Abstract:

BACKGROUND: It is necessary to understand the mechanical properties of middle cerebral artery of normal or atherosclerotic rats in order to prevent and cure atherosclerosis and cerebral hemorrhage. However, most previous studies focus on mechanical properties of normal human corpses and animals.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the tensile mechanical properties of middle cerebral artery between normal and atherosclerotic rats.
METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control and model groups. The atherosclerotic models were prepared in the model group. Then rats were performed 5 mm/min tensile test at electron Shimadzu universal testing machine. The experimental data, such as maximum load, maximum displacement, maximum stress, maximum strain, as well as the stress-strain relationship were observed. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, the maximum load, maximum displacement, maximum stress, and maximum strain of the model group were obviously decreased (P < 0.05). The stress-strain curve changed in an exponential relationship. Accordingly, the middle cerebral artery of atherosclerotic rats exhibits distinct tensile mechanical properties from normal rats, which can not extent greatly.