[A model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in the neonatal rats].

OBJECTIVE: To duplicate a model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in the neonatal rat to create unilateral cerebral damage. METHODS: Healthy 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used as research subjects and randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group (n = 18), the sham operated group (n = 8), and the HIBD group (n = 19). The HIBD model was produced according to the traditional Rice model and the brains were collected when the rats were 14 days old. The weight, left/right brain weight ratio, behavioral ability, and neuropathologic changes were studied in each group. RESULTS: 1. The weight in the HIBD group increased obviously slowly and was lower than that in the control group and sham operated group (P < 0.01). 2. The abnormity of behavioral ability was found in the HIBD group, including turnover unability (63.16%), spontaneously turn left round (89.47%), convulsion (47.37%), and so on. 3. The left/right brain weight ratio was significantly lower in the HIBD group than in the other two groups (P < 0.01). 4. The pathologic features in the HIBD group were as follows: atrophy of left brain (84.21%), softening of left brain (31.58%), liquefaction of left brain (52.63%), and cavum brain (15.79%). HE staining showed the neuron damage and the proliferation of neuroglial cells in the HIBD group. There was no obvious abnormity found in the control group and the sham operated group. CONCLUSION: The model of HIBD is successful and worthy of spreading, with its cheap price, easy duplication, and higher successful rate. The reasonable ambient temperature should be kept in 36-37 degrees C.