Non-Invasive Limb Ischemic Preconditioning in a Rat Model for Neuroprotection

Abstract

Source: Brandli, A. Remote Limb Ischemic Preconditioning: A Neuroprotective Technique in Rodents. J. Vis. Exp. (2015)

This video demonstrates a non-invasive limb ischemic preconditioning protocol in rats to induce systemic neuroprotection. The procedure involves controlled arterial occlusion and reperfusion, triggering cellular stress pathways that release protective factors. These factors enhance resistance to ischemic and metabolic injuries in distant organs such as the brain and retina.

Protocol

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

1. Animal Preparation

Note: Animals that are to undergo light injury require dark adaptation the night before remote ischemia. Animals undergoing light damage require dark rearing (12 hr light: dark cycle, 5 lux)

1. Perform remote ischemia in either awake or anesthetised rodents. Ensure that animals have a healthy muscle tone. Ensure this by pinching the upper hind limb to confirm there is adequate muscle present. RIP-induced protection against light injury has been tested in sedentary rats up to 6 months of ....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Gold series DuraShock Hand Aneroid Sphygmomanometer	Welch Allyn	DS56	Manual Sphygmomanometer
Neonate [size 2] 1 Tube, 10 Pack	Welch Allyn	5082-102-1	Limb blood pressure cuff
Luer lock adaptor	Welch Allyn	5082-178	Adaptor for neonatal cuff
Thermistor pod	AD Instruments	ML 309	skin tempertature unit
Skin temperture probe	AD Instruments	MLT 422/A
Powerlab, 4 channel acquistion hardware	AD Instruments	PL 35044	Skin temperature recorder
Isoflo - 100% Isoflurane -250 ml	Abbot Animal Health	05260-05	optional: inhaltion anaesthetic remote ischemia
Ketamil - ketamine 100 mg/ml - 50 ml	Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd		optional: injectable anaesthetic remote ischemia
Xylium - Xylazine 100 mg/ml - 50 ml	Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd		optional: injectable anaesthetic remote ischemia