Establishment of a Rat Model of Superior Sagittal-Sinus Occlusion via a Thread-Embolism Method

Summary

Here, we establish a novel Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model of superior sagittal sinus (SSS) thrombosis via a thread-embolization method, and the stability and reliability of the model were verified.

Abstract

The mechanisms contributing to the natural onset of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) are mostly unknown, and a variety of uncontrollable factors are involved in the course of the disease, resulting in great limitations in clinical research. Therefore, the establishment of stable CVST animal models that can standardize a variety of uncontrollable confounding factors have helped to circumvent shortcomings in clinical research. In recent decades, a variety of CVST animal models have been constructed, but the results based on these models have been inconsistent and incomplete. Hence, in order to further explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of CVST, it is necessary to establish a novel and highly compatible animal model, which has important practical value and scientific significance for the diagnosis and treatment of CVST. In the present study, a novel Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model of superior sagittal sinus (SSS) thrombosis was established via a thread-embolization method, and the stability and reliability of the model were verified. Additionally, we evaluated changes in cerebral venous blood flow in rats after the formation of CVST. Collectively, the SD-rat SSS-thrombosis model represents a novel CVST animal model that is easily established, minimizes trauma, yields good stability, and allows for accurately controlling ischemic timing and location.

Introduction

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare disease of the cerebral venous system that accounts for only 0.5-1.0% of all causes of stroke but has a relatively high occurrence rate in children and young adults¹. During autopsy, CVST was found to be the cause of 10% of cerebrovascular disease deaths². Thrombosis can occur in any part of the intracranial venous system. The superior sagittal sinus (SSS) is one of the most commonly affected areas in CVST and can involve multiple blood vessels. Owing to stenosis or occlusion of the venous sinuses, intracranial venous return is blocked, which is often accompanied by incre....

Protocol

Procedures involving animal subjects have been approved by the Medical Norms and Ethics Committee of Wenzhou Medical University and are in accordance with the China legislation on the use and care of laboratory animals.

1. Preparation of the thread plug, SD rats, and experimental equipment

1. Use a nylon thread with a diameter of 0.28 mm as the main body of the thread plug.
   NOTE: The softness and hardness of the nylon thread should be moderate.
2. Cover one end of the nylon thread with silicone material. The length of the silicone part of the thread plug is approximately 1.2 cm, and the diameter is approximately 1.2 m....

Results

To establish the SD-rat SSS-thrombosis model via the suture method, the suture should be prepared in advance (Figure 1A), and the equipment required for the experiment (Figure 1B) should be prepared. Due to the delicate nature of the operation, the preparation of the model needs to be completed under a dissecting microscope. The main steps are shown in Figure 2. To facilitate the description of the specific details of the blood-flow.......

Discussion

In this study, a new type of CVST model was successfully established by inserting a self-made thread plug into the SSS of SD rats. Additionally, laser-speckle blood-flow imaging and small-animal MRI were combined to monitor changes in blood flow on the brain surface of SD rats before and after the embolization in order to standardize ischemic timing and location.

In 1989, Longa et al. made a reversible MCA occlusion model by retrogradely inserting a self-made nylon suture into the external car.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
2 mL syringe	Becton,Dickinson and Company	301940
brain stereotaxic instrument	Shenzhen RWD Life Technology Co., Ltd	68025
dissecting microscope	Wuhan SIM Opto-technology Co.	SIM BFI-HR PRO
high-speed skull drill	Shenzhen RWD Life Technology Co., Ltd	78046
laser-speckle blood-flow imaging system	Wuhan SIM Opto-technology Co.	SIM BFI-HR PRO
needle holder	Shenzhen RWD Life Technology Co., Ltd	F31022-12
needle thread	Shenzhen RWD Life Technology Co., Ltd	F33303-08
scissors	Shenzhen RWD Life Technology Co., Ltd	S13029-14
silica gel	Heraeus Kulzer	302785
small animal anesthesia machine	Shenzhen RWD Life Technology Co., Ltd	R540
small-animal MRI	Bruker Medical GmbH	Biospec 94/30 USR
tweezers	Shenzhen RWD Life Technology Co., Ltd	F11029-11
vascular forceps	Shenzhen RWD Life Technology Co., Ltd	F22003-09