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In This Article

  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Protocol
  • Representative Results
  • Discussion
  • Disclosures
  • Materials
  • References
  • Reprints and Permissions

Summary

Bilateral carotid occlusion coupled with systemic hypotension produces global brain ischemia in the rat, resulting in damage to the hippocampus with reproducible severity. Animal subjects are impaired with predictable patterns of brain damage, they recover expediently, and mortality rates are comparatively low.

Abstract

Cardiac arrest followed by resuscitation often results in dramatic brain damage caused by ischemia and subsequent reperfusion of the brain. Global brain ischemia produces damage to specific brain regions shown to be highly sensitive to ischemia 1. Hippocampal neurons have higher sensitivity to ischemic insults compared to other cell populations, and specifically, the CA1 region of the hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to ischemia/reperfusion 2.

The design of therapeutic interventions, or study of mechanisms involved in cerebral damage, requires a model that produces damage similar to the clinical condition and in a reproducible manner. Bilateral carotid vessel occlusion with hypotension (2VOH) is a model that produces reversible forebrain ischemia, emulating the cerebral events that can occur during cardiac arrest and resuscitation. We describe a model modified from Smith et al. (1984) 2, as first presented in its current form in Sanderson, et al. (2008) 3, which produces reproducible injury to selectively vulnerable brain regions 3-6. The reliability of this model is dictated by precise control of systemic blood pressure during applied hypotension, the duration of ischemia, close temperature control, a specific anesthesia regimen, and diligent post-operative care. An 8-minute ischemic insult produces cell death of CA1 hippocampal neurons that progresses over the course of 6 to 24 hr of reperfusion, while less vulnerable brain regions are spared. This progressive cell death is easily quantified after 7-14 days of reperfusion, as a near complete loss of CA1 neurons is evident at this time.

In addition to this brain injury model, we present a method for CA1 damage quantification using a simple, yet thorough, methodology. Importantly, quantification can be accomplished using a simple camera-mounted microscope, and a free ImageJ (NIH) software plugin, obviating the need for cost-prohibitive stereology software programs and a motorized microscopic stage for damage assessment.

Introduction

Brain damage as a consequence of cardiac arrest and stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability. While cardiopulmonary resuscitation for victims of cardiac arrest succeeds in restoring spontaneous circulation in about 70,000 patients per year in the US 7,8 at least 60% of these patients subsequently die in the hospital as a result of extensive brain damage and only 3-10% of resuscitated patients can resume their former lifestyles 9,10 . Clearly, understanding the mechanisms that lead to brain damage following global brain ischemia and designing therapeutic interventions to minimize neurologic trauma is of critical importance.

....

Protocol

1. Preparation

All animal experiments must conform to institutional guidelines and receive approval by a respective animal care committee prior to initiation. All procedures presented here have been approved by the Wayne State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and follow the guidelines on the ethical treatment of animals as put forth in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and to the US Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training. Before beginning surgery, prepare necessary surgical material and a surgery recovery cage. This procedure is ....

Representative Results

The 2VOH model of global brain ischemia/reperfusion causes neuronal death in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Figure 2 represents the injury produced by 8 min of global brain ischemia, processed 14 days after reperfusion. Figures 2A and 2B compare the hippocampi from sham and post-ischemic brains, stained with Cresyl violet. Figure 2A shows a hippocampus from a sham-operated rat which exhibits normal morphology, including an intact CA1. Figure .......

Discussion

The model described here produces an ischemic insult to the brain that can occur as a result of cardiac arrest and resuscitation, providing an injury similar to that found in humans. This method for producing global brain ischemia is one of multiple protocols. We utilize this protocol foremost for its comparably low mortality rate, rapid recovery, and reproducible results. The cardiac arrest/resuscitation model is arguably the most clinically relevant model, however technically the most difficult to constantly rep.......

Disclosures

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

Materials

NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
Material Name
5-0 VICRYL suture, reverse cutting EthiconJ391H
Scalpel, No.10Swann-Morton6601
Gauze SpongesFisher22-362-178
18G x 1 ½ in needleBD305201
23G x 1 in needleBD305145
26 G x 3/8 in needleBD305110
18 G x 1 ¼ catheterEXEL26735
1 ml syringeBD309659
10 ml syringeBD309604
60 ml syringeBD309653
SurgilubeHenry Schein1152666
.9% Saline, plastic IV bagHenry Schein1537468
Suture 3-0 SilkHenry Schein1007842
Puralube Ophthalmic OintmentHenry Schein3390017
BetadineHenry Schein6903564
Sterile Towel DrapeMoore Medical14170
Polyethylene Tubing, 50Intramedic427411
Stopcock, 3 waySmiths medicalMX9311L
Drug Name
AERRANE (isoflurane)Henry Schein2091966
Mapap Liquid (Tylenol)Major Pharmaceuticals1556
Kedavet (ketamine)Ketathesia ButneyNDC 50989-996-06
Butorphic (butorphanol)Lloyd Labs4881
HeparinAPP Pharmaceuticals504011
Chemical Name
Paraformaldehyde prillsElecron Microscopy Sci.19202
2-methylbutaneSigma270342
Cresyl Violet AcetateSigmaC5042
SucroseSigmaS9378
Software
ImageJNIH

References

  1. Kirino, T., Sano, K. Selective vulnerability in the gerbil hippocampus following transient ischemia. Acta Neuropathologica. 62, 201-208 (1984).
  2. Smith, M. L., Auer, R. N., Siesjo, B. K.

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2 vessel OcclusionGlobal Brain IschemiaCardiac ArrestHippocampal NeuronsCA1 RegionIschemia reperfusionBrain DamageCell DeathQuantificationImageJModel

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