Effects of aspirin on morphology and wall structure of intracranial aneurysm in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of aspirin on the morphology and wall structure of the intracranial aneurysm induced by hemodynamics. Methods Twenty-six SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a model group, and an aspirin group. The right common carotid artery, left external carotid artery, and pterygopalatine artery were ligated in order to change the hemodynamics of left internal carotid artery. After 3-month induction, the anterior communicating artery complex were harvested after heart perfusion. The aneurysm-like structure was observed using a scanning electron microscope and was graded. The changes of elastic layer and smooth muscle cells in the tunica media were detected by pathological examination. Results Aneurysm-like remodeling was observed both in the model group and in the aspirin group, and there was no statistical differences in morphological grade between the 2 groups (P=0.054). Pathological examination showed the folds or loss of the internal elastic lamina and thinned media smooth muscle layer both in the model group and in the aspirin group. The length of thinned media in the model group was significantly higher than that in the aspirin group (173.50±17.62 μm vs. 153.50±12.04 μm; t=2.964, P=0.008). Conclusions Aspirin can slow down the pathological remodeling of intracranial aneurysm wall, but it cannot completely inhibit the formation of intracranial aneurysm. Key words: Intracranial Aneurysm; Aspirin; Hemodynamics; Cerebral Arteries; Disease Models, Animal; Rats