Effects of swimming rehabilitation training on learning and memory function and CaMK Ⅱ in ger-bils with cerebral ischemia reperfusion / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the protective effect and mechanism of swimming rehabilitation training on learning and memory impairment of cerebral ischemia reperfusion gerbil. Methods Forty adult healthy male gerbils were randomly divided into sham group,sham+swimming group (Sham+S group),cere-bral ischemia / reperfusion group ( I/R group), cerebral ischemia/reperfusion+swimming group ( I/R+S group),with 10 rats in each group. The gerbil models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in I/R group and I/R+S group were established by blocking bilateral common carotid artery,while for gerbils in Sham group and Sham+S group, only bilateral common carotid arteries of gerbils were exposed, but no arteries were clamped. Morris water maze was used to detect the changes of learning and memory function in rats. Oxida- tive stress injury in hippocampal neurons was detected by detection kit analysis. And the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and CaMK Ⅱ protein in hippocampal tissue was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with Sham group,the gerbils in I/R group had longer positioning cruise time and less shuttle times ( both P<0. 01). Compared with I/R group,the positioning cruise time and shuttle times in I/R+S group were signifi-cantly shortened and increased respectively (both P<0. 01). Compared with sham group( SOD:(123. 13± 7. 50)U/mg,GSH:(42. 10±2. 17) μg/g,GSH-Px:(61. 37±2. 51) μg/g,MDA:( 2. 91± 0. 23) nmol/mg), the activities of SOD,GSH,GSH-Px in I/R group decreased significantly,while the content of MDA increased significantly(SOD:(75. 50±6. 96)U/mg,GSH:(22. 50±1. 64) μg/g,GSH-Px:(33. 15±2. 04)μg/g,MDA:(5. 96±0. 32)nmol/mg;all P<0. 01). Furthermore,compared with I/R group,the above indexes in I/R+S group were significantly reversed(SOD:(110. 30±5. 90)U/mg,GSH:(34. 31±1. 73)μg/g,GSH-Px:(50. 13 ±2. 31)μg/g,MDA:(3. 57±0. 29) nmol/mg;all P<0. 01). Compared with Sham group,the expression of Bax protein in hippocampus of gerbils in I/R group was increased,while the expression of Bcl-2 protein and p-CaMK Ⅱ protein was decreased (all P<0. 05). Compared with I/R group,the expression of Bax protein in hippocampus of gerbils in I/R+S group was decreased,while the expression of Bcl-2 protein and p-CaMK Ⅱprotein was increased (all P<0. 05). Conclusion Swimming rehabilitation training can improve learning and memory impairment of gerbils after ischemia-reperfusion through anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis, which may be related to CaMK Ⅱ signaling system.

Effect of Coxsackievirus A16 on primary gerbil muscle cells and its mechanism / 预防医学

Objective To explore the killing mechanism induced by Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) in primary muscle cells of gerbils, and to lay the foundations for elucidation the pathogenesis of CV-A16 and the further application of gerbil model. Methods The primary muscle cell model was established by digestion of trypsase/collagenase double enzyme hydrolysis. Primary muscle cells were infected by different dose of CV-A16 and the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assays. Chromatin condensation and break were measured by Hoechst 33258 staining. The early and last stage of apoptosis cells were measured by AnnexinV/PI double staining. Expression changes of Caspase-3, Caspase-8, JNK and NF-κB pathway proteins were detected by Western Blot. Results The cell viability were 88.95％ and 64.05％ at groups of different multiplicity of infection (MOI=0.50 and 1.00), which was significantly different from those of the negative control group. The cell viability and multiplicity of infection were negative correlation (rs=-0.857, P=0.014) . The apoptosis rates were 7.2％, 21.8％ and 50.7％ at MOI=0.01,0.10 and 1.00 groups, respectively. The apoptosis rate and MOI were positive correlation (rs=1.000, P<0.001) . When the primary cells were infected by CV-A16, cleavage of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 were detected. Western Blot assays showed that the expression of NF-κB pathway proteins IκBα, p65 and p-p65 were reduced, which was different in enterovirus 71-infected cells. The JNK kinase was actived. Conclusion CV-A16 could induce apoptosis in primary muscle cells from gerbils.

Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist alleviates global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in gerbils through down?regulating autophagy / 中国实验动物学报

Objective Cysteinyl leukotrienes are potent inflammatory mediators. Their actions are mediated by specific receptors,the CysLT receptors(CysLT1R and CysLT2R),which have been cloned and characterized. In this stud-y,we investigated the protective effects of the CysLTR antagonist Pranlukast and HAMI 3379 on global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(CI/R)injury in gerbils and its underlying mechanisms. Methods The gerbil model of CI/R was established by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 10 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. Then the animals were equally ran-domized into four groups: sham, model, Pranlukast(0.1 mg/kg)and HAMI 3379(0.1 mg/kg)groups. The later two groups were treated with intraperitoneal injection of Pranlukast and HAMI 3379,respectively,once daily for 4 days before carotid artery occlusion,while the former two groups with saline only,all at 10 mL/kg. After 24 h reperfusion,neurologi-cal deficit scores were observed and the behavioral dysfunction was assessed. The neuron morphology of cerebral cortex and CA1 subregion of hippocampus were observed in brain sections stained with cresyl violet. The expression of autophagy-relat-ed proteins beclin-1 and LC3 in the homogenate of cerebral cortex and hippocampus were determined using western blotting analysis. The ultrastructure of autophagosomes in the CA1 subregion of hippocampus was observed by electron microscopy. Results Compared with the model group, Pranlukast and HAMI 3379 attenuated neurological deficits, improved the be-havioral dysfunction,inhibited the neuron injury and loss, decreased the expression of autophagy-related protein beclin-1 and LC3 and the number of autophagosomes. Conclusions cysteinyl Leukotriene receptor antagonist Pranlukast and HAMI 3379 can alleviate global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in gerbils. The protective effects of Pranlukast and HAMI 3379 appear to be associated with the inhibition of autophagy.

Prenatal and pubertal testosterone exposure imprint permanent modifications in the prostate that predispose to the development of lesions in old Mongolian gerbils / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The prostate is an accessory sex gland that develops under precise androgenic control. It is known that hormonal imbalance may disrupt its development predisposing this gland to develop diseases during aging. Although the hypothesis regarding earlier origins of prostate diseases was proposed many years ago, the mechanisms underlying this complex phenomenon are poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prostates of old male gerbils exposed to testosterone during intrauterine and postnatal life using morphological, biometrical, stereological, Kariometric, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence analyses. Our findings demonstrate that prenatal and pubertal exposure to testosterone increases the susceptibility to the development of prostate diseases during aging. The presence of a more proliferative gland associated with foci of adenomatous hyperplasia in animals exposed to testosterone during the prenatal and pubertal phase show that the utero life and the pubertal period are important phases for prostatic morphophysiology establishment, which is a determinant for the health of the gland during aging. Therefore, these findings reinforce the idea that prostate disease may result from hormonal disruptions in early events during prostate development, which imprint permanently on the gland predisposing it to develop lesions in later stages of life.

Age-dependent differences in myelin basic protein expression in the hippocampus of young, adult and aged gerbils / 한국실험동물학회지

Myelin degeneration is one of the characteristics of aging and degenerative diseases. This study investigated age-related alterations in expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) in the hippocampal subregions (dentate gyrus, CA2/3 and CA1 areas) of gerbils of various ages; young (1 month), adult (6 months) and aged (24 months), using western blot and immunohistochemistry. Western blot results showed tendencies of age-related reductions of MBP levels. MBP immunoreactivity was significantly decreased with age in synaptic sites of trisynaptic loops, perforant paths, mossy fibers, and Schaffer collaterals. In particular, MBP immunoreactive fibers in the dentate molecular cell layer (perforant path) was significantly reduced in adult and aged subjects. In addition, MBP immunoreactive mossy fibers in the dentate polymorphic layer and in the CA3 striatum radiatum was significantly decreased in the aged group. Furthermore, we observed similar age-related alterations in the CA1 stratum radiatum (Schaffer collaterals). However, the density of MBP immunoreactive fibers in the dentate granular cell layer and CA stratum pyramidale was decreased with aging. These findings indicate that expression of MBP is age-dependent and tissue specific according to hippocampal layers.

Age-related change of Iba-1 immunoreactivity in the adult and aged gerbil spinal cord / 대한해부학회지

In the present study, we examined change of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) in the adult and aged gerbil spinal cords. Significant change of morphological feature and neuronal cell loss were not observed in both adult and aged spinal cords of gerbil after NeuN immunohistochemistry and Fluoro-Jade B histofluoresce staining. Iba-1–immunoreactive microglia broadly distributed in the spinal cord. Most of Iba-1–immunoreactive microglia showed ramified forms in the adult gerbil cervical and lumbar spinal cords. However, morphological changes of Iba-1–immunoreactive microglia were observed in the cervical and lumbar regions of the aged gerbil spinal cord. These microglia were showed a hypertrophied body with shortened swollen processes which was characteristic of activated microglia. In addition, Iba-1 protein level significantly higher in aged cervical and lumbar spinal cords than those in the adult gerbil. The present study showed an increase of activated forms of Iba-1–immunoreactive microglia and its protein level without marked changes in morphological features and neuronal loss in the aged spinal cord compared to those in the adult gerbil spinal cord. This result suggests that the increase of Iba-1 expression in the aged spinal cord may be closely associated with age-related changes in aged gerbil spinal cord.

Establishment of a detection method for Helicobacter pylori in living Mongolian gerbil / 中国比较医学杂志

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.

Preliminarily genetic characterizations of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease mongolian gerbil / 中国比较医学杂志

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.

Establishment of a modified in vitro mongolian gerbil oocyte fertilization and embryo culture system / 中国实验动物学报

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.

Mongolian Gerbil as a Novel Animal Model for Ligature-induced Periodontitis

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.

Quantitative evaluation of the hydroxyl radical level after global brain ischemia by intracranial microdialysis under stereotaxis / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To compare the strength of oxidative stress from different concentrations of oxygen administered by the accumulation of hydroxyl radicals during early reperfusion after global brain ischemia.Methods Sixteen adult male Mongolian gerbils with microdialysis probes implanted in the hippocampal CA1 were divided randomly (random number)into two groups (n =8 in each).All gerbils of both groups were subjected to 10 min bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO).Then the following intervention:(a) immediate 30% O2 (near normoxia,NO group ) and (b ) immediate 100% O2 (hyperoxia,HO group).The accumulation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH)in hippocampus during reperfusion was estimated by measuring 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA ) and 2,5-DHBA in microdialysis perfusate.Results Immediately after the onset of reperfusion,two groups showed markedly elevated DHBA,which returned to baseline gradually.Compared with the NO group,the HO group showed significantly higher peak DHBA and slower recovery.Conclusions Hydroxyl radical accumulation was more sensitive to inhalation of high concentration O2 during early reperfusion of global cerebral ischemia.

Establishment of a primary culture protocol of Mongolian gerbil hepatic stellate cells / 中国比较医学杂志

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.

Effect of high fat diet on the serum biochemical parameters and histopathology of main organs in Mongolian gerbils / 中国比较医学杂志

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.

The effect of scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training on the regulation of neuro-plasticity-associated protein MAP-2 in gerbils modelling cerebral ischemia and reperfusion / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe the effect of scalp acupuncture and rehabilitation training on the regulation of neuro-plasticity-associated protein MAP-2 in gerbils modelling cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.Methods Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion were modelled into thirty-six male gerbils.They were then randomly divided into a model group (A),a scalp acupuncture and rehabilitation training group (B) and a rehabilitation training group (C),each of 12 cases.The scalp acupuncture and rehabilitation training were administered daily to the gerbils in group B beginning 24 h after modeling,for 14 d.Any changes in Bederson scores were observed after one,7 and 14 days.On the 14th day the expression of MAP-2 around the infarct focus was detected using western blotting in all 3 groups.Results On the 7th day the average Bederson score in group B (1.81 ± 0.52) was not significantly different from that in group A (2.13 ± 0.49) or group C (2.00 ± 0.31) (P ＞ 0.05).At the end of the treatment,however,there were significant differences between the groups,with group B (0.47 ± 0.31) scoring significantly better than groups C (1.04 ± 0.63) and A (1.46 ± 0.72) (P ＜ 0.05).Group C was also significantly better than group A (P ＜0.05).The expression of MAP-2 as measured as integrated optical intensity (IOD) in group B (0.91 ±0.18) was significantly higher than that in group A (0.43 ± 0.21) and group C (0.67 ± 0.24) (P ＜ 0.05) ; so was group C compared to group A (P ＜0.05).Conclusion The scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training can improve the recovery of motor function and enhance the expression of neuro-plasticity-associated protein MAP-2 in gerbils with after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.

The epidemic situations of animal plague in the animal plague foci of Yinchuan City from 2004 to 2014 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective To analyze the changes of gopher density and epidemic situations of animal plague in the natural plague foci of Yinchuan from 2004-2014,to sum up the epidemic regularity of the epidemic situation,and to provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment of the plague.Methods Retrospective analysis was used in the study.The plague monitoring data were collected;the number of host animals,density of rat,media index,aetiological and serological test results were analyzed.Results From 2004 to 2014,a total of 15 664 rats in 14 species,4 families and 9 genera were captured.The dominant populations were Meriones unguiculatus and Meriones meridianus.The density of rats was 4 919 km2,the number of rats was 6 196,the density of each rat was 0.21 to 3.85/hm2,and the average density was 1.26/hm2.A total of 15 664 rats were examined,the number of positive rats was 33,and the positive rate was 0.21％ (33/15 664).Among them,gerbils were 29,accounted for 87.88％ (29/33);18 strains of Yersiniapestis were detected in dead rats,which accounted for 54.54％ (18/33).A total of 5 810 groups of 22 070 fleas were cultured,the number of positive fleas was 42,and the positive rate was 0.12％ (7/5 810).Plague fleas were 2 kinds,the same type cheopis subspecies in 6 groups of 37 fleas,Nosopsyllus laeviceps vole subspecies in 1 group of 5 fleas.The positive number of F1 antibody was 3,and the positive rate was 0.12％ (3/ 2 446).Conclusions Yinchuan City,the natural foci of plague epidemic,is in the active state.We should pay attention to the density changes of Meriones unguiculatus and strengthen the monitoring work to pick up the dead rats,and found the epidemic of animal plague as soon as possible,in order to prevent the occurrence of human plague.

Dynamic changes of oxidative stress and cytokines in gerbils with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and their significance / 中国比较医学杂志

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 .

The optimization scheme of Mongolian gerbils superovulation induced by PMSG and hCG / 中国比较医学杂志

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.

Neuroprotection of antioxidant enzymes against transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils / 대한해부학회지

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.

Laboratory based diagnosis of leishmaniasis in rodents as the reservoir hosts in southern Iran, 2012

Objective:To examine the fauna of rodents as zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis reservoir hosts in Zarqan County, Fars Province, south of Iran, during 2012. Methods:During 2012, wild rodents from different parts of this region were caught by Sherman traps and checked by the examination of liver and spleen smears, for Leishmania infection, to see which species were acting as reservoir hosts;the slides were then processed to extract DNA for molecular test using PCR assay. Results:From 108 rodent species caught, 63%were male and 37%identified as female. Meriones libycus was the most abundant species caught (80.5%) and 5.7%of them were found to be smear-positive for Leishmania amastigotes. The other species were Rattus rattus (14.8%) and Mus musculus (4.7%), but none of them were found positive. Leishmania infection was observed in male and female samples microscopically. Moreover, molecular results revealed Leishmania major in three male and two female specimens. Conclusions:Based on our knowledge, Meriones libycus is incriminated as the main reservoir hosts of Leishmania major in the rural area of Zarqan.

Investigation of Leptospira infection in three new experimental animals by PCR methods / 中国比较医学杂志

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 .