The technique of inhalation anaethesia in experimental investigation in the rat

The rat is the most frequently used animal in scientific inquiry conducted for the purpose of advancing basic knowledge that may lead to an improvement in the results of treatment. Understanding of the pharmacological properties of inhalation anaesthetics, in combination with monitoring of their concentration in the inspired and end-tidal gas, together provide safe and precise control of the depth of the anaesthesia. However, accurate application of the inhalation method of anaesthesia requires special equipment for the delivery and effective scavenging of inhalation anaesthetics

The pathophysiology of intracerebral haemorrhage

Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage carries a high mortality rate and treatment of the disease raises more questions then answers. Mass effect, ischaemia and toxicity of blood components are responsible for brain tissue damage. Initially occurring disturbances of cerebral blood flow have a temporary character and do not play a key role in the pathology of intracerebral haematoma. Oedema formatting in the 24–48 hours after intracerebral bleeding is the result of multidirectional processes. The pathological mechanism that underlines it is the function of activation of systemic complement and cascade of coagulation. In the light of these findings, further clinical and experimental investigations should be focused on these factors

Apoptosis in the course of experimetal intracerebral haemorrhage in the rat

Intracerebral haematoma was produced in 25 adult rats by infusion of 100 µl of autologous blood into the striatum. The animals’ brains were removed at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after production of the haematoma. The TUNEL method was used to detect DNA fragmentation and TUNEL-positive cells were qualified. TUNEL-positive cells were already found on the first day of observation and were present for three weeks after haematoma production. These results provide evidence that programmed cell death is associated with intracerebral haemorrhage