The use of animals in live-tissue trauma training and military medical research.

Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the most common preventable cause of death for soldiers wounded in combat. In live-tissue trauma training (LTTT), animals (mostly goats and pigs) are used to train physicians and paramedical personnel in how to treat severe traumatic injuries, including severe blood loss. Military personnel insist that such realistic training is necessary and has to date saved countless lives of soldiers. Animal rights groups, however, argue that the practice is inhumane and should be replaced with alternative methods. In this essay, the author explains how and why animals are used for LTTT and in military medical research (MMR), as well as why he feels that the continued use of animals for LTTT and MMR is justified. The author hopes to encourage wider discussion of this topic within the scientific, defense and animal welfare circles, leading to further refinements in the welfare and protection of animals used for these important, though often controversial, purposes.

A technique for intragastric gavage of radiolabeled liquid cholesterol in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) using a pediatric feeding tube.

The author describes a method of intragastric gavage in rabbits using a pediatric feeding tube. Researchers used this technique to administer radiolabeled cholesterol in a pilot study of cholesterol efflux. The author discusses specific considerations for gavaging rabbits, emphasizing occupational safety and rabbit welfare.

High-density lipoproteins enhance progenitor-mediated endothelium repair in mice.

OBJECTIVE: We quantified endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) engraftment into the endothelial layer as an index of progenitor-mediated endothelial repair. Studies were conducted in C57BL/6J and in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. We also investigated the possibility that high-density lipoproteins (HDL) may promote progenitor-mediated endothelial repair. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thoracic aortic sections from C57BL/6J and apoE(-/-) mice were analyzed for evidence of progenitor-derived endothelium as determined by the number of stem cell antigen-1-positive (Sca-1+) cells in the endothelial layer. EPCs (Sca-1+ cells) were significantly increased after endothelial damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration in C57BL/6J mice. The number of EPCs was greater in the aortic endothelium of untreated apoE(-/-) than in untreated C57BL/6J mice and was similar to the number observed in LPS-treated C57BL/6J mice. The number of EPCs in the aortic endothelium of apoE(-/-) mice more than doubled after intravenous infusion of reconstituted HDL. CONCLUSIONS: EPCs are recruited into the aortic endothelial layer of mice in response to an inflammatory insult. EPCs are also increased in the aortic endothelium of untreated apoE(-/-) mice. The observation that number is further increased in apoE(-/-) mice after injection of HDL suggests a role for HDL in promoting progenitor-mediated endothelial repair.

Vascular microdissection, perfusion, and excision of the murine arterial tree for use in atherogenic disease investigations.

Historically, studies of atherosclerosis and vascular disease have been performed in larger animal species, other than small rodents. Published information on vascular dissection in mice, because of the technical challenges it presents, has been limited. However, with the advent of transgenic technology, such procedures are becoming more commonplace. In particular, mice in which genes such as LDL or apolipoprotein E have been 'knocked-out' have recently provided powerful small animal models for such work. The methodology presented provides a clear, accurate, and detailed description for removing the entire mouse aorta for further analysis in atherogenic investigations. Thus, our article likely will provide a useful guide to those new to this technique, and for researchers undertaking similar studies, and the technique could be adapted to other species easily.