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A Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: November 21, 2013
Meta-review on Perforation Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice: Filament Material as a Possible Moderator of
Serdar Alpdogan1, Timo Sander2, Rui Zhang2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany. Serdar.alpdogan@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
Abstract:
Robust preclinical models are inevitable for researchers to unravel pathomechanisms of subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH). For the mouse perforation model of SAH, the goal of this meta-review was the determination of variances in mortality, SAH severity grade, and vasospasm, and their experimental moderators, as many researchers are facing with incomparable results. We searched on the databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for articles describing in vivo experiments using the SAH perforation mouse model and measuring mortality, SAH grade, and/or vasospasm. After screening, 42 articles (total of 1964 mice) were included into systematic review and meta-analysis. Certain model characteristics were insufficiently reported, e.g., perforation location (not reported in six articles), filament (material (n = 15) and tip texture (n = 25)), mouse age (n = 14), and weight (n = 10). Used injective anesthetics and location of perforation showed large variation. In a random-effects meta-analysis, the overall animal mortality following SAH was 21.3% [95% CI: 17.5%, 25.7%] and increased with longer observational periods. Filament material significantly correlated with animal mortality (p = 0.024) after exclusion of hyperacute studies (time after SAH induction < 24 h). Reported mean SAH grade was 10.7 [9.6, 11.7] on the scale of Sugawara (J Neurosci Methods 167:327-34, 2008). Furthermore, mean diameter of large cerebral arteries after SAH was reduced by 27.6% compared to sham-operated non-SAH mice. Uniforming standards of experimental procedures and their reporting are indispensable to increase overall comparability.
Insights
This meta-review highlights variability in mouse models of subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH), impacting mortality and vasospasm. Standardizing experimental procedures and reporting is crucial for reproducible SAH research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Preclinical Research
- Medical Research
Background:
- Subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH) research requires robust preclinical models to understand its complex pathomechanisms.
- Variability in current mouse models for SAH leads to incomparable results, hindering research progress.
Approach:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 articles (1964 mice) was conducted on the mouse perforation model of SAH.
- Data on mortality, SAH severity grade, and vasospasm were extracted and analyzed for experimental moderators.
- Searches were performed across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases.
Key Points:
- Significant variations were observed in SAH model characteristics, including perforation location, filament type, and anesthetic use.
- Overall animal mortality in the SAH mouse model was 21.3%, increasing with longer observation periods.
- Filament material was significantly correlated with animal mortality, and cerebral artery diameter was reduced by 27.6% post-SAH.
Conclusions:
- Insufficient reporting of critical model characteristics complicates result interpretation.
- Standardizing experimental procedures and enhancing reporting are essential for improving the comparability and reliability of SAH research.
- This meta-review underscores the need for uniform standards in SAH preclinical modeling.

