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Animals Used (animals + used)
Selected AbstractsLessons from leeches: a call for DNA barcoding in the labEVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2006Alexandra E. Bely SUMMARY Many evolution of development labs study organisms that must be periodically collected from the wild. Whenever this is the case, there is the risk that different field collections will recover genetically different strains or cryptic species. Ignoring this potential for genetic variation may introduce an uncontrolled source of experimental variability, leading to confusion or misinterpretation of the results. Leeches in the genus Helobdella have been a workhorse of annelid developmental biology for 30 years. Nearly all early Helobdella research was based on a single isolate, but in recent years isolates from multiple field collections and multiple sites across the country have been used. To assess the genetic distinctness of different isolates, we obtained specimens from most Helobdella laboratory cultures currently or recently in use and from some of their source field sites. From these samples, we sequenced part of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI). Sequence divergences and phylogenetic analyses reveal that, collectively, the Helobdella development community has worked on five distinct species from two major clades. Morphologically similar isolates that were thought to represent the same species (H. robusta) actually represent three species, two of which coexist at the same locality. Another isolate represents part of a species complex (the "H. triserialis" complex), and yet another is an invasive species (H. europaea). We caution researchers similarly working on multiple wild-collected isolates to preserve voucher specimens and to obtain from these a molecular "barcode," such as a COI gene sequence, to reveal genetic variation in animals used for research. [source] Diabetes and mitochondrial bioenergetics: Alterations with ageJOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Fernanda M. Ferreira Abstract Several studies have been carried out to evaluate the alterations in mitochondrial functions of diabetic rats. However, some of the results reported are controversial, since experimental conditions, such as aging, and/or strain of animals used were different. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metabolic changes in liver mitochondria, both in the presence of severe hyperglycaemia (STZ-treated rats) and mild hyperglycaemia (Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats). Moreover, metabolic alterations were evaluated both at initial and at advanced states of the disease. We observed that both models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes presented alterations on respiratory chain activity. Because of continual severe hyperglycaemia, 9 weeks after the induction of diabetes, the respiratory function declined in STZ-treated rats, as observed by membrane potential and respiratory ratios (RCR, P/O, and FCCP-stimulated respiration) assessment. In contrast, GK rats of 6 months age presented increased respiratory ratios. To localize which respiratory complexes are affected by diabetes, enzymatic respiratory chain activities were evaluated. We observed that succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase activities were significantly augmented both in STZ-treated rats and GK rats of 6 months age. Moreover, H+ -ATPase activity was also significantly increased in STZ-treated rats with 3 weeks of diabetes and in GK rats of 6 months age as compared to controls. Therefore, these results clearly suggest that both animal models of diabetes present some metabolic adjustments in order to circumvent the deleterious effects promoted by the high glucose levels typical of the disease. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 17:214,222, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10081 [source] Selective Blockade of Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels Reduces Inflammatory Bone Resorption in Experimental Periodontal Disease,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2004Paloma Valverde Abstract The effects of the potassium channel (Kv1.3) blocker kaliotoxin on T-cell-mediated periodontal bone resorption were examined in rats. Systemic administration of kaliotoxin abrogated the bone resorption in conjunction with decreased RANKL mRNA expression by T-cells in gingival tissue. This study suggests a plausible therapeutic approach for inflammatory bone resorption by targeting Kv1.3. Introduction: Kv1.3 is a critical potassium channel to counterbalance calcium influx at T-cell receptor activation. It is not known if Kv1.3 also regulates RANKL expression by antigen-activated T-cells, and consequently affects in vivo bone resorption mediated by activated T-cells. Materials and Methods:Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans 29-kDa outer membrane protein-specific Th1-clone cells were used to evaluate the expression of Kv1.3 (using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] and Western blot analyses) and the effects of the potassium channel blocker kaliotoxin (0,100 nM) on T-cell activation parameters ([3H]thymidine incorporation assays and ELISA) and expression of RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG; flow cytometry, Western blot, and RT-PCR analyses). A rat periodontal disease model based on the adoptive transfer of activated 29-kDa outer membrane protein-specific Th1 clone cells was used to analyze the effects of kaliotoxin in T-cell-mediated alveolar bone resorption and RANKL and OPG mRNA expression by gingival T-cells. Stimulated 29-kDa outer membrane protein-specific Th1 clone cells were transferred intravenously on day 0 to all animals used in the study (n = 7 animals per group). Ten micrograms of kaliotoxin were injected subcutaneously twice per day on days 0, 1, 2, and 3, after adoptive transfer of the T-cells. The control group of rats was injected with saline as placebo on the same days as injections for the kaliotoxin-treated group. The MOCP-5 osteoclast precursor cell line was used in co-culture studies with fixed 29-kDa outer membrane protein-specific Th1-clone cells to measure T-cell-derived RANKL-mediated effects on osteoclastogenesis and resorption pit formation assays in vitro. Statistical significance was evaluated by Student's t -test. Results: Kaliotoxin decreased T-cell activation parameters of 29-kDa outer membrane protein-specific Th1 clone cells in vitro and in vivo. Most importantly, kaliotoxin administration resulted in an 84% decrease of the bone resorption induced in the saline-treated control group. T-cells recovered from the gingival tissue of kaliotoxin-treated rats displayed lower ratios of RANKL and OPG mRNA expression than those recovered from the control group. The ratio of RANKL and osteoprotegerin protein expression and induction of RANKL-dependent osteoclastogenesis by the activated T-cells were also markedly decreased after kaliotoxin treatments in vitro. Conclusion: The use of kaliotoxin or other means to block Kv1.3 may constitute a potential intervention therapy to prevent alveolar bone loss in periodontal disease. [source] Relevant activities of extracts and constituents of animals used in traditional Chinese medicine for central nervous system effects associated with Alzheimer's diseaseJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 7 2006Yuhao Ren The centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch (,Wugong'), the beetle Mylabris phalerata Pallas (,Ban mao') and the earthworm Pheretima aspergillum Chen (,DiLong') have a reputation in traditional Chinese medicine for reducing symptoms of central nervous system decline, including memory loss. A series of extracts of all three organisms was tested for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and copper ion binding effects, the latter likely to reduce oxidative damage caused by excess copper. The beetle and centipede chloroform extracts showed the strongest AChE inhibitory effects (30.6% inhibition at 105 ,g mL,1 and 32.3% inhibition at 167 ,g mL,1, respectively) and, in the case of the centipede, this was traced to the unsaturated fatty acids present using bioassay-guided fractionation. Cantharidin from the beetle was shown to have AChE activity (31% inhibition at 1 ,M, 0.196,g mL,1), making it a major contributor to the activity of the beetle extract. The earthworm showed no AChE inhibitory activity. Since unsaturated fatty acids have not been previously reported to have AChE inhibitory activity, a series of related compounds was tested to determine structure-activity relationships. It was found that activity existed where there was a chain length of more than 16 C atoms with at least one unsaturated bond in the chain. The carboxylic acid group was also necessary for activity. The fatty acids present in the centipede also showed the ability to bind copper ions when tested using a novel thin layer chromatography method designed to detect copper-binding compounds. The activities reported give some support to the use of the beetle and centipede in traditional Chinese medicine for improving cognitive function. [source] Impact of changing diet regimes on Steller sea lion body conditionMARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008Shannon Atkinson Abstract A leading theory for the cause of the decline of Steller sea lions is nutritional stress, which led to chronic high juvenile mortality and possibly episodic adult mortality. Nutritional stress may have resulted from either poor quality or low abundance of prey. The objective of this study was to determine whether we could predict shifts in body condition (i.e., body mass or body fat content) over different seasons associated with a change in diet (i.e., toward lower quality prey). Captive Steller sea lions (n= 3) were fed three different diet regimes, where Diet 1 approximated the diet in the Kodiak area in the 1970s prior to the documented decline in that area, Diet 2 approximated the species composition in the Kodiak area after the decline had begun, and Diet 3 approximated the diet in southeast Alaska where the Steller sea lion population has been increasing for over 25 yr. All the animals used in this study were still growing and gained mass regardless of diet. Body fat (%) varied between 13% and 28%, but was not consistently high or low for any diet regime or season. Mean intake (in kg) of Diet 2 was significantly greater for all sea lions during all seasons. All animals did, however, tend to gain less body mass on Diets 2 and 3, as well as during the breeding and postbreeding seasons. They also tended to gain more mass during the winter and on Diet 1, though these differences were not statistically significant. Thus, changing seasonal physiology of Steller sea lions appears to have more impact on body condition than quality of prey, provided sufficient quantity of prey is available. Steller sea lions are opportunistic predators and are evidently able to thrive on a variety of prey. Our results indicate that Steller sea lions are capable of compensating for prey of low quality. [source] Use of primates in research: A global overviewAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Hans-Erik Carlsson Abstract We assessed the use of nonhuman primates and nonhuman primate biological material in research by reviewing studies published in 2001 in peer-reviewed journals. The number and species of primates used, the origin of the animals, the type of study, the area of research of the investigation, and the location at which the research was performed were tabulated. Additionally, factors related to the animals that may have affected the outcome of the experiments were recorded. A total of 2,937 articles involving 4,411 studies that employed nonhuman primates or nonhuman primate biological material were identified and analyzed. More than 41,000 animals were represented in the studies published in 2001. In the 14% of studies for which re-use could be determined, 69% involved animals that had been used in previous experiments. Published studies most commonly used nonhuman primates or nonhuman primate biological material from the species Chlorocebus aethiops (19%), Macaca mulatta (18%), M. fascicularis (9%), and Papio spp. (6%). Of these studies, 54% were classified as in vitro studies, 14% as noninvasive, 30% as chronic, and 1% were considered acute. Nonhuman primates were primarily used in research areas in which they appear to be the most appropriate models for humans. The most common areas of research were microbiology (including HIV/AIDS (26%)), neuroscience (19%), and biochemistry/chemistry (12%). Most (84%) of the primate research published in 2001 was conducted in North America, Europe, and Japan. The animals and conditions under which they were housed and used were rarely described. Although it is estimated that nonhuman primates account for an extremely small fraction of all animals used in research, their special status makes it important to report the many husbandry and environmental factors that influence the research results generated. This analysis has identified that editors rarely require authors to provide comprehensive information concerning the subjects (e.g., their origin), treatment conditions, and experimental procedures utilized in the studies they publish. The present analysis addresses the use of primates for research, including the effects of a shortage of suitable nonhuman primate subjects in many research areas. Am. J. Primatol. 63:225,237, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Study on bioactive compounds of in vitro cultured Calculus Suis and natural Calculus Bovis1ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009Tien-Chun WAN ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to investigate bioactive compounds of in vitro cultured Calculus Suis and natural Calculus Bovis obtained as valuable by-products from animals used for meat production. The results showed that the components of natural Calculus Bovis were rich in bilirubin and biliverdin and had higher content of essential amino acids. The major amino acids of in vitro cultured Calculus Suis were identified as glycine, alanine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid, and those for natural Calculus Bovis were found to be glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, and arginine. The methionine and cysteine contents of precursors for glutathione in natural Calculus Bovis were significantly higher than those of in vitro cultured Calculus Suis. The mineral contents of zinc, iron and manganese of natural Calculus Bovis were significantly higher than those of in vitro cultured Calculus Suis. The major bile acids in both products were cholic acid and dehydrocholic acid, respectively. The chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acid content of in vitro cultured Calculus Suis was significantly higher than that of natural Calculus Bovis. [source] | |||||||||||||