Assessing the Neuroprotective Effects of Acidic Postconditioning in a Mouse Model of Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

Source: Zheng, Y., et al. Experimental Models to Study the Neuroprotection of Acidic Postconditioning Against Cerebral Ischemia. J. Vis. Exp. (2017)

This video demonstrates the application of acidic postconditioning (APC) to evaluate its neuroprotective effects against ischemic injury in a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). It outlines the steps involved in reperfusion in the MCAO model and the application of APC during reperfusion to mitigate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neuronal death.

Protocol

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

1. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO):
   1. Place and fix the anesthetized mouse (with laser doppler flowmetry (LDF) probe attached to its skull) in a supine position and maintain its body temperature using a heat lamp throughout the surgery. Disinfect the neck with 70% ethyl alcohol.
   2. Make a paramedian skin incision in the neck using a scalpel; blunt dissect the soft tissues with forceps to expose vessels. Add one drop of saline to the exposed tissues to keep them hydrated.<....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Laser Doppler Flowmetry	Moor Instruments Ltd	Model Moor VMS-LDF2
Diethyl ether anhydrous	Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Corporation	80059618
Trichloroacetaldehycle hydrate	Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Corporation	30037517