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Evans Rats (Evan + rat)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	54%
Life Sciences	36%

Kinds of Evans Rats

long Evan rat

Selected Abstracts

Four Weeks' Inhalation Exposure of Long Evans Rats to 4- tert -Butyltoluene: Effect on Evoked Potentials, Behaviour, and Brain Neurochemistry

BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2000
Henrik Rye Lam
Long-lasting central nervous system (CNS) neurotoxicity of 4- tert -butyltoluene (TBT) has been investigated using electrophysiology, behaviour, and neurochemistry in Long Evans rats exposed by inhalation to 0, 20, or 40 p.p.m. TBT 6 hr/day, 7 days/week for 4 weeks. Flash evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials were not affected by TBT. In Auditory Brain Stem Response there was no shift in hearing threshold, but the amplitude of the first wave was increased in both exposed groups at high stimulus levels. Three to four months after the end of exposure, behavioural studies in Morris water maze and eight-arm maze failed to demonstrate any TBT induced effects. Exposure was followed by a 5 months exposure-free period prior to gross regional and subcellular (synaptosomal) neurochemical investigations of the brain. TBT reduced the NA concentration in whole brain minus cerebellum. Synaptosomal choline acetyltransferase activity increased and acetylcholinesterase activity was unchanged suggesting increased synaptosomal ability for acetylcholine synthesis. The relative and total yield of synaptosomal protein was reduced suggesting reduced density and total number of synapses in situ, respectively. We hypothesise that a reduced yield of synaptosomal protein reflects a more general effect of organic solvent exposure on the software of the brain. The synaptosomal concentration per mg synaptosomal protein and the total amount of 5-hydroxytryptamine were not affected whereas the total amount of synaptosomal noradrenaline decreased. The concentration and the total amount of synaptosomal dopamine decreased. The noradrenergic and dopaminergic parts of CNS may be more vulnerable to TBT than the serotonergic, and these long-lasting effects may cause or reflect TBT-compromised CNS function. [source]

Loss of photic entrainment at low illuminances in rats with acute photoreceptor degeneration

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 8 2009
Domitille L. Boudard
Abstract In several species, an acute injection of N -methyl- N -nitrosourea (MNU) induces a retinal degeneration characterized principally by a rapid loss of the outer nuclear layer, the other layers remaining structurally intact. It has, however, also been reported that down-regulation of melanopsin gene expression is associated with the degeneration and is detectable soon after injection. Melanopsin is expressed by a small subset of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells and plays an important role in circadian behaviour photoentrainment. We injected MNU into Long Evans rats and investigated the ability of animals to entrain to three light/dark cycles of different light intensities (300, 15 and 1 lux). Control animals entrained their locomotor activity rhythms to the three cycles. In contrast, MNU-treated animals could only entrain properly to the 300 lux cycle. For the 15 lux cycle, their phase angle was much altered compared with control animals, and for the 1 lux cycle, MNU-injected animals were unable to photoentrain and exhibited an apparent free-run activity pattern with a period of 24.3 h. Subsequent to behavioural studies the animals were killed and rod, cone, melanopsin expression and melanopsin-expressing cells were quantified. Rod and cone loss was almost complete, melanopsin protein was reduced by 83% and melanopsin-expressing cells were reduced by 37%. Our study provides a comprehensive model of photoreceptor degeneration at the adult stage and a simple and versatile method to investigate the relation between retinal photoreceptors and the circadian system. [source]

Production of new cells in the rat dentate gyrus over the lifespan: relation to cognitive decline

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2003
J. L. Bizon
Abstract The identification of neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of adult mammals has sparked much interest in a functional role for these new neurons in hippocampal-dependent cognition. The current investigation used a model of age-related cognitive decline in rodents to study the relationship between changes in markers of neurogenesis and hippocampal function. New cell production in the granule cell layer was progressively reduced across the lifespan of male Long Evans rats, with a 40% reduction at middle age (13 months) and a reduction in excess of 80% in advanced age (25 months), compared with young mature adults (7 months). These effects of aging were not, however, predictive of cognitive status. In particular, the pronounced decrease in new cell production during aging did not distinguish among rats that varied over a wide range of cognitive abilities. [source]

Bone formation at rhBMP-2-coated titanium implants in the rat ectopic model

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
Jan Hall
Abstract Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate local bone formation at titanium porous oxide (TPO) implant surfaces adsorbed with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). Methods: In vitro studies were used to estimate the kinetics of I125 -labeled rhBMP-2 released from TPO surfaces with narrow (N) or open (O) pores. Machined/turned titanium (MT) surfaces served as control. The rat ectopic model was used to assess local bone formation. Briefly, TPO-N, TPO-O, and MT disc implants adsorbed with 5, 10, or 20 ,g rhBMP-2, respectively, were implanted subcutaneously into the ventral thoracic region in 5-week-old male Long Evans rats. The animals were euthanized at day 14 postsurgery when implants with surrounding tissues were removed, radiographed, and gross observations recorded. The specimens were processed for histologic evaluation using conventional cut-and-grind techniques. TPO implants without rhBMP-2 included in a preliminary evaluation revealed no evidence of bone formation, tissue encapsulation, or vascularity, thus such controls were not further used. Results: TPO and MT implant surfaces adsorbed with 5 ,g rhBMP-2 retained 2.3,5.4% rhBMP-2 following immersion and rinse in buffer, and 1.1,2.2% rhBMP-2 following repeated immersions and rinses over 27 days. TPO implants retained the most rhBMP-2 and MT implants retained the least. Explants revealed increased hard tissue formation, tissue encapsulation, and vascularity at TPO compared with MT implants. Radiographic observations were consistent with the explant observations. The histologic analysis showed greater amounts of bone formation, osteoblastic cells, osteoid, marrow, tissue encapsulation, vascularity, and bone voids for implants adsorbed with 10 and 20 ,g rhBMP-2, and for TPO implants at the 5- ,g rhBMP-2 dose. The histometric analysis revealed significantly greater bone formation at TPO-O than at MT implants at the 5- ,g rhBMP-2 dose. All surfaces showed significant bone formation at the 10- and 20- ,g dose. Conclusions: rhBMP-2 adsorbed onto TPO implant surfaces executes an osteoinductive effect including bone contacting the implant surface. This effect is surface- and dose-dependent; the TPO-O surface yielding the most bone at the low discriminating rhBMP-2 dose. [source]

Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rat Placenta: Relevance to Pregnancy Loss

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2010
Fusun Gundogan
Background:, Ethanol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of early pregnancy loss and causes intrauterine growth restriction. We previously showed that chronic gestational exposure to ethanol impairs placentation, and that this effect is associated with inhibition of insulin and insulin growth factor signaling. Since ethanol also causes oxidative stress and DNA damage, we extended our investigations to assess the role of these pathological processes on placentation and placental gene expression. Methods:, Pregnant Long Evans rats were pair-fed liquid diets containing 0% or 24% ethanol by caloric content. Placentas harvested on gestation day 16 were used to examine DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, mitochondrial gene/protein and hormonal gene expression in relation to ethanol exposure. Results:, Gestational exposure to ethanol increased fetal resorption, and trophoblast apoptosis/necrosis, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation. These adverse effects of ethanol were associated with increased expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax and Bak) and reduced levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. In addition, increased trophoblast apoptosis proneness was associated with p53-independent activation of p21, reduced mitochondrial gene and protein expression, and dysregulated expression of prolactin (PRL) family hormones that are required for implantation and pregnancy-related adaptations. Conclusions:, Chronic gestational exposure to ethanol increases fetal demise due to impaired survival and mitochondrial function, increased oxidative stress, DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, and dysregulated expression of prolactin family hormones in placental trophoblasts. [source]

The Dopamine Response in the Nucleus Accumbens Core,Shell Border Differs From That in the Core and Shell During Operant Ethanol Self-Administration

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2009
Elaina C. Howard
Background:, Ethanol self-administration has been shown to increase dopamine in the nucleus accumbens; however, dopamine levels in the accumbal subregions (core, shell, and core,shell border) have not yet been measured separately in this paradigm. This study was designed to determine if dopamine responses during operant ethanol self-administration are similar in the core, core,shell border, and shell, particularly during transfer from the home cage to the operant chamber and during consumption of the drinking solution. Methods:, Six groups of male Long,Evans rats were trained to lever-press for either 10% sucrose (10S) or 10% sucrose + 10% ethanol (10S10E) (with a guide cannula above the core, core,shell border, or shell of the accumbens). On experiment day, 5-minute microdialysis samples were collected from the core, core,shell border, or shell before, during, and after drinking. Dopamine and ethanol concentrations were analyzed in these samples. Results:, A significant increase in dopamine occurred during transfer of the rats from the home cage into the operant chamber in all 6 groups, with those trained to drink 10S10E exhibiting a significantly higher increase than those trained to drink 10S in the core and shell. No significant increases were observed during drinking of either solution in the core or shell. A significant increase in dopamine was observed during consumption of ethanol in the core,shell border. Conclusions:, We conclude that dopamine responses to operant ethanol self-administration are subregion specific. After operant training, accumbal dopamine responses in the core and shell occur when cues that predict ethanol availability are presented and not when the reinforcer is consumed. However, core,shell border dopamine responses occur at the time of the cue and consumption of the reinforcer. [source]

Proteomics of the rat gut: Analysis of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation

PROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 10 2005
Laure Marvin-Guy
Abstract The enteric nervous system (ENS) , present all along the gastrointestinal tract , is the largest and most complicated division of the peripheral nervous system that can function independently of the brain. The peripheral nerve cells are organized in two separate but interconnected meshworks, called the myenteric and submucous plexus. The nervous control of intestinal motility is primarily governed by the myenteric plexus (MP), which lies in-between the longitudinal- (LM) and circular-muscle layers and regulates their functions. To determine whether the proteomic technology is adapted to the analysis of specific gut tissues, we dissected the MP-LM layers from the jejunum, ileum, and colon of Long Evans rats, homogenized them, and separated the proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A subset of all the visualized protein spots, covering the entire range of molecular weights and isoelectric points, was then selected and further analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. We identified around 80 proteins in each gut segment, and among those, five were segment-specific. Most of the proteins identified were derived from muscle cells, but we also detected some neuron-specific proteins. This study represents, to our knowledge, the first extensive protein catalog of a neuromuscular layer of the rat intestine and it may constitute the basis to understand pathophysiological mechanisms related to the ENS. [source]

Effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on the extrasplenic microvasculature and lymphatics in the rat in vivo

THE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
Zoë L. S. Brookes
We developed a novel model using fluorescent intravital microscopy to study the effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on the extrasplenic microcirculation. Continuous infusion of ANP into the splenic artery (10 ng min,1 for 60 min) of male Long,Evans rats (220,250 g, n= 24) induced constriction of the splenic arterioles after 15 min (,7.2 ± 6.6% from baseline diameter of 96 ± 18.3 ,m, mean ±s.e.m.) and venules (,14.4 ± 4.0% from 249 ± 25.8 ,m; P < 0.05). At the same time flow did not change in the arterioles (from 1.58 ± 0.34 to 1.27 ± 0.27 ml min,1), although it decreased in venules (from 1.67 ± 0.23 to 1.15 ± 0.20 ml min,1) and increased in the lymphatics (from 0.007 ± 0.001 to 0.034 ± 0.008 ml min,1; P < 0.05). There was no significant change in mean arterial pressure (from 118 ± 5 to 112 ± 5 mmHg). After continuous ANP infusion for 60 min, the arterioles were dilated (108 ± 16 ,m, P < 0.05) but the venules remained constricted (223 ± 24 ,m). Blood flow decreased in both arterioles (0.76 ± 0.12 ml min,1) and venules (1.03 ± 0.18 ml min,1; P < 0.05), but was now unchanged from baseline in the lymphatics (0.01 ± 0.001 ml min,1). This was accompanied by a significant decrease in MAP (104 ± 5 mmHg; P < 0.05). At 60 min, there was macromolecular leak from the lymphatics, as indicated by increased interstitial fluorescein isothiocyanate,bovine serum albumin fluorescence (grey level: 0 = black; 255 = white; from 55.8 ± 7.6 to 71.8 ± 5.9, P < 0.05). This study confirms our previous proposition that, in the extrasplenic microcirculation, ANP causes greater increases in post- than precapillary resistance, thus increasing intrasplenic capillary hydrostatic pressure (Pc) and fluid efflux into the lymphatic system. Longer-term infusion of ANP also increases Pc, but this is accompanied by increased ,permeability' of the extrasplenic lymphatics, such that fluid is lost to perivascular third spaces. [source]

Four Weeks' Inhalation Exposure of Long Evans Rats to 4- tert -Butyltoluene: Effect on Evoked Potentials, Behaviour, and Brain Neurochemistry

The absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of bevirimat in rats

BIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 7 2008
Peter Bullock
Abstract Bevirimat is the first drug in the class of maturation inhibitors, which treat HIV infection by disrupting the activity of HIV protease enzyme with a mechanism of action distinct from that of conventional protease inhibitors. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination characteristics of single intravenous (25,mg/kg) and oral (25,mg/kg and 600,mg/kg) doses of 14C-bevirimat were studied in male Sprague Dawley and Long Evans rats. Pharmacokinetic and mass-balance studies revealed that bevirimat was cleared rapidly (within 12,24,h) after dosing, although plasma radioactivity was quantifiable up to 168,h. Radioactive metabolites of bevirimat were responsible for approximately 60,80% of plasma radioactivity. Systemically available bevirimat was predominantly (97%) excreted via bile in the faeces, with ,1% of the dose excreted renally. Less than 0.1% of the dose was excreted in expired air. Quantitative whole-body autoradiography detected high quantities of radioactivity in the bile and liver soon after intravenous dose administration, and evidence of biliary excretion present during the 8,h following oral dosing. Oral bioavailability for the 25,mg/kg dose of bevirimat was estimated at 22,24% by pharmacokinetic and mass-balance methods, with bioavailability decreasing disproportionately with increasing dose for the 600,mg/kg group. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Controlled release of neurotrophin-3 from fibrin-based tissue engineering scaffolds enhances neural fiber sprouting following subacute spinal cord injury,

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 6 2009
Philip J. Johnson
Abstract This study investigated whether delayed treatment of spinal cord injury with controlled release of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) from fibrin scaffolds can stimulate enhanced neural fiber sprouting. Long Evans rats received a T9 dorsal hemisection spinal cord injury. Two weeks later, the injury site was re-exposed, and either a fibrin scaffold alone, a fibrin scaffold containing a heparin-based delivery system with different concentrations of NT-3 (500 and 1,000,ng/mL), or a fibrin scaffold containing 1,000,ng/mL of NT-3 (no delivery system) was implanted into the injury site. The injured spinal cords were evaluated for morphological differences using markers for neurons, astrocytes, and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans 2 weeks after treatment. The addition of 500,ng/mL of NT-3 with the delivery system resulted in an increase in neural fiber density compared to fibrin alone. These results demonstrate that the controlled release of NT-3 from fibrin scaffolds can enhance neural fiber sprouting even when treatment is delayed 2 weeks following injury. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 1207,1214. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]