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Focal Cerebral Ischemia Model by Endovascular Suture Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery in the Rat
Published on: February 5, 2011
Differences in ischemic lesion evolution in different rat strains using diffusion and perfusion imaging
Juergen Bardutzky1, Qiang Shen, Nils Henninger
1Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. juergen_bardutzky@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Stroke
|July 26, 2005
Summary
Differences in how Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Wistar-Kyoto (WK) rats develop ischemic lesions after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) are significant. These interstrain variations impact stroke research outcomes and therapeutic assessments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ischemic Stroke Research
- Animal Models
Background:
- Interstrain differences in rat models can affect experimental stroke research outcomes.
- Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) is a common model for studying ischemic stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of ischemia in Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Wistar-Kyoto (WK) rats after permanent MCAO.
- To compare diffusion and perfusion imaging findings between the two rat strains.
Main Methods:
- Serial quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements were performed up to 210 minutes post-MCAO.
- Lesion volumes were calculated using viability thresholds and correlated with 24-hour infarct volumes (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining).
Main Results:
- ADC-derived lesion volume growth differed significantly between SD and WK rats, with WK rats showing progressive growth over 210 minutes.
- Abnormal perfusion volume strongly correlated with infarct size in both strains.
- Diffusion/perfusion mismatch patterns varied, being more prolonged in WK rats compared to SD rats.
Conclusions:
- Substantial differences exist in acute ischemic lesion evolution between SD and WK rats following MCAO.
- These interstrain variations are critical considerations for evaluating therapeutic interventions in rat MCAO models.
