[Animal Modeling] - Establishment of a Rabbit Sinus Node Injury Model Induced by Formaldehyde

  Objective: To establish a formaldehyde induced rabbit sinoatrial node injury model.

  Method: A 40% formaldehyde solution was used to damage the rabbit sinoatrial node, and indicators such as heart rate, sinoatrial conduction time, sinoatrial node recovery time, and corrected sinoatrial node recovery time were detected. Different injury methods, degrees, and durations were compared, and the model was validated using positive drugs.

  Result: (1) Injury method: Wet compress method can control the degree of injury through time and area size; The drip method has minimal trauma and can be controlled by the amount of formaldehyde, but it can easily cause tissue damage around the sinoatrial node; (2) Degree of injury and maintenance time: When the percentage decrease in heart rate is less than 30% of the baseline heart rate, the model maintenance time is less than 7 days; When the heart rate drops to 30%~60% of the baseline, the model maintenance time can reach 70 days; Model animals with a decrease in basal heart rate greater than 60% have higher mortality rates; (3) Verification of positive drugs: Atropine and Xinbao Pills both increase heart rate in sinus node injury models and improve sinus node function.

  Conclusion: The formaldehyde wet compress method is more reliable than the drip method in establishing a rabbit sinus node injury model. The degree of injury should be controlled within the range of 30% to 60% of the baseline heart rate, with a longer model maintenance time and lower animal mortality rate.