Hind-limb Ischemia, Stroke, Vascular Dementia and Erectile Dysfunction: Four Preclinical Models in Rodents for Testing Vasoactive Drugs | Biomedgrid

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a form of peripheral vascular diseases (PVD), in which there is partial or total blockage of blood supply to a limb, usually the leg, leading to impaired blood flow and ischemia in the tissue. When PAD advances, such as in diabetic patients, it may reach the stage of critical limb ischemia (CLI) with skin ulcerations, gangrene and unavoidable amputations. Erectile dysfunction occurs when a deficit of the blood supply ensues in the penile tissue. Stroke and Vascular Dementia are also a result of damaged vascularization and ischemia in the brain. Vasoactive drugs that enhance angiogenesis are highly required in these cases, as much as in cancer treatment reduction of blood vessels is an essential goal. The preclinical models described below, which we have used frequently, are meant to present researchers with the options from which they might choose the most appropriate test for their objectives.