Objective      To determine the effect of sympathetic denervation on cerebral arteriogenesis in rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and investigate the underlying possible mechanism.        Methods      The SD rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion was established by right common carotid artery ligation for 8 weeks

while denervation was performed by surgical removal of the ipsilateral superior cervical sympathetic ganglion. A total of 84 healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups

that is

model and denervation group (n=21)

artery ligation group (n=21)

denervation group (n=21) and sham-operation group (n=21). In 8 weeks after surgery

the rats in each group were further randomly assigned into 3 sub-groups

that is

sub-group A (n=7)

sub-group B (n=7)

and sub-group C (n=7). The diameter of leptomeningeal collateral vessels and Willis circle artery were observed in sub-group A after latex perfusion; the rats in sub-group B were subjected to permanent right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Cortical cerebral blood flow was measured. Cerebral infarct volume was tested by TTC staining in 24 h post-operatively. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out in sub-group C to observe the structural changes of the right leptomeningeal collateral vessels.        Results      The diameters of right leptomeningeal collateral vessels and Willis circle artery were both significantly smaller in the model and denervation group than the artery ligation group (P0.05)

and obviously larger than in the denervation group (P0.05) and sham-operation group (P0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed the thickness of right leptomeningeal collateral vessels was obviously decreased in the model and denervation group compared with the artery ligation group (P0.05)

but remarkably increased than the denervation group (P0.05) and the sham-operation group (P0.05). In 8 weeks after permanent right middle cerebral artery occlusion

the ratio of cerebral blood flow to basic level was significantly lower in the model and denervation group than the artery ligation group (P0.05)

but markedly higher than in the denervation group (P0.05) and the sham-operation group (P0.05). Neurological function scoring indicated that scores were significantly higher in the model and denervation group than the artery ligation group (P0.05)

but obviously lower than in the denervation group (P0.05) and the sham-operation group (P0.05). TTC staining showed the cerebral infarct volume was significantly larger in the model and denervation group than the artery ligation group (P0.05)

and remarkably smaller than in the denervation group (P0.05) and the sham-operation group (P0.05).         Conclusion      Sympathetic denervation impairs the cerebral arteriogenesis in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.