Effects of a head-down tilt on cerebral blood flow in mice during bilateral common carotid artery occlusion

Abstract

Objectives:Data on the optimal head position for patients with acute ischemic stroke are unavailable. We evaluated the effects of mild head-down tilt (HDT) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in mice during bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO).Materials and Methods:We used mice with BCCAO (35 minutes) and divided these into 2 groups ( n=16): BCCAO at 0°-HDT and 5°-HDT. CBF was measured for both hemispheres with a non-invasive laser Doppler blood perfusion imager. Changes in CBF during BCCAO were examined in both groups.Results:A significantly greater increase in CBF in both hemispheres was observed in 5°-HDT mice than in 0°-HDT mice (126.1% (8.715)% vs. 102.1% (4.718)%; P=0.0294).Conclusion:HDT enhanced the increase in CBF in both hemispheres in the mouse BCCAO model. The potential mechanism underlying CBF increase enhanced by HDT during BCCAO warrants further investigation.