Current research status of animal models for acute-on-chronic liver failure / 临床肝胆病杂志

Acute-on-chronic liver failure has complex conditions， rapid progression， and a high mortality rate， and further studies are still needed to clarify its pathogenesis and etiology. The establishment of animal models for acute-on-chronic liver failure can not only provide a good basis for exploring the pathogenesis of acute-on-chronic liver failure， but also provide an experimental basis for clinical treatment. Through a literature review， this article summarizes the methods commonly used to establish the animal models of acute-on-chronic liver failure， including carbon tetrachloride combined with LPS/GaIN， thioacetamide combined with LPS， serum albumin， and bile duct ligation. This article analyzes the characteristics of various animal models， so as to provide documentary and experimental bases for further exploration of more ideal animal models.

Establishment and application of animal models for portal vein thrombosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Portal vein thrombosis （PVT） refers to thromboembolism that occurs in the extrahepatic main portal vein and/or intrahepatic portal vein branches. PVT is the result of the combined effect of multiple factors， but its pathogenesis remains unclear. Animal models are an important method for exploring the pathophysiological mechanism of PVT. Based on the different species of animals， this article reviews the existing animal models of PVT in terms of modeling methods， principles， advantages and disadvantages， and application.

Effects of atelectatic areas on the surrounding lung tissue during mechanical ventilation in an experimental model of acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide / Efeitos das áreas atelectásicas no tecido pulmonar circundante durante a ventilação mecânica em um modelo experimental de lesão pulmonar aguda induzida por lipopolissacarídeo

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the effect of atelectasis during mechanical ventilation on the periatelectatic and normal lung regions in a model of atelectasis in rats with acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide. Methods: Twenty-four rats were randomized into the following four groups, each with 6 animals: the Saline-Control Group, Lipopolysaccharide Control Group, Saline-Atelectasis Group, and Lipopolysaccharide Atelectasis Group. Acute lung injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide. After 24 hours, atelectasis was induced by bronchial blocking. The animals underwent mechanical ventilation for two hours with protective parameters, and respiratory mechanics were monitored during this period. Thereafter, histologic analyses of two regions of interest, periatelectatic areas and the normally-aerated lung contralateral to the atelectatic areas, were performed. Results: The lung injury score was significantly higher in the Lipopolysaccharide Control Group (0.41 ± 0.13) than in the Saline Control Group (0.15 ± 0.51), p < 0.05. Periatelectatic regions showed higher lung injury scores than normally-aerated regions in both the Saline-Atelectasis (0.44 ± 0.06 x 0.27 ± 0.74 p < 0.05) and Lipopolysaccharide Atelectasis (0.56 ± 0.09 x 0.35 ± 0.04 p < 0.05) Groups. The lung injury score in the periatelectatic regions was higher in the Lipopolysaccharide Atelectasis Group (0.56 ± 0.09) than in the periatelectatic region of the Saline-Atelectasis Group (0.44 ± 0.06), p < 0.05. Conclusion: Atelectasis may cause injury to the surrounding tissue after a period of mechanical ventilation with protective parameters. Its effect was more significant in previously injured lungs.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da atelectasia durante a ventilação mecânica nas regiões periatelectáticas e pulmonares normais em um modelo de atelectasia em ratos com lesão pulmonar aguda induzida por lipopolissacarídeo. Métodos: Foram distribuídos aleatoriamente 24 ratos em quatro grupos, cada um com 6 animais: Grupo Salina-Controle, Grupo Lipopolissacarídeo-Controle, Grupo Salina-Atelectasia e Grupo Lipopolissacarídeo-Atelectasia. A lesão pulmonar aguda foi induzida por injeção intraperitoneal de lipopolissacarídeo. Após 24 horas, a atelectasia foi induzida por bloqueio brônquico. Os animais foram submetidos à ventilação mecânica por 2 horas com parâmetros ventilatórios protetores, e a mecânica respiratória foi monitorada durante esse período. Em seguida, foram realizadas análises histológicas de duas regiões de interesse: as áreas periatelectásicas e o pulmão normalmente aerado contralateral às áreas atelectásicas. Resultados: O escore de lesão pulmonar foi significativamente maior no Grupo Controle-Lipopolissacarídeo (0,41 ± 0,13) do que no Grupo Controle-Solução Salina (0,15 ± 0,51), com p < 0,05. As regiões periatelectásicas apresentaram escores maiores de lesão pulmonar do que as regiões normalmente aeradas nos Grupos Atelectasia-Solução Salina (0,44 ± 0,06 versus 0,27 ± 0,74, p < 0,05) e Atelectasia-Lipopolissacarídeo (0,56 ± 0,09 versus 0,35 ± 0,04, p < 0,05). O escore de lesão pulmonar nas regiões periatelectásicas foi maior no Grupo Atelectasia-Lipopolissacarídeo (0,56 ± 0,09) do que na região periatelectásica do Grupo Atelectasia-Solução Salina (0,44 ± 0,06), p < 0,05. Conclusão: A atelectasia pode causar lesão no tecido circundante após um período de ventilação mecânica com parâmetros ventilatórios protetores. Seu efeito foi mais significativo em pulmões previamente lesionados.

Characterization of the Masquelet Induced Membrane Technique in a Murine Segmental Bone Defect Model / Caracterização da membrana induzida pela técnica de Masquelet em modelo murino de defeito ósseo segmentar

Abstract Objective To reproduce in an animal model the surgical technique of Masquelet used in the treatment of critical bone defects and to analyze the characteristics of the membrane formed around the bone cement. Methods A 10mm critical defect was created in the femoral shaft of 21 Sprague-Dawley rats. After resection of the central portion of the diaphysis, the defect was stabilized with a Kirschner wire introduced through the medullary canal and with the interposition of a bone cement spacer. After 2, 4, and 6 weeks of the surgical procedure, the animals were euthanized and evaluated on radiographs of the posterior limb regarding the size of the defect, alignment and stability of the osteosynthesis. The membranes formed around the spacer were subjected to histological analysis to assess thickness, connective tissue maturation and vascular density. Results Over time, the membranes initially made up of loose connective tissue were replaced by membranes represented by dense connective tissue, rich in thick collagen fibers. At six weeks, membrane thickness was greater (565 ± 208μm) than at four (186.9 ± 70.21μm, p = 0.0002) and two weeks (252.2 ± 55.1μm, p = 0.001). All membranes from the initial time showed foci of osteogenic differentiation that progressively reduced over time. Conclusion In addition to the structural and protective function of the membrane, its intrinsic biological characteristics can actively contribute to bone regeneration. The biological activity attributed by the presence of foci of osteogenesis confers to the membrane the potential of osteoinduction that favors the local conditions for the integration of the bone graft.

Resumo Objetivo Reproduzir em modelo animal a técnica cirúrgica de Masquelet utilizada no tratamento de defeitos ósseos críticos e analisar as características da membrana formada em torno do cimento ósseo. Métodos Um defeito crítico de 10mm foi realizado na diáfise femoral de 21 ratos Sprague-Dawley. Após a ressecção da porção central da diáfise o defeito foi estabilizado com fio de Kirschner introduzido pelo canal medular e com a interposição de espaçador de cimento ósseo. Após 2, 4, e 6 semanas do procedimento cirúrgico os animais foram eutanasiados e avaliados em radiografias do membro posterior quanto ao tamanho do defeito, o alinhamento e a estabilidade da osteossíntese. As membranas formadas em torno do espaçador foram submetidas a análise histológica para avaliação da espessura, da maturação do tecido conjuntivo e da densidade vascular. Resultados Ao longo do tempo as membranas inicialmente constituídas por tecido conjuntivo frouxo foram substituídas por membranas representadas por tecido conjuntivo denso, rico em fibras colágenas espessas. Com seis semanas a espessura das membranas foi maior (565 ± 208μm) do que com quatro (186,9 ± 70,21μm, p = 0,0002) e duas semanas (252,2 ± 55,1μm, p = 0,001). Todas as membranas do tempo inicial apresentaram focos de diferenciação osteogênica que reduziram progressivamente ao longo do tempo. Conclusão Além da função estrutural e protetora da membrana, suas características biológicas intrínsecas podem contribuir ativamente para a regeneração óssea. A atividade biológica atribuída pela presença de focos de osteogênese confere à membrana potencial de osteoindução que favorece as condições locais para a integração do enxerto ósseo.

Animal Model Standardization for Studying Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head in Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease / Padronização de modelo animal para o estudo da necrose isquêmica da cabeça femoral na doença de Legg-Calvé-Perthes

Abstract Objective Testing an experimental model for ischemic necrosis of the femoral head in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease by evaluating gait, imaging and morphohistology. Methods The operation was done in 11 piglets. Necrosis by cerclage in the right femoral neck was induced. Piglets were divided into group A, with 8 animals, euthanizing two in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th weeks, respectively; and group B, with 2 animals (sham), submitted to the surgical procedure without cerclage of the right femoral neck. The gait classification used was that of Etterlin. The frozen femurs were submitted to digital radiography and computed tomography. The height and width of the epiphysis and epiphysary coefficient were measured at study times. Light microscopy and immunohistochemistry with TGF-β1 were performed. Results One animal died of sepsis in Group A. In this group, claudication was observed in all animals. On digital radiography and computed tomography, bone sclerosis, enlargement of the right femoral neck, flattening, collapse, and fragmentation of the right femoral head were observed. All epiphysis height and epiphysary coefficient values of the right femoral head were lower than the contralateral ones, in which were observed chondrocytes disordered and separated by gaps. A reduction in TGF-β1 expression was observed at 2 and 6 weeks in the right femoral head and at eight in the left. In group B, there were no signs of necrosis and gait was normal. Conclusions The model presented reproduced macroscopic necrosis on digital radiography, computed tomography, and microscopy. Gait evaluation showed a good correlation with other ischemia findings. Level of EvidenceV. Diagnostic studies.

Resumo Objetivo Testar um modelo experimental para necrose isquêmica da cabeça femoral na doença de Legg-Calvé-Perthes avaliando a marcha, exames de imagens e morfohistologia. Métodos Operaram-se 11 leitões. Induziu-se a necrose por cerclagem no colo femoral direito. Dividiram-se os leitões em grupo A com 8 animais, sacrificando-se dois na 2ª, 4ª, 6ª e 8ª semanas, respectivamente; e grupo B, com 2 animais (sham), submetidos ao procedimento cirúrgico sem a cerclagem do colo femoral direito. A classificação da marcha utilizada foi a de Etterlin. Os fêmures congelados foram submetidos à radiografia digital e tomografia computadorizada. Mediram-se a altura e largura da epífise e o coeficiente epifisário nos tempos de estudo. Realizou-se, microscopia de luz e imunohistoquímica com TGF-β1. Resultados Um animal morreu por sepse no grupo A. Neste grupo, observou-se claudicação em todos os animais. Na radiografia digital e tomografia computadorizada observaram-se: esclerose óssea, alargamento do colo femoral direito, achatamento, colapso e fragmentação da cabeça femoral direita. Todos os valores da altura da epífise e coeficiente epifisário da cabeça femoral direita foram menores que os contralaterais, nos quais observaram-se condrócitos desordenados e separados por lacunas. Observou-se redução da expressão do TGF-β1 com 2 e 6 semanas nas cabeças femorais direitas e nas esquerdas com oito. No grupo B, não ocorreram sinais de necrose e a marcha foi normal. Conclusões O modelo apresentado reproduziu a necrose macroscopicamente, na radiografia digital, tomografia computadorizada e microscopia. A avaliação da marcha demonstrou boa correlação com os demais achados de isquemia. Nível de EvidênciaV. Estudos diagnósticos.

Anti-inflammatory strategies for hepatic encephalopathy: preclinical studies / Estratégias anti-inflamatórias para encefalopatia hepática: estudos pré-clínicos

Abstract Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a potentially reversible neuropsychiatric syndrome. Often, HE causes cognitive and motor dysfunctions due to an acute or chronic insufficiency of the liver or a shunting between the hepatic portal vein and systemic vasculature. Liver damage induces peripheral changes, such as in the metabolism and peripheral inflammatory responses that trigger exacerbated neuroinflammation. In experimental models, anti-inflammatory strategies have demonstrated neuroprotective effects, leading to a reduction in HE-related cognitive and motor impairments. In this scenario, a growing body of evidence has shown that peripheral and central nervous system inflammation are promising preclinical targets. In this review, we performed an overview of FDA-approved drugs and natural compounds which are used in the treatment of other neurological and nonneurological diseases that have played a neuroprotective role in experimental HE, at least in part, through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Despite the exciting results from animal models, the available data should be critically interpreted, highlighting the importance of translating the findings for clinical essays.

Resumo A encefalopatia hepática (EH) é uma síndrome neuropsiquiátrica potencialmente reversível. Muitas vezes a EH causa disfunções cognitivas e motoras devido à insuficiência do fígado ou por um desvio entre a veia porta hepática e a vasculatura sistêmica. O dano no fígado provoca alterações periféricas, como no metabolismo e nas respostas inflamatórias periféricas, que desencadeiam uma neuroinflamação exacerbada. Em modelos experimentais, estratégias anti-inflamatórias têm demonstrado efeitos neuroprotetores, levando a uma redução dos prejuízos cognitivos e motores relacionados à EH. Neste cenário, evidências crescentes têm mostrado a inflamação periférica e no sistema nervoso central como um promissor alvo pré-clínico. Nesta revisão, abordamos uma visão geral de drogas e compostos naturais aprovados pelo FDA para o uso no tratamento de outras doenças neurológicas e não neurológicas, que tiveram papel neuroprotetor na EH experimental, pelo menos em parte, através de mecanismos anti-inflamatórios. Apesar dos resultados empolgantes em modelos animais, os dados avaliados devem ser criticamente interpretados, destacando a importância da tradução dos achados para ensaios clínicos.

La hipertensión arterial en animales de laboratorio / High blood pressure in experimental animals

Las Ciencias Médicas y Biológicas requieren, prioritariamente, que la investigación y la experimentación sean desarrolladas sobre organismos completos (los modelos animales). Su utilización ha permitido desarrollar innumerables ensayos preclínicos para evaluar los mecanismos patógenos y terapéuticos de diversas enfermedades, así como el estudio de las causas, naturaleza y cura de múltiples desórdenes de la salud humana. En este trabajo se muestra una panorámica general de los biomodelos de hipertensión arterial donde se describen: conceptos, características, origen, importancia, utilidad y procedimientos experimentales durante su fase de inducción. También se pondera la justificación de los biomodelos empleados en los estudios preclínicos de esta enfermedad. De igual forma, se describen los antecedentes para medir las alteraciones, las técnicas y los métodos directos e indirectos de medición de la presión arterial, la cual fue provocada experimentalmente en los animales de laboratorio para realizar los estudios de hipertensión humana.

Medical and biological sciences require, as a priority, that research and experimentation be carried out on complete organisms (animal models). Its use has allowed the development of innumerable preclinical tests to evaluate pathogenic and therapeutic mechanisms of various diseases, as well as to study the causes, nature and cure of multiple human health disorders. In this work, we show a general overview of arterial hypertension biomodels where concepts, characteristics, origin, importance, utility and experimental procedures during their induction phase are described. The justification of the biomodels used in preclinical studies of this disease is also considered. Antecedents are also described to measure alterations, techniques and direct and indirect methods of measurement of arterial pressure, which was provoked experimentally in the laboratory animals to carry out the studies of human hypertension.

Monoaxial Mechanical Tests on Porcino Knee Ligaments / Ensaios mecânicos monoaxiais nos ligamentos do joelho porcino

Abstract The failure of ligament reconstruction has different risk factors, among which we can highlight the period before its incorporation, which is a mechanically vulnerable period. Loss of resistance over time is a characteristic of living tissues. Dissection with bone insertions of the cruciate ligaments of animal models is not described; however, it is essential for monoaxial assays to extract information from tests such as relaxation. The present work describes the dissection used for the generation of a test body for the performance of nondestructive tests to evaluate the mechanical behavior. We performed dissection of four porcino knee ligaments, proposing a dissection technique for the cruciate ligaments with bone inserts for comparison with collateral ligaments. The ligaments were submitted to relaxation tests and had strain gauges placed during the tests. The results showed viscoelastic behavior, validated by strain gauges and with a loss over time; with some ligaments presenting with losses of up to 20%, a factor to be considered in future studies. The present work dissected the four main ligaments of the knee demonstrating the posterior approach that allows maintaining their bone insertions and described the fixation for the monotonic uniaxial trials, besides being able to extract the viscoelastic behavior of the four ligaments of the knee, within the physiological limits of the knee.

Resumo A falha da reconstrução ligamentar tem diferentes fatores de risco, dentre os quais podemos destacar o período antes da sua incorporação, o qual configura um período mecânico vulnerável. A perda de resistência ao longo do tempo é uma característica dos tecidos vivos. A dissecção com as inserções ósseas dos ligamentos cruzados de modelos animais não é descrita; todavia, para os ensaios monoaxiais, é fundamental extrair as informações de ensaios como os de relaxação. O presente trabalho realiza a descrição da dissecção utilizada para a geração de corpo de prova para a realização de ensaios não destrutivos para avaliar o comportamento mecânico. Realizamos dissecção de quatro ligamentos de joelho porcino, propondo uma técnica de dissecção para os ligamentos cruzados com as inserções ósseas para comparação com os colaterais. Os ligamentos foram submetidos a testes de relaxação e foram colocadas strain gauges durante os testes. Os resultados mostraram comportamento viscoelástico, validado pelas strain gauges e com uma perda ao longo do tempo, sendo que, em alguns ligamentos, as perdas chegaram a até 20%, fator este a ser considerado em trabalhos futuros. O presente trabalho dissecou os quatro principais ligamentos do joelho, demonstrando a abordagem posterior que permite manter as suas inserções ósseas e descrevendo a fixação para os ensaios uniaxiais monotônicos, além de ter conseguido extrair o comportamento viscoelástico dos quatro ligamentos do joelho dentro dos limites fisiológicos do joelho.

Establishment of a rat model of acute radiation esophagitis / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To establish Wistar rat models of acute radiation esophagitis, and observe the histopathological changes at different time points after modeling.Methods:Wistar rats were locally irradiated with different doses of 6 MV X-rays, and the rats were sacrificed on the 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th, and 14 th days after irradiation. The full-length esophagus tissue was taken for paraffin embedding, sectioning, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for pathological assessment. The pathological changes of the esophagus of the rats were observed at the 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th, and 14 th days after 25 Gy and 30 Gy irradiation. The changes of daily dietary intake of rats in different irradiation groups within 1-2 weeks after radiation exposure were observed. Results:No rat died in two groups after being irradiated with 25 Gy and 30 Gy rays. All the rats in the 30 Gy group had esophagus injury. On the 7 th day, the degree of injury was the most serious, with a pathological score of 5.00±0.75 and a food intake of 0 g. On the 14 th day, the degree of injury was relieved, and the food intake was restored to the level before irradiation. Conclusions:The Wistar rat model of acute radiation esophagitis can be established by a single dose of 6 MV X-ray 30 Gy irradiation to the esophagus. The 7 th day after irradiation is an ideal observation time for the acute injury phase, which is gradually alleviated after the 7 th day. The time can be chosen from 7-14 days after irradiation as the observation point for the healing repair phase.

Basic researches over spinal cord injury: problems and countermeasures / 中华创伤杂志

Spinal cord injury leads to extremely high mortality and disability rates and its treatment has always been a global challenge. The survival of patients with spinal cord injury is partially lengthened with the development of medical treatments, but the clinical outcome is still not satisfactory. Some important progress has been made in the basic researches over spinal cord injury, such as analysis of repair mechanism of spinal cord injury and development of cellular therapies and biological scaffolds of spinal cord injury in China. However, some basic researches show insufficient understanding of the microenvironment and animal model of spinal cord injury and lack support from clinical problems, leading to too simplistic or contradictory conclusions. There is an urgent need to reexamine the research methods and carry out basic and clinical translational researches. Therefore, the authors discuss the key problems and difficulties in basic researches over spinal cord injury and propose improvement suggestions, aiming to provide a reference for conducting basic researches correctly and accelerating clinical innovational transformation.

Research progress in animal models of oral squamous cell carcinoma and common oral mucosal diseases / 中国基层医药

The pathogeneses of oral squamous cell carcinoma and most oral mucosal diseases are unclear. Therefore, establishing animal models with similar pathogeneses is significant for clinical prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of related diseases. At present, scholars have established animal models for different focuses. This paper aims to introduce the methods for establishing animal models of oral squamous cell carcinoma and common oral mucosal diseases, compare their advantages and disadvantages, and provide evidence for related basic research.

Effects of modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction on intestinal microflora in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the effects of modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction on intestinal microflora in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods:From April to June 2021, 60 specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were selected for this study. They were randomly divided into blank control, model, traditional Chinese medicine, and western medicine groups with 15 rats per group. Rat models of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with lung and spleen deficiency were established in all groups except the blank control group. Rat models in the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine groups were administered modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction and synbiotics. Rat models in the model and blank control groups were identically administered 0.9% sodium chloride injection. After 7 days, the feces of rats in each group were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing of intestinal flora. Effective sequences were clustered to obtain operational taxonomic units for principal coordinate analysis, species composition analysis, and alpha diversity analysis. The effects of modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction on the structure, diversity, and abundance changes of intestinal flora were analyzed. Results:The dominant bacteria in the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine groups were Firmicutes, while the dominant bacteria in the blank control and model groups were Bacteroides. The dominant bacterial groups in each group were mainly Lactobacillus and Bacteroides. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the Shannon index in the community diversity indices of traditional Chinese medicine, western medicine, and blank control groups was (3.65 ± 0.35), (3.65 ± 0.36), and (3.59 ± 0.20), respectively, which were significantly higher than (3.37 ± 0.26) in the model group ( t = 2.49, 2.44, 2.60, all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the Shannon index among traditional Chinese medicine, western medicine, and blank control groups (all P > 0.05). The Sobs index of the traditional Chinese medicine, western medicine, and blank control group was (458.67 ± 73.11), (454.80 ± 95.13), and (525.93 ± 101.88), respectively, which were significantly higher than (337.40 ± 37.49) in the model group ( t = 5.72, 4.45, 6.73, all P < 0.05). The Sobs index in the blank control group was higher than that in the western medicine group. There was no significant difference in the Sobs index between blank control and traditional Chinese medicine groups and between western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine groups (both P > 0.05). Principal coordinate analysis revealed that compared with the blank control group, Actinomycetes decreased and Proteobacteria and Desulfurization bacteria increased at the phylum level in the model group, while compared with the blank control group, Bacteroides, Rombutzia,Trichospirillus, and Parabacteroides increased, and Prevotella, Clostridium, Brucella, and Ruminococcus decreased at the genus level. Compared with the western medicine group, Bacillus, Prevotella, Brucella, and Prevotellidae in the traditional Chinese medicine group increased, while Clostridium, Pectinobacter, Christensen, and Trichospirillus decreased in the traditional Chinese medicine group. There was a statistically significant difference in the composition of the bacterial population between groups (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:There is an imbalance in intestinal microecology in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction can regulate the intestinal microecology environment, improve the structure of intestinal flora, and increase the diversity and abundance of intestinal flora.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 on pancreatic and ileal injury in mice with acute necrotizing pancreatitis / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of probiotics Lactiplantibacillus plantarum(LP) WCFS1 by gavage on acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and associated ileum injury in mice. Methods:Twenty-four healthy male mice were gavaged with broad-spectrum antibiotics for 3 weeks to establish microbiota-depleted mice, and then randomly divided into control group (CON), ANP model group (ANP), LP gavage group (LP) and LP gavage and ANP induced group (LP+ ANP) , with 6 mice in each group. Mice in LP and LP+ ANP group were treated by gavage of LP (1×10 9 CFU/ml, 0.2 ml/day per mouse) for 1 week, while CON and ANP were gavaged with sterile phosphate buffered saline for 1 week instead. The ANP model was induced by intraperitoneal injection with caerulein (100 μg/kg) for 10 times with 1-hour interval between two injections and the 10th injection with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally, and the mice were sacrificed 2 h later. Levels of LP in stool and ileal mucosa were detected by real-time PCR; the pancreas and ileum were collected for pathological examination to observe the extent of tissue inflammation and to score the pathology. Serum amylase activities were determined by enzymatic kinetic chemistry; serum inflammators levels and intestinal permeability were detected by ELISA; levels of inflammators in pancreatic and ileal tissues were detected by real-time PCR; ileal tight-junction proteins (occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1) were measured by immunofluorescence staining. Results:LP levels in the stool and ileal mucosa of mice were significantly increased after LP gavage, and the differences were statistically significant (913.30±39.12 vs 2.39±1.39, 23.11±0.50 vs 1.38±0.28, all P value <0.05). The pathological scores of pancreatic tissue of CON, LP, ANP and LP+ ANP group were (0.26±0.41), (0.17±0.26), (8.55±0.46) and (6.30±0.45); the serum amylase activities were (219.70±19.73), (217.60±11.30), (2896.24±98.32) and (1837.13±131.60)U/L, IL-1β were (0.87±0.28), (1.4±0.85), (67.41±6.45) and (36.33±5.65)pg/ml, IL-6 were (0.74±0.27), (0.16±0.16), (280586.12±39163.92) and (107912.75±31283.47)pg/ml, IL-10 were (35.52±5.27), (50.99±15.34), (2008.45±184.83) and (3070.35±403.71)pg/ml; the expression level of pancreatic IL-1β mRNA was 1.42±0.39, 0.95±25, 20.53±0.50 and 10.69±1.01, IL-6 mRNA was 1.31±0.44, 0.93±0.023, 21.97±1.71 and 11.54±1.75, IL-10 mRNA was 0.93±0.14, 0.75±0.15, 0.99±0.21 and 1.76±0.19; there was no significant difference between LP and CON group, and pancreatic pathological scores, serum amylase、IL-1β and IL-6 levels, and the expression level of pancreatic IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA were significantly decreased in LP+ ANP group compared with those in ANP group, while serum IL-10 levels and the expression level of pancreatic IL-10 mRNA were significantly increased compared with ANP group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The pathological scores of ileal tissue of CON, LP, ANP and LP+ ANP group were 0, 0, (3.17±0.41) and (1.67±0.52); the levels of serum DAO of CON, LP, ANP and LP+ ANP group were (0.03±0.03), (0.02±0.02), (0.50±0.05) and (0.49±0.06)ng/ml; LPS levels were (2.75±0.35), (3.74±0.28), (7.19±0.92) and (5.88±0.38)ng/ml; the expression level of ileal IL-1β mRNA was 1.21±0.20, 1.17±0.09, 1.81±0.25 and 1.63±0.21; IL-6 mRNA was 1.01±0.29, 2.83±0.42, 54.45±8.50 and 16.87±4.42; IL-10 mRNA was 1.12±0.41, 6.09±2.51, 11.65±1.47 and 29.86±2.93. There was no significant difference between LP and CON group, except that the ileal IL-10 mRNA expression was significantly higher than that of CON group. Ileal pathological scores, serum LPS levels and the expression level of ileal IL-6 mRNA were significantly lower in LP+ ANP group than those in ANP group, while the expression level of ileal IL-10 mRNA was significantly higher than that of ANP group; the expression of ileal tight junction proteins (ocludin, claudin-1, ZO-1) was significantly higher than those in ANP group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). Conclusions:LP WCFS1 gavage could ameliorate the injury of pancreatic and ileal barrier in caerulein-induced ANP mice.

Establishment of mouse pancreatic ductal organoids and exploration of its physiological functions / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective:To establish culture system for mouse pancreatic ductal organoids and investigate the morphology and physiological functions of the organoids.Methods:Pancreatic tissues were taken from C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks) and digested by collagenase Ⅳ. The pancreatic ducts were separated and collected and then the pancreatic organoids were cultured in the complete medium after Matrix gel embedding. Morphological evaluation of the organoids was performed after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression and localization of markers for organoids were identified by Western Blot and immunofluorescence staining; and the expression and localization of ion channels and antimicrobial peptides of the organoids were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis and immunofluorescence staining.Results:Mouse pancreatic organoids were successfully established, which could be stably passaged for 10 generations. The organoids grew spherically and formed a duct-like structure. The internal cavity corresponded to the lumen of pancreatic duct tissue. The pancreatic organoids stably expressed stem progenitor cell marker gene SOX9 and ductal epithelial cell-specific gene KRT19, which were both localized in the epithelium. The organoids did not express amylase. The organoids maintained stable expression of epithelial ion channels Clcn1, Kcnma1, CFTR, Slc12a5, Slc26a3, Slc26a6 and Scnn1a, low expression of Ano1 and no expression of Clcn3, Kcna1, Kcna2, Kcnd3, Kcnh1, Atp12a, Slc4a4, Slc9a1, Slc12a2 and Slc26a11; and CFTR highly expressed in epithelial cells. The organoids maintained high expression of antimicrobial peptides Reg3a, CRAMP and glycoprotein 2, low expression of Defb1, Defb2, and Defb3 and no expression of Defa1 and Defa4; and both CRAMP and Reg3a were expressed in the epithelial cells and secreted into the lumen of the organoids.Conclusions:Mouse pancreatic organoids are successfully established, which can be stably passaged. The organoids maintain the characteristics of ductal epithelial cells and can be used as an in vitro model to study the physiology of pancreatic ducts.

Research advances in animal models of cholestatic liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

Cholestatic liver diseases (CLD) are a series of diseases due to impaired bile flow and accumulation of bile acid in the liver and/or systemic circulation caused by immune, genetic, and environmental factors. The pathogenesis of CLD remains unclear and CLD is difficult to treat. As a substitute for human diseases, animal models can provide a platform for exploring the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease and finding appropriate therapeutic targets. This article reviews the current research advances in the animal models of CLD.

Value of virtual operating system for visual behavioral assessment in mice models of visual disease / 中华实验眼科杂志

Visual behaviorally operant method is one of the main detections for identifying animal models of visual diseases, which is mainly through the optomotor response (OMR) and optokinetic reflex (OKR) stimulated by the virtual operating system (VOS). The automated VOS was commonly used as a powerful tool to control the contrast sensitivity and measure the spatial frequency of the monitoring device by adjusting parameters such as grating fringe width, rotation velocity and light intensity, and also to track the OKR, OMR, and the combined movement of OKR and OMR.Both the optimized measuring methods and evaluation indicators including the search coils, the corneal labeling, OMR-arena system, the OMR index, the staircase protocol tests and the improved stimuli from two-dimensional to three-dimensional helped to ensure the validity of test data.Moreover, the introduction of image recognition technology benefited in extracting the body and head contours of mice.Computer algorithms such as deep learning were also applied to analyze and process the visual behavior of diseased mice, which promoted sensitivity, shortened testing time, reduced detection errors and improved data accuracy.For all the factors mentioned, the VOS could be used as an effective research tool for glaucoma, cataract, retinopathy, hereditary eye disease, optic nerve degeneration and others.This article reviewed the value of VOS for visual behavioral assessment in mice models of visual disease from the visual detection methods and assessment indicators.

Digital measurement of corneal curvature and eccentricity of guinea pigs using Python / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To investigate an accurate and quantitative method to measure the eyeball morphological parameters of guinea pigs through a method that combines programmed digital techniques and mathematical geometric principles.Methods:Twenty-two three-week-old clean-grade male tricolor guinea pigs were selected and sacrificed by anesthesia overdose.Eyeballs were enucleated.The horizontal and sagittal images of the eyeball were taken with the high-speed photographic model of 13 million pixels macro meter, and the pictures were imported into pycharm programming software.Using the pre-written analysis program of Python 3.9, the conversion coefficient between the photo pixel and the actual length was obtained by a scale, and then the corneal surface was fitted by arc fitting and conic curve fitting.The results of arc fitting were converted to calculate the corneal radius of curvature.The corneal eccentricity was calculated according to the general conic equation (Ax 2+ Bxy+ Cy 2+ Dx+ Ey+ F=0). The corneal asphericity was evaluated by curve fitting between the central 3-mm and the whole cornea.The use and care of the animals complied with Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center (No.2022-A009-01). Results:The digital method of Python programming can show the corneal contour of guinea pigs completely and clearly.In the transverse plane, there was no significant difference in the corneal curvature measurements among the digital fitting in central 3-mm cornea, digital fitting in whole cornea and curvature meter ( F=1.693, P=0.190). In the sagittal plane, there was a significant difference in the corneal curvature measurements among the three methods ( F=3.500, P=0.030), and the corneal curvature measurements of the whole cornea measured by the curvature meter were significantly greater than those measured by the digital fitting ( P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in the measurements of corneal curvature radius among the three methods in the transverse plane and the sagittal plane ( F=1.817, P=0.170; F=2.050, P=0.133). The horizontal and sagittal corneal eccentricity measured by digital fitting in central 3-mm cornea were 0.55±0.15 and 0.53±0.17, which were lower than 0.66±0.10 and 0.64±0.14 measured by digital fitting in whole cornea, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-4.860, -5.210; both at P<0.01). Conclusions:It is feasible to use Python programming digital method to measure the corneal curvature and eccentricity of guinea pigs.

Inhibitory effects of 1% atropine on form deprivation-induced myopia development in guinea pigs and its mechanism / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To observe the prevention and control effect of 1% atropine on the progression of form deprivation myopia (FDM) in guinea pigs and the potential biological mechanism.Methods:Sixty-nine 3-week-old tricolor guinea pigs with normal refraction were randomly divided into a normal control group ( n=19), a FDM group ( n=19), a FDM+ atropine group ( n=19), and an atropine group ( n=12). No intervention was given to guinea pigs in normal control group.The FDM model was established by covering the right eye of guinea pigs with a semitransparent latex facemask for 4 weeks in FDM and FDM+ atropine groups.For the FDM+ atropine group, 1% atropine gel was topically administered to the form-deprived right eyes once a day for 4 weeks.For the atropine group, the right eye was treated with 1% atropine gel once a day for 4 weeks.Refraction and axial length of guinea pigs were measured by retinoscopy and ophthalmic A-scan ultrasonography respectively at baseline, experiment week 2 and week 4.In experiment week 4, eyeballs were enucleated to make sections via the paraffin wax processing procedure, and the microstructural and ultrastructural changes of the sclera were observed under the light microscope and transmission electron microscope, respectively.The isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation labeling combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify the differentially expressed proteins.Use and care of the animals complied with the Regulation for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experiment Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Tianjin Medical University (No.TJYY2020111028). Results:There were statistically significant differences in the diopter of guinea pigs at different time points among the four groups ( Fgroup=138.892, P<0.001; Ftime=167.270, P<0.001). Compared with normal control group, the diopter of guinea pigs in FDM group at experiment weeks 2 and 4, and FDM+ atropine group at experiment week 4 developed toward myopia, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.001). Compared with FDM group, the diopter of guinea pigs in FDM+ atropine group at experiment weeks 2 and 4 developed toward hyperopia, showing statistically significant differences (both at P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in the axial length of guinea pigs at different time points among the four groups ( Fgroup=32.346, P<0.001; Ftime=353.797, P<0.001). The axial lengths of FDM group at experiment weeks 2 and 4 and FDM+ atropine group at experiment week 4 were longer than those of normal control group, and the axial lengths in FDM+ atropine group at experiment weeks 2 and 4 were shorter than those in FDM group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.001). The collagenous fibers of posterior sclera of guinea pigs were loose and disordered in FDM group, and were regular in FDM+ atropine group.The posterior scleral thickness of normal control group, FDM group, FDM+ atropine group and atropine group was (141.74±16.98), (101.46±9.15), (112.74±6.24) and (134.30±18.19) μm, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=6.709, P=0.005). The posterior sclera was significantly thinner in FDM group than in normal control group and FDM+ atropine group (both at P<0.05). The diameter of posterior scleral collagen fiber gradually increased from inside to outside in normal control group, FDM+ atropine group and atropine group, and the diameters of the inner, middle and outer posterior scleral collagen fibers were smaller in FDM group than in normal control group.Proteomic analysis revealed 85 differentially expressed proteins (fold change>1.30) between FDM group and normal control group, FDM+ atropine group and FDM group, of which 38 were up-regulated and 47 were down-regulated after atropine treatment.Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that biological processes mainly involved were biological regulation, cell process, localization and metabolic process.Molecular function mainly involved were binding, catalytic activity, molecular function regulator, structural molecule activity and transporter activity.Cell components mainly involved were in cellular anatomical entity, intracellular and protein-containing complex. Conclusions:Atropine can increase the diameter of scleral collagen fibers in guinea pigs of FDM model, improve the arrangement of scleral collagen fiber, inhibit scleral thinning.The mechanism of atropine to control myopia progression is closely related to the tight junction between scleral cells, cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix remodeling.

Role of galectin-3 in the early brain injury of mice with subarachnoid hemorrhage is associated with the regulation of microglia polarization / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of galectin-3 (gal-3) on microglia polarization after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Methods:C57BL/6 male adult mice were used to induce SAH or sham operation models. Gal-3 siRNA or negative control siRNA was injected into the lateral ventricle 48 h before the model was induced. After 24 h of model preparation, the SAH score, neurological function score, brain water content, and Evans blue exudate were measured. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expressions of M1 phenotypic markers (inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS], CD11b, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and M2 phenotype markers (CD206, YM1/2, arginase-1 [Arg1]).Results:After using Gal-3 siRNA to inhibit Gal-3, the neurological function score significantly increased, while the SAH score, brain water content, and Evans blue exudate significantly decreased ( P<0.001). Western blot analysis showed that the expressions of M1 phenotypic markers (iNOS, CD11b and TNF-α) in microglia were significantly decreased after Gal-3 inhibition, while the expressions of M2 phenotypic markers (CD206, YM1/2 and Arg1) were significantly increased ( P<0.001). Conclusion:Inhibition of Gal-3 expression can alleviate the early brain injury after SAH, and its mechanism may be associated with regulating the polarization of microglia from M1 to M2 phenotype.

Mucin levels in glands of the colonic mucosa of rats with diversion colitis subjected to enemas containing sucralfate and n-acetylcysteine alone or in combination

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the tissue content of neutral and acidic mucins, sulfomucins and sialomucins in colonic glands devoid of intestinal transit after enemas containing sucralfate and n-acetylcysteine alone or in combination. Methods: Sixty-four rats underwent intestinal transit bypass. A colonic segment was collected to compose the white group (without intervention). After derivation, the animals were divided into two groups according to whether enemas were performed daily for two or four weeks. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups according to the substance used: control group: saline 0.9%; sucralfate group (SCF): SCF 2 g/kg/day; n-acetylcysteine group (NAC): NAC 100 mg/kg/day; and SCF+NAC group: SCF 2 g/kg/day + NAC 100 mg/kg/day.Neutral and acidic mucins were stained by periodic acid-Schiff and alcian-blue techniques, respectively. The distinction between sulfomucins and sialomucin was made by the high alcian-blue iron diamine technique. The content of mucins in the colonic glands was measured by computerized morphometry. The inflammatory score was assessed using a validated scale. The results between the groups were compared by the Mann-Whitney's test, while the variation according to time by the Kruskal-Wallis' test (Dunn's post-test). A significance level of 5% was adopted. Results: There was reduction in the inflammatory score regardless of the application of isolated or associated substances. Intervention with SCF+NAC increased the content of all mucin subtypes regardless of intervention time. Conclusions: The application of SCF+NAC reduced the inflammatory process of the colonic mucosa and increased the content of different types of mucins in the colonic glands of segments excluded from fecal transit.