Improved Suspension Fixation Using Rat Jacket in Rat Acupuncture Experiments

Summary

Here, we present an improved suspension fixation method using a rat jacket to effectively immobilize rats during acupuncture experiments. Furthermore, the structure and application of this fixation apparatus, as well as instructions and evaluation for its utilization in electroacupuncture therapy, is elucidated.

Abstract

In basic experimental acupuncture research, rats are commonly used as laboratory animals. However, it is difficult for them to maintain a fixed posture. During electroacupuncture procedures, proper immobilization of rats is essential. Various methods of rat fixation are currently used, including anesthesia fixation, high-platform fixation, binding fixation, and fixation with a self-made rat coat. However, these methods have their limitations, which may affect the efficiency and operability of the experiment to some extent. This protocol introduces a method of suspending and fixing rats using rat clothes. Firstly, rats are clothed with rat jackets that match their body shape, taking advantage of their preference for darkness and burrowing. The needling operation can then be carried out after the rats have worn rat clothes. When suspended, the rats are relatively still, as their limbs cannot move. This fixation method offers not only economical and user-friendly benefits but also ensures a stable and reliable fixation of the rats in a comfortably relaxed position. It also effectively minimizes time consumption, experimental space, and manpower resources. Additionally, this method allows for the exposure of most acupoints used for acupuncture in rats. This article primarily concentrates on the device's composition, encompassing a specially designed rat jacket, an elevated fixation rack, and their connecting structures. Additionally, an illustrative example will be presented to demonstrate the application of the rat clothing-based suspension fixation method in rat electroacupuncture procedures.

Introduction

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 deepen^3,4, which has led to an annual increase in studies focusing on the mechanisms of electroacupuncture

Protocol

All procedures conducted on the rats in this study adhered to the National Standard for Laboratory Animal Welfare and Ethics Review Guidelines (2018) officially adopted by the People's Republic of China and Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals from the National Academies Press¹⁵. This protocol is composed of three main steps. Firstly, the rat jackets are tailored and fitted based on the individual body shapes of rats with different weights. Next, acupuncture manipulation is carried.......

Discussion

Electroacupuncture has been shown to have good therapeutic effects on various diseases such as cognitive impairment^16,17, myocardial injury¹⁸, and inflammatory pain¹⁹. To understand its mechanism of action, animal experiments primarily using rats have been conducted. Fixation of the animals during the procedures is crucial for accurate results. While many studies have administered electroacupuncture subsequent to an.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
75% alcohol	Shandong Lircon medical technology co., ltd	2002-0059	Disinfection
acupuncture needles	Beijing Luo ya shan chuan medical equipment co., Ltd.		needling
Adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats	Liaoning Changsheng biotechnology co., Ltd.	SCXK 2020-0001	The recipient  subjected to fixation
an elevated fixation rack	Taizhou shiai instruments and equipments for scientific and teaching research  Co., ltd	/	Fix rats
Hans electronic acupuncture apparatus	Beijing Huayun Ante Science and Technology Co. Ltd.	HANS-200A	electroacupuncture
Medical cotton ball	Jiangsu Misawa Medical Supplies Co., Ltd.	20172142357	Disinfection
Pet electric clipper	Fenghua Xikou Lubao Knives & Scissors Electrical Appliance Factory	/	Shave the hair of rats
Tweezers	Qingdao Schultz Biotechnology Co., ltd		Pinch cotton balls