Morphological Evaluation Of Spinal Cord Microcirculation In Normal Rat Using Microcomputed Tomography

OBJECTIVE:Use microcomputed tomography to scan the spinal cord of rat which was perfused by Microfil MV-122.Then we set up the three-dimensional image of spinal cord microcirculation and its associated analysis statistics which will provide a new method and reference for future research on vascular related deseases of spinal cord.METHODS:Three adult male rats weighting 250-300g were selected for micro CT studies.After each rat was anesthetized with Chloral hydrate and pericardiotomy were performed.Access to the left ventricle was obtained.Immediately after surgical amputation of the right atrial appendage,successively infuse into the catheter heparinized salin,buffered formalin and Microfil MV 122 Yellow(Flow Tech,Carver,MA).Each rat was stored at 4℃for 12-14 hours before surgery which got its spinal cord tissue.After scaned by microcomputed tomography,we restructure the Three-dimensional image of microvascular, analyze the morphological such as the courses,connection and distribution.RESULTS:On this study we successfully established the three-dimensional of a rat spinal cord's microvascular. The anterior spinal artery and the posterior spinal artery are around the spinal cord surface and communicate with each other.We can see that in the section the vessels have different density and shape. In white matter,capillaries are coarse and sparse,vary greatly in diameter.Gray matter has high density and smaller capillaries. The average values of TV,Conn.D,Tb.Th and Tb.Sp in normal rats are 0.1090,18390/mm3,21.54μm and 92.82μm. CONCLUSION:In this method,we can directly,objectively,truely reproduce the three-dimensional structure. This study provides an excellent and reliable method for future scientific and clinic researchs.