Embolic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) for Ischemic Stroke with Homologous Blood Clots in Rats

Clinically, thrombolytic therapy with use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) remains the most effective treatment for acute ischemic ...

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26.7K vistas.  Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport. In this paper, we demonstrate a standard method for producing an embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion with homologous blood clots (fibrin-rich) in adult rat. This model closely mimics human ischemic stroke and is suitable for preclinical study of thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke. 