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Plevkova J, Brozmanova M, Matloobi A, Poliacek I, Honetschlager J, Buday T. Animal models of cough. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2021; 290:103656. [PMID: 33781930 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2021.103656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cough is a vital airway reflex that keeps the respiratory tract wisely protected. It is also a sign of many diseases of the respiratory system and it may become a disease in its own right. Even though the efficacy of antitussive compounds is extensively studied in animal models with promising results, the treatment of pathological cough in humans is insufficient at the moment. The limited translational potential of animal models used to study cough causes, mechanisms and possible therapeutic targets stems from multiple sources. First of all, cough induced in the laboratory by mechanical or chemical stimuli is far from natural cough present in human disease. The main objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of animal models currently used in cough research and to address their advantages and disadvantages. We also want to encourage cough researchers to call for precision is research by addressing the sex bias which has existed in basic cough research for decades and discuss the role of specific pathogen-free (SPF) animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Plevkova
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Department of Pathophysiology, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Mariana Brozmanova
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Department of Pathophysiology, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Alireza Matloobi
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Department of Pathophysiology, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Ivan Poliacek
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Department of Biophysics, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Jan Honetschlager
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Buday
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Department of Pathophysiology, Martin, Slovakia.
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Plevkova J, Brozmanova M, Harsanyiova J, Sterusky M, Honetschlager J, Buday T. Various aspects of sex and gender bias in biomedical research. Physiol Res 2021; 69:S367-S378. [PMID: 33464920 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The main role of research in medicine is to provide relevant knowledge which, after successful translation to clinical practice, improves the quality of healthcare. The sex bias which is still present in the majority of research disciplines prefers male subjects despite legislation changes in the US grant agencies and European research programme Horizon 2020. Male subjects (cells, animals) still dominate in preclinical research and it has detrimental consequences for women's health and the quality of science. Opposite bias exists for data obtained mainly in animal models utilizing female subjects (e.g. research in multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis) with skewed outcomes for men affected by these diseases. Either way, scientists are producing results which compromise half of the population. Assumptions that females as cohorts are more variable and another assumption that the oestrous cycle should be tracked in case the females are enrolled in preclinical studies were proven wrong. Variability of male versus female cohorts are comparable and do not only stem from hormonal levels. The widespread prevalence of sex differences in human diseases ultimately requires detailed experiments performed on both sexes, unless the studies are specifically addressing reproduction or sex-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Plevkova
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovak Republic.
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Plevkova J, Brozmanova M, Harsanyiova J, Sterusky M, Honetschlager J, Buday T. Various aspects of sex and gender bias in biomedical research. Physiol Res 2020; 69. [PMID: 33464920 PMCID: PMC8603716 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934593 10.33549/physiolres.934593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The main role of research in medicine is to provide relevant knowledge which, after successful translation to clinical practice, improves the quality of healthcare. The sex bias which is still present in the majority of research disciplines prefers male subjects despite legislation changes in the US grant agencies and European research programme Horizon 2020. Male subjects (cells, animals) still dominate in preclinical research and it has detrimental consequences for women's health and the quality of science. Opposite bias exists for data obtained mainly in animal models utilizing female subjects (e.g. research in multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis) with skewed outcomes for men affected by these diseases. Either way, scientists are producing results which compromise half of the population. Assumptions that females as cohorts are more variable and another assumption that the oestrous cycle should be tracked in case the females are enrolled in preclinical studies were proven wrong. Variability of male versus female cohorts are comparable and do not only stem from hormonal levels. The widespread prevalence of sex differences in human diseases ultimately requires detailed experiments performed on both sexes, unless the studies are specifically addressing reproduction or sex-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Plevkova
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovak Republic.
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Chung CL, Lin YS, Chan NJ, Chen YY, Hsu CC. Hypersensitivity of Airway Reflexes Induced by Hydrogen Sulfide: Role of TRPA1 Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113929. [PMID: 32486252 PMCID: PMC7312894 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of capsaicin-sensitive lung vagal (CSLV) afferents can elicit airway reflexes. Hypersensitivity of these afferents is known to contribute to the airway hypersensitivity during airway inflammation. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been suggested as a potential therapeutic agent for airway hypersensitivity diseases, such as asthma, because of its relaxing effect on airway smooth muscle and anti-inflammatory effect. However, it is still unknown whether H2S affects airway reflexes. Our previous study demonstrated that exogenous application of H2S sensitized CSLV afferents and enhanced Ca2+ transients in CSLV neurons. The present study aimed to determine whether the H2S-induced sensitization leads to functional changes in airway reflexes and elevates the electrical excitability of the CSLV neurons. Our results showed that, first and foremost, in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rats, the inhalation of aerosolized sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a donor of H2S; 5 mg/mL, 3 min) caused an enhancement in apneic response evoked by several stimulants of the CSLV afferents. This enhancement effect was found 5 min after NaHS inhalation and returned to control 30 min later. However, NaHS no longer enhanced the apneic response after perineural capsaicin treatment on both cervical vagi that blocked the conduction of CSLV fibers. Furthermore, the enhancing effect of NaHS on apneic response was totally abolished by pretreatment with intravenous HC-030031 (a TRPA1 antagonist; 8 mg/kg), whereas the potentiating effect was not affected by the pretreatment with the vehicle of HC-030031. We also found that intracerebroventricular infusion pretreated with HC-030031 failed to alter the potentiating effect of NaHS on the apneic response. Besides, the cough reflex elicited by capsaicin aerosol was enhanced by inhalation of NaHS in conscious guinea pigs. Nevertheless, this effect was entirely eliminated by pretreatment with HC-030031, not by its vehicle. Last but not least, voltage-clamp electrophysiological analysis of isolated rat CSLV neurons showed a similar pattern of potentiating effects of NaHS on capsaicin-induced inward current, and the involvement of TRPA1 receptors was also distinctly shown. In conclusion, these results suggest that H2S non-specifically enhances the airway reflex responses, at least in part, through action on the TRPA1 receptors expressed on the CSLV afferents. Therefore, H2S should be used with caution when applying for therapeutic purposes in airway hypersensitivity diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Li Chung
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - You Shuei Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; (N.-J.C.); (Y.-Y.C.)
| | - Nai-Ju Chan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; (N.-J.C.); (Y.-Y.C.)
| | - Yueh-Yin Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; (N.-J.C.); (Y.-Y.C.)
| | - Chun-Chun Hsu
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; (N.-J.C.); (Y.-Y.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Sterusky M, Plevkova J, Grendar M, Buday T. Female Guinea Pig Model for Cough Studies and Its Response to Most Common Tussive Substances. Physiol Res 2020; 69:S171-S179. [DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory research of cough reflex utilizes almost exclusively male guinea pigs – a practice that represents a significant obstacle in the successful translation of results into clinical practice. Chronic hypersensitivity cough syndrome affects mostly postmenopausal women and it represents significant decrease in patient’s quality of life. No cause for such exaggerated cough can be found, therefore this condition cannot be treated appropriately. One of the reasons leading to the lack of relevant data about mechanisms responsible for hypersensitivity of cough related pathways is nowadays widely discussed gender bias, which is present in nearly all branches of biomedical research. Since gender differences in cough reflex physiology do exist in humans, it would be reasonable to study cough-related phenomena on both sexes of laboratory animals. In this study, we focused on detailed characterization of cough response of female guinea pigs to aerosols of commonly used tussive agents (capsaicin, distilled water, allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamaldehyde, citric acid). In pooled data from multiple challenges we found no statistical difference in number of cough and cough latency between sexes. Based on our results we conclude that the utilization of female guinea pigs model does not lead to messy data and can be used in basic cough research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - T. Buday
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovak Republic.
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Cough reflex sensitivity after exercise challenge testing in children with asthma. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2018; 257:70-74. [PMID: 29548886 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bronchial challenge tests are commonly used in clinical medicine and research. The aim of this study was to clarify changes of cough reflex sensitivity before and after exercise challenge testing in asthma children. 42 asthmatic children were submitted to cough reflex sensitivity measurement - capsaicin aerosol in doubling concentrations (from 0.61 to 1250 micromol/l) was inhaled by a single breath method - before and after exercise challenge testing. Concentrations of capsaicin causing two (C2) and five coughs (C5) were reported. Children' (31 boys and 11 girls, mean age 14.05 ± 2.08 yrs) cough reflex sensitivity (median, with the 95% CI) for C2 was before exercise challenge testing 9.77 (6.10-10.99) micromol/l vs. children' C2 after it 7.32 (6.10-14.65) (P = 0.58 for the Wilcoxon two sample paired test). Children' C5 was before exercise challenge testing 19.53 (14.65-80.57) micromol/l vs. C5 after it 39.06 (24.42-58.59) micromol/l (P = 0.09 for the Wilcoxon two sample paired test). We conclude that cough reflex sensitivity was not significantly changed after exercise challenge testing in children with asthma.
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Kinkead R, Schlenker E. Sex-based differences in respiratory control: Progress in basic physiology and clinical research. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2017; 245:1-3. [PMID: 28826885 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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