Murine Model of Intestinal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury

Summary

Here we describe the detailed procedure of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion in mice which results in reproducible injury without mortality to encourage the standardization of this technique across the field. This model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury can be utilized to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of injury and regeneration.

Abstract

Intestinal ischemia is a life-threatening condition associated with a broad range of clinical conditions including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, hypotension, necrotizing enterocolitis, bowel transplantation, trauma and chronic inflammation. Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a consequence of acute mesenteric ischemia, caused by inadequate blood flow through the mesenteric vessels, resulting in intestinal damage. Reperfusion following ischemia can further exacerbate damage of the intestine. The mechanisms of IR injury are complex and poorly understood. Therefore, experimental small animal models are critical for understanding the pathophysiology of IR injury and the development of novel therapies.

Here we describe a mouse model of acute intestinal IR injury that provides reproducible injury of the small intestine without mortality. This is achieved by inducing ischemia in the region of the distal ileum by temporally occluding the peripheral and terminal collateral branches of the superior mesenteric artery for 60 min using microvascular clips. Reperfusion for 1 hr, or 2 hr after injury results in reproducible injury of the intestine examined by histological analysis. Proper position of the microvascular clips is critical for the procedure. Therefore the video clip provides a detailed visual step-by-step description of this technique. This model of intestinal IR injury can be utilized to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of injury and regeneration.

Introduction

The intestine is very sensitive to interruption of blood flow which causes ischemia and epithelial damage. Reperfusion after ischemia provides re-oxygenation of the tissue, and can further promote pathology. Therefore, intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury is associated with a wide range of pathologies, including necrotizing enterocolitis, allograft rejection in small bowel transplantation, complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, and inflammatory bowel disease ^1,2. Intestinal IR injury, especially acute mesenteric ischemia, is a life threatening condition resulting in morbidity and mortality ³.

Protocol

Animal studies were performed in accordance with the National Institute of Health guidelines and were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and use Committee of the Trudeau Institute. 8-12 week old C57BL/6 mice were used for the study.

1. Preparation for Surgery

1. Prepare and sterilize surgical instruments.
2. Prepare isoflurane-based anesthesia system with nose cone, and heated pad. Make sure heated pad is not overheated (<39 ºC).
3. Make sure that the isoflurane gas scavenging canister is positioned correctly to ensure the exhaust ports at the bottom of the canister are not blocked or occluded in any w....

Results

We optimized the experimental protocol of IR surgery to obtain reproducible IR induced injury of the ileum in mice. Representative results are demonstrated in this section.

Figure 1 shows examples of microvascular clips position to induce ischemia of the ileum. Black arrows show position of the main clips occluding first order branches of superior mesenteric artery. Green arrows show the position of additional c.......

Discussion

The development of mouse models of intestinal IR injury have greatly improved the understanding of the mechanisms of tissue injury and aided in the development of potential therapeutic strategies to minimize tissue damage ^7,9,11,34. The critical steps of this protocol are proper positioning of the microvascular clips, correct timing of the ischemia and proper histologic evaluation of IR injury.

The duration of ischemia is critical for subsequent epithelial damage. The typical time r.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Heated Pad	Sunbeam	E12107-819	Alternative: Braintree Scientific heated pad
Table top research anesthesia Machine	Vasco	UCAP 0001-0000171	Alternative: Parkland Scientific, V3000PS
Nose Cone	Parkland Scientific	ARES500
Scavenger canister and replacement cartridge	Parkland Scientific	80000, 80120
Induction Chamber	Surgivet	V711802
Isoflurane	Piramal Healthcare	NDC 66794-013-10	Controlled substance, contact IACUC
Animal clipper	Oster	Oster Golden A5 078005-050-003
Ophthalmic ointment	Webster	8804604
Buprenorphine	McKesson	562766	Controlled substance,contact IACUC
Ketaset (Ketamine HCl)	Pfizer	NADA 45-290	Controlled substance, contact IACUC
Cotton tips	Puritan medical products	806-WC	Autoclave before use
Betadine	Purdue Products	67618-150-17	10% Povidone-Iodine
Sterile saline solution	Aspen	46066-807-60	Adjust to room temperature before use
IR rodent thermometer	BIOSEB	BIO-IRB153
Micro vascular clips, 70 g	Roboz Surgical	RS5424, RS5435	Alternative: WPI 14121, for SMA occlusion
Micro vascular clips, 40 g	Roboz Surgical	RS6472	Alternative:WPI 14120, for collateral vessels occlusion
Clip applying forceps	World Precision Instruments	14189	Alternative: Roboz #RS-5410 or  #RS-5440
Gill's 3 hematoxylin	Thermo Scientific	14-390-17
Surgical staples, Reflex 9 mm	Cell Point Scientific	201-1000
Autoclip applier	Beckton Dickinson	427630
Byopsy foam pad	Simport	M476-1
Tissue cassette	Fisher Healthcare	15182701A	Histosette II combination lid and base
10% buffered formalin	Fisher Scientific	245-684
Surgical iris scissors	World Precision Instruments	501263-G SC	Alternative: Roboz RS6816
Operating scissors	World Precision Instruments	501219-G	Alternative: Roboz RS6814
Dressing forceps	Roboz Surgical	RS-5228, RS-8122	Alternative: World Precision Instruments 1519-G
Heparin, endotoxin free, 300 USP units/vial, 50 mg	Sigma	2106
Reflex wound clip removing forceps	Roboz Surgical	RS-9263	Alternative: World Precision Instruments: 500347
Mice C57BL/6J mice	Jackson Laboratory	Stock No 0664
Telfa non-adherent dressings, 3 x 4, sterile	Coviden	1050
Fisherbrand transfer pipets	Fischer Scientific	13-711-5AM	Use pipets to dropwise add saline