A METHOD FOR LONG-DURATION ANESTHESIA FOR A NEW HINDLIMB ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION MODEL IN MICE

To study the relationship between ischaemia-reperfusion and multiple o rgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS), a new anaesthesia method was require d to be applied to C57BL/6 mice. These mice are also used in a well ac cepted, standardized model for MODS using intraperitoneally administer ed zymosan (zymosan induced general inflammation, ZIGI). The aim was t o develop a new model for ischaemia-reperfusion with 6h of anaesthesia . This and further specific requirements for the combination of ischae mia-reperfusion and the ZIGI method made us select inhalational anaest hesia using isoflurane in oxygen. This study evaluates whether long-te rm anaesthesia confounds the results of ischaemia-reperfusion and the ZIGI model. Ln addition the benefits of using the analgesic buprenorph ine were evaluated. Ischaemia was induced with a tourniquet around the hindlimb. Ischaemia and reperfusion were verified by imaging a radioa ctive tracer with a gamma-camera. It was established that anaesthesia with isoflurane in oxygen caused little perturbation of body temperatu re and respiratory rate. A survival rate of 89% without noteworthy inf luence on organs was obtained. Buprenorphine proved to provide adequat e analgesia and had no influence on measured parameters. In our experi mental setting, this model with long duration anaesthesia allowed us t o induce ischaemia and reperfusion of the hindlimb without perturbatio n of measurements. It also allowed good exposure of the abdomen and fa cilitated combination With the ZIGI model.