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A preclinical rat model for bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation during mechanical ventilation
Jingyi Li1,2, Mulin Zhang1,2, Meizhizi Zhang1,2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Intensive Care Unit, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Animal Models and Experimental Medicine
|February 27, 2026
Summary
A new rat model for phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) during mechanical ventilation (MV) was developed. This minimally invasive approach safely preserves diaphragm function and offers a platform for studying protective strategies against ventilation-induced organ injury.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Medical Engineering
- Animal Models
Background:
- Mechanical ventilation (MV) can cause diaphragm dysfunction and multiorgan injury.
- Phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) shows potential for preserving diaphragm activation during MV.
- A minimally invasive rat model for integrating PNS with MV is currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a novel, minimally invasive rat model for combined phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) and mechanical ventilation (MV).
- To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of this integrated model for preclinical research.
Main Methods:
- Developed an omohyoid muscle-based PNS rat model.
- Exposed bilateral phrenic nerves via transection of the omohyoid intermediate tendon, minimizing trauma.
- Utilized ventilator-synchronized stimulation and assessed compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs).
- Histological analysis confirmed nerve integrity.
Main Results:
- Nerve exposure was achieved rapidly (20±2 min) with minimal bleeding.
- Threshold stimulation correlated with body weight (0.6±0.2 mA).
- Ventilator-synchronized PNS increased CMAPs by approximately 30% without nerve damage.
- Physiological parameters remained stable during the procedure.
Conclusions:
- The omohyoid muscle-based PNS rat model is a safe, scalable, and minimally invasive platform.
- This model facilitates mechanistic and preclinical studies on the protective effects of PNS against MV-induced organ injury.
