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Transplantation of human fetal tissue from spontaneous abortions to a rodent model of Parkinson's disease.

The use of human fetal tissue from elective abortions for cell transplantation therapies has been the subject of considerable controversy. Because of concerns regarding the use of tissue from elective abortions, tissue from spontaneous abortions has been suggested as an alternate donor source. In the present study we have evaluated human fetal tissue from spontaneous abortions to assess its viability, growth potential, and functional expression. Viable cells (Grade I) from a donor (7 wk postconception) were transplanted as a suspension into the striatum of rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway. A second group of animals received solid grafts of tissue from a Grade I donor 14 wk postconception. Tissue from Grade II and III specimens were not sufficiently viable for transplantation. Locomotor responses were monitored over a period of 15 wk and revealed an amelioration of rotational asymmetry by animals that received tissue from the 7 wk donor. Animals receiving tissue from the 14 wk donor showed no functional improvement. We found numerous graft-derived tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunopositive neurons contained within the transplantation site, and a rich plexus of TH-immunopositive fibers extending into the striatum of animals receiving tissue from the 7 wk donor. Animals receiving tissue from the 14 wk donor exhibited tissue necrosis at the transplant site and were devoid of TH-immunopositive neurons. These results suggest that human fetal ventral mesencephalic cells from spontaneous abortions can survive and develop after transplantation, and rectify locomotor deficits associated with experimental parkinsonism if the donor tissue is of the appropriate gestational age at the time of implantation. Our study further suggests, however, that the availability of tissue from spontaneous abortions of sufficient viability is quite limited and may thus restrict its potential use in cell transplantation therapies for Parkinson's disease.

Animals↗

Cellular delivery of CNTF but not NT-4/5 prevents degeneration of striatal neurons in a rodent model of Huntington's disease.

The delivery of neurotrophic factors to the central nervous system (CNS) has gained considerable attention as a potential treatment strategy for neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease (HD). In the present study, we directly compared the ability of two neurotrophic factors, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5), to prevent the degeneration of striatal neurons following intrastriatal injections of quinolinic acid (QA). Expression vectors containing either the human CNTF or NT-4/5 gene were transfected into a baby hamster kidney fibroblast cell line (BHK). Using a polymeric device, encapsulated BHK-control cells and those secreting either CNTF (BHK-CNTF) or NT-4/5 (BHK-NT-4/5) were transplanted unilaterally into the rat lateral ventricle. Seven days later, the same animals received unilateral injections of QA (225 nmol) into the ipsilateral striatum. Nissl-stained sections demonstrated that the BHK-CNTF cells significantly reduced the volume of striatal damage produced by QA. Quantitative analysis of striatal neurons further demonstrated that both choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)- and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-immunoreactive neurons were protected by CNTF implants. In contrast, the volume of striatal damage and loss of striatal ChAT and GAD-positive neurons in animals receiving BHK-NT-4/5 implants did not differ from control-implanted animals. These results help better define the scope of neuronal protection that can be afforded following cellular delivery of various neurotrophic factors. Moreover, these data further support the concept that implants of polymer-encapsulated CNTF-releasing cells can be used to protect striatal neurons from excitotoxic damage, and that this strategy may ultimately prove relevant for the treatment of HD.

Animals↗

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen positive cells in the hippocampal subgranular zone decline after irradiation in a rodent model.

Four-week-old ICR mice were systemically exposed to 18Gy X-rays. Afterwards, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the cerebrum was observed with time using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. As a result, PCNA-positive cells were observed in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus and subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles in unirradiated mice. The number of PCNA-positive cells decreased with time in all zones after irradiation, but the decrease was more marked in the hippocampal SGZ. We think that PCNA-positive cells are stem cells. The selective vulnerability to radiation in the hippocampus is considered to be attributed to the fact that stem cells in the SGZ selectively undergo radiation-induced apoptosis.

Animals↗

Severe malarial anemia of low parasite burden in rodent models results from accelerated clearance of uninfected erythrocytes.

Severe malarial anemia (SMA) is the most frequent life-threatening complication of malaria and may contribute to the majority of malarial deaths worldwide. To explore the mechanisms of pathogenesis, we developed a novel murine model of SMA in which parasitemias peaked around 1.0% of circulating red blood cells (RBCs) and yet hemoglobin levels fell to 47% to 56% of baseline. The severity of anemia was independent of the level of peak or cumulative parasitemia, but was linked kinetically to the duration of patent infection. In vivo biotinylation analysis of the circulating blood compartment revealed that anemia arose from accelerated RBC turnover. Labeled RBCs were reduced to 1% of circulating cells by 8 days after labeling, indicating that the entire blood compartment had been turned over in approximately one week. The survival rate of freshly transfused RBCs was also markedly reduced in SMA animals, but was not altered when RBCs from SMA donors were transferred into naive recipients, suggesting few functional modifications to target RBCs. Anemia was significantly alleviated by depletion of either phagocytic cells or CD4+ T lymphocytes. This study demonstrates that immunologic mechanisms may contribute to SMA by promoting the accelerated turnover of uninfected RBCs.

Anemia↗

A role of PP1/PP2A in mesenteric lymph node T cell suppression in a two-hit rodent model of alcohol intoxication and injury.

This study examined the role of protein phosphatase type-1 (PP1), type-2A (PP2A), and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) in altered mesenteric lymph node (MLN) T cell function in a two-hit model of alcohol (EtOH) intoxication and burn injury. Male rats (250 g) were gavaged with EtOH to achieve a blood EtOH level of approximately 100 mg/dL prior to burn or sham injury (25% total body surface area). MLN T cells harvested 24 h after injury show a significant decrease in p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2 phosphorylation in T cells from rats receiving a combined insult of EtOH intoxication and burn injury compared with rats receiving EtOH intoxication or burn injury alone. Treatment of cells with inhibitors of PP1/PP2A [calyculin A (CA) and okadaic acid (OA)] prevented the suppression in T cells p38 and ERK-1/2 activation. In addition, the suppression in interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma production was attenuated in T cells cultured in the presence of CA and OA. MKP-1 inhibitor triptolide did not prevent the suppression in T cells p38/ERK-1/2 and cytokine production. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in PP1alpha phosphorylation (Thr320) and an increase in PP2A (Tyr307) phosphorylation in T cells following a combined insult of EtOH intoxication and burn injury. As phosphorylation of PP1 at Thr320 and PP2A at Tyr307 led to an inhibition of their enzymatic activities, the decrease in the PP1alpha phosphorylation correlates with an increase in its enzyme activity. Thus, these results suggest that activation of PP1 is likely to play a predominant role in T cell suppression following a combined insult of EtOH intoxication and burn injury.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗

A novel role for IL-18 in corticosterone-mediated intestinal damage in a two-hit rodent model of alcohol intoxication and injury.

Recent findings from our laboratory have shown that acute alcohol (EtOH) intoxication before burn injury impairs intestinal immunity and barrier functions. To further delineate the mechanism of impaired intestinal barrier function, the present study examined the role of corticosterone (CORT) and interleukin (IL)-18, as CORT and IL-18 are elevated following a combined insult of EtOH intoxication and burn injury. Male rats (approximately 250 g) were gavaged with EtOH to achieve a blood EtOH level of approximately 100 mg/dL prior to burn or sham injury (25% total body surface area). Immediately after injury, a group of rats was treated with CORT synthesis inhibitor metyrapone (25 mg/kg), with or without recombinant (r)IL-18 (50 microg/kg). Another group of rats was treated with caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CHO to block IL-18 production. On Day 1 after injury, there was a significant increase in blood CORT levels, intestinal levels of IL-18, neutrophil chemokines [cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1) and CINC-3], intercellular adhesion molecule-1, myeloperoxidase activity, and intestinal permeability in rats receiving a combined insult of EtOH and burn injury. Treatment of rats with CORT inhibitor or with caspase-1 inhibitor prevented the increase in all of the above parameters following a combined insult of EtOH and burn injury. Moreover, coadministration of rIL-18 in metyrapone-treated rats restored the above parameters, similar to those observed in rats receiving EtOH and burn injury. These findings suggest that a combined insult of EtOH and burn injury results in increased CORT levels, which in turn up-regulates intestinal IL-18 levels and thereby causes altered intestinal barrier function following a combined insult of EtOH intoxication and burn injury.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗

The effect of ethanol on uncontrolled hemorrhage in a rodent model.

OBJECTIVES: Ethanol intoxication has hemodynamic and metabolic effects after hemorrhage according to studies using fixed-volume controlled blood loss models. The authors tested the null hypothesis that after uncontrolled hemorrhage there would be no difference in the hemodynamic responses between ethanol-intoxicated (EtOH+) and nonintoxicated (EtOH-) rats. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with althesin intraperitoneally. Twenty EtOH+ rats received a 3-g/kg dose of 20% ethanol intraperitoneally 60 minutes before hemorrhage. The EtOH- rats received an equivalent volume of normal saline intraperitoneally. The femoral artery was cannulated by cutdown to monitor the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and to obtain blood samples for lactate (LAC). Twenty rats (ten EtOH+ and ten EtOH-) underwent uncontrolled hemorrhage by 75% tail amputation. Twenty rats (ten EtOH+ and ten EtOH-) served as nonhemorrhage controls. The MAP, LAC, and cumulative hemorrhage volume were measured prehemorrhage and then every 15 minutes posthemorrhage for 120 minutes. Data were reported as mean +/- SEM. Group comparisons were analyzed by analysis of variance with repeated values and post hoc testing by Bonferroni (two tailed; alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Initially, EtOH+ and EtOH- rats were evenly matched for LAC and MAP. The mean (+/-SD) baseline ethanol level was 170 (+/-68) mg/dL in EtOH+ rats. Cumulative hemorrhage volume was similar (p = 0.23) for the EtOH- (2.36 +/- 0.24 mL/100 g) and EtOH+ (1.87 +/- 0.32 mL/100 g) rats. No significant difference was noted in posthemorrhage MAP between EtOH- (68.6 +/- 6.8 mm Hg) and EtOH+ (69.3 +/- 7.2 mm Hg) rats (p = 1.00). The EtOH- group had a significantly higher LAC (4.94 +/- 1.07 mmol/L) than the EtOH+ group (2.27 +/- 0.59 mmol/L) (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol intoxication does not deleteriously affect the hemodynamic response to uncontrolled hemorrhage.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗

The combination of a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator with an estrogen protects the mammary gland and uterus in a rodent model: the future of postmenopausal women's health?

The Women's Health Initiative Study and other reports have created major uncertainty among postmenopausal women and physicians concerning hormone replacement therapy. We have thus investigated the possibility of replacing the progestin in hormone replacement therapy by a novel selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator having potent and pure antiestrogenic activity in the mammary gland and uterus. As measured by changes in histology and Cdc47 labeling in the rat model, the present study shows that the stimulatory effect of estradiol in the mammary gland and uterus is efficiently blocked by simultaneous administration of the novel selective ER modulator EM-652, but bone mineral density is preserved and serum cholesterol is decreased. After the administration of 14C-labeled EM-652, we observed that there is no detectable radioactivity in the brain. Moreover, ER alpha immunoreactivity remained constant in the hypothalamus after EM-652 treatment, whereas ER alpha became almost undetectable in the mammary gland and uterus. The present data show the poor or absent access of EM-652 to the brain, whereas the effects of estrogens are efficiently neutralized in the mammary gland and uterus. Such data support the exciting possibility of a novel approach that could meet most of the needs of women's health at menopause, namely control of hot flushes and prevention of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer as well as osteoporosis and potentially helping brain function and preventing Alzheimer's disease with no identifiable risk or negative effect.

Animals↗

Changes in glycemia by leptin administration or high- fat feeding in rodent models of obesity/type 2 diabetes suggest a link between resistin expression and control of glucose homeostasis.

Resistin is an adipose-derived hormone that has been proposed as a link among obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. In agreement with a role of resistin in insulin resistance, the administration of recombinant resistin led to glucose intolerance in mice and impaired insulin action in rat liver. However, the regulation of resistin expression by physiological conditions, hormones, or agents known to modulate insulin sensitivity does not always support the association between resistin and obesity-induced insulin resistance. In the present study we investigated the effects of leptin administration on adipose resistin expression in insulin-resistant and obese ob/ob mice. We show that the expression of resistin mRNA and protein in adipose tissue is lower in ob/ob than in wild-type control mice, in agreement with the reduced adipocyte resistin mRNA level reported in several models of obesity. Leptin administration in ob/ob mice resulted in improvement of insulin sensitivity concomitant with a decrease in resistin gene expression. The lack of effect of leptin on resistin in db/db mice indicated that the leptin inhibitory action on resistin expression requires the long leptin receptor isoform. In addition, we demonstrated that the effect of leptin on resistin expression was centrally mediated. High-fat feeding in C57BL/6J wild-type mice, which is known to induce the development of obesity and insulin resistance, produced an increase in resistin expression. Interestingly, in both ob/ob and high fat-fed mice we obtained a striking positive correlation between glycemia and resistin gene expression. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that leptin decreases resistin expression and suggest that resistin may influence glucose homeostasis.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Alleviation of thermoregulatory dysfunction with the new serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor desvenlafaxine succinate in ovariectomized rodent models.

Hot flushes and night sweats, referred to as vasomotor symptoms (VMS), are presumed to be a result of declining hormone levels and are the principal menopausal symptoms for which women seek medical treatment. To date, estrogens and/or some progestins are the most effective therapeutics for alleviating VMS; however, these therapies may not be appropriate for all women. Therefore, nonhormonal therapies are being evaluated. The present study investigated a new reuptake inhibitor, desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS), in animal models of temperature dysfunction. Both models used are based on measuring changes in tail-skin temperature (TST) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The first relies on naloxone-induced withdrawal in morphine-dependent (MD) OVX rats, resulting in an acute rise in TST. The second depends on an OVX-induced loss of TST decreases during the dark phase as measured by telemetry. An initial evaluation demonstrated abatement of the rise in TST with long-term administration of ethinyl estradiol or with a single oral dose of DVS (130 mg/kg) in the MD model. Further evaluation showed that orally administered DVS acutely and dose dependently (10-100 mg/kg) abated a naloxone-induced rise in TST of MD rats and alleviated OVX-induced temperature dysfunction in the telemetry model. Oral administration of DVS to OVX rats caused significant increases in serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus, a key region of the brain involved in temperature regulation. These preclinical studies provide evidence that DVS directly impacts thermoregulatory dysfunction in OVX rats and may have utility in alleviating VMS associated with menopause.

Administration, Oral↗

Expression of CA III in rodent models of obesity.

To achieve a better understanding of the biochemical basis of obesity, we have undertaken comparative analyses of adipose tissue of lean and obese mice. By two-dimensional gel analysis, carbonic anhydrase-III (CA III) has been identified as a major constituent of murine adipose tissue. Quantitative comparisons of CA III protein and mRNA levels indicate that this enzyme is expressed at lower levels in adipose tissue from animals that were either genetically obese or had experimentally induced obesity compared to levels in the corresponding lean controls. This decrease in CA III expression was unique to adipose tissue, since other CA III-containing organs and tissues did not show a change when lean and obese animals were compared. Additionally, levels of CA III in adipose tissue from obese animals responded to acute changes in energy balance of the animal. These results are discussed in light of possible metabolic roles for CA III.

Adipose Tissue↗

Low intracranial compliance increases the impact of intracranial volume insults to the traumatized brain: a microdialysis study in a traumatic brain injury rodent model.

OBJECTIVE: The vulnerability of the brain is considered to be increased after trauma. The present study was undertaken to determine whether intracranial volume insults in the posttraumatic period led to increased metabolic disturbances if intracranial compliance was decreased. METHODS: A weight drop technique with a brain compression of 1.5 mm was used for injury. Intracranial compensatory volume was decreased 60 microl by placing rubber film between the dura mater and the bone. Intracranial volume insults were induced using the Bolus injection technique. Microdialysis was used to measure interstitial lactate, pyruvate, hypoxanthine, and glycerol. Fifty-two rats were allocated to trauma and sham groups with 0 to 3 layers of rubber film with and without intracranial volume insults. RESULTS: In the groups with reduced intracranial volume exposed to intracranial volume insults, the time course of metabolic markers showed higher increases and slower recovery rates than for the other groups. Reduced intracranial volume or intracranial volume insults alone did not cause any changes compared with controls. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that decreased intracranial compliance increases the vulnerability of the brain for secondary volume insults even with intracranial pressure at low levels between the insults. This finding has important clinical implications in that it stresses the need to identify patients with low intracranial compliance so that their treatment can be optimized.

Animals↗

[Rodent models of Helicobacter pylori infection and their utility].

Small animal models for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection have been widely examined and developed. Recently, the novel laboratory strain (the Sydney strain) of H. pylori, having a high ability to colonize the gastric mucosa of normal mice, was established. In the mice infected with the Sydney strain, chronic gastritis slowly develops, progressing to severe atrophy. The Sydney strain may become the standard one for experimental research. On the other hand, mice expressing Leb antigen were genetically produced. H. pylori well colonizes the gastric mucosa of the transgenic mice, but the gastric pathology remains unclear. However, formation of gastric ulcers has not been observed in mice. In contrast, H. pylori chronically infects Mongolian gerbils and causes severe gastritis and gastric ulcers. The H. pylori-induced gastric ulcers do not heal spontaneously, but are cured by drugs. To examine H. pylori colonization in the gastric mucosa and eradication of the bacteria, mouse models are satisfactory. However, in the case of studies on H. pylori-associated gastric pathology, the Mongolian gerbil model is better. Although these models have both merits and demerits, they are useful for elucidation of the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated diseases and for development of drugs and therapies.

Animals↗

Reductions in blood lead overestimate reductions in brain lead following repeated succimer regimens in a rodent model of childhood lead exposure.

Although many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of succimer chelation in reducing blood and brain lead levels, the relative efficacy of the drug in the two tissues is less well understood. This issue is important because blood lead levels after chelation are used clinically to estimate reductions in the brain, the most critical organ in considering lead-induced neurotoxicity. The present study was designed to further investigate this issue, using multiple chelation regimens. Long-Evans rats were exposed to one of three lead exposure regimens from birth until postnatal day 40, followed by treatment with succimer (one or two 3-week regimens) or vehicle. The results indicated that one succimer regimen was significantly superior to vehicle treatment in lowering lead levels in both blood and brain across the entire 8-week follow-up period. Similarly, a second succimer regimen offered significant additional benefit relative to one regimen for both blood and brain across the 4-week follow-up period. However, several findings revealed that succimer-induced reductions in brain lead lagged behind reductions in blood lead and were generally smaller in magnitude. Furthermore, a rebound was detected in blood, but not brain, lead levels after both succimer regimens. Given the results of this study, we urge caution in using blood lead as a surrogate for brain lead levels, particularly during and immediately after chelation treatment when reductions in blood lead levels overestimate reductions in brain lead levels. The present results suggest that, in clinical use, succimer treatment may need to extend beyond the point at which blood lead levels have dropped to an "acceptable" target value in order to effectively reduce brain lead levels and minimize neurotoxicity.

Animals↗

Cytokine regulation of a rodent model of mercuric chloride-induced autoimmunity.

Experimental models of chemically induced autoimmunity have contributed to our understanding of the development of autoimmune diseases in humans. Heavy metals such as mercury induce a dramatic activation of the immune system and autoantibody production in genetically susceptible rats and mice. This autoimmune syndrome is dependent on T cells, which are important for B-cell activation and cytokine secretion. Several studies have focused on the roles of T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 cells and their respective cytokines in the pathogenesis of mercury-induced disease. This article reviews recent studies that have examined the patterns of cytokine gene expression and where investigators have manipulated the Th1 and Th2 responses that occur during mercury-induced autoimmunity. Finally, we will discuss some biochemical/molecular mechanisms by which heavy metals may induce cytokine gene expression.

Animals↗

Experimental rodent models of brainstem tumors.

Despite recent advances in surgical technology, resection is not an option for many brainstem tumors. Experimental models have played essential roles in examining new approaches to therapy. The objective of the present study was to generate models by determining coordinates for safe inoculation into the brainstem of mice and rats, and to establish whether the implantation of heterotopic cells would create reproducible survival curves. Morbidity and survival studies were used to map stereotactic coordinates allowing successful inoculation of tumor cells. Survival studies were used to investigate the time course of tumor growth. Tumor location was examined by light microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging. Mice survived injections of 2 microL of saline at interaural, lateral, and depth coordinates of -2.5, 1.0, and 3.5 mm and -1.5, 1.0, and 3.5 mm. Rats survived injections at interaural, lateral, and depth coordinates of -2.0, 2.0, and 7.0 mm and -3.0, 0, and 7.0 mm. Median survival of mice challenged with 5 x 10(5) EMT6 and 10(4) B16 tumor cells was 11 and 10 days, respectively. Median survival for rats challenged with 10(4) 9L and F98 cells was 14 and 13 days, respectively. The present study demonstrates a feasible approach to preparing models of brainstem tumors. Limitations of these models are discussed.

Animals↗