Experimental Animals
Online ISSN : 1881-7122
Print ISSN : 1341-1357
ISSN-L : 0007-5124
Advance online publication
Displaying 1-23 of 23 articles from this issue
  • Min SONG, Bo JIAO, Xiu-Juan TIAN, Bang-Ruo QI
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0092
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: December 07, 2024
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    This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of omentin-1 in preeclampsia (PE), focusing on fetal outcomes, vascular function, and inflammation. A PE-like mouse model received recombinant human omentin-1 protein (rh-omentin) from gestation day (gd) 13.5 to 16.5. On gd 17.5, fetuses and placentas were weighed, and serum sFlt-1 levels were measured. Maternal aortic rings were used for ex vivo vascular reactivity assays. Inflammatory factors and KLF2 expression in placental and aortic tissues were assessed using qPCR. HUVECs were exposed to plasma from PE patients or healthy pregnant individuals to evaluate omentin-1 and KLF2 expression by qPCR, with additional evaluation of KLF2 after rh-omentin treatment. Rh-omentin treatment reduced blood pressure in the PE-like model, accompanying by increased fetal and placental weights and higher fetal/placental weight ratios compared to untreated PE mice. Additionally, rh-omentin enhanced endothelial function in maternal aortic rings, as well as reduced placental necrosis and promoted CD31-positive vasculature in the labyrinth zone. Moreover, rh-omentin decreased pro-inflammatory factors (Il-1β, Il-6, and Tnf-α) in aortic and placental tissues of PE mice. KLF2 expression was restored in both aortic and placental tissues of PE mice and in HUVECs exposed to PE plasma following rh-omentin treatment. Rh-omentin improved fetal and placental outcomes in PE-like mice, enhancing vascular function and reducing inflammation in aortic and placental tissues. It also restored KLF2 expression in PE tissues and HUVECs exposed to PE plasma, suggesting therapeutic potential for addressing endothelial dysfunction in PE.

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  • Jingzhi WANG, Zhongyu HUANG, Yiwen LI, Qian LI, Xi LI, Li CHEN
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0072
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: December 06, 2024
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    At present, there lacks a definitive pharmaceutical intervention or therapeutic approach for diabetes-associated cognitive impairment. Herein, we delved into the impact of electroacupuncture on cognitive function in high-fat diet/streptozocin (HFD/STZ)-induced T2DM mice and underlying mechanisms. Hippocampal insulin resistance was determined by western blot analysis. Cognitive function was evaluated by Morris water maze test. The morphology of the hippocampal neurons was observed through hematoxylin & eosin staining and Nissl staining. Synaptic plasticity was assessed by western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, western blot and real-time PCR were employed to detect the levels of ferroptosis markers, autophagy markers, and netrin-1. Electroacupuncture treatment exhibited ameliorative outcomes on spatial learning, memory function, hippocampal insulin resistance, neuronal damage, and synaptic plasticity in T2DM mice. Furthermore, it effectively suppressed neuronal ferroptosis within the hippocampus by upregulating GPX4 and SLC7A11 expression, and reducing 4-HNE expression. Meanwhile, electroacupuncture intervention increased the levels of Beclin1 and LC3II/LC3I, as well as decreased the levels of p62 and phosphorylated-mTOR in the hippocampus of T2DM mice, suggesting that electroacupuncture facilitated autophagy activation by inhibiting mTOR activity. 3-MA-mediated autophagy inhibition undermined the beneficial effects of electroacupuncture on neuronal ferroptosis and cognitive deficits in T2DM mice. Additionally, the beneficial effects of electroacupuncture on autophagy and ferroptosis was achieved by upregulation of netrin-1 in the hippocampus. Our study revealed that that electroacupuncture therapy inhibited neuronal ferroptosis via the activation of autophagy, thereby ameliorating cognitive deficits in T2DM mice.

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  • Kazuya KUSHIDA, Miu MATSUMOTO, Mizuki TAMAZAWA, Kentaro YAMAZAKI, Eise ...
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0134
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: December 05, 2024
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    This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using perfusion computed tomography (CT) to assess blood flow in different regions of the stomach in dogs. Dynamic perfusion CT scans were conducted on five beagle dogs, and blood flow analysis was performed using the maximum slope and Patlak plot methods. The findings revealed significant variations in blood flow among the fundus, body, and pylorus of the stomach. Specifically, the body showed approximately 1.3 times higher blood flow than the fundus and approximately 5 times higher blood flow than the pylorus. There were no significant differences in blood flow between the two analysis algorithms. The findings suggest that gastric perfusion CT can accurately detect variations in blood flow within the stomach. Using the maximum slope method for analysis allows for noninvasive and rapid measurement of gastric blood flow. This technique may have clinical applications in detecting submucosal diseases that are challenging to identify with endoscopies and serve as a valuable noninvasive tool for longitudinal observations in experimental animal studies.

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  • Haruhisa TSUJI, Rei MAEYAMA, Yoko KATO
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0107
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: November 29, 2024
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    After in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes, those that matured to the metaphase II (MII) stage were selected for further culture over a period of 24–48 h. Subsequently, these oocytes were either parthenogenetically activated or used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to evaluate their in vitro developmental competence. Parthenogenetically activated MII oocytes developed to the blastocyst stage after 42 h of continuous culture, whereas SCNT oocytes reached the blastocyst stage within 30 h of culture. These findings suggest that porcine MII oocytes retain their developmental competence after extended in vitro culture exceeding 30 h. This study highlights the potential of prolonged culture in enhancing the utility of MII-stage oocytes for livestock applications and possibly for future advancements in human infertility treatments.

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  • Risa IWANAGA, Kanako SUMI, Chizuko KODAMA, Munekatsu ITA, Mohammad Ibr ...
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0132
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: November 23, 2024
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    Medetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol (MMB) anesthesia is the preferred choice for rodents but requires excess volume of intramuscular injection in rabbits, which can lead to muscular damage. This study aimed to evaluate a dual-route MMB administration via the intravenous and subcutaneous routes in rabbits. MMB was administered to male Kbs:JW rabbits with an intravenous injection of 0.2 mL/kg followed by a subcutaneous injection of 0.8 mL/kg, totaling 0.2 mg/kg medetomidine, 2.0 mg/kg midazolam, and 2.0 mg/kg butorphanol. We compared the anesthetic effects of this dual-route method with those of intramuscular administration. The dual-route method resulted in a shorter induction time and similar anesthetic duration compared with those of the intramuscular route. While it induced a temporary decrease in body temperature within 30 min post-injection, other vital signs, such as respiration rate, heart rate, and O2 saturation, remained similar. Notably, unlike intramuscular administration, dual-route administration did not increase tissue injury marker levels. This dual-route MMB administration provided sufficient anesthetic depth during surgery, eliminating pain reflexes. Double-dose administration extended anesthetic duration but resulted in rare fatalities, indicating room for protocol improvement. In conclusion, the novel anesthetic method is preferable for injectable anesthesia in rabbits, providing rapid induction and sufficient anesthetic duration, while potentially minimizing muscle injury. This technique may be beneficial for both laboratory and companion animals and significantly enhance animal welfare in anesthesia by reducing the pain associated with injectable anesthesia.

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  • Masaki WATANABE, Hayato R. TAKIMOTO, Nobuya SASAKI
    Article type: Review
    Article ID: 24-0133
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: November 23, 2024
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    The Adriamycin-induced nephropathy (AN) model plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of and research on chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review outlines methodologies for generating AN models in mice and rats, discusses their pathophysiologic and molecular characteristics, highlights their advantages and limitations, describes therapeutic interventions that have been evaluated in these models, and presents future research perspectives. The AN model replicates key features observed in human CKD, such as proteinuria, podocyte injury, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Notably, genetic factors significantly influence the onset and severity of AN, with mutations in the Prkdc gene linked to nephrotoxicity and systemic toxicity. To evaluate therapeutic interventions for CKD, agents such as ACE inhibitors, corticosteroids, and SGLT2 inhibitors have been tested in the AN model, demonstrating promising renoprotective effects. However, the systemic toxicity of Adriamycin and variability across models pose limitations, highlighting the need for caution when translating findings to human CKD. Future advancements in genetic engineering and the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology are expected to improve the fidelity of AN models to human disease. Additionally, Discovery of biomarkers by using the AN model enables us to improve early diagnosis. These efforts are anticipated to deepen our understanding of CKD pathophysiology and contribute to developing more effective diagnostic tools and targeted therapies.

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  • Yusuke TOKUHARA, Shinichiro UKON, Shohei WATANABE, Yoshiki TATSUMI, Hi ...
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0041
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: November 13, 2024
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    Gracile axonal dystrophy (gad) mutant mice present with autosomal recessive inherited sensory ataxia in the early stages, followed by age-dependent motor ataxia. This phenotype is caused by a mutation in the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1 (UCH-L1) gene and leads to a lack of expression of UCH-L1 protein, which is related with the autophagy pathway and the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). To elucidate the pathophysiology of abnormal protein accumulation in gad mice, we focused on macroautophagy. Using electron microscopy, we detected a double-membrane structure, which was characteristic of autophagosomes, in gad mice. In addition, on immunohistochemistry to investigate the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins in the gracile nuclei of the gad mouse, we found upregulation of LC3 and p62 but not LAMP-2A. These results suggested that a lack of UCH-L1 expression might induce the formation of autophagosomes, but the resulting autophagy flux might be disturbed.

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  • Xiufeng AI, Qian ZHANG, Quanxin MA, Mingsun FANG, Keyan ZHU, Yueqin CA ...
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0080
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: November 05, 2024
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    To investigate the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia in Wistar-SD Hypercholesterolemia (WSHc) rats and clarify the genetic and biological characteristics. Six 7-8-week-old WSHc rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and another six were fed ordinary feed, with age-matched Wistar rats as the control group under the same treatment. After 16 weeks, serum lipid levels were measured. A transcriptomic analysis of the differences in gene expression of the liver related to cholesterol metabolism was conducted, and 119 differentially expressed genes were discovered through bioinformatics analysis and molecular biology verification. UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS was applied for lipidomic analysis of serum samples from each group. WSHc rats developed dyslipidemia after a high-fat diet was induced. Investigation of the gene profiles using the protein-protein interaction network and one-cluster clustering analysis identified SREBF1 as a HUB gene and NR1d1 as an independent key gene. SREBF1 and NR1d1 were further validated in molecular biology experiments, which was consistent with the transcriptomic results. Lipid metabolomics analysis identified seven lipid subclasses and 84 lipid molecules. The metabolic profiles of serum lipid media of the WSHc + HFD and WSHc + SC groups were significantly different compared to that of the control group by 62 and 70 lipid molecules, respectively. Differential metabolites were produced via sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism. A stable model of hypercholesterolemia in WSHc rats can be generated by feeding on a high-fat diet, and the pathogenesis mainly involves two key genes, SREBF1 and NR1d1, and the sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways.

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  • Jiazhi CAO, Hao FENG, Lutong LI, Wenwu LING, Hong WANG
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0114
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: October 25, 2024
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    There are few ultrasonographic studies on the spontaneous T2DM db/db mouse. Our objective was to dynamically investigate and assess renal morphological and hemodynamic changes in spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus db/db mice through high-frequency ultrasound. Eighteen male db/db mice (the model group) and twelve male db/+ mice (the control group) were included. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured at the ages of 8, 16 and 32 weeks. High-frequency ultrasound examinations were conducted at the same ages. Compared with those in the control group, H&E and Masson staining revealed pathological changes in the renal tissue of the db/db mice at 16 weeks of age, and the lesions were significantly aggravated at 32 weeks of age. The body mass of the mice in the model group increased significantly at 8, 16 and 32 weeks of age, and the kidney volume measured by ultrasound also increased with age. Compared with those of the control group, the blood flow scores determined via power Doppler were significantly different. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI) of the renal artery and the PSV, EDV, and RI of the segmental artery were significantly different at the 16th week compared with those that at the eighth week. The results of high-frequency ultrasound revealed that the renal hemodynamics of db/db mice changed at the sixteen weeks.

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  • Ayaka SAITO, Hidemasa KATO, Hidenori KIYOSAWA
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0094
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: October 15, 2024
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    Allele-specific, monoallelic expression in diploid organisms represents an extreme case of allelic imbalance resulting from incompatibility between cis- and trans-elements. Due to haploinsufficiency, such monoallelic expression can lead to sporadic genetic diseases. In mice, allelic imbalances can be introduced into F1 offspring from inbred strains. Previously, we established F1 hybrid embryonic stem (ES) cell lines derived from four different mouse strains, each belonging to a different subspecies with substantial genetic polymorphisms. In this study, we investigated the neural differentiation capacity of the established ES cell lines. By introducing different culture conditions, which kept the ES cells undifferentiated under various pluripotencies, we succeeded in differentiating the majority of ES cell lines (eight out of eleven) with our default neural differentiation paradigm. Still, three lines exhibited insufficient differentiation despite combining culture conditions promoting undifferentiated as well as differentiated status. In addition, Ube3a imprinting was seen in two lines. Our findings contribute to the methodological understanding of mouse ES cell pluripotency and lead to the practical utility of F1 hybrid ES cells as a model for studying phenotypes resulting from gene locus interactions.

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  • Yui KANEKO, Kayo TOMIYAMA, Masahiko YASUDA, Yuji KOMAKI, Tomoyuki OGUR ...
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0045
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: September 11, 2024
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    Here, we report the identification of causative genes for limb-shortening in individuals repeatedly found in a population of severely immunodeficient NOG mice maintained via sibling mating. First, we conducted a pedigree survey to determine whether limb-shortening was a recessive genetic trait and then identified it using a crossing test. Simultaneously, the symptoms were identified in detail using pathological analysis. Accordingly, a mouse strain exhibiting a recessive trait caused by a single gene trait and similar symptoms was identified, suggesting growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5) as a causative gene. Genome walking via PCR and sequence analysis of Gdf5 revealed a deletion of approximately 1.1 kb from the latter half of exon 2 of Gdf5. Furthermore, we established NOG-Gdf5bpJic by removing other modified genes and confirmed that the inheritance pattern was reconfirmed semi-dominant. In recent years, regenerative medicine research using immunodeficient mice has been actively conducted, and this murine strain is expected to contribute to niche stem cell analysis and transplantation research.

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  • Mao SATO, Chiaki SUGIURA, Nobuaki OKUMURA, Akira TERAO
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0050
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: September 07, 2024
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    Dietary supplementation with melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed extract (MSE) has been an integral part of an anti-obesity therapeutic regimen. To examine the relationship between anti-obesity and sleep, we explored the effect of MSE on sleep structure in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Although HFD did not alter the total amount of daily sleep, it significantly reduced the average duration of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and wakefulness episodes and significantly increased the number of these episodes. These findings indicate fragmented NREM sleep due to repeated brief awakenings in the HFD-fed mice. When 1% (w/v) MSE was given to HFD-fed mice, their weight or sleep structure were comparable to those of ND-fed mice, proving that dietary MSE completely hindered HFD-induced weight gain and sleep/wake fragmentation. Our data provide compelling evidence that MSE is a novel and promising dietary supplement that restores obesity-induced sleep architecture changes in mice.

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  • Moyuru HAYASHI, Shin'ya OHMORI, Yoshiko KAWAI, Takashi MORIGUCHI
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0079
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: September 04, 2024
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    Sepsis-induced acute lung injury represents a significant threat to human health and is frequently associated with pulmonary thrombosis due to dysregulation of the coagulofibrinolytic system. Plasmin, the major protease that degrades fibrin aggregates, is activated predominantly by tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA), whereas tPA is negatively regulated by plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). Under septic conditions, the imbalance between coagulation and fibrinolysis results in excessive microthrombosis. Pulmonary capillary endothelial cells serve as a primary source of tPA and PAI-1. The molecular pathways regulating their expression levels depend on the differential activity of transcription factors. In this study, we elucidated the role of the zinc-finger transcription factor GATA3 in response to sepsis-induced pulmonary embolism. Endothelial cell-specific GATA3-deficient mice (G3-ECKO) presented increased susceptibility to bacterial endotoxin-induced pulmonary embolism, which was associated with increased PAI-1 expression levels and decreased tPA expression levels in the lungs. Septic lung extracts from G3-ECKO mice consistently presented decreased plasmin activity, which likely underlies the increased coagulation. These results demonstrate that GATA3 plays a protective role against bacterial endotoxin-induced pulmonary vascular embolism. Our findings will contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms involving GATA3 in preventing pulmonary embolism.

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  • Xiaoqi CHANG, Jiping GAO, Junting YANG, Yunhui MA, Guohua SONG
    Article type: Review
    Article ID: 24-0029
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: August 28, 2024
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    Hamsters are valuable rodent models that are distinct from mice and rats. Currently, the main hamster species used for experimental research are the Syrian golden hamster and Chinese hamster, in addition to hamster species from other countries. Chinese hamsters are small, easy to run and feed, and inexpensive. They are prominent species found only in China and are part of the experimental animal resources of Chinese specialty. Chinese hamsters are distinguished by a black stripe on their back, short tail, pair of easily retractable cheek pouches, and pair of large drooping testes in males with 22 chromosomes. Due to their unique anatomical structure and biological features, Chinese hamsters have been used as a model in biomedical research. Moreover, the breeding and use of Chinese hamsters was comprehensively studied in 1958, with significant breakthroughs. We present a thorough review of the current developments and applications of Chinese hamsters and support the use of this species as a suitable and innovative experimental research model. With the success of Chinese hamster transgenic technology, this species will become more commonly employed in biological and medical research in the future.

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  • Yuki IKAI, Goro A. NAGURA-KATO, Shinsuke H. SAKAMOTO, Akio SHINOHARA, ...
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0017
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: August 22, 2024
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    Physiological responses to inhaled anesthetics vary among species. Therefore, a precise anesthetic technique is important for each individual species. In this study, we focused on the degu (Octodon degus), a small herbivorous rodent. Degus have recently begun to be used as laboratory models for brain research because of certain human-like characteristics, such as spontaneous development of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we evaluated appropriate induction and maintenance anesthesia conditions for isoflurane and sevoflurane in degus by a stimulation test, electroencephalography (EEG), minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), and vital signs. During induction, more rapid time to loss of the righting reflex and deeper anesthesia in degus were observed in isoflurane. The MAC value for degus were 1.75 ± 0.0% in isoflurane and 2.25 ± 0.27% in sevoflurane. Whereas some degus were awake during maintenance anesthesia using both anesthetics at concentrations of ≤2%, no rats were awake when using sevoflurane at a concentration of 2%. The duration of the total flat EEG, a measure of the depth of maintenance anesthesia, was longer for isoflurane than for sevoflurane. Furthermore, higher concentrations of both anesthetics suppressed the respiratory rate in degus. These new findings regarding inhalation anesthesia in degus will contribute to future developments in the fields of laboratory animals and veterinary medicine.

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  • Xiaolong ZHAO, Longqi SHANG, Chunjian SHEN
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0027
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: August 08, 2024
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    Daphnetin has been demonstrated to exert beneficial effects on diabetes mellitus and renal complications. However, the role and molecular mechanism of daphnetin in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) remain unclear. In this study, rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. The diabetic rats were then administered daphnetin (1 and 4 mg/kg) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) daily for 12 weeks. The results demonstrated that the diabetic rats exhibited elevated blood glucose levels, which were dose-dependently ameliorated by daphnetin. At 13 weeks following STZ injection, the rats exhibited typical diabetic signs, cardiac dysfunction, and evident pathological alterations in myocardial tissues. The administration of daphnetin to diabetic rats resulted in improvement in cardiac function, reductions in myocardial injury biomarkers, and the inhibition of myocardial fibrosis. Furthermore, daphnetin treatment suppressed inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, daphnetin exhibited partial blockade of the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways induced by diabetes. These findings indicate that daphnetin may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of DCM.

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  • Julio A. ALMUNIA, Yoshiko MUNESUE, Haruka KAWASAKI, Kazumichi TAKANO, ...
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0028
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: August 08, 2024
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    Laboratory rats, like mice, are a type of animal commonly used in scientific investigations as well as in basic aging and geriatric research. The selection of a rat strain is an important first step in the planning and design of an experiment due to physiological, anatomical, and ethological variations in each strain, which may significantly modify the expected results. In the present study, we characterized age-related changes, from 3 months old (mo) to 24 mo, in three male rat strains commonly used in medical research: RccHan®️:WIST (RccHan:WIST), F344/NSlc (F344), and Slc:SD Rat (SD). The body weight, water/food consumption, and survival rate of each strain were physiologically evaluated. Hematological and biochemical values were analyzed every three months. Hematological results showed a decrease in lymphocytes and increases in other leukocytes from 12 mo in F344 and SD rats. The incidence of hematological disorder was 10–15% in F344 and SD rats from 18 mo. Increases in hepatic biochemical parameters (alanine transaminase (GPT/ALT) and aspartate transaminase (GOT/AST)) and cytopathological parameters (creatine phosphokinase (CPK)) were observed in male F344 rats at 12 mo. Triglycerides (TG) serum levels were significantly elevated in the 12 mo RccHan:WIST rats, while Lipase (LIP) levels were significantly reduced in 24 mo. The present results revealed significant variations in hematological and biochemical values in the different laboratory male rat strains due to genetic and nutritional-metabolic factors specific to each strain.

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  • Wei-Mao HUNG, Hsien-Chi WANG, Julia Chu-Ning HSU
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0036
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: August 08, 2024
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    In veterinary clinical medicine, evaluating the balance between nociception and antinociception presents a great challenge for anesthesiologists during canine surgeries. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) are suitable indexes for monitoring noxious stimuli during anesthesia. Frontal electroencephalography (EEG) records, including processed parameters, are recommended for evaluating nociceptive balance in anesthetized unconscious human patients, which is unexplored in veterinary medicine. Therefore, the objective is to explore the response of processed EEG parameters to noxious stimulation and elucidate the impact of noxious stimulation on frontal cortical activity in dogs anesthetized with 1.5% isoflurane. Fourteen dogs were included and underwent frontal EEG monitoring, measuring the patient state index (PSI) and spectral edge frequency (SEF) before and after administering noxious stimulation using the towel clamp method on the tail of each 1.5% isoflurane-anesthetized dog. As the noxious stimulation was applied, there was a simultaneous increase in PSI, HR, and MAP, with PSI exhibiting a drastic response. SEF, especially on the left side, also increased with noxious stimulation. In EEG power spectral analysis, the delta band was decreased, and the alpha and beta bands showed an increase following noxious stimulation, with a more profound elevation of beta bands on the left side. This study suggests that noxious stimulation brings asymmetric frontal cortical arousal, changing brain activity by suppressing delta waves and augmenting alpha and beta waves. Consequently, PSI seems to be a potential indicator for detecting stimuli in canine isoflurane anesthesia.

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  • Qianxin HU, Haixin ZENG, Chengao FENG, Wei TIAN, Yuxin HE, Bing LI
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0078
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: August 07, 2024
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    Secondary brain injury (SBI) is one of the main causes of high mortality and disability rates following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). TRAF6 plays a crucial role in the process of pyroptosis, and modulating its expression may present a novel therapeutic strategy for mitigating brain injury. This study aims to explore the mechanisms of TRAF6 in pyroptosis after ICH. C57BL/6J mice were used to establish the ICH model. Brain was collected at different time points for q-PCR and western blot to detect the level of TRAF6. After the C25-140 (the TRAF6 inhibitor) was administrated, the mice were divided into four groups. Then, the neurological deficit, brain water content, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) ​​damage were detected. Immunofluorescence and western blot were used to detect the level of pyroptosis proteins, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and q-PCR were used to detect the levels of IL-18 and IL-1β. TRAF6 expression was upregulated after ICH and was mainly expressed in neurons. Inhibition of TRAF6 expression with C25-140 alleviated neurological deficits and reduced brain edema after ICH. In addition, inhibition of TRAF6 also reduced the expression of pyroptosis inflammasomes such as GSDMD, NLRP3, and ASC, as well as neurological damage caused by IL-18 and IL-1β after ICH. TRAF6 regulates neuronal pyroptosis in SBI after ICH. Inhibition of TRAF6 may be a potential target for alleviating inflammatory damage after ICH.

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  • Hiroki UENO, Takaaki HATTORI, Hsi-Hua CHI, Yoshishige MIYABE, Masanori ...
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0063
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: August 06, 2024
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    The dense nerve and thin vascular structure of the corneal tissue provide the refractive function in healthy eyes. Diabetes mellitus causes ocular complications including corneal opacification because of corneal nerve degeneration. Diabetic neurotrophic keratopathy is characterized by reduced corneal sensitivity, delayed corneal wound healing, and nerve degeneration. Neurotization and vascularization inhibit each other in the cornea. Macrophages contribute to the corneal neovascularization. To investigate the role of macrophage in neurotrophic keratopathy, clodronate liposome was subconjunctivally injected into diabetic db/db mice with neurotrophic keratopathy. The clodronate liposome treatment decreased F4/80+ macrophage infiltration into the corneal epithelium, and improved corneal nerve involvement in diabetic db/db mice. Furthermore, we found that interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-34 mRNA expression was increased in the corneal epithelium of clodronate-treated diabetic db/db mice. These cytokines contribute to the maintenance of nerve tissues via microglia and nerve regeneration; however, their role in corneal nerve involvement remains unknown. Notably, the intraocular injection of recombinant IL-1β and IL-34 promoted nerve regeneration in the cornea of diabetic db/db mice. These results suggest that clodronate liposome treatment contributes to nerve regeneration during corneal involvement via IL-1β and IL-34 signaling.

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  • Tamio OHNO, Nozomi IWATAKE, Yuki MIYASAKA
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0023
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: July 26, 2024
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    In humans, cerebral malaria is the most common cause of malaria-related mortality. Mouse C57BL/6 (B6) sub-strains are the major model system for experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) as they show similar pathophysiology to human cerebral malaria after infection with the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei ANKA. This model system has been used to analyze the molecular mechanisms of cerebral malaria. To develop new mouse models, we analyzed the ECM susceptibility of NOD/Shi (NOD) and NSY/Hos (NSY) strains established from the non-inbred ICR strain. Both NOD and NSY strains exhibited clinical symptoms and pathologies similar to ECM in C57BL/6J (B6J) mice and died within 11 days of infection. Thus, the NOD and NSY strains are susceptible to ECM and may be useful as new ECM models. The ECM susceptibility of both strains is suggested to be due to homozygosity for the cerebral malaria susceptibility allele of the ECM susceptible ICR strain. Although analyses using B6 sub-strains have proposed that complement component 5 (C5) plays an important role in ECM pathogenesis, we found that C5 was not essential as the ECM susceptible NOD strain is C5 deficient. Thus, results obtained from B6 sub-strains may not reflect the full picture of ECM in mice. Comparative analyses of multiple ECM models will contribute to a more accurate identification of the factors essential for ECM.

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  • Xiaoyan HAN, Ying WANG, Kehua ZHANG, Tao NA, Tingting WU, Xiaofang HAO ...
    Article type: Original
    Article ID: 24-0012
    Published: 2024
    Advance online publication: July 10, 2024
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS ADVANCE PUBLICATION

    Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) serves as a model for studying multiple sclerosis, with immunization strategies utilizing MOG35-55 peptide, emulsified in adjuvant enriched with mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). This study examined the effects of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as an adjuvant, alongside the impact of MOG35-55 peptide doses and their residual counter ions on EAE development. We found that BCG can be effectively used to induce EAE with similar incidence and severity as heat-killed H37Ra, contingent upon the appropriate MOG35-55 peptide dose. Different immunization doses of MOG35-55 peptide significantly affect EAE development, with higher doses leading to a paradoxical reduction in disease activity, probably due to peripheral tolerance mechanisms. Furthermore, doses of MOG35-55 peptides with acetate showed a more pronounced effect on disease development compared to those containing trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), suggesting the potential influence of residual counter ions on EAE activity. We highlighted the feasibility of applying BCG to the establishment of EAE for the first time. Our findings emphasized the importance of MOG peptide dosage and composition in modulating EAE development, offering insights into the mechanisms of autoimmunity and tolerance. This could have implications for autoimmune disease research and the design of therapeutic strategies.

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  • Gisele Henrique Cardoso MARTINS, Juliete PALANDI, Vitória Helena Kuhn ...
    Article type: Review
    Article ID: 19-0140
    Published: 2020
    Advance online publication: March 23, 2020
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS ADVANCE PUBLICATION
    This article released online on March 23, 2020 as advance publication was withdrawn from consideration for publication in Experimental Animals at author’s request.
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