Artificial Model of Cerebral Stroke Induction

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases rank first among global health concerns, directly linked to healthy lifestyle practices, particularly nutritious diet and consumption of ecologically clean food products. For commercial purposes, various unhealthy chemical additives and pesticides have extensively infiltrated agriculture and the food industry, becoming causative factors for numerous diseases. These toxins facilitate the formation of substances most dangerous to the human body—oxidants (oxygen free radicals). Free radicals provoke and contribute to the development of ischemic heart diseases, myocardial infarction, stroke, and other serious health conditions.

Cerebrovascular pathology of the brain represents a critical medical challenge due to its high mortality and disability rates. The aim of this research was to study an artificial model of cerebral stroke to improve the investigation of therapeutic agents for this pathology.

Experiments were conducted on white rats using the photochemical thrombosis method. This technique involves the subcutaneous administration of a photosensitive dye (Rose Bengal) followed by local irradiation of the cerebral cortex with a halogen lamp. The interaction between the dye and light generates free radicals, which damage vascular endothelium, induce platelet aggregation, and ultimately lead to thrombosis of blood vessels.

Histological examination revealed the development of a parabola-shaped lesion in the irradiated area extending to the subcortical white matter. Punctate hemorrhages, erythrocyte aggregates, and thrombi were observed in the blood vessels. Tissue examination demonstrated edema and degenerative changes in neurons. In the control group (irradiation without dye administration), no lesions were detected.

The presented model is non-invasive, easy to implement, and enables the creation of infarction foci at virtually any location within the cerebral cortex. It closely resembles the natural clinical manifestation of stroke development and allows for the investigation of various pharmaceutical agents' effects on blood microcirculation, as well as their antihypoxic, anti-ischemic, and antioxidant properties.