Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Allowing Reperfusion via Common Carotid Artery Repair in Mice
Published on: January 23, 2019
Comparison between coated vs. uncoated suture middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat as assessed by
James Bouley1, Marc Fisher, Nils Henninger
1Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA.
Abstract:
Differences among models in the temporal evolution of ischemia after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats may considerably influence the results of experimental treatment studies. Using diffusion and perfusion imaging, we compared the spatiotemporal evolution of ischemia in Sprague-Dawley rats after permanent MCAO (pMCAO) with different types of sutures. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to pMCAO produced with either 4-0 silicone coated (n=8), or 3-0 uncoated monofilaments (n=8). Serial determination of quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were performed up to 3 h after pMCAO. Lesion volumes were calculated by using previously validated thresholds and correlated with infarct volume corrected for edema defined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 24 h after MCAO. The ADC/CBF-defined mismatch volume in the 4-0 coated suture model was present significantly longer (up to 120 min) compared to the uncoated 3-0 suture model (30 min). The TTC-derived infarct volume was significantly larger in the coated model (290.3+/-32.8 mm(3)) relative to the uncoated model (252.3+/-34.6 mm(3)). This study demonstrates that the type of suture may significantly influence the spatiotemporal evolution of the ADC/CBF-mismatch as well as the final infarct volume. These inter-model variations must be taken into account when assessing new therapeutic approaches on ischemic lesion evolution in the rat MCAO model.
Insights
The suture type used in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models significantly impacts ischemia evolution and infarct size. Choosing the correct suture is crucial for accurate experimental treatment studies in stroke research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ischemic Stroke Research
- Animal Models
Background:
- Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models are vital for studying ischemic stroke.
- Variations in MCAO model methodology can affect experimental outcomes.
- Understanding these variations is key for reproducible stroke research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the spatiotemporal evolution of ischemia in rats subjected to permanent MCAO (pMCAO) using different suture types.
- To investigate the influence of suture material on diffusion and perfusion imaging parameters.
- To determine how suture choice affects final infarct volume in a rat stroke model.
Main Methods:
- Permanent MCAO was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using either 4-0 silicone-coated or 3-0 uncoated monofilaments.
- Quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were serially acquired up to 3 hours post-pMCAO.
- Lesion volumes were assessed using ADC/CBF mismatch and confirmed with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 24 hours.
Main Results:
- The 4-0 coated suture model exhibited a significantly longer duration of ADC/CBF mismatch (120 min) compared to the 3-0 uncoated suture model (30 min).
- Final infarct volume, determined by TTC staining, was significantly larger in the coated suture group (290.3 mm³) versus the uncoated group (252.3 mm³).
- Suture type demonstrably influenced the spatiotemporal evolution of the ischemic core and penumbra.
Conclusions:
- The choice of suture material in rat pMCAO models significantly alters ischemic evolution and infarct size.
- These methodological differences must be considered when evaluating therapeutic interventions in stroke research.
- Standardizing suture types in MCAO models is essential for improving the reliability of experimental stroke studies.
