Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the middle cerebral artery occlusion on the density of the brain surface vessels in the rat.MethodsForty one male Wistar rats with an average body weight of 170±10g were randomly divided into three groups: group A(n=3) underwent no operation, group B(n=3) underwent sham operation, group C(n=35) underwent an operation of ischemic brain injury. The right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) of group C rats were induced by 5/0 monofilament nylon suture for 2 hours. The time points of reperfusion was 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 7 days and 14 days following MCAO. The regional cerebral blood flow in the right brain, the morphology, number, length of the right hemisphere surface vessels were measured. ResultsThe number, length of the right hemisphere vessels increased with the progress of reperfusion time. Conclusions The ischemia induced the production of vessels in the brain in the rats.

Key words: ischemic brain injury, middle cerebral artery, rat