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Updated: May 22, 2026
Surgical Approach for Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion and Reperfusion Induced Stroke in Mice
Published on: October 20, 2016
Nylon filament coated with paraffin for intraluminal permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats
Xia-Lin Zuo1, Ping Wu, Ai-Min Ji
1Center for Drug Research and Development, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, PR China.
Abstract:
A variety of intraluminal nylon filament has been used in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models. However the lesion extent and its reproducibility vary among laboratories. The properties of nylon filament play a part of reasons for these variations. In the present study, we used paraffin-coated nylon filament for rat MCAO model, tested the effects and advanced improvement for making the rat MCAO. Forty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into two groups, MCAO with traditional uncoated nylon filament (uMCAO) and MCAO with paraffin-coated nylon filament (cMCAO), three rats as normal group and sham group respectively. Assessment included mortality rates, model success rates, neurological deficit evaluation, and infarct volume. The study showed two rats died in uMCAO group, no rat died in cMCAO group within the 12h. The model success rate of uMCAO was 100%, while the uMCAO group was 55% (n=20, two died within 12h, seven rats were excluded as the brain slices showed no TTC staining due to subarachanoid hemorrhage). Neurological evaluation demonstrated group cMCAO had more worse neurological outcomes than group uMCAO, and the difference was statistically signification (p<0.05). TTC staining cMCAO group had significantly larger infarct volumes than uMCAO group, and also showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The result demonstrated that the paraffin-coated nylon filament intraluminal occlusion provide better occlusion of middle cerebral artery than the uncoated nylon filament, improve the consistent of model, and raise the success rate to reduce the number of experimental animals. These positive results are much encouraging and interesting.
Insights
Paraffin-coated nylon filaments improve middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models in rats. This enhanced method increases reproducibility and success rates, leading to more reliable stroke research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Models
- Cerebrovascular Research
Background:
- Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models in rats are crucial for stroke research.
- Variability in lesion extent and reproducibility exists with traditional uncoated nylon filaments.
- Filament properties significantly influence MCAO model outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of paraffin-coated nylon filaments in rat MCAO models.
- To compare paraffin-coated versus uncoated nylon filaments for MCAO induction.
- To assess improvements in model consistency, success rates, and animal welfare.
Main Methods:
- Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into uncoated MCAO (uMCAO) and paraffin-coated MCAO (cMCAO) groups.
- Control groups included normal and sham procedures.
- Outcomes assessed: mortality, model success, neurological deficits, and infarct volume via TTC staining.
Main Results:
- The paraffin-coated nylon filament group (cMCAO) exhibited no mortality within 12 hours, unlike the uncoated group (uMCAO).
- cMCAO showed a lower model success rate (55%) compared to uMCAO (100%), with exclusions due to subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- Neurological deficit scores and infarct volumes were significantly larger in the cMCAO group (p<0.05), indicating more severe and consistent MCAO.
Conclusions:
- Paraffin-coated nylon filaments provide superior middle cerebral artery occlusion compared to uncoated filaments.
- This method enhances model consistency and increases the success rate of MCAO induction.
- Utilizing paraffin-coated filaments reduces experimental animal numbers and improves reproducibility in stroke research.
