A rat model for severe limb ischemia at rest.
We sought an animal model able to discriminate metabolic and angiogenic processes in limb ischemia. For that we modified and evaluated a rat model of severe unilateral limb ischemia at rest. A two-stage surgical procedure entailing left femoral artery ligation preceded by interruption of collateral vessels originating from the infra-renal aorta and left iliac arteries was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats. The model was evaluated for up to 8 weeks with a transit-time flow meter, a laser Doppler perfusion imager, microspheres, arteriography and histology. It was found to be well tolerated with low mortality and perfusion in the foot skin was reduced up to 8 weeks, while collaterals were visible after 2 weeks. Histologic signs of ischemia were seen for up to 4 weeks. This rat model of severe limb ischemia at rest lasts up to 8 weeks and seems well suited for longitudinal studies of the pathophysiology of limb ischemia and healing mechanisms like angio- and arteriogenesis.
Lundberg
G
G
Department of Vascular Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. goran.lundberg@kirurgi.ki.se
Luo
F
F
Blegen
H
H
Kalin
B
B
Wahlberg
E
E
D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply*; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012146:Rest; D012720:Severity of Illness Index