Influence of the duration of ischemia and reperfusion on infarct volume and microvascular damage in mice

• Published in: Neurological research (New York) 2006-03, Vol.28 (2), p.200-205
• Main Authors: Vosko, Milan R., Burggraf, Dorothe, Liebetrau, Martin, Wunderlich, Nathalie, Jäger, Gabriele, Gröger, Moritz, Plesnila, Nikolaus, Hamann, Gerhard F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; BASAL LAMINA; Basement Membrane - metabolism; Basement Membrane - pathology; Brain - blood supply; Brain - pathology; Brain - physiopathology; Brain Infarction - pathology; Brain Infarction - physiopathology; Brain Ischemia - diagnosis; Brain Ischemia - physiopathology; CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA; COLLAGEN TYPE IV; Collagen Type IV - metabolism; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Endothelial Cells - pathology; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery - diagnosis; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery - physiopathology; Male; MICE; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microcirculation - pathology; Microcirculation - physiopathology; MICROVASCULATURE; Middle Cerebral Artery - pathology; Middle Cerebral Artery - physiopathology; MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY OCCLUSION; Reperfusion Injury - diagnosis; Reperfusion Injury - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0161-6412; 1743-1328
• DOI: 10.1179/016164105X48789

Objectives: Focal cerebral ischemia is responsible for alterations of vascular permeability, and the loss of microvascular integrity is a primary source of subsequent hemorrhages. We evaluated the influence of different durations of ischemia and reperfusion on infarction size and microvascular damage after focal cerebral ischemia in the mouse. Methods: C57BL/6 mice (n = 39) were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia (I) and reperfusion (R). Consecutive brain sections were analysed for infarction volumes (Nissl-staining) and for collagen type IV (immunohistochemistry and western blot). Results: Infarction size (percentage of the infarction volume versus ipsilateral hemisphere) increased with total time of ischemia and reperfusion: 19 ± 2% (I3R0), 30 ± 2% (I3R3), 36 ± 4% (I3R12), 41 ± 4% (I1R24), 45 ± 6% (I2R24) and 58 ± 2% (I3R24). The ischemic hemispheres showed a significant progressive reduction of collagen type IV positive vessels (ischemic versus non-ischemic contralateral area): 90 ± 3% (I3R0), 88 ± 1% (I3R3), 82 ± 3% (I3R12), 85 ± 3% (I1R24), 79 ± 3% (I2R24), 72 ± 2% (I3R24). Conclusions: Both prolonged ischemia and reperfusion lead to an increased infarction volume, as well as progressive microvascular damage.