Name: Securing the Rat in the Rat Jacket for Electroacupuncture
Uploaded: 2023-08-18T14:05:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Securing the Rat in the Rat Jacket for Electroacupuncture at JoVE.com

securing the rat in the rat jacket for electroacupuncture

Rat Jackets to Enhance Suspension Fixation During Electroacupuncture on Rats

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy characterized by needling at specific acupoints or other positions to prevent and treat diseases. Electroacupuncture combines filiform needles with electrical stimulation1, which allows for precise control over the amount of stimulation by adjusting relevant parameters, promoting the standardization of acupuncture treatment2. In recent years, research on the mechanisms of electroacupuncture has continued to expand and deepen3,4, which has led to an annual increase in studies focusing on the mechanisms of electroacupuncture5.
In basic research on electroacupuncture, rats are the most commonly used animals. During electroacupuncture treatment, the recipient must remain still to ensure a smooth procedure. Unlike in clinical trials with human subjects, small animals used in animal experiments cannot follow commands consciously during 15-30 min lengthy electroacupuncture procedures. This presents researchers with a primary challenge of achieving stable and reliable fixation. Improper fixation can lead to negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and fear in animals6, which not only increases the risk of injury for rats and the chance of being bitten for the experimental personnel but also affects the stability and persuasiveness of research results.
In previous studies, researchers have often used anesthesia fixation7, high platform fixation8, binding fixation6,9, or rat coat fixation10 before acupuncture or electroacupuncture operations. However, given the effects of anesthesia on the body11 and brain function12, and considering that acupuncture is performed on conscious patients in clinical cases, anesthesia may impact research results to a certain extent. Therefore, compared with anesthesia fixation, comfortable fixation of rats in an awake state is a better option.
However, in the non-anesthetized state, various fixation methods also possess their respective limitations, including restricted acupoint exposure due to coverage of the rat coat on rats10, the necessity of at least two individuals to perform the operation13, non-adjustable fixator size14, or the stressed state of rats in a forced position6. To address these technical issues, we designed a rat jacket and a fixation rack suitable for acupuncture manipulation in most parts of the rat body. This can help researchers efficiently carry out acupuncture procedures with rats.
The rationale for this protocol is as follows: firstly, the closed headgear on the rat&#39;s jacket takes advantage of the rats&#39; natural inclination for darkness and burrowing, thus restricting their range of activities. Secondly, the binding ropes near the joints of the rats&#39; limbs provide physical compression restraint, imposing certain limitations on their movements. However, rats are still able to jump and move horizontally even while wearing the jacket. Lastly, since rats cannot touch the ground without a fixed force point when suspended, we added a suspension fixation device to the rat jacket, further restricting their movements and ensuring needle retention. The composition of the fixation device is shown in Figure 1.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/65652/65652fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the rat jacket and suspension fixation. (A) The general appearance of the rat jacket in a flat view. (B) Three-dimensional view of the rat jacket. (C) Specially tailored rat jacket with an incision near the acupoints on the head and back waist. (D) Illustration of multiple rats simultaneously suspended on the elevated rack. 1: Fabric overall view; 2: Forelimb outlet; 3: Hind limb outlet; 4: Tying rope; 5: Cavity formed after suturing; 6: Incision for exposing head acupoints; 7: Incision for exposing back and waist acupoints. 8: Suture position. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65652/65652fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

Author Spotlight: Efficient Rat Clothing for Improved Rat Fixation During Electroacupuncture 

Improved Suspension Fixation Using Rat Jacket in Rat Acupuncture Experiments

We developed an improved method for suspending and fixing rats with rat clothes in an acupuncture experiment. This protocol aims to provide detailed descriptions of its procedural steps, including important precautions, offering a reference for researchers conducting fundamental experiments in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion. In previously reported studies, researchers have often used anesthesia fixation, high platform fixation, binding fixation, or various other self-made fixators while performing acupuncture or electroacupuncture operations on rats.Given the side effects of anesthesia on the body and the real clinical conditions, fixation in an awakened stage offers the better alternative. However, in the non-anesthetized stage, the mentioned fixations also possess limitations such as restricted acupoint exposure, requirement of multiple labels, non-adjustable fixator size, or forced posture. This method utilizes the rat's preference for burrowing to create rat jackets that fit their body shape.It offers several advantages over other techniques. It is cost-effective, user-friendly, manpower-and space-saving, accommodates rats of varying weights, and can also be used for needle operation on most acupoints. In subsequent studies, we will focus on investigating the impact of the restraints and suspensions of rat clothing on physiological indicators and behavioral aspects related to emotional cognition in rats.This will enable us to quantitatively assess its potential influence on research and refine the fixation method.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Securing the Rat in the Rat Jacket for Electroacupuncture at JoVE.com

Securing the Rat in the Rat Jacket for Electroacupuncture

Wear a pair of gloves before proceeding to fit and secure the rat in the custom made rat jacket. Then using one hand hold the rat jacket's middle and back portion on the table. Using the other hand, gently hold the rat by its tail to pick it up from the feeding cage and place it into the jacket as the rat moves forward into the jacket and its head reaches the headgear point.Using both hands, carefully pull out its left and right upper limbs from the holes in the jacket. Securely wrap the tying ropes from the opening end of the jacket around the rat's trunk, and tie them tightly at the opposite end to adequately restrain its upper limbs. Tie the rope loose enough to prevent hypoxia or local limb ischemia, and tight enough to prevent the rat's escape.In a similar manner, secure its lower limbs.

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

In basic experimental acupuncture research, rats are commonly used as laboratory animals. However, it is difficult for them to maintain a fixed posture. ...