title: An improved elastase-based method to create a saccular aneurysm rabbit model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find a safe, effective, and simple method to create a rabbit aneurysm model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: experimental (n = 9) and control (n = 3). The origin of the right external carotid artery was occluded with a temporary aneurysm clip, after which the right external carotid artery was ligated distally. The resulting stump was infused with elastase (experimental group) or saline (control group) for 20 minutes, and the clip was removed. The animals were studied angiographically and sacrificed 3 weeks after the procedure to harvest the aneurysms for histological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All nine rabbits in the experimental group successfully developed aneurysm after 3 weeks. Aneurysms had an average height of 5.2 ± 1.1 mm and width of 3.5 ± 0.8 mm. Histological analysis showed that the tunica media of the aneurysmal wall was barely identifiable. None of the three rabbits in the control group developed an aneurysm, and instead had achieved closure of the right external carotid artery stump.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have established an effective and a simple elastase-based method to create a rabbit aneurysm model. The procedure is easy to perform and does not require an interventional technique and or ligation of the internal carotid artery, which would otherwise reduce the blood supply to the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University , Changchun , P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yubo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Kan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Honglei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jinlu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kuizhong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D000818:Animals; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008026:Ligation; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D010196:Pancreatic Elastase