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Objective To investigate the feasibility of self-made capacitation liquid for in vitro fertilization of Mongolian gerbils, and to provide a reference for gerbil embryo cryopreservation. Methods In vitro fertilization of Mongo?lian gerbil was performed with the self?prepared capacitation solution and semen, and the 2?cell embryos of Mongolian ger?bils were cultured in vitro using an improved KSOM culture medium. Results The in vitro fertilization rate of gerbils was over 60%, and some gerbil 2?cell embryos could develop further in vitro. Conclusions An in vitro fertilization and embry?o development system of Mongolian gerbil has been established, but it needs further optimization.
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the major metabolic diseases.In view of the defects of traditional animal models, this study was the first to establish the NAFLD model of Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) with simple feed formula which is similar to human (from simple fatty liver to steatohepatitis, fibrosis,Liver cirrhosis).This study discussed the mechanism of rapid fatty liver deposition in Mongolian gerbil, revealed its molecular mechanism,main regulatory target and network function of fatty liver susceptibility.We provide a new animal model of NAFLD with relatively clear background and less time-consuming for clinical treatment and new drug development.The theoretical and practical basis for the breeding of inbred strain NAFLD gerbil was established.
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Objective To establish a detection technique for H.pylori(HP) infection in Mongolian gerbils using nested PCR technique.Methods H.pylori was cultured in vitro and inoculated into Mongolian gerbils.At the 10th week after infection, the HP in the gastric juice of Mongolian gerbil was detected by conventional PCR assay and the gastric juice, gastric mucosa, duodenal contents and colon stool were examined by nested PCR.Rapid urease test and ELISA were used to analyze the accuracy of the nested PCR assay.All of the PCR products were verified by sequencing.Results The positive rate of gastric juice detected by conventional PCR was 30%, while the positive rates of gastric juice, gastric mucosa, duodenal contents and colon stool detected by nested PCR were 100%, 100%, 90%, and 10%, respectively.The positive detection rates of rapid urease test and serum ELISA were 100% and 0%, respectively.Comparing the results of different methods, both the positive rates of gastric juice and gastric mucosa detected by nested PCR and the detection rate of rapid urease test were 100%, but the results of conventional PCR detection of gastric juice, the nested PCR detection result of stool in colon and of serum ELISA assay were lower than other methods.Conclusions Due to its high accuracy and sensitivity, the nested PCR assay of gastric juice can be used for the long-time detection of H.pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils, especially useful in the experiments of prevention and treatment of H.pylori infection.
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Objective To investigate the method to isolate and culture hepatic stellate cells ( HSCs) for studying the cellular mechanisms of hepatic frbrosis.Methods HSCs were isolated by nycodenz density gradient centrifugation after the hepatocytes obtained from adult male gebils were digested with pronase, collagenase and DNase, infused via portal vein.The cell viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion test.The purity of HSCs was identified by detectingα-SMA, desmin immunohistochemical staining.Results The yield rate of HSCs was 0.5~1 ×107 per gerbil liver, and the cell viability was more than 90%.The percentage ofα-SMA-positive cells was more than 75%after 3 days primary culture and almost 100% cells were α-SMA and desmin positive in passage culture.Conclusion The successful protocol of primary culture of Mongolian gerbil HSC provide a technical support for research of relevant liver diseases and drug development in the future.
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Inflammation from chronic and acute infections of distal organs and tissues such as periodontitis is a risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular processes. Recently, a new model of atherosclerosis with vascular pathologies was developed in the Mongolian gerbil. In this study, we attempted to develop a model of ligature-induced periodontitis in gerbils and compared the characteristics of that periodontitis model with that in rats and mice. Each gerbil, rat, and mouse was randomly assigned to groups of control and periodontitis. A thread was placed around the cervix of the right and left first molars in the mandible with knots placed on the mesial side of each molar. At day 14 after the ligation, the animals were sacrificed and their mandibles were dissected. To measure alveolar bone loss along with inflammation, histopathological and micro-CT analyses were carried out. Gerbils showed tooth characteristics of deeper gingival crevice, longer cusp, longer root trunk and shorter root than those of rats and mice. The increased CEJ-ABC distance in distal and PDL area in furcation was also observed in ligated gerbils. An inflammatory response in the connective tissue under the junctional epithelium was also shown in all the animals. As a result, we confirmed the induction of periodontitis by ligature in the gerbils. We therefore consider the gerbil to be a useful model for investigating relationship between periodontitis and vascular disease in the same animal.
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Animals , Female , Mice , Rats , Alveolar Bone Loss , Atherosclerosis , Cervix Uteri , Connective Tissue , Epithelial Attachment , Gerbillinae , Inflammation , Ligation , Mandible , Models, Animal , Molar , Pathology , Periodontitis , Risk Factors , Tooth , Vascular DiseasesABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of high fat diet on serum biochemical parameters and histopathology of main organs in Mongolian gerbils.Methods Forty-eight healthy adult male Mongolian gerbils were randomly and equally divided into model and normal groups.The gerbils in the model group were fed with high fat diet while the normal group with standard diet.Eight gerbils in each group were killed at the end of 4th,8th and 16th week,respectively,and the body weight, serum levels of Glu, TG, CHOL, HDL-C, LDL-C, UA, CREA, BUN, TBil, TP, ALB, ALT, AST and AMS were determined.The histopathological changes of main organs were observed.Results Compared with the normal group,the blood lipid of the model gerbils was significantly increased, the liver function was impaired, the blood uric acid level was higher, and the blood glucose was decreased at the end of 16th week.The AMS was increased at the end of 16th week,but the renal function showed no significant changes.The liver tissue of the model group gradually showed steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis and cirrhosis, accompanied by splenomegalia. The lung tissue and myocardium showed fatty degeneration and obvious damages in the later period,the pancreatic islets were enlarged and the amount of endocrine cells was increased,and the small intestine and kidney didn’ t show any distinct changes.Conclusions A gerbil models of hyperlipidemia and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis can be well established by high fat diet feeding,and may serve as good models for research of hyperlipidemia-related hyperuricemia, and lung and myocardial damages.
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ObjectiveToexplorethedynamicchangesofoxidativestressandcytokinesinMongoliangerbilswith nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) and their significance.Methods Forty-eight healthy male gerbils were randomly divided into normal group and model group , 24 in each group .Gerbils of the model group were fed with high fat diet while those of the normal group with normal diet .Eight gerbils in each group were killed at the end of 4 w, 8 w and 16 w, respectively .MDA content and SOD , GSH-PX and T-AOC activity in the liver tissue were detected by chemical method, and serum TNF-α, INF-γand IL-10 levels were determined using liquid suspension chip .Results With the development of NAFLD , MDA content in liver increased gradually , and the MDA contents were all significantly higher than those of the normal group ( P<0.01 ); T-AOC level slightly increased , and then decreased , the levels at 4 w and 16 w were markedly decreased compared with those of the normal group (P<0.05);SOD level was significantly increased and then markedly reduced, the level of the model group at 4 w was significantly increased (P<0.05), while that at 8 w and 16 w were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01).The level of GSH-PX was decreased gradually , the levels at 8 w and 16 w were significantly lower than those of the normal group (P<0.05).With the progression of NAFLD,serum TNF-αand IFN-γwere increased gradually , while the level of IL-10 decreased gradually , and the levels at 8 w and 16 w were significantly lower than those of the normal group ( P <0.05, P <0.01).Conclusions The oxidative stress-related indicators and inflammatory cytokines in the gerbil NAFLD models induced by high fat diet are significantly changed as simple fatty liver develops into steatohepatitis , liver fibrosis and cirrhosis , and participate in the development and progression of NAFLD .
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Objective To optimize the scheme of Mongolian gerbil superovulation.Methods Based on the analysis of the animal-week-old, the dose and time interval of hormone, we got the best animal-week-old, dose and time interval of hormone for Mongolian gerbil superovulation.Results The 6 week old female Mongolian gerbils which injected of 10 IU PMSG and followed by 10 IU hCG in 70 hours later could get the best superovulation.We collected eggs at 16 hour after mate with male gerbils.The ovum pick-up rate reached 80%, the number of oocytes were 32.6 ±3.0, the number of the fertilized egg developed to 2-cell are 24.8 ±5.4.Conclusions This study summarizes the optimization scheme of Mongolian gerbil superovulation induced by PMSG and hCG and it supported the foundation for Mongolian gerbils embryo biotechnology.
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Mongolian gerbil is a multifunctional laboratory anima1 resource with Chinese characteristics.It has many advantages for some research fields, and play an important role.The more biological characteristics of Mongolian ger-bils discovered with in-depth research will promote diverse application of this resoure.In this paper, we reviewed the devel-opment of application of Mongolian gerbils in taxonomy, parasitology, microbiology, cerebral ischemia, lipid metabolism, neurological diseases, and cancer researches.
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Objective To establish an effective PCR assay for leptospirosis detection , and applicate the assay in tree shrew, mongolian gerbil and gray hamster .Methods Sequence of leptospira was obtained from the NCBI Genbank , and primers were designed based on the sequences .The positive amplified fragments were sequenced to verify the reliability of the method.The samples from tree shrew, mongolian gerbils and hamsters were tested using this PCR method .Results The PCR method for detection of leptospirosis was successfully established .The positive rate of Leptospira was 8.33% in 60 samples of conventional tree shrews , 100% in 104 samples of the conventional Mongolian gerbils , and 0% in 60 samples of clean gray hamsters.Conclusions The establishment of this PCR assay is useful in the detection of leptospirosis in tree shrew, mongolian gerbil and gray hamster .The results of our investigation of leptospira infection levels of the three new experimental animals may promote their application in biomedical research .
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Objective To investigate epidemiological characteristics of animal plague in Microtus brandti plague foci in China from 2005-2013,and to found the reason for cross epidemic of Microtus brandti and Mongolian gerbil plague.Methods Totally 135 Yesinia pestis (Y.pestis) were isolated in Microtus brandti plague foci from 2005 to 2013.According to the typing method of Y.pestis and The Criteria of Plague Natural Foci and Animal Plague Epidemic(GB 16883-1997),bacteria type was identified using biochemical tests and sugar alcohols glycolysis test.Monitoring reports of the plague epidemic situation in Abag Banner,Xilinhot,Sonid left Banner,Xi Ujimqin Banner,Dong Ujimqin Banner,Inner Mongolia were collected.The epidemiological distribution of animal plague in Microtus brandti plague foci was analyzed.Results In 135 strains tested which were isolated from 2005-2007 and 2010,128 strains were fermented farinose,unfermented rhamnose; and 7 strains were fermented rhamnose,unfermented arabinose in 2008.According to the types of Microtus brandti Y.pestis (fermented rhamnose,unfermented arainose) and Mongolian gerbil Y.pestis (fermented arainose,unfermented rhamnose),Microtus brandti plague was identified in the epidemic in Xilinhot and Dong Ujimqin Banner in 2008.The Mongolian gerbil plague was epidemic in Abag Banner,Xilinhot and Xi Ujimqin Banner in2005-2007 and 2010.Conclusions In 2005,Mongolian gerbil type of Y.pestis is first isolated in Abag Banner,Xilinhot and Xi Ujimqin Banner.It is confirmed a newly discovered Mongolian gerbil plague foci.Abag Banner,Xilinhot,Sonid left Banner,Xi Ujimqin Banner and Dong Ujimqin Banner are Microtus brandti plague foci,only Dong Ujimqin Banner is Microtus brandti plague foci,others are two types of Microtus brandti and Mongolian gerbil plague foci.Since 2005,new epidemic situation is found,the Microtus brandti plague foci is becoming complex.It is a serious threat to human being.We must further strengthen the research and prevention in future.
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Objective To investigate the numbers of corpus luteum and ovarian follicles and compare the levels of serum prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2 ) in different phases of estrus cycle in female gerbils .Methods Consecutively taking vaginal smears of the gerbils and directly examined under light microscope to distinguish the four phases of the estrus cycle .Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to histological examination of the gerbil ovaries , and to detect the levels of serum PRL , LH, FSH and E2 by ELISA assay during estrus cycle .Results The proportion of cornified vaginal exfolliated cells could be the basis to distinguish four phases respectively:proestrus, oestrus, metoestrus, and dioestrus.Moreover, there were no significant differences between the numbers of ovarian follicles in different phases of estrus cycle .The numbers of corpus luteum in preoestrus were significantly lower than that in the other phases of estrus cycle ( P <0.05 ) .The levels of serum PRL and LH were increasing constantly from preoestrus to dioestrus , and both reached a peak at dioestrus ( P<0.05 ) .The levels of serum FSH and E2 both peaked at preoestrus , and were significantly higher than those at oestrus , metoestrus and dioestrus ( P<0.05).Conclusions There are no significant differences between the numbers of ovarian follicles in different phases of estrus cycle .Gonadotropin , prolactin and estradiol paly important roles in the regulation of estrous cycle .The phases during which surges of FSH and E 2 occur in Mongolian gerbils are similar to those of rats and mice , while the PRL and LH are different .Our findings provide further reference to the study of reproductive physiology of Mongolian gerbils .
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Experimentally transient global cerebral ischemia using animal models have been thoroughly studied and numerous reports suggest the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of neuronal death in ischemic lesions. In animal models, during the reperfusion period after ischemia, increased oxygen supply results in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are involved in the process of cell death. ROS, such as superoxide anions, hydroxyl free radicals, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide are produced as a consequence of metabolic reactions and central nervous system activity. These reactive species are directly involved in the oxidative damage of cellular macromolecules such as nucleic acids, lipids and proteins in ischemic tissues, which can lead to cell death. Antioxidant enzymes are believed to be among the major mechanisms by which cells counteract the deleterious effect of ROS after cerebral ischemia. Consequently, antioxidant strategies have been long suggested as a therapy for experimental ischemic stroke; however, clinical trials have not yet been able to promote the translation of this concept into patient treatment regimens. This article focuses on the contribution of oxidative stress or antioxidants to the post-ischemic neuronal death following transient global cerebral ischemia by using a gerbil model.
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Humans , Antioxidants , Brain Ischemia , Cell Death , Central Nervous System , Free Radicals , Gerbillinae , Hydrogen Peroxide , Ischemia , Models, Animal , Neurons , Nitric Oxide , Nucleic Acids , Oxidative Stress , Oxygen , Reactive Oxygen Species , Reperfusion , Stroke , SuperoxidesABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the distribution of eosinphililic neurons ( ENs),reactive astrocytes ( RAs),and infarction after transient cerebal ischemia,and the time profile of pathomorphological changes.Methods Unilateral forebrain ischemia was induced in Mongolian gerbils by two 10 minutes unilateral common carotid artery occlusions with a 5 hours interval.Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to detect intra-ischemic anterior cortex blood flow.Animals were sacrificed at 24 hours,4 days,2 weeks,4 weeks,16 weeks and the brain were prepared for pathomorphological assay.Results Intra-ischemic laser Doppler flowmetry show significant ischemia during carotid artery occlusion:22.1％ ± 9.5％,26.3％ ± 4.9％,37.5％ ± 3.5％,F =67.219,P ＜ 0.01 ; the decrease was significantly greater in the anterior cortex.ENs appeared in middle and deep layers at 24 hours postischemia,and ENs area extend to all layers of cortex by 4 days.Large areas of high EN density ( ≥80/mm2) evolved to infarcts between 4 days and 4 weeks.Posterior cortex evolved to low EN area ( ＜ 80/mm2) without transformation into infarcts.RAs were consistently distributed in areas with ENs,and RA areas with high EN density were largely transformed into infarcts between 4 days and 4 weeks. Delayed astrocytic death took place in the RA areas with high EN density.Conclusion Density of ENs is an important indicator of delayed astrocytic death and infarction in postischemic tissue.
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Objective To investigate the roles of infection of Helicobacter priori (Hp) and effects of Hp eradication in the development of gastric carcinoids in Mongolian gerbils. Methods A total of 100 an-imals were divided into seven groups: A, B without Hp were sacrificed after 50 and 100 weeks as controls, Hp was inoculated into group C, D, E, F, G. Group F and G received eradication of Hp after 75 weeks and 50 weeks, respectively. Results In control group A and B, no hyperplasia/dysplasia and carcinoids were ob-served. In Hp-infected groups (C, D, E,), Anti-Hp antibodies and serum gastrin levels significantly in-creased at 50 week,75 weeks and 100 weeks, and the incidences of hyperplasia/dysplasia and carcinoids were 27.8% (5/18), 31.2% (5/16), 58.3% (14/24) and 16.7% (3/18), 31.2% (5/16), 62.5% (15/24), respectively, and significantly higher than each control group(P< 0.01). The areas of carcinoids increased accordingly over the time(P < 0.01). After eradication of Hp in group F at 75 weeks and in group G at 50 weeks, values for anti-Hp IgG titer, gastrin levels decreased gradually. The frequencies of hyperpla-sia/dysplasiaand and carcinoids were 25.0% (4/16), 15.4% (2/13) and 37.5% (6/16), 23.1% (3/13), respectively. The incidences of hyperplasia/dysplasia and carcinoids in earlier Hp-eredicated group G were significantly lower than non-eradicated group E (P < 0.001). The areas of carcinoids also marked re-duced compared with non-eradicated group E(P <0.001). There were significant correlations between anti-Hp antibodies and serum gastrin levels(P <0.005), and between serum gastrin levels and carcinoids(P <0.001). Conclusion These results suggested that Hp infection plays a critical role in development of gas-tric carcinoids and eradication of Hp might be effective in preventing development of Hp-related gastric carci-noids in Mongolian gerbils.
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Mongolian gerbils and Wistar rats were inoculated orally with 240 and 2,500 Toxocara cati embryonated eggs, respectively, to evaluate the larval recovery in different tissues and organs, such as the liver, lungs, heart, kidney, and skeletal muscles after 5, 30, 49, 70, and 92 days post-infection (PI). Larval recovery rates were 1.7-30.0% in Mongolian gerbils on days 5-92 PI and 0.2-3.8% in rats on the same days. These results indicate that Mongolian gerbils and Wistar rats are suitable experimental paratenic hosts for the study of neurological toxocariasis as well as visceral toxocariasis.
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Animals , Male , Rats , Animal Structures/parasitology , Disease Models, Animal , Gerbillinae , Histocytochemistry , Microscopy , Rats, Wistar , Toxocara/pathogenicity , Toxocariasis/parasitologyABSTRACT
Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is strongly associated with duodenal and gastric ulcers. Substantial epidemiological data has revealed that high rates of H. pylori infection might be related to high rates of gastric cancer and gastric adenocarcinoma. In this study, a medicinal herbal plant, Cinnamomum cassia, was examined and screened for anti-H. pylori activity. Seventy percent ethanol was used for herbal extraction. For anti-H. pylori activity screening, inhibitory zone tests as an in vitro assay and in vivo study using a Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) model were performed. Also, the safety of herbal compounds was evaluated by animal study. As a result of inhibitory zone test, Cinnamomum cassia extract demonstrated strong anti-H. pylori activities. Also, as results of in vivo animal studies, Cinnamomum cassia demonstrated strong therapeutic effects against H. pylori infection according to the criteria of histological examination and rapid urease test. As results of the safety study, after 28 days treatment of the Cinnamomum cassia extract, the animals were not detected any grossly and histological changes. These results demonstrate that it can be successfully cured against H. pylori infection and protected from H. pylori-induced pathology with Cinnamomum cassia. It could be a promising native herb treatment for patients with gastric complaints including gastric ulcer caused by H. pylori.
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Animals , Humans , Adenocarcinoma , Cinnamomum , Cinnamomum aromaticum , Ethanol , Gerbillinae , Helicobacter , Helicobacter pylori , Mass Screening , Plants , Plants, Medicinal , Stomach Neoplasms , Stomach Ulcer , UreaseABSTRACT
Objective To observe Mongolian gerbil's reproducing performance and growth indexes of biology for guidance of development and use of laboratory anima1. Methods 200 gerbils produced by seed-parents with good reproductive capacity and body constitution were selected (females and males were 100 each).When 2.5~3.0 months old,one male and one female were cohabited randomly for a long period of time.Results Every embryo gave birth to 14 young gerbils at best and 1 gerbil at least.The total embryos was 455 and the total young gerbils was 3191. The average young gerbils of every embryo were 7.01,and every embryo gave mostly birth to 5~9 young gerbils,accounting for 79.34 percent of all the embryos. The shortest time between two embryos was 20 days and the longest time was 127 days,and mostly were 20~60 days,accounting for 72.16 percent of total. Conclusion The body weight,body length and tail length of Mongolian gerbils grow rapidly from birth to 4 months old. The differences between female and male was not significantly before delectation,and the in the growing time after delectation,the body weight,body length and tail length of male gerbils were all greater than those of female gerbils.
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The possibility of inducing peritoneal inflammation in three murine species (gerbils, rats and mice) via the oral administration of indomethacin was investigated with the overall aim of developing an experimental animal model for human peritonitis. Gerbils given high doses of indomethacin at a rate of 30 mg and 40 mg/kg body weight showed swelling of the abdomen, depression and dyspnea within 4 days after the treatment. The severity of the clinical symptoms increased with time. The animals were confirmed as having developed peritonitis based on the pathological features including inflammation of the peritoneum, and fibrinous adhesion of the abdominal organs in the abdominal cavity. The severity of peritonitis increased with increasing dose of indomethacin, and was not related to the gender of the animal. On the other hand, peritoneal inflammation did not develop in the rats and mice even at high doses. Therefore, the administration of 30 mg/kg body weight of indomethacin is an effective and simple method of inducing peritonitis in 5-week-old Mongolian gerbils. The animal peritonitis model used in this study can be used as an effective tool for examining potential therapeutic compounds for preventing peritoneal damage during peritonitis, and provide insight into the pathophysiology of peritonitis.
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Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Rats , Administration, Oral , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Gerbillinae , Indomethacin , Inflammation/chemically induced , Mice, Inbred ICR , Peritonitis/chemically induced , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Specific Pathogen-Free OrganismsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>Recently, the appearance ofHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) resistant to antibiotics has been reported. The development of an antibiotic therapy which would not induce resistant strains ofH. pylori is anticipated. In the present study, the antibiotic effect of black tea aqueous non-dialysate (BTND), the fraction different from tea catechins, onH. pylori was investigated using Mongolian gerbils infected withH. pylori.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>BTND was extracted from black tea leaves. A 0.1 w/v% solution of BTND or green tea catechins (GTC) was provided as drinking water to male NGS/Sea Mongolian gerbils infected withH. pylori (ATCC43504) for two weeks. Their stomachs were then excised, the mucosal surfaces were macroscopically observed, and colony forming units (CFU) ofH. pylori were counted. The data were compared between the BTND and GTC groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The CFU ofH. pylori were significantly decreased by intake of BTND. The body weight of the animals tended to be larger in the group supplied with BTND than in that supplied with GTC. Gastric mucosal injury tended to be smaller in the animals supplied with BTND than in those with GTC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results suggest that BTND may have an inhibitory effect onH. pylori infection.</p>