RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Optimization of the model of abdominal aortic aneurysm by co-incubation of calcium chloride and collagenase in rats JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 1049 OP 1053 VO 30 IS 8 A1 Guang Liu A1 Ying Huang A1 Xin-Wu Lu A1 Min Lu A1 Xin-Tian Huang A1 Wei-Min Li A1 Mi-Er Jiang YR 2009 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/30/8/1049.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: To optimize the model of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in rats using calcium chloride (CaCl2) and collagenase together.METHODS: This study was performed at the 9th People's Hospital, Institute of Traumatic Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China from July 2008 to February 2009. Aortas of 55 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed and incubated for 20 minutes with fresh normal saline solutions supplemented with CaCl2 (0.4M) and collagenase (4%, w/v) (group A), CaCl2 alone (group B), collagenase alone (group C), or normal saline alone (group D). After 4 weeks, the treated aortas were evaluated by digital measurement, angiography, and histological examination.RESULTS: In group A, there was a mean increase in diameter of 87.86% ± 69.49% (range, 35.33-299.29%) weeks after surgery. The frequency of AAA in this group was 83.3% (10/12). One (1/13) AAA occurred in group C and none in other groups. Partial endothelial loss, elastin disruption, and abnormal collagen deposition were noted in the AAA tissues in group A, corresponded well to native aneurysms in human.CONCLUSION: The use of collagenase optimized the established CaCl2-induced rat model, giving a high frequency of AAA in a short period of time.