Histopathological Assessments of Animal Models of Cerebral Ischemia - Animal Models of Acute Neurological Injuries: Injury and Mechanistic Assessments - page 3

Hispathological methods have been modifi ed or combined with
other sophisticated techniques such as immunohistochemistry to
identify changes in particular proteins, in situ hybridization for
showing alterations in particular mRNAs, and 5-bromo-2¢-
deoxyuridine (BrdU) staining for examining mitotic cells.
The intent of this chapter is to describe the basic histological
techniques routinely used to study pathological changes after
global or focal cerebral ischemia. Histopathological stains include
hematoxylin and eosin; cresyl violet; silver stains; and TTC ( 1, 2 ).
Among various staining techniques, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)
is the most popular and reliable. Therefore, we describe this
technique below.

2. Materials,
Equipments,
and Supplies

1. Anesthesia box (Harvard Apparatus, 84 October Hill Road,
Holliston, MA, USA)
2. Anesthesia machine (Matrx Medical Inc., 145 Mid County Dr,
Orchard Park, NY, USA)
3. Gas regulators (VWR, 1310 Goshen Parkway, West Chester,
PA, USA)
4. Temperature controller (Omega, Stamford, CT, USA)
5. Oxygen (O 2 ) tank
6. Lamp (Luxo Corporation, 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford,
NY, USA)
7. Nitrous oxide (NO) tank
8. Rodent brain matrix (RBM-4000c; ASI Instruments, Warren,
MI, USA)
9. Tissue processor (Leica TP1050; 2345 Waukegan Road;
Bannockburn, USA)
10. Tissue fl oating water bath (Baxter; VWR Scientifi c Products,
1310 Goshen Parkway, West Chester, PA, USA)
11. Drying oven (Fisher isotemp oven, 400 series model 418F,
Pittsburgh, PA 15275, USA)
12. Embedding center (Histo-center II; Fisher Scientifi c,
Pittsburgh; PA, USA)
13. Microtome (Leica RM 2135; 2345 Waukegan Road,
Bannockburn, USA)
14. Section cutting microtome knife (Accu-Edge; low profi le micro-
tome blades; Sakura Finetek USA Inc, Torrance, CA, USA)

2.1. Equipments