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Strege CL, Miller WC, Eide C, Hubbard J, Tolar J. Methods for Decreasing Preweaning Mortality in a Fragile Mouse Model of Hypomorphic Collagen VII Deficiency. Comp Med 2024; 74:99-104. [PMID: 38508685 PMCID: PMC11078276 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-23-000087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Preweaning mortality is a widespread problem in laboratory mouse breeding, particularly in the case of fragile mouse models. While numerous studies explore alternative care methods to increase the survivability of common mouse strains, there remains a paucity of research into the care of mice with fragile health conditions that result from induced or natural genetic mutations. In this study, standard husbandry practices were enhanced by the addition of a softened diet, a nutritionally fortified dietary supplement, soft bedding, gentle handling techniques, decreased handling, lengthened weaning age, and dam productivity tracking. This alternative care plan was shown to increase the survival of a fragile recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa mouse model, and some aspects could be used in developing a care plan for other fragile mouse strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe L Strege
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - William C Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Cindy Eide
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jennifer Hubbard
- Research Animal Resources, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota;,
| | - Jakub Tolar
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota;,
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2
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Lamont KA, Boynton MH, Hickman DL, Fletcher CA, Williams MD. Acute Effects of Hypothermia and Inhalant Anesthesia on Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Neuroendocrine Markers in Neonatal Rats. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2024; 63:57-66. [PMID: 38040412 PMCID: PMC10844739 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-23-000008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Neonatal rodents undergo anesthesia for numerous procedures and for euthanasia by anesthetic overdose. However, data regarding whether neonatal anesthesia is humane are limited. Hypothermia (cryoanesthesia) is the most commonly used anesthetic protocol for neonatal rats 10 d of age or younger. However, hypothermia has recently been restricted in several countries due to perceived painful effects, including pain on rewarming. Minimizing the potential pain and distress of neonates in research is imperative, although very challenging. Traditional validated and nonvalidated behavioral and physiologic outcome measures used for adult rats undergoing anesthesia are unsuitable for evaluating neonates. Therefore, we investigated the effects of several anesthetic methods on neonatal rats by using the innovative objective approaches of noninvasive ultrasonic vocalizations and more invasive neuroendocrine responses (i. e., serum corticosterone, norepinephrine, glucose). Our results show that hypothermia leads to heightened acute distress in neonatal rats as indicated by prolonged recovery times, increased duration of vocalizations, and elevated corticosterone levels, as compared with neonates undergoing inhalational anesthesia. We demonstrate that inhalational anesthesia is preferable to cryoanesthesia for neonatal rats, and researchers using hypothermia anesthesia should consider using inhalational anesthesia as an alternative method.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcella H Boynton
- Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine, and
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Debra L Hickman
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; and
| | - Craig A Fletcher
- Division of Comparative Medicine
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
| | - Morika D Williams
- Division of Comparative Medicine
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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3
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Dietrich T, Aigner A, Hildebrandt A, Weber J, Meyer Günderoth M, Hohlbaum K, Keller J, Tsitsilonis S, Maleitzke T. Nesting behavior is associated with body weight and grip strength loss in mice suffering from experimental arthritis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:23087. [PMID: 38155203 PMCID: PMC10754866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49720-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective animal health evaluation is essential to determine welfare and discomfort in preclinical in vivo research. Body condition scores, body weight, and grimace scales are commonly used to evaluate well-being in murine rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis experiments. However, nest-building, a natural behavior in mice, has not yet been evaluated in wild type (WT) or genetically modified rodents suffering from collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA). To address this, we analyzed nesting behavior in WT mice, calcitonin gene-related peptide alpha-deficient (αCGRP-/-) mice, and calcitonin receptor-deficient (Calcr-/-) mice suffering from experimental RA compared to healthy control (CTRL) groups of the same genotypes. CAIA was induced in 10-12-week-old male mice, and clinical parameters (body weight, grip strength, clinical arthritis score, ankle size) as well as nesting behavior were assessed over 10 or 48 days. A slight positive association between the nest score and body weight and grip strength was found for animals suffering from CAIA. For the clinical arthritis score and ankle size, no significant associations were observed. Mixed model analyses confirmed these associations. This study demonstrates that clinical effects of RA, such as loss of body weight and grip strength, might negatively affect nesting behavior in mice. Assessing nesting behavior in mice with arthritis could be an additional, non-invasive and thus valuable health parameter in future experiments to monitor welfare and discomfort in mice. During severe disease stages, pre-formed nest-building material may be provided to animals suffering from arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Dietrich
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Aigner
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Hildebrandt
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jérôme Weber
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mara Meyer Günderoth
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Hohlbaum
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Keller
- Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Serafeim Tsitsilonis
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tazio Maleitzke
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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4
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Parkins EV, Brager DH, Rymer JK, Burwinkel JM, Rojas D, Tiwari D, Hu YC, Gross C. Mir324 knockout regulates the structure of dendritic spines and impairs hippocampal long-term potentiation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21919. [PMID: 38082035 PMCID: PMC10713680 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49134-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are an emerging class of synaptic regulators. These small noncoding RNAs post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression, thereby altering neuronal pathways and shaping cell-to-cell communication. Their ability to rapidly alter gene expression and target multiple pathways makes them interesting candidates in the study of synaptic plasticity. Here, we demonstrate that the proconvulsive microRNA miR-324-5p regulates excitatory synapse structure and function in the hippocampus of mice. Both Mir324 knockout (KO) and miR-324-5p antagomir treatment significantly reduce dendritic spine density in the hippocampal CA1 subregion, and Mir324 KO, but not miR-324-5p antagomir treatment, shift dendritic spine morphology, reducing the proportion of thin, "unstable" spines. Western blot and quantitative Real-Time PCR revealed changes in protein and mRNA levels for potassium channels, cytoskeletal components, and synaptic markers, including MAP2 and Kv4.2, which are important for long-term potentiation (LTP). In line with these findings, slice electrophysiology revealed that LTP is severely impaired in Mir324 KO mice, while neurotransmitter release probability remains unchanged. Overall, this study demonstrates that miR-324-5p regulates dendritic spine density, morphology, and plasticity in the hippocampus, potentially via multiple cytoskeletal and synaptic modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma V Parkins
- University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Graduate Program, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Darrin H Brager
- Center for Learning and Memory, Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Jeffrey K Rymer
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - John M Burwinkel
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Diego Rojas
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Durgesh Tiwari
- University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Graduate Program, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Yueh-Chiang Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Transgenic Animal and Genome Editing Core Facility, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Christina Gross
- University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Graduate Program, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
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5
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Brake ME, Russ BP, Gansebom S, Genzer SC, Tansey C, York IA. Effects of Extended-Release Buprenorphine on Mouse Models of Influenza. Comp Med 2023; 73:466-473. [PMID: 38110195 PMCID: PMC10752363 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-23-000049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Mice are widely used as small animal models for influenza infection and immunization studies because of their susceptibility to many strains of influenza, obvious clinical signs of infection, and ease of handling. Analgesia is rarely used in such studies even if nonstudy effects such as fight wounds, tail injuries, or severe dermatitis would otherwise justify it because of concerns that treatment might have confounding effects on primary study parameters such as the course of infection and/or the serological response to infection. However, analgesia for study-related or -unrelated effects may be desirable for animal welfare purposes. Opioids, such as extended-release buprenorphine, are well-characterized analgesics in mice and may have fewer immune-modulatory effects than other drug classes. In this study, BALB/c and DBA/2 mice were inoculated with influenza virus, and treatment groups received either no analgesics or 2 doses of extended-release buprenorphine 72 h apart. Clinical signs, mortality, and influenza-specific antibody responses were comparable in mice that did or did not receive buprenorphine. We therefore conclude that extended-release buprenorphine can be used to alleviate incidental pain during studies of influenza infection without altering the course of infection or the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie E Brake
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Brynnan P Russ
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and
| | - Shane Gansebom
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
- Cherokee Nation Operational Solutions, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Sarah C Genzer
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Cassandra Tansey
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ian A York
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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6
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Gopar-Cuevas Y, Saucedo-Cardenas O, Loera-Arias MJ, Montes-de-Oca-Luna R, Rodriguez-Rocha H, Garcia-Garcia A. Metformin and Trehalose-Modulated Autophagy Exerts a Neurotherapeutic Effect on Parkinson's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:7253-7273. [PMID: 37542649 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03530-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the number of aged people will increase in the next years, neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's Disease (PD), will also rise. Recently, we demonstrated that autophagy stimulation with rapamycin decreases dopaminergic neuronal death mediated by oxidative stress in the paraquat (PQ)-induced PD model. Assessing the neurotherapeutic efficacy of autophagy-inducing molecules is critical for preventing or delaying neurodegeneration. Therefore, we evaluated the autophagy inducers metformin and trehalose effect in a PD model. Autophagy induced by both molecules was confirmed in the SH-SY5Y dopaminergic cells by detecting increased LC3-II marker and autophagosome number compared to the control by western blot and transmission electron microscopy. Both autophagy inducers showed an antioxidant effect, improved mitochondrial activity, and decreased dopaminergic cell death induced by PQ. Next, we evaluated the effect of both inducers in vivo. C57BL6 mice were pretreated with metformin or trehalose before PQ administration. Cognitive and motor deteriorated functions in the PD model were evaluated through the nest building and the gait tests and were prevented by metformin and trehalose. Both autophagy inducers significantly reduced the dopaminergic neuronal loss, astrocytosis, and microgliosis induced by PQ. Also, cell death mediated by PQ was prevented by metformin and trehalose, assessed by TUNEL assay. Metformin and trehalose induced autophagy through AMPK phosphorylation and decreased α-synuclein accumulation. Therefore, metformin and trehalose are promising neurotherapeutic autophagy inducers with great potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yareth Gopar-Cuevas
- Departamento de Histologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Francisco I. Madero S/N, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Odila Saucedo-Cardenas
- Departamento de Histologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Francisco I. Madero S/N, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Maria J Loera-Arias
- Departamento de Histologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Francisco I. Madero S/N, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Roberto Montes-de-Oca-Luna
- Departamento de Histologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Francisco I. Madero S/N, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Humberto Rodriguez-Rocha
- Departamento de Histologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Francisco I. Madero S/N, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
| | - Aracely Garcia-Garcia
- Departamento de Histologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Francisco I. Madero S/N, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
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7
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Taylor JL, Walsh KR, Mosneag IE, Danby TGE, Luka N, Chanda B, Schiessl I, Dunne RA, Hill-Eubanks D, Hennig GW, Allan SM, Nelson MT, Greenstein AS, Pritchard HAT. Uncoupling of Ca 2+ sparks from BK channels in cerebral arteries underlies hypoperfusion in hypertension-induced vascular dementia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2307513120. [PMID: 37549299 PMCID: PMC10433456 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307513120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The deficit in cerebral blood flow (CBF) seen in patients with hypertension-induced vascular dementia is increasingly viewed as a therapeutic target for disease-modifying therapy. Progress is limited, however, due to uncertainty surrounding the mechanisms through which elevated blood pressure reduces CBF. To investigate this, we used the BPH/2 mouse, a polygenic model of hypertension. At 8 mo of age, hypertensive mice exhibited reduced CBF and cognitive impairment, mimicking the human presentation of vascular dementia. Small cerebral resistance arteries that run across the surface of the brain (pial arteries) showed enhanced pressure-induced constriction due to diminished activity of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels-key vasodilatory ion channels of cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells. Activation of BK channels by transient intracellular Ca2+ signals from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), termed Ca2+ sparks, leads to hyperpolarization and vasodilation. Combining patch-clamp electrophysiology, high-speed confocal imaging, and proximity ligation assays, we demonstrated that this vasodilatory mechanism is uncoupled in hypertensive mice, an effect attributable to physical separation of the plasma membrane from the SR rather than altered properties of BK channels or Ca2+ sparks, which remained intact. This pathogenic mechanism is responsible for the observed increase in constriction and can now be targeted as a possible avenue for restoring healthy CBF in vascular dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade L. Taylor
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Katy R. Walsh
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Ioana-Emilia Mosneag
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Thea G. E. Danby
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Nadim Luka
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Bishal Chanda
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Ingo Schiessl
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Ross A. Dunne
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - David Hill-Eubanks
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT05405
| | - Grant W. Hennig
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT05405
| | - Stuart M. Allan
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Mark T. Nelson
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT05405
| | - Adam S. Greenstein
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester University Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Harry A. T. Pritchard
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance National Health Service Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, United Kingdom
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8
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Sveeggen TM, Isakson BE, Straub AC, Bagher P. Bedding as a variable affecting fasting blood glucose and vascular physiology in mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H338-H345. [PMID: 37389954 PMCID: PMC10435074 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00168.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Rodent husbandry requires careful consideration of environmental factors that may impact colony performance and subsequent physiological studies. Of note, recent reports have suggested corncob bedding may affect a broad range of organ systems. As corncob bedding may contain digestible hemicelluloses, trace sugars, and fiber, we hypothesized that corncob bedding impacts overnight fasting blood glucose and murine vascular function. Here, we compared mice housed on corncob bedding, which were then fasted overnight on either corncob or ALPHA-dri bedding, a virgin paper pulp cellulose alternative. Male and female mice were used from two noninduced, endothelial-specific conditional knockout strains [Cadherin 5-cre/ERT2, floxed hemoglobin-α1 (Hba1fl/fl) or Cadherin 5-cre/ERT2, floxed cytochrome-B5 reductase 3 (CyB5R3fl/fl)] on a C57BL/6J genetic background. After fasting overnight, initial fasting blood glucose was measured, and mice were anesthetized with isoflurane for measurement of blood perfusion via laser speckle contrast analysis using a PeriMed PeriCam PSI NR system. After a 15-min equilibration, the mice were injected intraperitoneally with the α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, phenylephrine (5 mg/kg), or saline, and monitored for changes in blood perfusion. After a 15-min response period, blood glucose was remeasured postprocedure. In both strains, mice fasted on corncob bedding had higher blood glucose than the pulp cellulose group. In the CyB5R3fl/fl strain, mice housed on corncob bedding displayed a significant reduction in phenylephrine-mediated change in perfusion. In the Hba1fl/fl strain, phenylephrine-induced change in perfusion was not different in the corncob group. This work suggests that corncob bedding, in part due to its ingestion by mice, could impact vascular measurements and fasting blood glucose. To promote scientific rigor and improve reproducibility, bedding type should be routinely included in published methods.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates real-time measurement of changes in perfusion to pharmacological treatment using laser speckle contrast analysis. Furthermore, this investigation revealed that fasting mice overnight on corncob bedding has differential effects on vascular function and that there was increased fasting blood glucose in mice fasted on corncob bedding compared with paper pulp cellulose bedding. This highlights the impact that bedding type can have on outcomes in vascular and metabolic research and reinforces the need for thorough and robust reporting of animal husbandry practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Sveeggen
- Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States
| | - Brant E Isakson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Adam C Straub
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Pooneh Bagher
- Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States
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9
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Clancy BM, Theriault BR, Turcios R, Langan GP, Luchins KR. The Effect of Noise, Vibration, and Light Disturbances from Daily Health Checks on Breeding Performance, Nest Building, and Corticosterone in Mice. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2023; 62:291-302. [PMID: 37339873 PMCID: PMC10434751 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-23-000002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
At our institution, the techniques that technicians use for health checks vary for mice housed in cages on individually ventilated caging (IVC) racks. If the mice cannot be adequately visualized, some technicians partially undock the cage whereas others use an LED flashlight. These actions undoubtedly alter the cage microenvironment, particularly with regard to noise, vibration, and light, which are known to affect multiple welfare and research-related parameters in mice. The central aim of this study was to assess the effects of partial cage undocking and LED flashlight use during daily health checks on fecundity, nest building scores, and hair corticosterone concentrations in C57BL/6J mice to determine the least disturbing method of performing these health checks. In addition, we used an accelerometer, a microphone, and a light meter to measure intracage noise, vibration, and light under each condition. Breeding pairs (n = 100 pairs) were randomly assigned to one of 3 health check groups: partial undocking, LED flashlight, or control (in which mice were observed without any cage manipulation). We hypothesized that mice exposed to a flashlight or cage undocking during daily health checks would have fewer pups, poorer nest building scores, and higher hair corticosterone levels than did the control mice. We found no statistically significant difference in fecundity, nest building scores, or hair corticosterone levels between either experimental group as compared with the control group. However, hair corticosterone levels were significantly affected by the cage height on the rack and the amount of time on study. These results indicate that a short duration, once-daily exposure to partial cage undocking or to an LED flashlight during daily healthy checks does not affect breeding performance or wellbeing, as measured by nest scores and hair corticosterone levels, in C57BL/6J mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget M Clancy
- Animal Resources Center and Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Betty R Theriault
- Animal Resources Center and Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rebecca Turcios
- Animal Resources Center and Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - George P Langan
- Animal Resources Center and Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kerith R Luchins
- Animal Resources Center and Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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10
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Sadigurschi N, Scrift G, Hirrlinger J, Golan HM. Genetic impairment of folate metabolism regulates cortical interneurons and social behavior. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1203262. [PMID: 37449270 PMCID: PMC10338116 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1203262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The implications of folate deficiency in neuropsychiatric disorders were demonstrated in numerous studies. Genetic deficiency in a key folate metabolism enzyme, MTHFR, is an example of the interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors: the maternal MTHFR deficiency governs in-utero nutrient availability, and the embryo's Mthfr genotype influences its ability to metabolize folates. Here, we explore how the maternal and offspring Mthfr genotypes affect cortical interneuron densities and distributions, mouse social outcome, and the relation of the different interneuron patterns to cortical excitability. Methods Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of maternal and offspring Mthfr-KO heterozygosity. Mice were tested for direct social interactions (DSIs), repetitive behavior and cortical laminar distribution of interneuron populations expressing glutamate-decarboxylase-65, parvalbumin and somatostatin. Susceptibility to seizure was tested by exposure to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Results Maternal Mthfr+/- genotype was associated with suppressed social activities and reduced interneuron densities in all layers of the retrosplenial cortex (RSC). Somatostatin density and the somatostatin/parvalbumin ratio in the RSC and frontal cortex positively correlated with social behavior in the mice. An interaction between maternal and offspring Mthfr genotypes resulted in higher susceptibility of wild-type offspring to PTZ induced seizure. Discussion Maternal folate metabolism was shown to be critical to interneuron ontogenesis. Our results demonstrate that interneurons have a specific susceptibility to folate deficiency that may mediate folate's involvement in neuropsychiatric disease. The relations between cortical somatostatin interneuron patterns and social behavior highlight this subpopulation of interneurons as a target for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Sadigurschi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Gilad Scrift
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Johannes Hirrlinger
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max-Planck-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hava M. Golan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Azrieli National Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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11
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Bennett TE, Rizzo J, Yang S, Rosfjord E. Assessing Reuse of Hypodermic Needles in Mice by means of Digital Imaging, Photomicrography, Bacterial Culture, Analysis of Nest Building, and Animal Vocalization. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2023; 62:205-211. [PMID: 36990673 PMCID: PMC10230537 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-22-000094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Hypodermic needles are sometimes reused in animal research settings to preserve the viability of and to conserve limited quantities of injected material. However, the reuse of needles is strongly discouraged in human medicine to prevent inju- ries and the spread of infectious disease. No official guidelines prohibit needle reuse in veterinary medicine, although the practice may be discouraged. We hypothesized that reused needles would be significantly more blunt than unused needles and that reuse for additional injections would cause more animal stress. To test these ideas, we evaluated mice that were injected subcutaneously in the flank or mammary fat pad to generate cell line xenograft and mouse allograft models. Needles were reused up to 20 times, based on an IACUC-approved protocol. A subset of reused needles was digitally imaged to determine needle dullness based on the area of deformation from the secondary bevel angle; this parameter was not different between new needles and needles that had been reused 20 times. In addition, the number of times a needle was reused was not significantly related to audible mouse vocalization during injection. Finally, nest building scores for mice that were injected with a needle used 0 through 5 times were similar to those of mice injected with a needle had been used 16 through 20 times. Among the 37 reused needles that were tested, 4 were positive for bacterial growth; the only organisms cultured were Staphylococcus spp. Contrary to our hypothesis, reusing needles for subcutaneous injections did not increase animal stress based on analysis of vocalization or nest building.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terese E Bennett
- Previously affiliated with Comparative Medicine, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Pearl River, New York
| | - Jason Rizzo
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule Analytical Research and Development, Pfizer, Groton, Connecticut; and
| | - Sharon Yang
- Previously affiliated with Oncology Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River, New York
| | - Edward Rosfjord
- Previously affiliated with Oncology Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River, New York
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12
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Wolter A, Bucher CH, Kurmies S, Schreiner V, Konietschke F, Hohlbaum K, Klopfleisch R, Löhning M, Thöne-Reineke C, Buttgereit F, Huwyler J, Jirkof P, Rapp AE, Lang A. A buprenorphine depot formulation provides effective sustained post-surgical analgesia for 72 h in mouse femoral fracture models. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3824. [PMID: 36882427 PMCID: PMC9992384 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30641-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Adequate pain management is essential for ethical and scientific reasons in animal experiments and should completely cover the period of expected pain without the need for frequent re-application. However, current depot formulations of Buprenorphine are only available in the USA and have limited duration of action. Recently, a new microparticulate Buprenorphine formulation (BUP-Depot) for sustained release has been developed as a potential future alternative to standard formulations available in Europe. Pharmacokinetics indicate a possible effectiveness for about 72 h. Here, we investigated whether the administration of the BUP-Depot ensures continuous and sufficient analgesia in two mouse fracture models (femoral osteotomy) and could, therefore, serve as a potent alternative to the application of Tramadol via the drinking water. Both protocols were examined for analgesic effectiveness, side effects on experimental readout, and effects on fracture healing outcomes in male and female C57BL/6N mice. The BUP-Depot provided effective analgesia for 72 h, comparable to the effectiveness of Tramadol in the drinking water. Fracture healing outcome was not different between analgesic regimes. The availability of a Buprenorphine depot formulation for rodents in Europe would be a beneficial addition for extended pain relief in mice, thereby increasing animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique Wolter
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany.
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christian H Bucher
- Julius Wolff Institute, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kurmies
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Viktoria Schreiner
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frank Konietschke
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Hohlbaum
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Klopfleisch
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Löhning
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christa Thöne-Reineke
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Buttgereit
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Huwyler
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paulin Jirkof
- Office for Animal Welfare and 3Rs, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna E Rapp
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis, Department of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Annemarie Lang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany.
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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13
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Manna L, Rizzi E, Bafile E, Cappelleri A, Ruscica M, Macchi C, Podaliri Vulpiani M, Salini R, Rossi E, Panebianco C, Perri F, Pazienza V, Federici F. Lentilactobacillus kefiri SGL 13 and Andrographis paniculata alleviate dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis in mice. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1072334. [PMID: 36860688 PMCID: PMC9968723 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1072334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory conditions that typically involve diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss, with a dramatic impact on patients' quality of life. Standard medications are often associated with adverse side effects. Thus, alternative treatments such as probiotics are of great interest. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of Lentilactobacillus kefiri (basonym: Lactobacillus kefiri) SGL 13 and Andrographis paniculata, namely, Paniculin 13™, on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)- treated C57BL/6J mice. Methods Colitis was induced by administering 1.5% DSS in drinking water for 9 days. Forty male mice were divided into four groups, receiving PBS (control), 1.5% DSS, Paniculin 13™ and 1.5% DSS + Paniculin 13™. Results The results showed that body weight loss and Disease Activity Index (DAI) score were improved by Paniculin 13™. Moreover, Paniculin 13™ ameliorated DSS-induced dysbiosis, by modulating the gut microbiota composition. The gene expression of MPO, TNFα and iNOS in colon tissue was reduced and these data matched with the histological results, supporting the efficacy of Paniculin 13™ in reducing the inflammatory response. No adverse effects were associated to Paniculin 13™ administration. Discussion In conclusion, Paniculin 13™ could be an effective add-on approach to conventional therapies for IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Manna
- PNK Farmaceutici S.p.a., Castelnuovo Vomano, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Cappelleri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, Milan, Italy,Mouse and Animal Pathology Laboratory (MAPLab), Fondazione UNIMI, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Ruscica
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Macchi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Podaliri Vulpiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “Giuseppe Caporale” (IZSAM), Teramo, Italy
| | - Romolo Salini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “Giuseppe Caporale” (IZSAM), Teramo, Italy
| | - Emanuela Rossi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “Giuseppe Caporale” (IZSAM), Teramo, Italy
| | - Concetta Panebianco
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Foggia, Italy
| | - Francesco Perri
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Foggia, Italy
| | - Valerio Pazienza
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Foggia, Italy
| | - Federica Federici
- PNK Farmaceutici S.p.a., Castelnuovo Vomano, Italy,*Correspondence: Federica Federici,
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14
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Tuska RM, Helm SM, Graf CF, James C, Kong G, Stiemsma LT, Green DB, Helm SE. Surfeit folic acid, protein, and exercise modify oncogenic inflammatory biomarkers and fecal microbiota. Front Nutr 2023; 9:1060212. [PMID: 36742002 PMCID: PMC9894611 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1060212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal microbiota, diet, and physical activity are inextricably linked to inflammation occurring in the presence of tumor progression and declining neurocognition. This study aimed to explore how fecal microbiota, inflammatory biomarkers, and neurocognitive behavior are influenced by voluntary exercise and surplus dietary protein and folic acid which are common health choices. Dietary treatments provided over 8 weeks to C57BL/CJ male mice (N = 76) were: Folic Acid (FA) Protein (P) Control (FPC, 17.9% P; 2 mgFA/kg); Folic Acid Deficient (FAD); Folic Acid Supplemented (FAS; 8 mgFA/kg); Low Protein Diet (LPD, 6% P); and High Protein Diet (HPD, 48% P). FAS mice had decreased plasma HCys (p < 0.05), therefore confirming consumption of FA. Objectives included examining influence of exercise using Voluntary Wheel Running (VWR) upon fecal microbiota, inflammatory biomarkers C - reactive protein (CRP), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor kappa ß subunit (NF-κßp65), Caspase-3 (CASP3), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and neurocognitive behavior. CRP remained stable, while a significant exercise and dietary effect was notable with decreased VEGF (p < 0.05) and increased CASP3 (p < 0.05) for exercised HPD mice. Consumption of FAS did significantly increase (p < 0.05) muscle TNF-α and the ability to build a nest (p < 0.05) was significantly decreased for both FAD and LPD exercised mice. Rearing behavior was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in mice fed HPD. An emerging pattern with increased dietary protein intake revealed more distance explored in Open Field Testing. At week 1, both weighted and unweighted UniFrac principal coordinates analysis yielded significant clustering (permanova, p ≤ 0.05) associated with the specific diets. Consumption of a HPD diet resulted in the most distinct fecal microbiota composition. At the phylum level-comparing week 1 to week 8-we report a general increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, characterized by an outgrowth of Firmicutes by week 8 in all groups except the HPD. MaAsLin2 analysis corroborates this finding and emphasizes an apparent inversion of the microbiome composition at week 8 after HPD. Explicit modification of oncogenic inflammatory biomarkers and fecal microbiome post high FA and protein intake along with voluntary exercise contributed to current underlying evidence that this diet and exercise relationship has broader effects on human health and disease-perhaps importantly as a practical modulation of cancer progression and declining neurocognition.
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15
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Burbano LE, Li M, Jancovski N, Jafar-Nejad P, Richards K, Sedo A, Soriano A, Rollo B, Jia L, Gazina EV, Piltz S, Adikusuma F, Thomas PQ, Kopsidas H, Rigo F, Reid CA, Maljevic S, Petrou S. Antisense oligonucleotide therapy for KCNT1 encephalopathy. JCI Insight 2022; 7:146090. [PMID: 36173683 PMCID: PMC9746904 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are characterized by pharmaco-resistant seizures with concomitant intellectual disability. Epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS) is one of the most severe of these syndromes. De novo variants in ion channels, including gain-of-function variants in KCNT1, which encodes for sodium activated potassium channel protein KNa1.1, have been found to play a major role in the etiology of EIMFS. Here, we test a potential precision therapeutic approach in KCNT1-associated DEE using a gene-silencing antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) approach. We generated a mouse model carrying the KCNT1 p.P924L pathogenic variant; only the homozygous animals presented with the frequent, debilitating seizures and developmental compromise that are seen in patients. After a single intracerebroventricular bolus injection of a Kcnt1 gapmer ASO in symptomatic mice at postnatal day 40, seizure frequency was significantly reduced, behavioral abnormalities improved, and overall survival was extended compared with mice treated with a control ASO (nonhybridizing sequence). ASO administration at neonatal age was also well tolerated and effective in controlling seizures and extending the life span of treated animals. The data presented here provide proof of concept for ASO-based gene silencing as a promising therapeutic approach in KCNT1-associated epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisseth Estefania Burbano
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melody Li
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nikola Jancovski
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Kay Richards
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alicia Sedo
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Ben Rollo
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Linghan Jia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elena V. Gazina
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandra Piltz
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Fatwa Adikusuma
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Paul Q. Thomas
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Helen Kopsidas
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | - Christopher A. Reid
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Snezana Maljevic
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Praxis Precision Medicines, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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16
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Novak J, Jaric I, Rosso M, Rufener R, Touma C, Würbel H. Handling method affects measures of anxiety, but not chronic stress in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20938. [PMID: 36463282 PMCID: PMC9719500 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25090-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies in mice have shown that less aversive handling methods (e.g. tunnel or cup handling) can reduce behavioural measures of anxiety in comparison to picking mice up by their tail. Despite such evidence, tail handling continues to be used routinely. Besides resistance to change accustomed procedures, this may also be due to the fact that current evidence in support of less aversive handling is mostly restricted to effects of extensive daily handling, which may not apply to routine husbandry practices. The aim of our study was to assess whether, and to what extent, different handling methods during routine husbandry induce differences in behavioural and physiological measures of stress in laboratory mice. To put the effects of handling method in perspective with chronic stress, we compared handling methods to a validated paradigm of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). We housed mice of two strains (Balb/c and C57BL/6) and both sexes either under standard laboratory conditions (CTRL) or under UCMS. Half of the animals from each housing condition were tail handled and half were tunnel handled twice per week, once during a cage change and once for a routine health check. We found strain dependent effects of handling method on behavioural measures of anxiety: tunnel handled Balb/c mice interacted with the handler more than tail handled conspecifics, and tunnel handled CTRL mice showed increased open arm exploration in the elevated plus-maze. Mice undergoing UCMS showed increased plasma corticosterone levels and reduced sucrose preference. However, we found no effect of handling method on these stress-associated measures. Our results therefore indicate that routine tail handling can affect behavioural measures of anxiety, but may not be a significant source of chronic husbandry stress. Our results also highlight strain dependent responses to handling methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Novak
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ivana Jaric
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marianna Rosso
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Reto Rufener
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chadi Touma
- grid.10854.380000 0001 0672 4366Department of Behavioural Biology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Hanno Würbel
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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17
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LLabre JE, Gil C, Amatya N, Lagalwar S, Possidente B, Vashishth D. Degradation of Bone Quality in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Bone Miner Res 2022; 37:2548-2565. [PMID: 36250342 PMCID: PMC9772191 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients present with symptoms such as impairment of insulin signaling, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, there are comorbidities associated with AD progression. For example, osteoporosis is common with AD wherein patients exhibit reduced mineralization and a risk for fragility fractures. However, there is a lack of understanding on the effects of AD on bone beyond loss of bone density. To this end, we investigated the effects of AD on bone quality using the 5XFAD transgenic mouse model in which 12-month-old 5XFAD mice showed accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ42) compared with wild-type (WT) littermates (n = 10/group; 50% female, 50% male). Here, we observed changes in cortical bone but not in cancellous bone quality. Both bone mass and bone quality, measured in femoral samples using imaging (micro-CT, confocal Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction [XRD]), mechanical (fracture tests), and chemical analyses (biochemical assays), were altered in the 5XFAD mice compared with WT. Micro-CT results showed 5XFAD mice had lower volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) and increased endocortical bone loss. XRD results showed decreased mineralization with smaller mineral crystals. Bone matrix compositional properties, from Raman, showed decreased crystallinity along with higher accumulation of glycoxidation products and glycation products, measured biochemically. 5XFAD mice also demonstrated loss of initiation and maximum toughness. We observed that carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) and mineralization correlated with initiation toughness, whereas crystal size and pentosidine (PEN) correlated with maximum toughness, suggesting bone matrix changes predominated by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and altered/poor mineral quality explained loss of fracture toughness. Our findings highlight two pathways to skeletal fragility in AD through alteration of bone quality: (i) accumulation of AGEs; and (ii) loss of crystallinity, decreased crystal size, and loss of mineralization. We observed that the accumulation of amyloidosis in brain correlated with an increase in several AGEs, consistent with a mechanistic link between elevated Aβ42 levels in the brain and AGE accumulation in bone. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan E. LLabre
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
- Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D. Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Cristianel Gil
- Department of Biology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
| | - Neha Amatya
- Department of Biology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
| | - Sarita Lagalwar
- Neuroscience Program, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
| | | | - Deepak Vashishth
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
- Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D. Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
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Müller K, Lengheimer T, Kral-Pointner JB, Wojta J, Yeghiazaryan L, Krall C, Palme R, Kleindorfer S, Plasenzotti R, Pollak DD, Tillmann KE. Exposure to soiled bedding reduces abnormal repetitive behaviors in mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1062864. [DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1062864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hygiene management protocols in laboratory mouse husbandries worldwide most commonly employ soiled bedding-exposed sentinel mice to monitor the occurrence of infections in mouse colonies. Using this approach, sentinel mice repeatedly receive a mixture of used bedding, supplied by a variety of cages of a defined hygienic unit for a period of several months. Hereby, microorganisms shed in the used bedding can infect the sentinel animals and can be detected in subsequent health monitoring procedures. However, murine excrements carry more than only microorganisms. Mouse feces and urine also contain a multitude of olfactory molecules, which the animals use to code information about social status and context. However, if and how the persistent and repeated experience with these odor cues affects the behavior of sentinel mice, has not yet been explored. To address this question, we conducted a longitudinal study for neurochemical output parameters related to an organism’s responsiveness to challenging conditions, and for the exploratory assessment of a panel of home cage behaviors in soiled bedding and control female C57BL/6J mice. We found that the number of mice showing abnormal repetitive behaviors, including barbering and bar mouthing, was lower in the soiled bedding group. While neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios and fecal corticosterone metabolites did not differ between groups, the within-group variance of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was reduced in the soiled bedding group. These results show that the occurrence of abnormal repetitive behaviors is lower in sentinel than in control mice and suggest a beneficial effect of soiled bedding on the welfare of laboratory mice and on outcome variability.
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Bratcher NA, Allen CM, McLahan CL, O’Connell DM, Burr HN, Keen JN, Stanislawczyk LM, Burns MA. Identification of Rodent Husbandry Refinement Opportunities through Benchmarking and Collaboration. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2022; 61:624-633. [PMID: 36253074 PMCID: PMC9732775 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-21-000099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Expanding the use of methods that refine, reduce, and replace (3Rs) the use of animals in research is fundamental for both ethical and scientific reasons. The mission of the 3Rs Translational and Predictive Sciences Leadership Group (3Rs TPS LG) of the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development (IQ Consortium) is to promote sharing and integration of science and technology to advance the 3Rs in the discovery and development of new medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and health care products for humans and animals. The 3Rs TPS LG is dedicated to identifying opportunities for member companies to share practices, enhance learning, promote discussions, and advance the 3Rs across the industry. One such opportunity was a benchmarking survey, conducted by the Contract Research Organization (CRO) Outreach Working Group, designed to share practices in rodent husbandry for drug safety research and to identify potential opportunities for refinement. IQ member companies and CROs in Asia, North America, and Europe were surveyed. Areas identified for potential alignment included provision of corncob bedding and wire-grid flooring, management of the nest at cage change, approaches to social housing for male mice, evidence-based enrichment strategies, and evaluating the effects of the timing of studies in relation to the animals' circadian rhythm and light-cycle, with consideration for how such extrinsic factors influence animal welfare and scientific outcomes. This manuscript presents the results of the benchmarking survey, including general trends in mouse and rat husbandry practices in toxicology studies, considerations for social housing, enrichment selection, and potential effects of bedding substrate, emphasizing opportunities for collaboration that can help to identify refinements to rodent husbandry practices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Monika A Burns
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Effects of a Multimodal Approach Using Buprenorphine with/without Meloxicam on Food Intake, Body Weight, Nest Consolidating Behavior, Burrowing Behavior, and Gastrointestinal Tissues in Postoperative Male Mice. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9110589. [DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9110589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Distress affects animal welfare and scientific data validity. There is a lack of reports on the effects of multimodal analgesic approaches in mice. In this study, under the hypothesis that a multimodal analgesic protocol using buprenorphine with meloxicam has analgesic effects, we evaluated the effects of a multimodal analgesic protocol using buprenorphine with meloxicam on the well-being of mice during analgesic administration by changing the dosage of meloxicam. A total of 42 Slc:ICR male mice were categorized into nonsurgical and surgical groups (7 mice per group) and treated with an anesthetic (isoflurane) and analgesics (buprenorphine ± meloxicam). Analgesics were administered for 48 h after treatment. Buprenorphine (subcutaneous; 0.1 mg/kg/8 h) and meloxicam (subcutaneous; 0, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg/24 h) were administered twice. Body weight, food intake, nest consolidation score, and latency to burrow were evaluated. A significant decrease in food intake was observed 24 h after treatment, while a significant increase was observed 48 h post-treatment in all groups. Body weight showed a decreasing trend but was not significantly reduced. Furthermore, stomach, duodenum, and jejunum tissues showed no morphological abnormalities. Significant differences in burrow diving scores and the latency to burrow were observed between some groups, but these were not regarded as a consequence of the surgery and/or the meloxicam dose. When buprenorphine and meloxicam were combined, administering up to 5 mg/kg/day of meloxicam for 48 h to male mice after abdominal surgery had no significant negative effects on any tested parameters. In conclusion, a multimodal analgesic protocol of buprenorphine with meloxicam is among the options for increasing well-being in mice following abdominal surgery.
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Johnson K, Doucette A, Edwards A, Verdi A, McFarland R, Hulke S, Fowler A, Watts VJ, Klein AH. Reduced activity of adenylyl cyclase 1 attenuates morphine induced hyperalgesia and inflammatory pain in mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:937741. [PMID: 36120355 PMCID: PMC9479488 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.937741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid tolerance, opioid-induced hyperalgesia during repeated opioid administration, and chronic pain are associated with upregulation of adenylyl cyclase activity. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that a reduction in adenylyl cyclase 1 (AC1) activity or expression would attenuate morphine tolerance and hypersensitivity, and inflammatory pain using murine models. To investigate opioid tolerance and opioid-induced hyperalgesia, mice were subjected to twice daily treatments of saline or morphine using either a static (15 mg/kg, 5 days) or an escalating tolerance paradigm (10–40 mg/kg, 4 days). Systemic treatment with an AC1 inhibitor, ST03437 (2.5–10 mg/kg, IP), reduced morphine-induced hyperalgesia in mice. Lumbar intrathecal administration of a viral vector incorporating a short-hairpin RNA targeting Adcy1 reduced morphine-induced hypersensitivity compared to control mice. In contrast, acute morphine antinociception, along with thermal paw withdrawal latencies, motor performance, exploration in an open field test, and burrowing behaviors were not affected by intrathecal Adcy1 knockdown. Knockdown of Adcy1 by intrathecal injection also decreased inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia and increased burrowing and nesting activity after intraplantar administration of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) one-week post-injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Johnson
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Alexis Doucette
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Alexis Edwards
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Aleeya Verdi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Ryan McFarland
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Shelby Hulke
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Amanda Fowler
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Val J. Watts
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Amanda H. Klein
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, United States
- *Correspondence: Amanda H. Klein,
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Kolbe T, Lassnig C, Poelzl A, Palme R, Auer KE, Rülicke T. Effect of Different Ambient Temperatures on Reproductive Outcome and Stress Level of Lactating Females in Two Mouse Strains. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162141. [PMID: 36009730 PMCID: PMC9405067 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The optimal temperature for laboratory mice has been under discussion for some time. Current standard temperature is 20 °C–24 °C but it has been suggested to elevate the standard to 30 °C, which is the thermoneutral zone for mice. In this study, the effect of different cage temperatures (20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C) on reproduction and stress hormone metabolite excretion was evaluated in lactating females of two commonly used mouse strains. Pup loss was higher, and weights of mothers and pups were reduced at 30 °C compared to the lower temperatures. In addition, pups showed increased tail length at weaning under the high temperature (30 °C). There was no difference in stress hormone metabolite excretion in mice between temperature groups. We could not show any detrimental effects of the lower or higher cage temperature on stress hormone metabolite excretion, but found decreased reproductive outcome under the higher temperature. Abstract Ambient temperature is an important non-biotic environmental factor influencing immunological and oncological parameters in laboratory mice. It is under discussion which temperature is more appropriate and whether the commonly used room temperature in rodent facilities of about 21 °C represents a chronic cold stress or the 30 °C of the thermoneutral zone constitutes heat stress for the animals. In this study, we selected the physiological challenging period of lactation to investigate the influence of a cage temperature of 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C, respectively, on reproductive performance and stress hormone levels in two frequently used mouse strains. We found that B6D2F1 hybrid mothers weaned more pups compared to C57BL/6N mothers, and that the number of weaned pups was reduced when mothers of both strains were kept at 30 °C. Furthermore, at 30 °C, mothers and pups showed reduced body weight at weaning and offspring had longer tails. Despite pronounced temperature effects on reproductive parameters, we did not find any temperature effects on adrenocortical activity in breeding and control mice. Independent of the ambient temperature, however, we found that females raising pups showed elevated levels of faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCMs) compared to controls. Peak levels of stress hormone metabolites were measured around birth and during the third week of lactation. Our results provide no evidence of an advantage for keeping lactating mice in ambient temperatures near the thermoneutral zone. In contrast, we found that a 30 °C cage temperature during lactation reduced body mass in females and their offspring and declined female reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kolbe
- Biomodels Austria, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Department IFA-Tulln, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence:
| | - Caroline Lassnig
- Biomodels Austria, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Poelzl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kerstin E. Auer
- Institute of in vivo and in vitro Models, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Rülicke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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Kang JY, Baek DC, Son CG, Lee JS. Succinum extracts inhibit microglial-derived neuroinflammation and depressive-like behaviors. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:991243. [PMID: 36052132 PMCID: PMC9425083 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.991243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are emerging as important targets for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. The phagocytic microglial phenotype and the resulting neuroinflammation lead to synaptic loss and neuronal cell death. To explore potential candidates that inhibit microglial hyperactivation, we first investigated ten candidate extracts of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Among the candidates, Pinus spp. succinum extract (PSE) was superior; thus, we further investigated its pharmacological activity and underlying mechanisms both in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment with PSE (10, 20, and 40 μg/ml) attenuated the increases in inflammatory factors (nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α), translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and phenotypic transformations (phagocytic and migratory) in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects of PSE on microglia were supported by its regulatory effects on the CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1)/nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. In particular, intragastric administration of PSE (100 mg/kg) considerably improved sickness, anxiety, and depressive-like behaviors in mice subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS). Our results suggest that PSE has strong antineuroinflammatory and antidepressant properties, and the underlying mechanisms may involve not only the regulation of NF-κB translocation but also the normalization of the CX3CR1/Nrf2 pathway.
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Expression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transactivator of Transcription (HIV-Tat 1-86) Protein Alters Nociceptive Processing that is Sensitive to Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Interventions. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2022; 17:152-164. [PMID: 33619645 PMCID: PMC8380260 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-021-09985-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite the success of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in reducing viral load, a substantial portion of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)+ patients report chronic pain. The exact mechanism underlying this co-morbidity even with undetectable viral load remains unknown, but the transactivator of transcription (HIV-Tat) protein is of particular interest. Functional HIV-Tat protein is observed even in cerebrospinal fluid of patients who have an undetectable viral load. It is hypothesized that Tat protein exposure is sufficient to induce neuropathic pain-like manifestations via both activation of microglia and generation of oxidative stress. iTat mice conditionally expressed Tat(1-86) protein in the central nervous system upon daily administration of doxycycline (100 mg/kg/d, i.p., up to 14 days). The effect of HIV-Tat protein exposure on the well-being of the animal was assessed using sucrose-evoked grooming and acute nesting behavior for pain-depressed behaviors, and the development of hyperalgesia assessed with warm-water tail-withdrawal and von Frey assays for thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, respectively. Tissue harvested at select time points was used to assess ex vivo alterations in oxidative stress, astrocytosis and microgliosis, and blood-brain barrier integrity with assays utilizing fluorescence-based indicators. Tat protein induced mild thermal hyperalgesia but robust mechanical allodynia starting after 4 days of exposure, reaching a nadir after 7 days. Changes in nociceptive processing were associated with reduced sucrose-evoked grooming behavior without altering acute nesting behavior, and in spinal cord dysregulated free radical generation as measured by DCF fluorescence intensity, altered immunohistochemical expression of the gliotic markers, Iba-1 and GFAP, and increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier to the small molecule fluorescent tracer, sodium fluorescein, in a time-dependent manner. Pretreatment with the anti-inflammatory, indomethacin (1 mg/kg/d, i.p.), the antioxidant, methylsulfonylmethane (100 mg/kg/d i.p.), or the immunomodulatory agent, dimethylfumarate (100 mg/kg/d p.o.) thirty minutes prior to daily injections of doxycycline (100 mg/kg/d i.p.) over 7 days significantly attenuated the development of Tat-induced mechanical allodynia. Collectively, the data suggests that even acute exposure to HIV-1 Tat protein at pathologically relevant levels is sufficient to produce select neurophysiological and behavioral manifestations of chronic pain consistent with that reported by HIV-positive patients.
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Effects of separated pair housing of female C57BL/6JRj mice on well-being. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8819. [PMID: 35614188 PMCID: PMC9132905 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12846-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In laboratory animal facilities, it is a common code of practice to house female mice in groups. However, some experimental conditions require to house them individually, even though social isolation may impair their well-being. Therefore, we introduced a separated pair housing system and investigated whether it can refine single housing of adult female C57BL/6JRj mice. Individually ventilated cages (IVC) were divided by perforated transparent walls to separate two mice within a cage. The cage divider allowed visual, acoustic, and olfactory contact between the mice but prevented interindividual body-contact or food sharing. Short- and long-term effects of the separated pair housing system on the well-being of the mice were compared with single and group housing using a range of behavioral and physiological parameters: Nest building behavior was assessed based on the complexity of nests, the burrowing performance was measured by the amount of food pellets removed from a bottle, and trait anxiety-related behavior was tested in the free exploratory paradigm. For the evaluation of the ease of handling, interaction with the experimenter's hand was monitored. Social interaction with unknown conspecifics and locomotor activity were investigated in a test arena. Moreover, body weight and stress hormone (metabolites) were measured in feces and hair. After the mice spent a day under the respective housing conditions, concentrations of fecal corticosterone metabolites were higher in separated pair-housed mice, and they built nests of a higher complexity when compared to single-housed mice. The latter effect was still observable eight weeks later. In week 8, separated pair-housed mice showed less locomotor activity in the social interaction arena compared to mice from the other housing systems, i.e., single and group housing. Regardless of the time of testing, pair housing improved the burrowing performance. Separated pair-housed mice were more difficult to catch than group-housed mice. Hair corticosterone, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations changed with increasing age independently of the housing system. There were no effects of the housing systems on trait anxiety-related behavior in the free exploratory paradigm, voluntary interaction with the experimenter’s hand, and body weight. Overall, the transfer to the separated pair housing system caused short-term stress responses in female C57BL/6JRj mice. Long-term effects of separated pair housing were ambiguous. On one hand, separated pair housing increased nesting and burrowing behavior and may therefore be beneficial compared to single housing. But on the other hand, locomotor activity decreased. The study underlined that the effects of the housing conditions on physiological and behavioral parameters should be considered when analyzing and reporting animal experiments.
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Reutzel M, Grewal R, Joppe A, Eckert GP. Age-Dependent Alterations of Cognition, Mitochondrial Function, and Beta-Amyloid Deposition in a Murine Model of Alzheimer’s Disease—A Longitudinal Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:875989. [PMID: 35585868 PMCID: PMC9108248 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.875989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is the main risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is characterized by the cerebral deposition of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) and cognitive decline. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also characteristic of the disease and represents a hallmark of both, aging and neurodegeneration. We longitudinally followed Aβ levels, cognition, and mitochondrial function in the same cohort of Thy1-APP751SL mice representing a murine model of AD. In the course of time, changes were most prominent at an age of 13 months including the latency time in the passive avoidance test, the activity of complexes I and IV of the mitochondrial respiration chain, and expression of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis and synaptic plasticity including Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1-α), CAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1), and Synaptophysin 1 (SYP1). These changes occurred in parallel with massively increasing cerebral Aβ levels. Other parameters were changed in younger mice including the alteration rate in the Y-maze test and the nesting score when Aβ levels were not changed yet. The results are consistent in the cohort described. However, previous, non-longitudinal studies reported divergent time points for the occurrence of the parameters studied. These findings are discussed in light of the current results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Reutzel
- Laboratory for Nutrition in Prevention and Therapy, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rekha Grewal
- Laboratory for Nutrition in Prevention and Therapy, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Aljoscha Joppe
- Department of Biological Sciences & Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes, Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gunter P. Eckert
- Laboratory for Nutrition in Prevention and Therapy, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Gunter P. Eckert,
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Ernst L, Kümmecke AM, Zieglowski L, Liu W, Schulz M, Czigany Z, Tolba RH. Severity Assessment in Rats Undergoing Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Induction by Endovascular Perforation or Corresponding Sham Surgery. Eur Surg Res 2022; 64:120-138. [PMID: 35385845 PMCID: PMC9808704 DOI: 10.1159/000524432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Animal models for preclinical research of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are widely used as much of the pathophysiology remains unknown. However, the burden of these models inflicted on the animals is not well characterized. The European directive requires severity assessment-based allocation to categories. Up to now, the classification into predefined categories is rather subjective and often without underlying scientific knowledge. We therefore aimed at assessing the burden of rats after SAH or the corresponding sham surgery to provide a scientific assessment. METHODS We performed a multimodal approach, using different behavior tests, clinical and neurological scoring, and biochemical markers using the common model for SAH of intracranial endovascular filament perforation in male Wistar rats. Up to 7 days after surgery, animals with SAH were compared to sham surgery and to a group receiving only anesthesia and analgesia. RESULTS Sham surgery (n = 15) and SAH (n = 16) animals showed an increase in the clinical score the first days after surgery, indicating clinical deterioration, while animals receiving only anesthesia without surgery (n = 5) remained unaffected. Body weight loss occurred in all groups but was more pronounced and statistically significant only after surgery. The analysis of burrowing, open field (total distance, erections), balance beam, and neuroscore showed primarily an effect of the surgery itself in sham surgery and SAH animals. Only concerning balance beam and neuroscore, a difference was visible between sham surgery and SAH. The outcome of the analysis of systemic and local inflammatory parameters and of corticosterone in blood and its metabolites in feces was only robust in animals suffering from larger bleedings. Application of principal component analysis resulted in a clear separation of sham surgery and SAH animals from their respective baseline as well as from the anesthesia-only group at days 1 and 3, with the difference between sham surgery and SAH being not significant. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION To our knowledge, we are the first to publish detailed clinical score sheet data combined with advanced behavioral assessment in the endovascular perforation model for SAH in rats. The tests chosen here clearly depict an impairment of the animals within the first days after surgery and are consequently well suited for assessment of the animals' suffering in the model. A definitive classification into one of the severity categories named by the EU directive is yet pending and has to be performed in the future by including the assessment data from different neurological and nonneurological disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Ernst
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science & Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anna Maria Kümmecke
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science & Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Leonie Zieglowski
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science & Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wenjia Liu
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mareike Schulz
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science & Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Zoltan Czigany
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - René H. Tolba
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science & Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Cheatham SM, Muchhala KH, Koseli E, Jacob JC, Komla E, Negus SS, Akbarali HI. Morphine Exacerbates Experimental Colitis-Induced Depression of Nesting in Mice. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2022; 2:738499. [PMID: 35295474 PMCID: PMC8915634 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2021.738499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are excellent analgesics, but recent clinical evidence suggests that these drugs might worsen disease severity in Crohn's disease patients, limiting their clinical utility for treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). One indicator of change in well-being from conditions such as IBD is behavioral depression and disruption to activities of daily living. Preclinical measures of behavioral depression can provide an indicator of changes in quality of life and subsequent modification by candidate analgesics. In mice, nesting is an adaptive unconditioned behavior that is susceptible to disruption by noxious stimuli, and some types of pain related nesting depression are responsive to opioid and NSAID analgesics. Here we show that a 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) model of experimental colitis depresses nesting behavior in mice, and we evaluated effects of morphine, an opioid, and ketoprofen, a NSAID, on TNBS-induced nesting depression. In Swiss Webster mice, TNBS significantly reduced nesting that peaked on Day 3 and recovered in a time-dependent manner with complete recovery by Day 7. In the absence of colonic inflammation, daily treatment with morphine (1-10 mg/kg) did not decrease nesting except at 10mg/kg/day. However, in TNBS-treated mice 3.2 mg/kg/day morphine significantly exacerbated TNBS-induced nesting depression and delayed recovery. While 3.2 mg/kg/day morphine alone did not alter locomotor activity and TNBS-induced depression of locomotion recovered, the combination of TNBS and 3.2 mg/kg/day morphine significantly attenuated locomotion and prevented recovery. Daily treatment with 3.2 or 10 mg/kg ketoprofen in TNBS-treated mice did not prevent depression of nesting. These data suggest that opioid analgesics but not NSAIDS worsen colonic inflammation-induced behavioral depression. Furthermore, these findings highlight the importance of evaluating analgesic effects in models of colonic inflammation induced depression of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley M Cheatham
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Karan H Muchhala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Eda Koseli
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Joanna C Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Essie Komla
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Hamid I Akbarali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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Matamoros-Angles A, Hervera A, Soriano J, Martí E, Carulla P, Llorens F, Nuvolone M, Aguzzi A, Ferrer I, Gruart A, Delgado-García JM, Del Río JA. Analysis of co-isogenic prion protein deficient mice reveals behavioral deficits, learning impairment, and enhanced hippocampal excitability. BMC Biol 2022; 20:17. [PMID: 35027047 PMCID: PMC8759182 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01203-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a cell surface GPI-anchored protein, usually known for its role in the pathogenesis of human and animal prionopathies. However, increasing knowledge about the participation of PrPC in prion pathogenesis contrasts with puzzling data regarding its natural physiological role. PrPC is expressed in a number of tissues, including at high levels in the nervous system, especially in neurons and glial cells, and while previous studies have established a neuroprotective role, conflicting evidence for a synaptic function has revealed both reduced and enhanced long-term potentiation, and variable observations on memory, learning, and behavior. Such evidence has been confounded by the absence of an appropriate knock-out mouse model to dissect the biological relevance of PrPC, with some functions recently shown to be misattributed to PrPC due to the presence of genetic artifacts in mouse models. Here we elucidate the role of PrPC in the hippocampal circuitry and its related functions, such as learning and memory, using a recently available strictly co-isogenic Prnp0/0 mouse model (PrnpZH3/ZH3). Results We performed behavioral and operant conditioning tests to evaluate memory and learning capabilities, with results showing decreased motility, impaired operant conditioning learning, and anxiety-related behavior in PrnpZH3/ZH3 animals. We also carried in vivo electrophysiological recordings on CA3-CA1 synapses in living behaving mice and monitored spontaneous neuronal firing and network formation in primary neuronal cultures of PrnpZH3/ZH3 vs wildtype mice. PrPC absence enhanced susceptibility to high-intensity stimulations and kainate-induced seizures. However, long-term potentiation (LTP) was not enhanced in the PrnpZH3/ZH3 hippocampus. In addition, we observed a delay in neuronal maturation and network formation in PrnpZH3/ZH3 cultures. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that PrPC promotes neuronal network formation and connectivity. PrPC mediates synaptic function and protects the synapse from excitotoxic insults. Its deletion may underlie an epileptogenic-susceptible brain that fails to perform highly cognitive-demanding tasks such as associative learning and anxiety-like behaviors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01203-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Matamoros-Angles
- Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Hervera
- Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Soriano
- Departament de Física de la Materia Condensada, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Martí
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Bioinformatics and Genomics, Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Carulla
- Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Llorens
- CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Neurology, University Medical School, Göttingen, Germany.,Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - M Nuvolone
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Amyloidosis Center, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - A Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - I Ferrer
- CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Senior Consultant, Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL (Bellvitge Biomedical Research Centre), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.,Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Gruart
- Division of Neurosciences, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - J M Delgado-García
- Division of Neurosciences, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013, Seville, Spain.
| | - J A Del Río
- Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Merley AL, Hubbard JS, Rendahl AK, Boynton FDD, Impelluso LC. Behavioral and Physiologic Effects of Dirty Bedding Exposure in Female ICR Mice. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2022; 61:42-51. [PMID: 34903313 PMCID: PMC8786380 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-21-000060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of sentinel mice to dirty bedding is commonly used in health monitoring programs to screen colonies for clinical and subclinical disease. Despite the potential stressors present in dirty bedding, including but not limited to microorganisms, pheromones, and ammonia, it is unknown whether sentinel mice exposed to soiled bedding experience stress. In this study, select behavioral and physiologic changes associated with stress were assessed in female ICR mice exposed to dirty bedding. Behavioral parameters included evaluation in the home cage and selected behavioral tests; physiologic measurements included neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and weight. Mice in the acute group were exposed for 24 h whereas mice in the chronic group were exposed for 4 wk. Mice in the chronic group exposed to dirty bedding weighed less at days 21 and 28 than did control mice. Chronic mice exposed to dirty bedding also exhibited decreased net weight gain over the entire study period as compared with control mice. No significant differences were detected in the other behavioral and physiologic parameters measured. These results indicate that dirty bedding exposure may affect sentinel mice, but further investigation is needed to determine the specific mechanism(s) behind the weight difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne L Merley
- Research Animal Resources, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jennifer S Hubbard
- Research Animal Resources, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Aaron K Rendahl
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota
| | | | - Lynn Collura Impelluso
- Research Animal Resources, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota
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Miller AL, Roughan JV. Welfare Assessment, End-Point Refinement and the Effects of Non-Aversive Handling in C57BL/6 Mice with Lewis Lung Cancer. Animals (Basel) 2021; 12:ani12010023. [PMID: 35011129 PMCID: PMC8749757 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-bearing mice are at risk of developing anxiety, pain, or malaise. These conditions may not only harm welfare but could also undermine data quality and translational validity in studies to develop therapeutic interventions. We aimed to establish whether, or at what point mice developing lung cancer show these symptoms, what measures can best detect their onset, and if data quality and animal welfare can be enhanced by using non-aversive handling (NAH). Welfare was monitored using various daily methods. At the beginning and end of the study, we also scored behaviour for general welfare evaluation, recorded nociceptive thresholds, and applied the mouse grimace scale (MGS). Cancer caused a decline in daily welfare parameters (body weight, and food and water consumption) beginning at around 4 days prior to euthanasia. As cancer progressed, rearing and walking declined to a greater extent in cancer-bearing versus control mice, while grooming, inactive periods, and MGS scores increased. A decline in nest building capability and food consumption provided a particularly effective means of detecting deteriorating welfare. These changes suggested a welfare problem arose as cancer developed, so similar studies would benefit from refinement, with mice being removed from the study at least 4 days earlier. However, the problem of highly varied tumour growth made it difficult to determine this time-point accurately. There were no detectable beneficial effects of NAH on either data quality or in terms of enhanced welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Miller
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK;
| | - Johnny V. Roughan
- Institute of Bioscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
- Correspondence:
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Effects of Multimodal Analgesic Protocol, with Buprenorphine and Meloxicam, on Mice Well-Being: A Dose Finding Study. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123420. [PMID: 34944198 PMCID: PMC8698195 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Inadequate pain management affects animal welfare and scientific data validity. Multimodal analgesia is effective in reducing postoperative pain. However, surgery-related pain is not the only distress animals suffer during the perioperative period. The anesthetic or analgesic agent of choice, route and frequency of anesthetic or analgesic administration, and stressors such as anxiety and fear also induce distress. We hypothesized that a multimodal analgesic protocol using buprenorphine and meloxicam would have analgesic effects, and evaluated the effects of methods and drugs used for anesthesia and analgesia on the well-being of mice assigned to different groups. Even in the absence of surgical pain, the anesthesia + analgesia group presented the same negative effects as the surgery + anesthesia + analgesia group. The multimodal analgesic protocol, using buprenorphine and meloxicam, for mice is expected to have an analgesic effect on pain associated with laparotomy but was not sufficient in preventing food intake and weight decrease. This does not negate the need to administer analgesics, but suggests the need to focus on and care not only about the approach to relieve pain associated with surgery, but also other types of distresses in order to minimize negative side effects that may interfere with postoperative recovery in mice. Abstract The anesthetic or analgesic agent of choice, route and frequency of anesthetic or analgesic administration, and stressors induce distress during the perioperative period. We evaluated a multimodal analgesic protocol using buprenorphine and meloxicam on the well-being of mice. Twenty-four Slc:ICR male mice were divided into control, anesthesia + analgesia, and surgery + anesthesia + analgesia groups. Tap water (orally: PO) and water for injection (subcutaneous: SC) were administered to the control group. Buprenorphine was administered twice (SC, 0.1 mg/kg/8 h) and meloxicam was administered thrice (PO, 5 mg/kg/24 h) to the anesthesia + analgesia and surgery + anesthesia + analgesia groups. The mice were subjected to laparotomy and assessed for several parameters. Even in absence of surgical pain, the anesthesia + analgesia group presented the same negative effects as the surgery + anesthesia + analgesia group. This multimodal analgesic protocol for mice was expected to have an analgesic effect on pain associated with laparotomy but was not sufficient to prevent food intake and weight decrease. This does not negate the need to administer analgesics, but suggests the need to focus on and care not only about the approach to relieve pain associated with surgery, but also other types of distresses to minimize negative side effects that may interfere with postoperative recovery in mice.
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Lian WW, Zhou W, Zhang BY, Jia H, Xu LJ, Liu AL, Du GH. DL0410 ameliorates cognitive disorder in SAMP8 mice by promoting mitochondrial dynamics and the NMDAR-CREB-BDNF pathway. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1055-1068. [PMID: 32868905 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00506-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a worldwide problem and there are no effective drugs for AD treatment. Previous studies show that DL0410 is a multi-target, anti-AD agent. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of DL0410 and its action mechanism in SAMP8 mice. DL0410 (1-10 mg·kg-1·d-1) was orally administered to 8-month-old SAMP mice (SAMP8) for 8 weeks. We showed that DL0410 administration effectively ameliorated the cognitive deficits in the Morris water maze test, novel object recognition test, and nest building test. We revealed that DL0410 dose-dependently increased the expression levels of the mitochondrial proteins (PGC-1α, Mitofusin 2, OPA1, and Drp1), and subsequently ameliorated the processes of mitochondrial biosynthesis, fusion, and fission in the cortex and hippocampus of SAMP8 mice. Furthermore, DL0410 administration promoted the expression of synaptic proteins (synaptophysin and PSD95) in the brain of SAMP8 mice, and upregulated the protein phosphorylation in NMDAR-CAMKII/CAMKIV-CREB pathway responsible for the synaptic plasticity. DL0410 administration dose-dependently increased the expression of BDNF and TrkB, and the neurotrophic effect was mediated via the ERK1/2 and PI3K-AKT-GSK-3β pathways. DL0410 administration upregulated Bcl-2, increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and the level of caspase 3 and PARP-1, alleviating neuronal apoptosis. We proposed that the NMDAR-CREB-BDNF pathway might establish a positive feedback loop between synaptic plasticity and neurotrophy, with CREB at the center. In summary, DL0410 promotes synaptic function and neuronal survival, thus ameliorating cognitive deficits in SAMP8 mice via improved mitochondrial dynamics and increased activity of the NMDAR-CREB-BDNF pathway. DL0410 is a promising candidate to treat aging-related AD, and deserves more research and development in future.
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Draxler P, Moen A, Galek K, Boghos A, Ramazanova D, Sandkühler J. Spontaneous, Voluntary, and Affective Behaviours in Rat Models of Pathological Pain. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2021; 2:672711. [PMID: 35295455 PMCID: PMC8915731 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2021.672711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In pain patients affective and motivational reactions as well as impairment of daily life activities dominate the clinical picture. In contrast, many rodent pain models have been established on the basis of mechanical hypersensitivity testing. Up to today most rodent studies on pain still rely on reflexive withdrawal responses only. This discrepancy has likely contributed to the low predictive power of preclinical pain models for novel therapies. Here, we used a behavioural test array for rats to behaviourally evaluate five aetiologically distinct pain models consisting of inflammatory-, postsurgical-, cephalic-, neuropathic- and chemotherapy-induced pain. We assessed paralleling clinical expressions and comorbidities of chronic pain with an array of behavioural tests to assess anxiety, social interaction, distress, depression, and voluntary/spontaneous behaviours. Pharmacological treatment of the distinct pain conditions was performed with pathology-specific and clinically efficacious analgesics as gabapentin, sumatriptan, naproxen, and codeine. We found that rats differed in their manifestation of symptoms depending on the pain model and that pathology-specific analgesics also reduced the associated behavioural parameters. Based on all behavioural test performed, we screened for tests that can discriminate experimental groups on the basis of reflexive as well as non-sensory, affective parameters. Together, we propose a set of non-evoked behaviours with a comparable predictive power to mechanical threshold testing for each pain model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Draxler
- Division of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aurora Moen
- Division of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karolina Galek
- Division of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ani Boghos
- Division of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dariga Ramazanova
- Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems (CeMSIIS) Section for Medical Statistics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Sandkühler
- Division of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Gadomsky L, Dos Santos Guilherme M, Winkler J, van der Kooij MA, Hartmann T, Grimm M, Endres K. Elevated Testosterone Level and Urine Scent Marking in Male 5xFAD Alzheimer Model Mice. Curr Alzheimer Res 2021; 17:80-92. [PMID: 32065104 DOI: 10.2174/1567205017666200217105537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Function of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (AβPP) and its various cleavage products still is not unraveled down to the last detail. While its role as a source of the neurotoxic Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is undisputed and its property as a cell attachment protein is intriguing, while functions outside the neuronal context are scarcely investigated. This is particularly noteworthy because AβPP has a ubiquitous expression profile and its longer isoforms, AβPP750 and 770, are found in various tissues outside the brain and in non-neuronal cells. OBJECTIVE Here, we aimed at analyzing the 5xFAD Alzheimer's disease mouse model in regard to male sexual function. The transgenes of this mouse model are regulated by Thy1 promoter activity and Thy1 is expressed in testes, e.g. by Sertoli cells. This allows speculation about an influence on sexual behavior. METHODS We analyzed morphological as well as biochemical properties of testicular tissue from 5xFAD mice and wild type littermates and testosterone levels in serum, testes and the brain. Sexual behavior was assessed by a urine scent marking test at different ages for both groups. RESULTS While sperm number, testes weight and morphological phenotypes of sperms were nearly indistinguishable from those of wild type littermates, testicular testosterone levels were significantly increased in the AD model mice. This was accompanied by elevated and prolonged sexual interest as displayed within the urine scent marking test. CONCLUSION We suggest that overexpression of AβPP, which mostly is used to mimic AD in model mice, also affects male sexual behavior as assessed additional by the Urine Scent Marking (USM) test. The elevated testosterone levels might have an additional impact on central nervous system androgen receptors and also have to be considered when assessing learning and memory capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Gadomsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg- University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Malena Dos Santos Guilherme
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg- University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jakob Winkler
- German Institute for Dementia Prevention (GIDP), Neurodegeneration and Neurobiology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany and Experimental Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Michael A van der Kooij
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg- University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tobias Hartmann
- German Institute for Dementia Prevention (GIDP), Neurodegeneration and Neurobiology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany and Experimental Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Marcus Grimm
- German Institute for Dementia Prevention (GIDP), Neurodegeneration and Neurobiology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany and Experimental Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Kristina Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg- University, Mainz, Germany
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Barabas AJ, Soini HA, Novotny MV, Williams DR, Desmond JA, Lucas JR, Erasmus MA, Cheng HW, Gaskill BN. Compounds from plantar foot sweat, nesting material, and urine show strain patterns associated with agonistic and affiliative behaviors in group housed male mice, Mus musculus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251416. [PMID: 33989318 PMCID: PMC8121354 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive home cage aggression often results in severe injury and subsequent premature euthanasia of male laboratory mice. Aggression can be reduced by transferring used nesting material during cage cleaning, which is thought to contain aggression appeasing odors from the plantar sweat glands. However, neither the composition of plantar sweat nor the deposits on used nesting material have been evaluated. The aims of this study were to (1) identify and quantify volatile compounds deposited in the nest site and (2) determine if nest and sweat compounds correlate with social behavior. Home cage aggression and affiliative behavior were evaluated in 3 strains: SJL, C57BL/6N, and A/J. Individual social rank was assessed via the tube test, because ranking may influence compound levels. Sweat and urine from the dominant and subordinate mouse in each cage, plus cage level nest samples were analyzed for volatile compound content using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Behavior data and odors from the nest, sweat, and urine were statistically analyzed with separate principal component analyses (PCA). Significant components, from each sample analysis, and strain were run in mixed models to test if odors were associated with behavior. Aggressive and affiliative behaviors were primarily impacted by strain. However, compound PCs were also impacted by strain, showing that strain accounts for any relationship between odors and behavior. C57BL/6N cages displayed the most allo-grooming behavior and had high scores on sweat PC1. SJL cages displayed the most aggression, with high scores on urine PC2 and low scores on nest PC1. These data show that certain compounds in nesting material, urine, and sweat display strain specific patterns which match strain specific behavior patterns. These results provide preliminary information about the connection between home cage compounds and behavior. Salient compounds will be candidates for future controlled studies to determine their direct effect on mouse social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J. Barabas
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Helena A. Soini
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Pheromone Research, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Milos V. Novotny
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Pheromone Research, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - David R. Williams
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Pheromone Research, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jacob A. Desmond
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Pheromone Research, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey R. Lucas
- Department of Biological Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Marisa A. Erasmus
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Heng-Wei Cheng
- USDA-ARS, Livestock Behavior Research Unit, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Brianna N. Gaskill
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
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Effects of Phenylethanoid Glycosides Extracted from Herba Cistanches on the Learning and Memory of the APP/PSI Transgenic Mice with Alzheimer's Disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1291549. [PMID: 33532488 PMCID: PMC7834784 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1291549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background To investigate the effects of phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) extracted from Herba Cistanches on the behavioral and cognition capacity of the APP/PSI transgenic mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods AD mice were randomly divided into the control group, model group, donepezil group, PhG groups, and verbascose group, respectively. Three weeks later, the animals were subject to behavioral and cognition evaluation by the nesting test, Morris water maze test, and step-down test. Results The cognition capacity in these groups showed a significant increase compared with that in the model group. The step-down test indicated that the errors induced by the memory decrease in the PhG groups and verbascose group showed a significant decrease compared with those in the model group (P < 0.05). Conclusions PhGs attenuated the cognitive dysfunction features of the APP/PSI transgenic gene. Besides, PhGs were the active components for the anti-AD activity of H. Cistanches.
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Burlingame LA, Gaskill BN, Lofgren JL. Identification of Sick or Dead Mice ( Mus musculus) Housed with 6 Grams of Crinkle Paper Nesting Material. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2021; 60:18-27. [PMID: 32988432 PMCID: PMC7831342 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-19-000164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Although nesting material is beneficial to the welfare of laboratory mice, provision of appropriate amounts may impair visualization of the mice. In anticipation of our academic research institution transitioning to providing 6 grams of nesting material to all mice, we conducted a 2-step prospective epidemiologic study to 1) evaluate whether 0, 2, or 6 grams of nesting material alters the ability to identify sick or dead mice, and 2) evaluate the number and severity of health concerns identified in the presence of 6 grams of crinkle paper nesting material at cage-side health check as compared with cage change. Animal Treatment Reports (ATRs) and death incidences were collected across a variety of research and breeding uses. This information was used to determine if nesting material prevented prompt identification of mice in need of veterinary attention. The clinical health condition category (CHCC) was determined based on the severity of the animal's health condition on initial veterinary exam. Additional assessment determined if the identification of the animal's condition was a success (early-stage or mild illness when first identified) or a failure (late-stage or endstage illness when first identified). Mice that died spontaneously were also assessed with regard to which observation activity was being performed at the time of the animal's identification (daily health check or cage change) and location of the mouse in relation to the nest. The results showed that nesting material did not cause a significant increase in the severity of CHCCs at the time reported for veterinary evaluation. Successful identification of health concerns occurred significantly more often than failures. Death rates were similar between all nesting groups, and dead mice were more likely to be located outside of the nest. In summary, nesting material did not hinder the ability to identify mice in need of veterinary care during routine cage-side health checks and did not critically affect the ability to identify mice that died spontaneously. These results indicate that mice can receive appropriate amounts of crinkle paper nesting material without lowering the ability of staff to recognize mice in need of veterinary attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Burlingame
- Refinement and Enrichment Advancements Laboratory (REAL), Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan;,
| | - Brianna N Gaskill
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Jennifer Ls Lofgren
- Refinement and Enrichment Advancements Laboratory (REAL), Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Allen PS, Lawrence J, Stasula U, Pallas BD, Freeman ZT. Effects of Compressed Paper Bedding on Mouse Breeding Performance and Recognition of Animal Health Concerns. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2021; 60:28-36. [PMID: 33323163 PMCID: PMC7831347 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-20-000036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The combination of bedding substrate and nesting material within the microenvironment of mice is an important consideration for animal care programs in regard to optimizing animal wellbeing. We used 3 general or breeding mouse colonies in our institution to evaluate the effects of bedding substrate on nest building, breeding performance, and recognition of animal health concerns. A scoring system was developed to assess the incorporation of bedding into the nest cup base and walls (nest base incorporation, NBI) in a controlled study with mice bedded on either compressed paper (CP) or corncob (CC) bedding. Compared with CC cages, CP cages had higher NBI scores. To determine the influence of bedding type on the recognition of animal health concerns in an animal facility, cages bedded with CC followed by CP were evaluated for the overall frequency of health-concern reports during a 2-mo time frame for each bedding type in a single-subject A-B study design. The frequency of animal health-concern reports was similar in cages using CC or CP bedding. The animal health condition, rather than bedding type, was associated with the severity of the health problem at the initial report. Breeding performance was compared for 6 mo in matched CC and CP cages containing one of 13 genetically modified mouse lines. NBI scores were higher for breeders housed on CP compared with CC bedding. Monogamous breeder pairs housed on CP had significantly higher indexes of breeding performance (measured as the number of pups per dam per week on study) than did CC cages. This report supports the use of CP bedding in the mouse microenvironment to improve general wellbeing by supporting nesting behavior and reproductive performance without hindering the detection of animal health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Portia S Allen
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Josephine Lawrence
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ulana Stasula
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Brooke D Pallas
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Zachary T Freeman
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan;,
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40
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Oatess TL, Harrison FE, Himmel LE, Jones CP. Effects of Acrylic Tunnel Enrichment on Anxiety-Like Behavior, Neurogenesis, and Physiology of C57BL/6J Mice. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2021; 60:44-53. [PMID: 33008490 PMCID: PMC7831345 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-19-000159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment for mice lags behind the standard enrichment offered to other laboratory rodents due to concerns about environmental variability and, in specific contexts, aggression. Our objective in this study was to evaluate concerns that the introduction of structural enrichment in the form of a single red acrylic mouse tunnel into murine housing may confound study findings. We measured effects on anxiety-like behaviors (elevated zero maze and open field activity), hippocampal neurogenesis, body weight gain, and physiologic markers of stress (adrenal gland weight, plasma corticosterone concentration, and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio). Male and female C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: a standard-housed control group with enrichment consisting of paper nesting material, or an enriched group that received a single acrylic tunnel in addition to nesting material. All results fell within biologically normal ranges regardless of treatment, and variability (standard deviation) was not significantly different between groups for any measure. Mice in the enriched group showed modest differences during open field testing suggestive of decreased anxiety, traveling farther and depositing fewer fecal boli than standard-housed mice. Male mice in the tunnel-enriched group gained more body weight than standard-housed male mice. No significant effects by treatment were found in neurogenic or physiologic parameters. These results indicate that provision of simple structural enrichment is unlikely to have confounding effects on murine anxiety-like behaviors, neurogenesis, body weight gain, or physiologic parameters. We therefore recommend the inclusion of simple structural enrichment, such as an acrylic tunnel, to the standard environmental enrichment of social housing and nesting material for mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai L Oatess
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Division of Comparative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Fiona E Harrison
- Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Lauren E Himmel
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Division of Comparative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Carissa P Jones
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Division of Comparative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee;,
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Abstract
Preclinical models that assess "pain" in rodents typically measure increases in behaviors produced by a "pain stimulus." A large literature exists showing that kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists can decrease these "pain-stimulated behaviors" following many different pain stimuli. Despite showing apparent antinociceptive properties in these preclinical models, KOR agonists failed as analgesics in clinical trials. Recent studies that assessed decreases in behavior due to a pain stimulus show that KOR agonists are not effective in restoring these "pain-depressed behaviors" to normal levels, which agrees with the lack of effectiveness for KOR agonists in clinical trials. One current explanation for the failure of previous KOR agonists in clinical trials is that those agonists activated beta-arrestin signaling and that KOR agonists with a greater bias for G protein signaling will be more successful. However, neither G protein-biased agonists nor beta-arrestin-biased agonists are very effective in assays of pain-depressed behavior, which suggests that novel biased agonists may still not be effective analgesics. This review provides a concise account of the effectiveness of KOR agonists in preclinical models of pain-stimulated and pain-depressed behaviors following the administration of different pain stimuli. Based on the previous results, it may be appropriate to include both behaviors when testing the analgesic potential of KOR agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F Lazenka
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, USA.
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Theil JH, Ahloy-Dallaire J, Weber EM, Gaskill BN, Pritchett-Corning KR, Felt SA, Garner JP. The epidemiology of fighting in group-housed laboratory mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16649. [PMID: 33024186 PMCID: PMC7538892 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73620-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Injurious home-cage aggression (fighting) in mice affects both animal welfare and scientific validity. It is arguably the most common potentially preventable morbidity in mouse facilities. Existing literature on mouse aggression almost exclusively examines territorial aggression induced by introducing a stimulus mouse into the home-cage of a singly housed mouse (i.e. the resident/intruder test). However, fighting occurring in mice living together in long-term groups under standard laboratory housing conditions has barely been studied. We performed a point-prevalence epidemiological survey of fighting at a research institution with an approximate 60,000 cage census. A subset of cages was sampled over the course of a year and factors potentially influencing home-cage fighting were recorded. Fighting was almost exclusively seen in group-housed male mice. Approximately 14% of group-housed male cages were observed with fighting animals in brief behavioral observations, but only 14% of those cages with fighting had skin injuries observable from cage-side. Thus simple cage-side checks may be missing the majority of fighting mice. Housing system (the combination of cage ventilation and bedding type), genetic background, time of year, cage location on the rack, and rack orientation in the room were significant risk factors predicting fighting. Of these predictors, only bedding type is easily manipulated to mitigate fighting. Cage ventilation and rack orientation often cannot be changed in modern vivaria, as they are baked in by cookie-cutter architectural approaches to facility design. This study emphasizes the need to invest in assessing the welfare costs of new housing and husbandry systems before implementing them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob H Theil
- Campus Veterinary Services, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Jamie Ahloy-Dallaire
- Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Elin M Weber
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Gråbrödragatan 19, 532 31, Skara, Sweden
| | - Brianna N Gaskill
- Animal Sciences Department, Purdue University, 270 S. Russell St., West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Kathleen R Pritchett-Corning
- Office of Animal Resources, Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, 16 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Stephen A Felt
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305-5342, USA
| | - Joseph P Garner
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305-5342, USA. .,(By Courtesy), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305-5342, USA.
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Agam G, Taylor Z, Vainer E, Golan HM. The influence of choline treatment on behavioral and neurochemical autistic-like phenotype in Mthfr-deficient mice. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:316. [PMID: 32948746 PMCID: PMC7501861 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01002-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Imbalanced one carbon metabolism and aberrant autophagy is robustly reported in patients with autism. Polymorphism in the gene methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (Mthfr), encoding for a key enzyme in this pathway is associated with an increased risk for autistic-spectrum-disorders (ASDs). Autistic-like core and associated behaviors have been described, with contribution of both maternal and offspring Mthfr+/- genotype to the different domains of behavior. Preconception and prenatal supplementation with methyl donor rich diet to human subjects and mice reduced the risk for developing autism and autistic-like behavior, respectively. Here we tested the potential of choline supplementation to Mthfr-deficient mice at young-adulthood to reduce behavioral and neurochemical changes reminiscent of autism characteristics. We show that offspring of Mthfr+/- mothers, whether wildtype or heterozygote, exhibit autistic-like behavior, altered brain p62 protein levels and LC3-II/LC3-I levels ratio, both, autophagy markers. Choline supplementation to adult offspring of Mthfr+/- mothers for 14 days counteracted characteristics related to repetitive behavior and anxiety both in males and in females and improved social behavior solely in male mice. Choline treatment also normalized deviant cortical levels of the autophagy markers measured in male mice. The results demonstrate that choline supplementation even at adulthood, not tested previously, to offspring of Mthfr-deficient mothers, attenuates the autistic-like phenotype. If this proof of concept is replicated it might promote translation of these results to treatment recommendation for children with ASDs bearing similar genetic/metabolic make-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galila Agam
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Psychiatry Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel ,grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Zlotowski Center for Neurosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Zoe Taylor
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ella Vainer
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Psychiatry Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hava M. Golan
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Zlotowski Center for Neurosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel ,grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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44
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Meyer N, Kröger M, Thümmler J, Tietze L, Palme R, Touma C. Impact of three commonly used blood sampling techniques on the welfare of laboratory mice: Taking the animal's perspective. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238895. [PMID: 32898190 PMCID: PMC7478650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory mice are the most frequently used animals in biomedical research. In accordance with guidelines for humane handling, several blood sampling techniques have been established. While the effects of these procedures on blood quality and histological alterations at the sampling site are well studied, their impact on the animals’ welfare has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, our study aimed to compare three commonly used blood sampling techniques regarding their effects on different indicators of animal welfare, including physiological and behavioural response stress parameters, including pain measures, home-cage behaviour and nest-building as well as exploratory activity and neophobia. Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a single blood collection from either the vena facialis, the retrobulbar sinus or the tail vessel, or were allocated to the respective control treatment. While all blood sampling techniques led to an acute increase in plasma corticosterone levels, the response was strongest in animals that underwent sampling from the vena facialis and the retrobulbar sinus. Similar results were observed when the time-course of adrenocortical activity was monitored via corticosterone metabolites from faecal samples. Blood collection from the vena facialis and the retrobulbar sinus also decreased exploration of novel stimuli, resulted in decreased nest-building activity and induced higher scores in the Mouse Grimace Scale. Moreover, locomotor activity and anxiety-related behaviour were strongly affected after facial vein bleeding. Interestingly, tail vessel bleeding only induced little alterations in the assessed physiological and behavioural parameters. Importantly, the observed effects in all treatment groups were no longer detectable after 24 hours, indicating only short-term impacts. Thus, by also taking the animal’s perspective and comprehensively assessing the severity of the particular sampling procedures, the results of our study contribute to Refinement within the 3R concept and allow researchers to objectively select the most appropriate and welfare-friendly blood sampling technique for a given experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neele Meyer
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrueck, Germany
- * E-mail: (NM); (CT)
| | - Mareike Kröger
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Julia Thümmler
- Research Group of Psychoneuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Tietze
- Research Group of Psychoneuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrueck, Germany
- * E-mail: (NM); (CT)
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Rasmussen EB, Newland MC, Hemmelman E. The Relevance of Operant Behavior in Conceptualizing the Psychological Well-Being of Captive Animals. Perspect Behav Sci 2020; 43:617-654. [PMID: 33029580 PMCID: PMC7490306 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-020-00259-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The term "psychological well-being" is used in reference to husbandry with animals in human care settings such as research, agriculture, and zoos. This article seeks to clarify and conceptualize the term based upon two approaches that draw from several bodies of literature: the experimental analysis of behavior, experimental psychology, animal welfare and husbandry, farm animal behavior, zoo husbandry, and ethology. One approach focuses on the presence of problem behavior such as stereotypies, depressive-like behavior, and aggression, and emphasizes the conditions under which aberrant behavior in animals under human care occurs. The second approach examines what might be considered wellness by emphasizing opportunities to engage with its environment, or the absence of such opportunities, even if problematic behavior is not exhibited. Here, access to an interactive environment is relatively limited so opportunities for operant (voluntary) behavior could be considered. Designing for operant behavior provides opportunities for variability in both behavior and outcomes. Operant behavior also provides control over the environment, a characteristic that has been a core assumption of well-being. The importance of interactions with one's environment is especially evident in observations that animals prefer opportunities to work for items necessary for sustenance, such as food, over having them delivered freely. These considerations raise the importance of operant behavior to psychological well-being, especially as benefits to animals under human care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin B. Rasmussen
- Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209-8112 USA
| | | | - Ethan Hemmelman
- Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209-8112 USA
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Eltokhi A, Kurpiers B, Pitzer C. Behavioral tests assessing neuropsychiatric phenotypes in adolescent mice reveal strain- and sex-specific effects. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11263. [PMID: 32647155 PMCID: PMC7347854 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67758-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, infancy and adolescence are associated with major changes in synaptic functions and ongoing maturation of neural networks, which underlie the major behavioral changes during these periods. Among adult cases with neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity, and bipolar disorders, 50% have developed behavioral symptoms and received a diagnosis before 15 years of age. However, most of the behavioral studies in mice modeling neuropsychiatric phenotypes are performed in adult animals, missing valuable phenotypic information related to the effect of synaptic maturation during development. Here, we explored which behavioral experiments assessing neuropsychiatric phenotypes can be performed during a specific window of development in adolescent male and female C57BL/6N, DBA/2, and FVB/N mice that are typically used as background strains for generating genetically-modified mouse models. The three wild-type strains were evaluated across anxiety, social behaviors, and cognitive functions in order to cover the main behavioral impairments that occur in neuropsychiatric disorders. During adolescence, the three strains displayed significant differences under certain behavioral paradigms. In addition, C57BL/6N and FVB/N, but not DBA/2 mice revealed some sex-related differences. Our results provide new insights into discrete behaviors during development and emphasize the crucial importance of the genetic background, sex, and experimental settings in the age-dependent regulation of different behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Eltokhi
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. .,Interdisciplinary Neurobehavioral Core, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Barbara Kurpiers
- Interdisciplinary Neurobehavioral Core, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Pitzer
- Interdisciplinary Neurobehavioral Core, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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47
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Hohlbaum K, Frahm S, Rex A, Palme R, Thöne-Reineke C, Ullmann K. Social enrichment by separated pair housing of male C57BL/6JRj mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11165. [PMID: 32636413 PMCID: PMC7341880 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67902-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Laboratory male mice are often housed individually due to aggressive behavior or experimental requirements, though social isolation can cause welfare issues. As a strategy to refine housing of male mice, we introduce the separated pair housing system. A perforated transparent wall divides the cage into two compartments and allows olfactory, acoustic, and visual communication between the two mice but prevents fighting and injuries. Long-term effects of separated pair housing on well-being and distress of adult male C57BL/6JRj mice were investigated and compared with both single- and group-housed mice. Behavioral analysis after eight weeks in three different housing systems revealed no differences in burrowing performance, social interaction, anxiety, and stress hormone concentrations. However, pair-housed mice built more complex nests compared to single-housed mice and the nest position suggested that pair-housed mice preferred the close proximity to their cage mates. Moreover, pair-housed mice showed less locomotor activity compared to group- and single-housed mice. Body weight was higher in group-housed mice. All in all, no unambiguous long-term beneficial effects of pair housing on the well-being were found. However, the findings emphasized that effects of the housing systems on behavioral, physical, and biochemical parameters must be considered in the design of animal experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hohlbaum
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior, and Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Frahm
- Department of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - André Rex
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christa Thöne-Reineke
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior, and Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristina Ullmann
- Research Facilities for Experimental Medicine (FEM), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,Charité 3R, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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48
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Nephew BC, Nemeth A, Hudda N, Beamer G, Mann P, Petitto J, Cali R, Febo M, Kulkarni P, Poirier G, King J, Durant JL, Brugge D. Traffic-related particulate matter affects behavior, inflammation, and neural integrity in a developmental rodent model. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109242. [PMID: 32097814 PMCID: PMC7167358 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) is associated with cognitive delay, depression, anxiety, autism, and neurodegenerative diseases; however, the role of PM in the etiology of these outcomes is not well-understood. Therefore, there is a need for controlled animal studies to better elucidate the causes and mechanisms by which PM impacts these health outcomes. We assessed the effects of gestational and early life exposure to traffic-related PM on social- and anxiety-related behaviors, cognition, inflammatory markers, and neural integrity in juvenile male rats. Gestating and lactating rats were exposed to PM from a Boston (MA, USA) traffic tunnel for 5 h/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks (3 weeks gestation, 3 weeks lactation). The target exposure concentration for the fine fraction of nebulized PM, measured as PM2.5, was 200 μg/m3. To assess anxiety and cognitive function, F1 male juveniles underwent elevated platform, cricket predation, nest building, social behavior and marble burying tests at 32-60 days of age. Upon completion of behavioral testing, multiple cytokines and growth factors were measured in these animals and their brains were analyzed with diffusion tensor MRI to assess neural integrity. PM exposure had no effect on litter size or weight, or offspring growth; however, F1 litters developmentally exposed to PM exhibited significantly increased anxiety (p = 0.04), decreased cognition reflected in poorer nest-organization (p = 0.04), and decreased social play and allogrooming (p = 0.003). MRI analysis of ex vivo brains revealed decreased structural integrity of neural tissues in the anterior cingulate and hippocampus in F1 juveniles exposed to PM (p < 0.01, p = 0.03, respectively). F1 juvenile males exposed to PM also exhibited significantly decreased plasma levels of both IL-18 (p = 0.03) and VEGF (p = 0.04), and these changes were inversely correlated with anxiety-related behavior. Chronic exposure of rat dams and their offspring to traffic-related PM during gestation and lactation decreases social behavior, increases anxiety, impairs cognition, decreases levels of inflammatory and growth factors (which are correlated with behavioral changes), and disrupts neural integrity in the juvenile male offspring. Our findings add evidence that exposure to traffic-related air pollution during gestation and lactation is involved in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder and other disorders which include social and cognitive deficits and/or increased anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C Nephew
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, 55 N. Lake Road, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
| | - Alexandra Nemeth
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Neelakshi Hudda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Gillian Beamer
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Phyllis Mann
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Jocelyn Petitto
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Ryan Cali
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, 55 N. Lake Road, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Praveen Kulkarni
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guillaume Poirier
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, 55 N. Lake Road, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Jean King
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, 55 N. Lake Road, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - John L Durant
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA; Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA; Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civil Life, Tufts University, 10 Upper Campus Road, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Doug Brugge
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, 195 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
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The effect of group size, age and handling frequency on inter-male aggression in CD 1 mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2253. [PMID: 32042065 PMCID: PMC7010790 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59012-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggression in male mice often leads to injury and death, making social housing difficult. We tested whether (1) small group size, (2) early age of allocation to a group decreases aggression and 3) manipulation increases aggression in male mice. A 14wk study was performed to assess the following conditions in male CD-1/ICR mice: group size (1, 2, or 3), age at grouping (5 or 7wks), and manipulation (daily scruffing or minimal weekly handling). Wounds, body weights, food consumption, nest scores, sucrose consumption, fecal corticosterone and blood for hematology were collected. At the end of the study, mice were euthanized and pelted to assess wounding with the pelt aggression lesion scale (PALS). No signs of acute or chronic stress were observed in any of the groups. Trio housed mice showed less bite wounds than pair housed mice. In general, mice in larger groups ate less but weighed more. Individually housed mice, however, had high nest scores, low body weights, and increased sucrose and food consumption. These results suggest that even when nesting material is provided, individual mice may be experiencing thermal stress. Based on this data, CD-1 mice can successfully be housed for up to 14wks and groups of 3 may be the best for reducing even minor levels of aggression (i.e. wounding).
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Corder KM, Li Q, Cortes MA, Bartley AF, Davis TR, Dobrunz LE. Overexpression of neuropeptide Y decreases responsiveness to neuropeptide Y. Neuropeptides 2020; 79:101979. [PMID: 31708112 PMCID: PMC6960342 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2019.101979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an endogenous neuropeptide that is abundantly expressed in the central nervous system. NPY is involved in various neurological processes and neuropsychiatric disorders, including fear learning and anxiety disorders. Reduced levels of NPY are reported in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients, and NPY has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for PTSD. It is therefore important to understand the effects of chronic enhancement of NPY on anxiety and fear learning. Previous studies have shown that acute elevation of NPY reduces anxiety, fear learning and locomotor activity. Models of chronic NPY overexpression have produced mixed results, possibly caused by ectopic NPY expression. NPY is expressed primarily by a subset of GABAergic interneurons, providing specific spatiotemporal release patterns. Administration of exogenous NPY throughout the brain, or overexpression in cells that do not normally release NPY, can have detrimental side effects, including memory impairment. In order to determine the effects of boosting NPY only in the cells that normally release it, we utilized a transgenic mouse line that overexpresses NPY only in NPY+ cells. We tested for effects on anxiety related behaviors in adolescent mice, an age with high incidence of anxiety disorders in humans. Surprisingly, we did not observe the expected reduction in anxiety-like behavior in NPY overexpression mice. There was no change in fear learning behavior, although there was a deficit in nest building. The effect of exogenous NPY on synaptic transmission in acute hippocampal slices was also diminished, indicating that the function of NPY receptors is impaired. Reduced NPY receptor function could contribute to the unexpected behavioral outcomes. We conclude that overexpression of NPY, even in cells that normally express it, can lead to reduced responsiveness of NPY receptors, potentially affecting the ability of NPY to function as a long-term therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelynn M Corder
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Biology, 1670 University Blvd., VH G133B, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States of America
| | - Qin Li
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - Mariana A Cortes
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - Aundrea F Bartley
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - Taylor R Davis
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - Lynn E Dobrunz
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America.
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