Inducing Ischemic Stroke via Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Using a Thread Bolt

Abstract

Source: Liu, P., et al., A Preclinical Model to Assess Brain Recovery After Acute Stroke in Rats. J. Vis. Exp. (2019)

This video demonstrates the process of inducing ischemic stroke in a rat model by occluding the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using a thread bolt. The procedure involves ligating the carotid arteries, inserting a thread bolt into the external carotid artery, and blocking blood flow from the MCA to the brain, leading to neuronal death and mimicking an ischemic stroke.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Establishment of a unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model in rats

NOTE: During the operation, use the microforceps gently to prevent breakage of the blood vessel. Avoid damage to the nerves and other blood vessels in the neck of the rat when the vessel is isolated. Care must be taken to present appropriate aseptic technique for all survival surgical procedures. The technique illustrated later in the video....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Anatomical Microscope	Leica (Germany)	S8	Microscopic operating instrument
Electric Shaver	Shanghai Yuyan Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.	3000#	Removal of hair from the neck of rats
Image Pro Plus Software	Media Cybernetics Inc.	6	Analyze the infarct volume
Isoflurane	RWD Life Science	217170702	Anesthetic gas
Microforceps	Shanghai Jinzhong Medical Devices Co., Ltd.	10 cm	Vascular micromanipulation
Microshear	Shanghai Jinzhong Medical Devices Co., Ltd.	10 cm	Vascular micromanipulation
Ophthalmic Forceps	Shanghai Jinzhong Medical Devices Co., Ltd.	10 cm	Auxiliary skin and muscle anatomy
Ophthalmic Scissors	Shanghai Jinzhong Medical Devices Co., Ltd.	10 cm	Using for cutting the skin of neck
Small Animal Anaesthesia Machine	Shanghai Yuyan Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.	ABM3000	A gas anesthetic machine
Small Animal Thermostat	Beijing Damida Technology Co., Ltd.	DM.7-YLS-20A	To maintain animal body temperature constant during operation
Surgical Scissors	Shanghai Medical device Co., Ltd.	16 cm	Using for decapitate and brain removing
Suture	Shanghai Jinhuan Medical Devices Co., Ltd.	4-0 / 5-0	Using for skin and muscle sutures / Using for vascular ligations
Thread Bolt	Beijing Cinontech Co. Ltd.	2636/2838/3040/3043-A4	Blockage of the middle cerebral artery in rats