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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Focal Cerebral Ischemia Model by Endovascular Suture Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery in the Rat
Published on: February 5, 2011
Identification of ischemic regions in a rat model of stroke
Anke Popp1, Nadine Jaenisch, Otto W Witte
1Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany.
Background:
Investigations following stroke first of all require information about the spatio-temporal dimension of the ischemic core as well as of perilesional and remote affected tissue. Here we systematically evaluated regions differently impaired by focal ischemia.
Methodology/Principal Findings:
Wistar rats underwent a transient 30 or 120 min suture-occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) followed by various reperfusion times (2 h, 1 d, 7 d, 30 d) or a permanent MCAO (1 d survival). Brains were characterized by TTC, thionine, and immunohistochemistry using MAP2, HSP72, and HSP27. TTC staining reliably identifies the infarct core at 1 d of reperfusion after 30 min MCAO and at all investigated times following 120 min and permanent MCAO. Nissl histology denotes the infarct core from 2 h up to 30 d after transient as well as permanent MCAO. Absent and attenuated MAP2 staining clearly identifies the infarct core and perilesional affected regions at all investigated times, respectively. HSP72 denotes perilesional areas in a limited post-ischemic time (1 d). HSP27 detects perilesional and remote impaired tissue from post-ischemic day 1 on. Furthermore a simultaneous expression of HSP72 and HSP27 in perilesional neurons was revealed.
Conclusions/Significance:
TTC and Nissl staining can be applied to designate the infarct core. MAP2, HSP72, and HSP27 are excellent markers not only to identify perilesional and remote areas but also to discriminate affected neuronal and glial populations. Moreover markers vary in their confinement to different reperfusion times. The extent and consistency of infarcts increase with prolonged occlusion of the MCA. Therefore interindividual infarct dimension should be precisely assessed by the combined use of different markers as described in this study.
Insights
This study evaluates markers for assessing brain tissue damage after stroke in rats. Combined marker use precisely measures infarct dimensions, crucial for understanding stroke outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Accurate assessment of ischemic stroke damage is vital for treatment and prognosis.
- Understanding the spatio-temporal extent of ischemic core and surrounding tissue is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate different histological and immunohistochemical markers for characterizing brain tissue damage after focal ischemia.
- To determine the reliability and temporal dynamics of these markers in Wistar rats.
Main Methods:
- Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models (transient and permanent) in Wistar rats.
- Histological analysis using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and Nissl staining.
- Immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against MAP2, HSP72, and HSP27.
Main Results:
- TTC and Nissl staining effectively identify the infarct core at various reperfusion times.
- MAP2 staining highlights the infarct core and perilesional areas.
- HSP72 and HSP27 detect perilesional and remote affected tissues, with HSP27 showing broader temporal detection.
Conclusions:
- TTC, Nissl, MAP2, HSP72, and HSP27 are valuable markers for assessing infarct core, perilesional, and remote areas post-stroke.
- Marker utility varies with reperfusion time, necessitating combined use for precise infarct dimension assessment.
- Prolonged middle cerebral artery occlusion leads to increased infarct size, emphasizing the need for accurate, multi-marker evaluation.
