An experiment model of obstructive hydrocephalus in the rats: injecting the astrocytes into the lateral ventricle

Objective To establish the animal model of obstructive hydrocephalus in rat by injecting lateral ventricle astrocytes from rat. Methods Three different concentrations of 20 μl astrocytes suspension with 5×107, 5×108, 5×109 cells per milliliter were injected into the right lateral ventricle of group A, B, C through stereotactic puncture, respectively, while 20 μl sterile phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution was injected into the right lateral ventricle of control group. The magnetie resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to obtain T2 weighted brain images at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 days after injection. Measure the maximum transverse diameter of lateral ventricle through coronary position images to determine the degree of hydrocephalus. Results The mean value of maximum transverse diameter in the control group, group A, group B and group C was (0.11±0.01), (1.01±0.78), (1.83±0.23), (1.89±0.21) mm at 35th day after injection, respectively. Compared with group A, group B and group C, the maximum transverse diameter of control group was statistically different(P 0.05). Conclusion The animal model of obstructive hydrocephalus in rat can be successfully established by injecting lateral ventricle astrocytes. Key words: Hydrocephalus; Rats; Models, animal; Astrocytes