Establishment of a novel hemodynamic cerebral ischemia model of atherosclerotic rabbit

Background: Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of ischemic stroke. Until now, there has been no ideal animal model for studying the hemodynamic ischemia caused by atherosclerosis in posterior circulation.
Objective: This study was conducted to establish a cerebral ischemic model in an atherosclerotic rabbit by subclavian artery (SA) ligation or embolization, emphasizing the role of hemodynamics.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male New Zealand rabbits (weight, 3.5 to 4.0 kg; provided by Animal Laboratory of Tongji Hospital of Tongji University) were randomly divided into four groups. All the groups, except the controlled group, were fed with high lipid diet for three months and two of the groups were submitted for right SA ligation or left SA embolization and the remaining one group to non-operated group.
Results: A SA steal syndrome was established successfully with delayed visualization and prolonged circulation time in the posterior circulation. The circulation time was different when SA was ligated or embolized (P < 0.001), and also there was statistically significant difference between controlled and non-operated groups when angiography of either, left and right, VA was performed (P = 0.009, P = 0.003, respectively). However, there was no statistical significant difference between the ligation and embolization group either before or after the procedure (ligation or embolization) (P = 0.402, P = 0.068, respectively). In the control and non-operated group, angiography of either left or right VA showed no statistically significant difference (P = 0.285, P = 0.197, respectively). In the groups fed with high lipid diet for three months, atherosclerotic plaques were found in the common carotid arteries (CCAs), aortic arch (AAs) and variably in the internal carotid arteries (ICAs).
Conclusions: This model could, to some extent, simulate the clinical hemodynamic state of atherosclerotic stroke. and it is an ideal model for studying the hemodynamic cerebral ischemia in posterior circulation.