Anesthesia and analgesia for common research models of adult mice / 한국실험동물학회지

Anesthesia and analgesia are major components of many interventional studies on laboratory animals. However, various studies have shown improper reporting or use of anesthetics/analgesics in research proposals and published articles. In many cases, it seems “anesthesia” and “analgesia” are used interchangeably, while they are referring to two different concepts. Not only this is an unethical practice, but also it may be one of the reasons for the proven sub‑ optimal quality of many animal researches. This is a widespread problem among investigations on various species of animals. However, it could be imagined that it may be more prevalent for the most common species of laboratory animals, such as the laboratory mice. In this review, proper anesthetic/analgesic methods for routine procedures on laboratory mice are discussed. We considered the available literature and critically reviewed their anesthetic/analge‑ sic methods. Detailed dosing and pharmacological information for the relevant drugs are provided and some of the drugs’ side effects are discussed. This paper provides the necessary data for an informed choice of anesthetic/analge‑ sic methods in some routine procedures on laboratory mice.

[ effect of co-administration of lactobacillus probiotics and bifidobacterium on spatial memory and learning in diabetic rats]

Diabetes mellitus affects numerous intracellular metabolic processes, which are reflected by changes in the concentration of some plasma constituents. Particularly, the disease may indirectly undermine some functions of the nervous system including learning and memory through altering oxidative stress status. On the other hand, probiotics can enhance the antioxidant capacity. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of probiotics on spatial memory, maze learning and indices of oxidative stress in diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups [n=10 for each]: Control [CO], Control probiotic [CP], Control diabetic [DC], and Diabetic probiotic [DP]. The probiotic supplement, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Bifidobacterium lactis [334 mg of each with a CFU of tilde10[10]], was administered through drinking water every 12 hours for 8 weeks. Using morris water maze [MWM], spatial learning and memory were evaluated. Serum insulin and oxidative stress indices, including superoxide dismutase [SOD] and 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG], were measured by standard laboratory kits. Oral administration of probiotics improved impairment of spatial learning [P=0.008] and consolidated memory [P=0.01] in the rats. Moreover, probiotic treatment increased serum insulin [P<0.0001] and serum superoxide dismutase activity [P=0.007] while it decreased their blood glucose [P=0.006] and 8-OHdG [P<0.0001]. Probiotic supplementation reversed the serum concentrations of insulin and glucose along with an increase in antioxidant capacity in diabetic rats. It also improved spatial learning and memory in the animals. Relevancy of the metabolic changes and behavioral functions need to be further studied.

[Attenuating effects of aqueous extract of Lavandula angustifolia on alzheimeric rat's spatial learning]

Alzheimer is a progressive demential disease with destruction of brain neurons and severe deficiency of memory. For many years, plenty efforts was devoted to find an appropriate and efficient way for treatment of the disease. The present study was designed to assess if the herbal medicine Lavandula Angustifolia shares the Morris water maze training in improvement of learning behavior of the Alzheimeric rats. This experimental study was carried out on 40 wistar male rats randomly divided in 4 groups: Two control groups [CO and ALZ] received 1 ml normal saline, and the other 2 groups [CO+E and ALZ+E] received 1000 mg/kg body weight Lavender extract, intra-peritoenally. To assess spatial learning of the animals, they were introduced to the Morris water maze to locate a fixed hidden platform. Probe test was applied to evaluate the memory consolidation. The time elapsed and distances passed in the correct quadrant were analyzed by ANCOVA test. The CO group spent less time and distance to find the hidden platform than ALZ group. Also, CO+E and ALZ+E compared to CO and ALZ expended more time and distance to find platform. There was no difference between groups in probe trial test. The behavioral training positively influenced the maze learning in the Alzheimeric subjects. Lavender extract with dose of 1000 mg/kg is effective on improvement of the Alzheimer's disease