Effects of perindopril on the swallowing reflex in a rat dysphagia model induced by ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries (BCAO)

Abstract

Dysphagia, as one cause of aspiration pneumonia, is a major complication in the patients with cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson's disease, aging, and overdose of antipsychotic drugs. To evaluate the effects of the chemicals on dysphagia, we established a rat dysphagia model by ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries (BCAO). In addition, we investigated the protective effects of perindopril on the dysfunction of the swallowing reflex in the BCAO in rats.

To induce dysphagia, BCAO rats were prepared by ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries under anesthesia with isoflurane inhalation. In the BCAO rats, perindopril was continuously administered orally for 4 weeks, and the swallowing reflex was determined by recording electromyogram (EMG) of mylohyoid muscle at 29 days of post-BCAO or sham-operation. In BCAO rats, topical administration of water to the pharyngolaryngeal region evoked a diminished number of swallowing events compared to the sham-operation rats, showing a sign of dysphagia. Oral treatment with perindopril for 4 weeks improved the swallowing reflex. These results suggested that a rat model of dysphagia was established by BCAO and the effects of chemicals on swallowing reflex can be evaluated with this model.