Validation of a blast induced neurotrauma model using modified Reddy tube in rats: A pilot study

Abstract

Problems considered

Blast induced neurotrauma (BINT) is becoming increasingly prevalent. However the pathophysiology has not been elucidated. In animal models blast injury is mimicked by exposing the animals to shock waves produced by shock tubes or by exposing them to open field explosions. We have tried to validate a custom made handy, indigenous blast tube in producing blast injury in a rodent model.

Methods

Fifteen rats were subjected to increasing peak pressure blast waves using a modified Reddy blast tube. The pressure recordings were in keeping with the classic Friedlander waveform and were highly reproducible. One rat died immediately following exposure to the blast. At the end of 2 weeks all the live rats were sacrificed and subjected to histopathological examination.

Results

The pathology revealed neuronal degeneration and axonopathy in the cortex, cingulum, hippocampus, thalamus, brain stem and cerebellum with the severity of injury increasing with increasing blast pressure. These findings were consistent with that reported in the literature.

Conclusions

We have thus successfully validated the blast tube for production of BINT. The tube is handy, easy to use and can be made widely available for furthering the research in the field of BINT.

Keywords

Blast - Neuronal degeneration - Neurotrauma - Rat model - Reddy tube

• References

• 1 Long J.B., Bentley T.L., Wessner K.A., Cerone C., Sweeney S., Bauman R.A.. Blast overpressure in rats: recreating a battlefield injury in the laboratory. J Neurotrauma 2009; Jun 26: 827-840 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2008.0748
• 2 Sundaramurthy A., Alai A., Ganpule S., Holmberg A., Plougonven E., Chandra N.. Blast-induced biomechanical loading of the rat: an experimental and anatomically accurate computational blast injury model. J Neurotrauma 2012; Sep 29: 2352-2364 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2012.2413
• 3 Reddy K.P.J., Sharath N.. Manually operated piston-driven shock tube. Curr Sci 2013; 104
• 4 Surana K.S., Reddy K.P.J., Joy A.D., Reddy J.N.. Riemann shock tube: 1D normal shocks in air, simulations and experiments. Int J Comput Fluid Dyn 2014; 1-21 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10618562.2014.927056 [Ahead-of-print]
• 5 Combes R.D.. A critical review of anaesthetised animal models and alternatives for military research, testing and training, with a focus on blast damage, haemorrhage and resuscitation. Altern Lab Anim 2013; Nov 41: 385-415
• 6 Chen Y.C., Smith D.H., Meaney D.F.. In-vitro approaches for studying blast-induced traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma 2009; Jun 26: 861-876 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2008.0645
• 7 DePalma R.G., Burris D.G., Champion H.R., Hodgson M.J.. Blast injuries. NE J M 2005; Mar 31 352: 1335-1342
• 8 Garman R.H., Jenkins L.W., Switzer 3rd R.C.. et al Blast exposure in rats with body shielding is characterized primarily by diffuse axonal injury. J Neurotrauma 2011; Jun 28: 947-959 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2010.1540
• 9 Ling G., Bandak F., Armonda R., Grant G., Ecklund J.. Explosive blast neurotrauma. J Neurotrauma 2009; Jun 26: 815-825 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2007.0484
• 10 Readnower R.D., Chavko M., Adeeb S.. et al Increase in blood-brain barrier permeability, oxidative stress, and activated microglia in a rat model of blast-induced traumatic brain injury. J Neurosci Res 2010; Dec 88: 3530-3539 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jnr.22510
• 11 Baalman K.L., Cotton R.J., Rasband S.N., Rasband M.N.. Blast wave exposure impairs memory and decreases axon initial segment length. J Neurotrauma 2013; May 1 30: 741-751 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2012.2478
• 12 Budde M.D., Shah A., McCrea M., Cullinan W.E., Pintar F.A., Stemper B.D.. Primary blast traumatic brain injury in the rat: relating diffusion tensor imaging and behavior. Front Neurol 2013; Oct 14 04: 1-12 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2013.00154
• 13 Park E., Gottlieb J.J., Cheung B., Shek P.N., Baker A.J.. A model of low-level primary blast brain trauma results in cytoskeletal proteolysis and chronic functional impairment in the absence of lung barotrauma. J Neurotrauma 2011; 28: 343-357 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2009.1050
• 14 Cullen D.K., Browne K.D., Xu Y.. et al Blast-induced color change in photonic crystals corresponds with brain pathology. J Neurotrauma 2011; Nov 28: 2307-2318 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2011.1718
• 15 Gama Sosa M.A., De Gasperi R., Paulino A.J.. et al Blast overpressure induces shear-related injuries in the brain of rats exposed to a mild traumaticbrain injury. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2013; 01: 51
• 16 Kamnaksh A., Kovesdi E., Kwon S.K.. et al Factors affecting blast traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma 2011; Oct 28: 2145-2153 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2011.1983