Abstract
One of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide is stroke. Experimental models used for studying brain infarction are important for the development of therapeutic interventions for all types of stroke but may differ in pathology post-injury. The aim of this study was to compare infarct sizes in different common carotid artery occlusion models of ischaemic stroke. Adult male rats were divided into five groups, each containing 12 rats: control, sham operated (SCCAO), temporary unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (TCCAO), permanent unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (PCCAO), and combined permanent and temporary common carotid artery occlusion (PTCCAO) groups. The common carotid artery was isolated, and occlusion was done by applying a silk suture either for 30minutes or permanently. Motor and sensory functions were tested 1 and 3days later, using the hanging wire and adhesive removal tests respectively. The rats were euthanized, brains removed, sectioned, and stained with H&E, Nissl and Triphenyltetrazolium chloride stains. Total brain infarct volumes and ischaemic neurons were compared across the groups. TCCAO and PCCAO caused slight ischemia and little infarct, however, PTCCAO caused substantial cerebral ischemia and infarctions in the cerebral cortex and striatum. In contrast to the other experimental groups, motor and sensory deficits were observed in the PTCCAO group when compared to controls. Only PTCCAO achieved significant infarct, but the type of infarct produced was inconsistent, possibly due to the existence of differences in the rat’s cerebral circulation.