title: A modified method to reduce variable outcomes in a rat model of four-vessel arterial occlusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rat models of global cerebral ischemia (GCI) are essential to study potential treatment strategies against stroke in humans. However, nonvisual electrocoagulation of vertebral arteries often leads to incomplete occlusion that may prevent the creation of a successful model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therefore, we used a modified method in which the vertebral arteries were safely visualized and electrocauterized between the first and second transverse processes through a dorsal incision. Twenty-four hours later, GCI was induced by transient bilateral common carotid arterial occlusion using microvascular clips. The clips were removed after 10, 20, or 30 min of four-vessel occlusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of the rat vertebral arteries. In the 20-min GCI group, the rats were monitored for 1, 3, 5, or 7 days followed by histological analysis. The results showed that neuronal death in the CA1 subregion occurred almost linearly between 1 and 3 days of recovery. Tape removal test was used for up to 7 days after 20 min of GCI or sham operation. The latency time was found to be significantly increased 1 to 7 days after GCI compared with sham.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, this modified model provides a reliable tool for ischemic stroke research.
authors: a Department of Neurosurgery , Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Lu
authors: a Department of Neurosurgery , Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors: Yingxi
authors: Y
authors: Wu
authors: a Department of Neurosurgery , Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Qu
authors: b Department of Aerospace Biodynamics , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors: Fei
authors: F
authors: Shi
authors: c Department of Neurology , Chinese PLA NO. 451 Hospital , Xi'an , Shaanxi , China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Hu
authors: a Department of Neurosurgery , Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Gao
authors: a Department of Neurosurgery , Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors: Bao
authors: B
authors: Wang
authors: a Department of Neurosurgery , Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors: Guodong
authors: G
authors: Gao
authors: a Department of Neurosurgery , Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors: Shiming
authors: S
authors: He
authors: a Department of Neurosurgery , Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors: Tianzhi
authors: T
authors: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Global cerebral ischemia; Model; Rat; Tape removal test; Vertebral artery