University of Arizona, Phoenix

3 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Unfixed Head and Closed Skull Weight Drop Method as a Rodent Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (Mtbi) for Studies of Post-Traumatic Headache (PTH)

Caroline Machado Kopruszinski¹, Trent Anderson², Janice Oyarzo³, Edita Navratilova^1,3, Frank Porreca^1,3

¹Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, ²Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, ³Department of Collaborative Research, Mayo Clinic

The protocol describes a rodent model of unfixed head mild traumatic brain injury induced by a weight drop allowing for free linear and rotational impact-related forces. The dynamics of this injury are similar to concussions that occur in humans and are useful to investigate underlying mechanisms involved in post-traumatic headache.

Biology

Measurement of Endothelium-Dependent Vasorelaxation in the Mouse Thoracic Aorta Using Tensometric Small Volume Chamber Myography

Brikena Gusek¹, Robert Folk¹, Tala Curry², Mitra Esfandiarei¹

¹Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, ²Department of Child Health, College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix

The present protocol describes the concepts and technical application of the tensometric myograph technique using a multi-chamber myograph system in the experimental ex vivo assessment of mouse aortic endothelial function.

Medicine

Mouse Model of Coronary Collateral Growth Through Repetitive Ischemia

Molly Enrick¹, James Gadd¹, Katie Yanez^1,2, Liya Yin^1,3

¹Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, ²Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, ³College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix

This paper presents a method to study postnatal coronary collateral growth induced by repetitive ischemia in mice, including the surgical implantation of a pneumatic occluder on the left anterior descending artery, an automated inflation system for the repetitive ischemia protocol, and potential methods to evaluate collateral growth.