Role of TGF-beta1/Smad3 signaling pathway in secretion of type I and III collagen by vascular smooth muscle cells of rats undergoing balloon injury.
(2/4)
Improved rat spinal cord injury model using spinal cord compression by percutaneous method.
(4/4)
Here, percutaneous spinal cord injury (SCI) methods using a balloon catheter in adult rats are described. A balloon catheter was inserted into the epidural space through the lumbosacral junction and then inflated between T9-T10 for 10 min under fluoroscopic guidance. Animals were divided into three groups with respect to inflation volume: 20 muL (n = 18), 50 muL (n = 18) and control (Fogarty catheter inserted but not inflated; n = 10). Neurological assessments were then made based on BBB score, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology. Both inflation volumes produced complete paralysis. Gradual recovery of motor function occurred when 20 muL was used, but not after 50 muL was applied. In the 50 muL group, all gray and white matter was lost from the center of the lesion. In addition, supramaximal damage was noted, which likely prevented spontaneous recovery. This percutaneous spinal cord compression injury model is simple, rapid with high reproducibility and the potential to serve as a useful tool for investigation of pathophysiology and possible protective treatments of SCI in vivo. (+info)