Development of a novel fluorescent microsphere technique to combine serial cerebral blood flow measurements with histology in the rat

Postdecompressive spinal cord blood flow increments in a cervical chronic myelopathy model in rats

OBJECTIVE

In cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), compromise of blood flow to the compressed spinal cord has been postulated to contribute to the development of myelopathy. Although decompressive surgery has been considered to improve spinal cord blood flow, evidence to support this notion is scarce. To determine whether blood flow improves after decompressive surgery for CSM, regional blood flow was measured in a model of chronic cervical compression in rats by using a fluorescent microsphere technique.

METHODS

Thin polyurethane sheets, measuring precisely 3 × 5 × 0.7 mm, were implanted under the C5-6 laminae in 24 rats to induce continuous compression on the cervical spinal cord. These sheets expand gradually by absorbing tissue fluid. This animal model has been demonstrated to reproduce the clinical features and histological changes of CSM, including progressive motor weakness with delayed onset and insidious tissue damage prior to symptom onset. Twenty-four rats that underwent sham operation were allocated to a control group. To confirm the development of cervical myelopathy, motor functions were measured weekly over the study period. Nine weeks after implantation of the sublaminar expanding sheets, histological studies and C5-6 decompressive surgery were conducted. Regional blood flow in the brainstem and cervical spinal cord was measured sequentially until 120 minutes after decompression.

RESULTS

In the CSM group, bilateral forepaw grip strength deteriorated progressively from 5 weeks after implantation. In the compressed C5-6 segment of the spinal cord, significant flattening of the cord, a decreased number of motor neurons, and vacuolations of gray matter were demonstrated. In the control group, blood flow in the brainstem and cervical spinal cord was unchanged by the decompressive surgery. In the CSM group, however, diminished blood flow and continuous blood flow increments for 120 minutes after decompression were demonstrated in the compressed C5-6 spinal cord segment.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic mechanical compression induced regional spinal cord blood flow insufficiency concomitant with progressive neuronal loss and motor dysfunction in a chronic compression model in rats. Decompressive surgery increased spinal cord blood flow. These findings suggest that blood flow recovery may contribute to postoperative neurological improvement.

Assessment of regional bone tissue perfusion in rats using fluorescent microspheres

Disturbances in bone blood flow have been shown to have deleterious effects on bone properties yet there remain many unanswered questions about skeletal perfusion in health and disease, partially due to the complexity of measurement methodologies. The goal of this study was use fluorescent microspheres in rats to assess regional bone perfusion by adapting mouse-specific fluorescent microsphere protocol. Ten fifteen-week old Sprague Dawley rats were injected with fluorescent microspheres either via cardiac injection (n = 5) or via tail vein injection (n = 5). Femora and tibiae were harvested and processed to determine tissue fluorescence density (TFD) which is proportional to the number of spheres trapped in the tissue capillaries. Right and left total femoral TFD (2.77 ± 0.38 and 2.70 ± 0.24, respectively) and right and left tibial TFD (1.11 ± 0.26 and 1.08 ± 0.34, respectively) displayed bilateral symmetry in flow when assessed in cardiac injected animals. Partitioning of the bone perfusion into three segments along the length of the bone showed the distal femur and proximal tibia received the greatest amount of perfusion within their respective bones. Tail vein injection resulted in unacceptably low TFD levels in the tibia from 4 of the 5 animals. In conclusion this report demonstrates the viability of cardiac injection of fluorescent microspheres to assess bone tissue perfusion in rats.

Visualizing regional myocardial blood flow in the mouse

RATIONALE

The spatial distribution of blood flow in the hearts of genetically modified mice is a phenotype of interest because derangements in blood flow may precede detectable changes in organ function. However, quantifying the regional distribution of blood flow within organs of mice is challenging because of the small organ volume and the high resolution required to observe spatial differences in flow. Traditional microsphere methods in which the numbers of microspheres per region are indirectly estimated from radioactive counts or extracted fluorescence have been limited to larger organs for 2 reasons; to ensure statistical confidence in the measured flow per region and to be able to physically dissect the organ to acquire spatial information.

OBJECTIVE

To develop methods to quantify and statistically compare the spatial distribution of blood flow within organs of mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We developed and validated statistical methods to compare blood flow between regions and with the same regions over time using 15-µm fluorescent microspheres. We then tested this approach by injecting fluorescent microspheres into isolated perfused mice hearts, determining the spatial location of every microsphere in the hearts, and then visualizing regional flow patterns. We demonstrated application of these statistical and visualizing methods in a coronary artery ligation model in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These new methods provide tools to investigate the spatial and temporal changes in blood flow within organs of mice at a much higher spatial resolution than currently available by other methods.

Cerebral perfusion MRI in mice

Perfusion MRI is a tool to assess the spatial distribution of microvascular blood flow. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is shown here to be advantageous for quantification of cerebral microvascular blood flow (CBF) in rodents. This technique is today ready for assessment of a variety of murine models of human pathology including those associated with diffuse microvascular dysfunction. This chapter provides an introduction to the principles of CBF measurements by MRI along with a short overview over applications in which these measurements were found useful. The basics of commonly employed specific arterial spin-labeling techniques are described and theory is outlined in order to give the reader the ability to set up adequate post-processing tools. Three typical MR protocols for pulsed ASL on two different MRI systems are described in detail along with all necessary sequence parameters and technical requirements. The importance of the different parameters entering theory is discussed. Particular steps for animal preparation and maintenance during the experiment are given, since CBF regulation is sensitive to a number of experimental physiological parameters and influenced mainly by anesthesia and body temperature.

Poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) colloidal particles tagged with Rhodamine 6G: preparation and physicochemical characterization

This paper describes the preparation and characterization of poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) colloidal particles loaded with the organic fluorophore Rhodamine 6G. We studied the physicochemical properties of the colloidal particles: morphology, size-distribution, ζ-potential, fluorescent properties and photobleaching upon UV-light illumination. The properties of the obtained colloidal particles, as well as the dye loading efficiency, were found to depend on the concentrations of ethyl cyanoacrylate monomer and Rhodamine 6G in the polymerization medium. The fluorophore release from the colloidal particles in aqueous buffer is also studied.

Validation of diffuse correlation spectroscopy measurements of rodent cerebral blood flow with simultaneous arterial spin labeling MRI; towards MRI-optical continuous cerebral metabolic monitoring

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) during stepped hypercapnia was measured simultaneously in the rat brain using near-infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) and arterial spin labeling MRI (ASL). DCS and ASL CBF values agree very well, with high correlation (R=0.86, p< 10(-9)), even when physiological instability perturbed the vascular response. A partial volume effect was evident in the smaller magnitude of the optical CBF response compared to the MRI values (averaged over the cortical area), primarily due to the inclusion of white matter in the optically sampled volume. The 8.2 and 11.7 mm mid-separation channels of the multi-distance optical probe had the lowest partial volume impact, reflecting ~75 % of the MR signal change. Using a multiplicative correction factor, the ASL CBF could be predicted with no more than 10% relative error, affording an opportunity for real-time relative cerebral metabolism monitoring in conjunction with MR measurement of cerebral blood volume using super paramagnetic contrast agents.

Development of a fluorescent microsphere technique for rapid histological determination of cerebral blood flow

The purpose of this study was to develop a more efficient fluorescent microsphere method to facilitate the rapid use of the histological technique and to enable its use in large tissue regions. Using fluorescent plate/slide imaging technology and automated detection and analysis software, we were able to rapidly image, detect, and count 3 separate microsphere colors in 200 microm thick tissue sections from piglet brain. In resting newborn piglets (n=6) on isoflurane anesthesia, we measured a median total cerebral blood flow (CBF) of 105 ml/min/100g (range 27-206 ml/min/100 g). Compared with other FM analysis methods, our method reduces the time required to determine blood flow, improves accuracy in lipid-rich tissues and large tissue regions and, unlike the radiolabeled microsphere method, can be combined with histological analysis.

Diffuse optical monitoring of hemodynamic changes in piglet brain with closed head injury

We used a nonimpact inertial rotational model of a closed head injury in neonatal piglets to simulate the conditions following traumatic brain injury in infants. Diffuse optical techniques, including diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), were used to measure cerebral blood oxygenation and blood flow continuously and noninvasively before injury and up to 6 h after the injury. The DCS measurements of relative cerebral blood flow were validated against the fluorescent microsphere method. A strong linear correlation was observed between the two techniques (R=0.89, p<0.00001). Injury-induced cerebral hemodynamic changes were quantified, and significant changes were found in oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations, total hemoglobin concentration, blood oxygen saturation, and cerebral blood flow after the injury. The diffuse optical measurements were robust and also correlated well with recordings of vital physiological parameters over the 6-h monitoring period, such as mean arterial blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, and heart rate. Finally, the diffuse optical techniques demonstrated sensitivity to dynamic physiological events, such as apnea, cardiac arrest, and hypertonic saline infusion. In total, the investigation corraborates potential of the optical methods for bedside monitoring of pediatric and adult human patients in the neurointensive care unit.

Fluorescent microsphere technique to measure cerebral blood flow in the rat

The present protocol describes a method for parallel measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) using fluorescent microspheres and structural assessment of the same material. The method is based on the standard microsphere technique, embolizing capillaries proportional to the blood flow, but requires dissolution of the tissue to retrieve the microspheres. To link the blood flow to the tissue morphology we modified the technique to fluorescent microspheres, which are quantified in cryo- or vibratome sections, allowing structural analysis by, for example, immunohistochemistry or standard histology. The protocol takes 8 h 50 min, without pauses, to complete, but additional flow measurements or specific protocols can increase the time needed.

Microspheres method for ocular blood flow measurement in rats: size and dose optimization

This study modified the microspheres method by optimizing the dose and size of microspheres (MS) to enable accurate ocular blood flow measurement in rats. Fluorescent MS, either 6, 8, 10 or 15 microm diameter, were administered into the left ventricle of anesthetized adult Brown Norway rat in a dose of either 10(6), 5x10(6), or 10(7). The total number of MS entrapped in retina, choroid and optic nerve (Ntissue) was quantified and compared between size and dose groups. The MS distribution in the retina and their reentry into systemic circulation were evaluated for different sized MS. The results showed that at the 5x10(6) dose, the Ntissue of 8 microm MS was significantly more than either 6 or 10 microm MS in the retina (P<0.02) and optic nerve (P<0.03). The 10 microm MS produced the highest Ntissue for the choroid, as compared with either 8 or 6 microm MS (P<0.03). At the 10(6) dose, no difference of N(tissue) was found between 8, 10, and 15 microm MS in the retina. The 10 microm MS yielded the highest Ntissue in the choroid as compared to 8 and 15 microm MS (P<0.003). The Ntissue for 8 microm MS was higher than both 10 and 15 microm (P<0.01) MS in the optic nerve. No MS (>or=8 microm) reentered the systemic circulation. The 15 microm MS tended to lodge in pre-capillary arterioles and caused significant blood pressure increase during the injection. The blood flow measured with the optimal size MS (mean+/-SE) were 19+/-3.4 and 170+/-35 microl/min in the retina and choroid, respectively; and 0.18+/-0.03 microl/min per mm optic nerve. It is concluded that the 8 microm MS are the optimal size for both retinal and optic nerve blood flow estimation; the 10 microm for the choroid. The optimal dose for the retina was approximately 2.5x10(6), 0.5x10(6) for the choroid, and 5x10(6) approximately 10(7) for the optic nerve. The 15 microm MS are inappropriate for ocular blood flow measurements in rats.

Preparation of highly monodisperse poly(methyl methacrylate) particles incorporating fluorescent rhodamine 6G for colloidal crystals

Soap-free emulsion polymerization was extended to preparation of monodisperse poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles incorporating rhodamine 6G (R6G) fluorescent molecules. The polymerization was conducted in the presence of an anionic monomer, p-styrenesulfonate (NaSS), which improved dispersion stability of the polymer particles. NaSS concentrations was ranged up to 2 mol/m3 H2O in the polymerization at 0.5 kmol/m3 H2O methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer and 5 mol/m3 H2O potassium persulfate (KPS) initiator for R6G concentrations from 0.1 to 10 mol/m3-polymer. At R6G concentrations lower than 1.0 mol/m3-polymer, PMMA particles were highly monodisperse and incorporated most R6G molecules. The average sizes of PMMA particles were in a rage of 160-300 nm, and decreased with the concentration of NaSS. The high monodispersity of the particles enabled the fabrication of colloidal crystals of the particles with a vertical deposition method.

Novel Copolyanhydrides Combining Strong Inherent Fluorescence and a Wide Range of Biodegradability: Synthesis, Characterization and in vitro Degradation

In this work, a novel diacid monomer was synthesized in a very convenient scheme. The monomer is derived from naturally occurring products and emits strong fluorescence when polymerized to polyanhydride. The chemical structure of the monomer dCPS is as follows: HOC(O)ArOC(O)(CH2)2C(O)O--Ar--COOH. Copolyanhydrides composed of dCPS and sebacic acid were further prepared by melt copolycondensation, and characterized by IR, NMR, UV-Vis, DSC and fluorometry. The emission wavelength (lambda(em)) of the copolymers could be tuned by the excitation wavelength (lambda(ex)). Fluorescence intensity increased with the increase of dCPS content. The microspheres fabricated from the copolymer with dCPS content as low as 10% could be clearly visualized with fluorescence microscopy. Either blue or green images of the microspheres could be captured with an excitation of UV and visible light. The degradation rate of the copolyanhydrides decreased as the dCPS fraction increased, and the degradation duration could be modulated from several days to more than three months. In addition, it was found that the copolyanhydrides displayed surface degradation characteristics. In view of the advantages of the novel copolyanhydrides, such as easy preparation, unique inherent luminescent properties, and widely adjustable degradation rate, they might be useful for biomedical engineering.

Population pharmacokinetic modeling of blood-brain barrier transport of synthetic adenosine A1 receptor agonists

A population pharmacokinetic model is proposed for estimation of the brain distribution clearance of synthetic A1 receptor agonists in vivo. Rats with permanent venous and arterial cannulas in combination with a microdialysis probe in the striatum received intravenous infusions of 8-methylamino-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (MCPA) and 2'-deoxyribose-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (2'-dCPA) (10 mg kg(-1)). The clearance for transport from blood to the brain was estimated by simultaneous analysis of the blood and extracellular fluid concentrations using a compartmental pharmacokinetic model. The proposed pharmacokinetic model consists of three compartments describing the time course of the concentration in blood in combination with three compartments for the brain extracellular fluid concentrations. The blood clearance was 7.4 +/- 0.5 for MCPA and 7.2 +/- 1.4 ml min(-1) for 2'-dCPA. The in vivo microdialysis recoveries determined by the dynamic-no-net-flux method were independent of time with values of 0.21 +/- 0.02 and 0.22 +/- 0.01 for MCPA and 2'-dCPA, respectively. The values of the intercompartmental clearance for the distribution from blood to brain were 1.9 +/- 0.4 versus 1.6 +/- 0.3 mul min(-1) for MCPA and 2'-dCPA, respectively. It is concluded that on basis of the novel six-compartment model precise estimates of the rate of brain distribution are obtained that are independent of eventual differences in systemic exposure. The low brain distribution rates of MCPA and 2'-dCPA were consistent with in vitro tests. Furthermore, a slow elimination from the brain compartment was observed, indicating that the duration of central nervous system effects may be much longer than expected on the basis of the terminal half-life in blood.