Development and validation of modified prechiasmatic rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Abstract

Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a severe type of stroke characterized with high morbidity and mortality. Early brain injury (EBI) plays an important role in influencing the prognosis of SAH. Currently few animal models could fully simulate the disease process, and the modeling procedures are complicated and error-prone. We aimed to develop a modified prechiasmatic injection rat model which is reproducible and easy to perform.

Materials and methods: The male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to the sham group (n = 15) and the model group (n = 15). A burr hole was drilled on the skull,1mm beside the intersection point of the midline and transverse line, and 30μl of autologous blood was slowly injected into the prechiasmatic pool. Neurologic functions, brain water content, and Nisslstaining were conducted to examine early brain injury. GPX4, MDA, GSHand iron concentrations were tested to investigate ferroptosis in SAH rats.

Results: The mortality rate of the model group within 24 hours post-modeling was 13.33% (2/15). Blood clots were observed distributed around the prechiasmatic pool and the periphery, indicating successful replication of SAH. Neurologic functions, brain water content, and Nisslstaining confirmed the pathology of early brain injury. GPX4, GSH, MDA and iron levels indicated the presence of ferroptosis.

Conclusions: The proposed modified prechiasmatic injection rat model is feasible and reproducible. The model has the potential to be used for investigating mechanisms of subarachnoid hemorrhage and early brain injury.