缺血再灌注脊髓损伤动物造模研究进展

脊髓损伤目前是脊柱外科研究的热点之一,其中对于脊髓缺血再灌注损伤(spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury,SCII)的研究一直是国内外的难点。目前用于研究脊髓缺血再灌注损伤的动物模型种类很多,但是仍缺乏一种最简便、最有效、最接近人类脊髓缺血再灌注损伤的模型。脊髓缺血再灌注损伤动物模型对于研究脊髓再灌注损伤相关疾病的病因病理机制分析,以及指导临床用药、研发新药方面有着至关重要的作用。因此本文通过查阅相关文献,对SCII造模所用的动物种类、方法及运用研究现状进行综述,为建立简便有效并与人类SCII高度相似的模型提供参考。     

右美托咪定后处理对脊髓缺血再灌注损伤后Caspase-3、IL-1β的表达和血脊髓屏障的影响

目的:研究右美托咪定后处理在大鼠急性脊髓缺血再灌注损伤(spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury, SCIRI)后对细胞因子Caspase-3、IL-1β的表达量和血脊髓屏障(blood-spinal cord barrier, BSCB)的影响。方法:将120只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为5组:假手术组(sham组)、脊髓缺血再灌注组(IR组)、脊髓缺血再灌注右美托咪定低剂量组(DEX1组)、脊髓缺血再灌注右美托咪定中剂量组(DEX5组)、脊髓缺血再灌注右美托咪定高剂量组(DEX10组)。采用改良的Zivin法构建脊髓缺血再灌注损伤模型,实验中应用临床上常用的微量泵泵注的方法对大鼠给予等量生理盐水和右美托咪定,造模24 h后采用Tarlov法对大鼠运动功能评分,伊文思蓝(Evans Blue, EB)染色检测血脊髓屏障通透性,HE染色观察大鼠脊髓病理学变化(L4-L6),western blot检测Caspase-3、IL-1β的表达。结果:与sham组比较,IR组及DEX各组下肢运动功能评分明显较低,脊髓结构损伤严重,神经元数目减少,血脊髓屏障渗透性增加,Caspase-3、IL-1β表达量增多;与IR组比较,DEX各组下肢运动功能评分较高,脊髓结构损伤明显减轻,神经元数目增多,血脊髓屏障渗透性减少,western blot显示caspase-3、IL-1β表达降低;与DEX5组比较,DEX1组和DEX10组的下肢运动功能评分较低,脊髓结构损伤较重,神经元数目较少,血脊髓屏障渗透性减少,western blot显示Caspase-3、IL-1β表达增加。结论:右美托咪定后处理对SCIRI具有明显的保护作用,可以保护BSCB的完整性,减轻对脊髓的损失。该保护作用可能与激动α2肾上腺素受体,降低炎症反应中IL-1β表达,下调Caspase-3表达的抗细胞凋亡作用有关。     

两种方法制备豚鼠脊髓匀浆诱导EAE模型的比较

目的建立Wistar大鼠实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎模型,并检测可溶性血管细胞黏附分子-1在EAE大鼠中的动态表达。方法两种方法制备豚鼠脊髓匀浆:一种方法不用磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)灌注,直接将豚鼠麻醉后取豚鼠全脊髓制备匀浆,即非灌注法;另一种方法用磷酸盐缓冲液将豚鼠灌注后,再取豚鼠全脊髓制备匀浆,即灌注法。分别采用上述两种方法制备的豚鼠脊髓匀浆为抗原,免疫Wistar大鼠建立EAE的动物模型,取脑、脊髓组织石腊包埋,病理切片,光镜观察;采用双抗体夹心法酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)检测血清中sVCAM-1的表达。结果非灌注组的发病率、临床评分和sVCAM-1的表达显著性升高(P<0.05)。结论采用非灌注法制备的豚鼠全脊髓匀浆作为抗原,能够成功诱发Wistar大鼠的EAE模型,为研究多发性硬化的发病机制及治疗奠定了一定的基础。     

心肺复苏后脑缺血再灌注损伤治疗理念及相关动物模型研究进展

心肺复苏后脑缺血再灌注损伤是一个复杂的病理生理变化过程,由多种损伤机制共同参与。自心肺复苏后系统性综合治疗和亚低温治疗在临床上广泛应用后,目前已有多种治疗理念在不同的动物实验和动物模型基础上被提出,包括缺血预处理、药物预处理、缺血后处理、和药物后处理,而后吸入麻醉药对心肺复苏后脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用受到了人们的重视,而七氟烷后处理已经成为目前研究的热点之一。为了指导临床上的心肺复苏,人们一直在利用不同动物模型,探究不同保护方法,寻找有效的脑保护药物。而各种治疗理念的提出均是建立在动物实验和动物模型的基础上,窒息性心肺复苏模型模拟围术期气道梗阻,能较贴切的复制临床上由窒息引起的心肺复苏后脑损伤,对将来指导临床复苏具有重大意义。     

脊髓分级缺血再灌注损伤模型的建立与病理学评价

目的建立兔脊髓分级缺血再灌注损伤模型和探讨受伤脊髓病理变化可能机制。方法采用肾下腹主动脉阻断法,分别阻断腹主动脉30min、45min和60min后开放,再灌注48h观察神经功能变化以及病理学评价脊髓缺血再灌注损伤程度。结果脊髓缺血时间越长,后肢运动功能损害越明显。伤后2天发现受损脊髓出血、水肿、变性坏死,明显的白细胞浸润以及I-κBα、NF-κBp65、ICAM-l表达增加,脊髓灰质的病理损害严重。再灌注脊髓病理损伤程度依次为缺血60min组>缺血45min组>缺血30min组>假手术组。结论该模型是一种较好的脊髓缺血再灌注损伤模型,阻断肾下腹主动脉血流30min、45min、60min后开放可以较好地反应轻、中、重不同程度缺血再灌注损伤脊髓的病理变化特点。     

舒芬太尼预处理对大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤中炎性因子MPO，IL-6，IL-15的影响

目的:探讨舒芬太尼预处理对大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤模型中炎性因子MPO,IL-6,IL-15的影响。方法:健康SD雄性大鼠30只,随机分为假手术组(Sham组,n=10);缺血再灌注组(IR组n=10);舒芬太尼预处理5μg/kg组(Suf5组,n=10)。采用动脉夹夹闭胸主动脉方法制备脊髓缺血再灌注模型。Tarlov法测大鼠运动评分,HE染色观察大鼠脊髓组织细胞形态,Western Blot法测脊髓组织中MPO的表达,ELISA法检测脊髓组织中IL-6,IL-15含量。结果:IR组Tarlov评分高于sham组,Suf5组Tarlov评分低于IR组。HE染色显微镜下见IR组脊髓组织内出现广泛的变性神经元,胞核固缩偏位碎裂,并有有空泡形成;Suf5组脊髓组织神经元损伤坏死数量减少,细胞核形态基本正常。Suf5组中MPO,IL-6,IL-15,含量均低于IR组,IR组中MPO,IL-6,IL-15含量均高于sham组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:舒芬太尼能降低大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤组织中MPO,IL-15,1L-6表达,减轻炎症损害,进而减轻脊髓缺血再灌注损伤。     

大鼠脊髓半横断伤联合架桥模型制作及评估

目的:建立大鼠脊髓半横断伤联合架桥模型,为研究脊髓损伤提供动物模型。方法:制作大鼠脊髓半横断伤模型,然后取大鼠前肢正中神经,并于半横断伤两端行正中神经架桥术。术后4周,左心室灌注固定取材,免疫组化染色检测GFAP、RECA、NF-200;另一部分动物行单宁酸-氯化铁灌注;观察移植物内有无血管、血管内有无血流、血管与周边神经纤维的关系。结果:外周神经架桥后4周,移植正中神经贴合于脊髓背侧1/2。移植神经内有RECA阳性的血管存在,而且有血流可以到达移植物内部,且神经纤维(NF-200阳性)与星形胶质细胞(GFAP阳性)关系紧密。结论:大鼠脊髓半横断伤联合正中神经架桥术后,由宿主可以向移植物内长入新生血管,血管有利于神经纤维的存活及生长。本模型为较好的外周神经移植的存活模型,可为进一步的深入研究提供一定的依据。     

大鼠急性肾缺血再灌注损伤模型的建立与评估

目的:对现有的经腹部切口建立急性肾缺血再灌注损伤动物模型进行改良,探索建立急性肾缺血再灌注损伤模型的新方法。方法:实验组大鼠16例,经背部切口进入腹膜后间隙,游离钳夹双侧肾动脉45min后开放血流,建立急性肾缺血再灌注损伤模型;伪手术组8例,不夹闭肾动脉,余步骤与实验组相同;对照组8例无处理。术后通过建模成功率、组织病理检查、血肌酐和血尿素氮及氧化应激水平对模型进行评估。结果:实验组15只成功建立急性肾缺血再灌注损伤模型。术后1天病理检查显示实验组肾组织出现广泛损伤,术后实验组肾小管坏死评分、肾MDA水平、血肌酐及血尿素氮值明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:经背部切口钳夹双侧肾动脉可建立稳定的大鼠急性肾缺血再灌注损伤模型。该造模方法简便易行,成功率高,且具备手术切口小、手术时间短及并发症少的优点,建立的模型适合于急性肾损伤的研究。     

大鼠糖尿病溃疡动物模型的初步研究

目的构建大鼠糖尿病溃疡动物模型,观察评价该模型的临床及病理特点。方法利用磁片循环压迫的方法,构建大鼠糖尿病溃疡动物模型,并从整体,组织和生化三个层次对糖尿病溃疡进行了研究。结果构建出了一个可以复制的糖尿病溃疡动物模型,该模型具有组织坏死、白细胞聚集以及高浓度晚期糖化终末产物等特征。结论利用缺血再灌注法构建了大鼠糖尿病溃疡动物模型。其病理改变与人极为相似,是一种很好的用于糖尿病溃疡发病机制和治疗研究的动物模型。     

再灌注损伤诱导成年心肌细胞凋亡及Rb1对其抑制作用

曾认为末期已分化成熟的心肌细胞不发生细胞凋亡 ,但近来研究发现 ,某些因素可以诱导成年心肌细胞凋亡 ,并且许多心脏疾病的发病过程中有细胞凋亡参与。本实验采用定性定量方法 ,观察了缺血—再灌注损伤诱发心肌细胞凋亡的情况 ,以及人参皂甙单体Ｒｂ1对细胞凋亡的抑制作用1　材料与方法(1)再灌注损伤动物模型的建立　选用健康成年Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠 ,体重 2 0 0～ 30 0ｇ ,雌雄不拘。用结扎左冠状动脉主干方法建立缺血 再灌注模型。动物分组 :缺血 再灌注组 (ｎ =2 2 ) ,缺血 45ｍｉｎ后再灌注 4ｈ ;假手术组 (ｎ =2 2 ) ,只在冠状动脉下穿…     

Dexmedetomidine attenuates neuronal injury after spinal cord ischaemia‐reperfusion injury by targeting the CNPY2‐endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has been proven to exert protective effects on multiple organs in response to ischaemia‐reperfusion injury, but the specific mechanism by which this occurs has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Dex attenuates spinal cord ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (SCIRI) by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Our team established a model of SCIRI and utilized the endoplasmic reticulum agonist thapsigargin. Dex (25 g/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 30 minutes before spinal cord ischaemia. After 45 minutes of ischaemia, the spinal cord was reperfused for 24 hours. To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Dex on SCIRI, neurological function scores were assessed in rats and apoptosis of spinal cord cells was determined by TUNEL staining. To determine whether the endoplasmic reticulum apoptosis pathway CNPY2‐PERK was involved in the neuroprotective mechanism of Dex, the expression levels of related proteins (CNPY2, GRP78, PERK, CHOP, caspase‐12, caspase‐9 and caspase‐3) were detected by western blot analysis and RT‐PCR. We observed that Dex significantly increased the neurological function scores after SCIRI and decreased apoptosis of spinal cord cells. The expression of ERS‐related apoptosis proteins was significantly increased by SCIRI but was significantly decreased in response to Dex administration. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that Dex may attenuate SCIRI by inhibiting the CNPY2‐ERS apoptotic pathway.     

Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Experimental Contusive Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury is a devastating clinical condition, characterized by a complex of neurological dysfunctions. Animal models of spinal cord injury can be used both to investigate the biological responses to injury and to test potential therapies. Contusion or compression injury delivered to the surgically exposed spinal cord are the most widely used models of the pathology. In this report the experimental contusion is performed by using the Infinite Horizon (IH) Impactor device, which allows the creation of a reproducible injury animal model through definition of specific injury parameters. Stem cell transplantation is commonly considered a potentially useful strategy for curing this debilitating condition. Numerous studies have evaluated the effects of transplanting a variety of stem cells. Here we demonstrate an adapted method for spinal cord injury followed by tail vein injection of cells in CD1 mice. In short, we provide procedures for: i) cell labeling with a vital tracer, ii) pre-operative care of mice, iii) execution of a contusive spinal cord injury, and iv) intravenous administration of post mortem neural precursors. This contusion model can be utilized to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stem cell transplantation in a regenerative medicine approach.     

Calibrated Forceps Model of Spinal Cord Compression Injury

Compression injuries of the murine spinal cord are valuable animal models for the study of spinal cord injury (SCI) and spinal regenerative therapy. The calibrated forceps model of compression injury is a convenient, low cost, and very reproducible animal model for SCI. We used a pair of modified forceps in accordance with the method published by Plemel et al. (2008) to laterally compress the spinal cord to a distance of 0.35 mm. In this video, we will demonstrate a dorsal laminectomy to expose the spinal cord, followed by compression of the spinal cord with the modified forceps. In the video, we will also address issues related to the care of paraplegic laboratory animals. This injury model produces mice that exhibit impairment in sensation, as well as impaired hindlimb locomotor function. Furthermore, this method of injury produces consistent aberrations in the pathology of the SCI, as determined by immunohistochemical methods. After watching this video, viewers should be able to determine the necessary supplies and methods for producing SCI of various severities in the mouse for studies on SCI and/or treatments designed to mitigate impairment after injury.     

The effect of cerebrospinal fluid thickness on traumatic spinal cord deformation

A spinal cord injury may lead to loss of motor and sensory function and even death. The biomechanics of the injury process have been found to be important to the neurological damage pattern, and some studies have found a protective effect of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, the effect of the CSF thickness on the cord deformation and, hence, the resulting injury has not been previously investigated. In this study, the effects of natural variability (in bovine) as well as the difference between bovine and human spinal canal dimensions on spinal cord deformation were studied using a previously validated computational model. Owing to the pronounced effect that the CSF thickness was found to have on the biomechanics of the cord deformation, it can be concluded that results from animal models may be affected by the disparities in the CSF layer thickness as well as by any difference in the biological responses they may have compared with those of humans.     

A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor

While the majority of human spinal cord injuries occur in the cervical spinal cord, the vast majority of laboratory research employs animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI) in which the thoracic spinal cord is injured. Additionally, because most human cord injuries occur as the result of blunt, non-penetrating trauma (e.g. motor vehicle accident, sporting injury) where the spinal cord is violently struck by displaced bone or soft tissues, the majority of SCI researchers are of the opinion that the most clinically relevant injury models are those in which the spinal cord is rapidly contused.¹ Therefore, an important step in the preclinical evaluation of novel treatments on their way to human translation is an assessment of their efficacy in a model of contusion SCI within the cervical spinal cord. Here, we describe the technical aspects and resultant anatomical and behavioral outcomes of an unilateral contusive model of cervical SCI that employs the Infinite Horizon spinal cord injury impactor.Sprague Dawley rats underwent a left-sided unilateral laminectomy at C5. To optimize the reproducibility of the biomechanical, functional, and histological outcomes of the injury model, we contused the spinal cords using an impact force of 150 kdyn, an impact trajectory of 22.5° (animals rotated at 22.5°), and an impact location off of midline of 1.4 mm. Functional recovery was assessed using the cylinder rearing test, horizontal ladder test, grooming test and modified Montoya''s staircase test for up to 6 weeks, after which the spinal cords were evaluated histologically for white and grey matter sparing.The injury model presented here imparts consistent and reproducible biomechanical forces to the spinal cord, an important feature of any experimental SCI model. This results in discrete histological damage to the lateral half of the spinal cord which is largely contained to the ipsilateral side of injury. The injury is well tolerated by the animals, but does result in functional deficits of the forelimb that are significant and sustained in the weeks following injury. The cervical unilateral injury model presented here may be a resource to researchers who wish to evaluate potentially promising therapies prior to human translation.     

The mechanical properties of neonatal rat spinal cord in vitro,and comparisons with adult

A number of studies have investigated the mechanical properties of adult spinal cord under tension, however it is not known whether age has an effect on these properties. This is of interest to those aiming to understand the clinical differences between adults and children with spinal cord injury (e.g. severity and recovery), and those developing experimental or computational models for paediatric spinal cord injury. Entire spinal cords were freshly harvested from neonatal rats (14 days) and tested in vitro under uniaxial tension at a range of strain rates (0.2, 0.02, 0.002/s) to a range of strains (2%, 3.5%, 5%), with relaxation responses being recorded for 15 min. These mechanical properties were compared to previously reported data from similar experiments on adult rat spinal cords, and the peak stress and the stress after 15 min of relaxation were found to be significantly higher for spinal cords from adults than neonates (p<0.001). A non-linear viscoelastic model was developed and was observed to adequately predict the mechanical behaviour of this tissue. The model developed in this study may be of use in computational models of paediatric spinal cord. The significant differences between adult and neonatal spinal cord properties may explain the higher initial severity of spinal cord injury in children and may have implications for the development of experimental animal models for paediatric spinal cord injury, specifically for those aiming to match the injury severity with adult experimental models.     

Peripheral Nerve Transplantation Combined with Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Chondroitinase Induces Regeneration and Improves Urinary Function in Complete Spinal Cord Transected Adult Mice

The loss of lower urinary tract (LUT) control is a ubiquitous consequence of a complete spinal cord injury, attributed to a lack of regeneration of supraspinal pathways controlling the bladder. Previous work in our lab has utilized a combinatorial therapy of peripheral nerve autografts (PNG), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to treat a complete T8 spinal cord transection in the adult rat, resulting in supraspinal control of bladder function. In the present study we extended these findings by examining the use of the combinatorial PNG+aFGF+ChABC treatment in a T8 transected mouse model, which more closely models human urinary deficits following spinal cord injury. Cystometry analysis and external urethral sphincter electromyograms reveal that treatment with PNG+aFGF+ChABC reduced bladder weight, improved bladder and external urethral sphincter histology, and significantly enhanced LUT function, resulting in more efficient voiding. Treated mice’s injured spinal cord also showed a reduction in collagen scaring, and regeneration of serotonergic and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive axons across the lesion and into the distal spinal cord. Regeneration of serotonin axons correlated with LUT recovery. These results suggest that our mouse model of LUT dysfunction recapitulates the results found in the rat model and may be used to further investigate genetic contributions to regeneration failure.     

Isolation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells from the Periventricular Region of the Adult Rat and Human Spinal Cord

Adult rat and human spinal cord neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) cultured in growth factor-enriched medium allows for the proliferation of multipotent, self-renewing, and expandable neural stem cells. In serum conditions, these multipotent NSPCs will differentiate, generating neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The harvested tissue is enzymatically dissociated in a papain-EDTA solution and then mechanically dissociated and separated through a discontinuous density gradient to yield a single cell suspension which is plated in neurobasal medium supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and heparin. Adult rat spinal cord NSPCs are cultured as free-floating neurospheres and adult human spinal cord NSPCs are grown as adherent cultures. Under these conditions, adult spinal cord NSPCs proliferate, express markers of precursor cells, and can be continuously expanded upon passage. These cells can be studied in vitro in response to various stimuli, and exogenous factors may be used to promote lineage restriction to examine neural stem cell differentiation. Multipotent NSPCs or their progeny can also be transplanted into various animal models to assess regenerative repair.     

Neuroprotective Effects of Estradiol on Motoneurons in a Model of Rat Spinal Cord Embryonic Explants

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset degenerative disorder characterized by motoneuron death. Clinical and experimental studies in animal models of ALS have found gender differences in the incidence and onset of disease, suggesting that female hormones may play a beneficial role. Cumulative evidence indicates that 17β-estradiol (17βE2) has a neuroprotective role in the central nervous system. We have previously developed a new culture system by using rat spinal cord embryonic explants in which motoneurons have the singularity of migrating outside the spinal cord, growing as a monolayer in the presence of glial cells. In this study, we have validated this new culture system as a useful model for studying neuroprotection by estrogens on spinal cord motoneurons. We show for the first time that spinal cord motoneurons express classical estrogen receptors and that 17βE2 activates, specifically in these cells, the Akt anti-apoptotic signaling pathway and two of their downstream effectors: GSK-3β and Bcl-2. To further validate our system, we demonstrated neuroprotective effects of 17βE2 on spinal cord motoneurons when exposed to the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ. These effects of 17βE2 were fully reverted in the presence of the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. Our new culture model and the results presented here may provide the basis for further studies on the effects of estrogens, and selective estrogen receptor modulators, on spinal cord motoneurons in the context of ALS or other motoneuron diseases.