Effect of hypertension on cerebral aneurysms and model production of cerebral aneurysm in a rat

Abstract

Objective To establish a rat model of cerebral aneurysms and explore the impact of hypertension on it. Methods Forty-five rats were randomly divided into hypertensive, normotensive, and normal control groups (n=15). The origin of the right external carotid artery was digested with porcine pancreatic elastase, ligated and cut at 1.5 mm from the carotid bifurcation. Cerebral aneurysm models were established in this stump in the hypertensive and normotensive groups, and then, stenosis of the bilateral renal artery was induced surgically in the hypertensive group. The systolic blood pressures in the 3 groups were measured before and at 6 and 12 weeks after the operation. At 12 weeks after the operation, the aneurysms, after measurement of the size, were fixed by formalin perfusion. The vascular tissues in the aneurysms were isolated for pathological examination using HE staining, Van-Geson staining and Verhoeff staining. Results A significant increase in the blood pressure occurred in the hypertensive group to the level of 197.48±15.44 mm Hg, and the aneurysm was obviously enlarged measuring 2.38±0.31 mm in length and 1.89±0.35 mm in width;no significant changes occurred in the normotensive and normal control groups. Pathological examinations demonstrated the absence of the intima and rupture of the elastin layer in the hypertensive group;the normotensive group retained part of the elastic fibers, and no vascular damage was found in the normal control group. Conclusion This aneurysm model can be prepared conveniently with good stability, and can well simulate the structure and pathology of human cerebral aneurysm. Hypertension significantly affects the elastin and collagen in the blood vessels to contribute to aneurysm enlargement. Key words: Cerebral aneurysm; Hypertension; Animal model