Establishment and Evaluation of a Diabetic Rat Model with Lower Limb Arteriosclerosis Obliterans

This study aimed to establish and validate a novel rat model of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) in diabetic rats. Unlike traditional femoral artery ligation, we injected 95% ethanol (0.1 mL) into the external iliac artery. Postoperatively, arterial occlusion and hindlimb ischemia were assessed on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 using Doppler ultrasound, thermal imaging, and wet muscle weight measurement. Histological analysis of blood vessels and muscle tissues was performed to evaluate the model's success rate and stability. High-concentration ethanol (95%) induces vascular endothelial cell damage, leading to femoral artery occlusion. Compared to the control group, Doppler ultrasound revealed a progressive reduction in arterial diameter and increased flow velocity in the affected limb. Thermal imaging demonstrated decreased limb temperature, while muscle weight measurement showed a significant reduction in the ipsilateral muscle mass. Histopathological analysis confirmed arterial lumen occlusion, decreased microvascular density, and progressive lesion exacerbation over time. In conclusion, iliac artery injection of 95% ethanol effectively replicates the pathophysiological characteristics of lower limb arterial occlusion, providing a novel model for studying arteriosclerosis obliterans in diabetic rats.