[Animal modeling - Pharmacodynamic evaluation] - Establishment of vascular dementia animal model using cerebral ischemia method

  1. Animal modeling materials: Pure healthy Wistar male rats, 18-20 months old, weighing (500 ± 20) g; Medications: 10% Ulatan (1g/kg), Sodium Nitroprusside (25mg/kg); Instrument: Non invasive arterial clamp.

  2. Method of modeling: Fasting water for 12 hours before surgery. After intraperitoneal injection of 10% Ulartan (1g/kg) anesthesia, disinfection was performed, and a median cervical incision was made. Bilateral common carotid arteries (CCA) and nerves were bluntly separated, and then non-invasive arterial clipping was used to clamp both CCAs. After 10 minutes, the CCA was opened for another 10 minutes, and then clamped for another 10 minutes. Before the first clipping, intraperitoneal injection of 25mg/kg sodium nitroprusside was administered. After reopening, the wound was sutured and placed back in a cage for warm keeping. Each rat was injected with 200000 U of penicillin intramuscularly for 5 consecutive days to prevent infection. The sham surgery group only separated bilateral common carotid arteries and sutured them.

  3. The principle of modeling is that cerebral ischemia causes damage to the hippocampus, leading to vascular dementia.

  4. After modeling, behavioral tests were conducted using a programmed shuttle box in rats. It was found that compared with the sham surgery group (15.91 ± 1.58) shocks and shock time (73.45 ± 6.20) seconds, the modeling group rats had a significantly different number of shocks (24.70 ± 4.03) and shock time (105.50 ± 10.82) seconds.

  5. Biochemical changes after modeling: The glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px) activity of rats in the sham surgery group and model group were (551 ± 0.175) enzyme activity units and (288 ± 0.099) enzyme activity units, respectively, with significant differences, indicating a decrease in GSH Px activity in the model group.

  6. Observation of pathological changes in hippocampal cell apoptosis after modeling: Under low magnification, after HE staining, it can be seen that the CA1 area cells in the model group are loosely arranged, with a lack of pyramidal tissue and blurred cells; After staining for apoptotic cells, a large number of apoptotic cells can be observed. The structure of the hippocampal pyramidal cell layer in the sham surgery group rats is dense and rich, with clear and visible cell lines; After staining for apoptotic cells, there were a small number of apoptotic cells in the CA1 area of the hippocampus.

  7. Precautions: Surgical instruments should be strictly disinfected to prevent surgical infections, surgical trauma should be minimized, and sterile operations should be strictly carried out.

  After surgery, rats should be separated and kept in cages for 3-5 hours after awakening to prevent those who wake up first from licking and biting the wounds of unconscious rats. Try to maintain the optimal temperature and humidity for rats in the breeding room.