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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
A Low Mortality Rat Model to Assess Delayed Cerebral Vasospasm After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: January 17, 2013
Effects of Cobalt Nitrate on Histopathological and Morphometric Changes in Rat Femoral Artery Vasospasm Model
Saygin Ucar1, Yasar Dagistan2, Ali Guler3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Gaziosmanpasa Taksim Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Objective:
To determine the effects of cobalt nitrate on the arterial wall in a rat femoral artery vasospasm model.
Study Design:
Experimental study.
Place And Duration Of Study:
Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, between November 2009 and September 2010.
Methodology:
Twenty-four rats were separated into three groups named group 1 (n=8, sham-control); group 2 (n=8, vasospasm), and group 3 (n=8, vasospasm + cobalt nitrate treated). Group 3 rats were subjected to intraperitoneal administration of 0.1 mg/kg/day cobalt nitrate for 7 days, followed by histological and morphometric analyses. ANOVAand post hoc analyses were carried out.
Results:
The mean vascular wall thickness of the group 1, 2 and 3 rats was found to be 133 ±13, 210 ±15 and 160 ±11 micron, respectively. The mean vascular lumen diameter of the group 1, 2 and 3 rats was 698 ±20, 240 ±15 and 540 ±22 micron, respectively. Arteries in the group 3 had thin smooth endothelium, thin mildly folded internal elastic lamina, and concentric smooth muscle cells. The mean vascular lumen diameter of the group 3 rats showed a significant decrease compared to the group 2 rats.
Conclusion:
Cobalt nitrate may potentially serve as an agent in preventing cerebral vasospasm after a hemorrhagic episode.
