Name: hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in the conscious rat
Uploaded: 2011-02-07T17:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp in the Conscious Rat at JoVE.com

This study was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Genome Canada.JS holds salary support awards from the Alberta Heritage Foundationfor Medical Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canadaand the Canadian Diabetes Association. Special thanks to Dr. David Wasserman and Bingle Bracy for teaching this procedure to the Shearer laboratory.

A: Surgical Catheterization of Arterial and Venous Circulation
Part 1: Arterial and Venous Catheter Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Cut 15 cm of PE-50 (internal diameter of .58mm (.023") x an outer diameter of .965mm (.038"). Cut a 1mm section of silastic tubing (0.76mm (0.030") internal diameter x 1.65mm (0.065") outer diameter) for use as restraining bead. The restraining bead prevents the rat from pulling out the catheter once it is in place.</li>
	<li>Insert the tips of micro dissecting forceps i...

<ol>
	<li>Halseth, A. E., Bracy, D. P., Wasserman, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Limitations+to+basal+and+insulin-stimulated+skeletal+muscle+glucose+uptake+in+the+high-fat-fed+rat.">Limitations to basal and insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake in the high-fat-fed rat.</a> Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 279, E1064-E1071 (2000).</li><li>Halseth, A. E., Bracy, D. P., Wasserman, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Limitations+to+muscle+glucose+uptake+due+to+high+fat+feeding.">Limitations to muscle glucose uptake due to high fat feeding.</a> Am. J. Physiol. 279, E1064-E1071 (2000).</li><li>Muniyappa, R., Lee, S., Chen, H., Quon, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+approaches+for+assessing+insulin+sensitivity+and+resistance+in+vivo:+advantages,+limitations,+and+appropriate+usage.">Current approaches for assessing insulin sensitivity and resistance in vivo: advantages, limitations, and appropriate usage.</a> Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 294, 15-26 (2008).</li><li>Cho, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insulin+resistance+and+a+diabetes+mellitus-like+syndrome+in+mice+lacking+the+protein+kinase+Akt2+(PKB+beta).">Insulin resistance and a diabetes mellitus-like syndrome in mice lacking the protein kinase Akt2 (PKB beta).</a> Science. 292, 1728-1731 (2001).</li><li>Dubois, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+SHP-1+protein+tyrosine+phosphatase+negatively+modulates+glucose+homeostasis.">The SHP-1 protein tyrosine phosphatase negatively modulates glucose homeostasis.</a> Nat Med. 12, 549-556 (2006).</li><li>Pacini, G., Thomaseth, K., Ahren, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Contribution+to+glucose+tolerance+of+insulin-independent+vs.+insulin-dependent+mechanisms+in+mice.">Contribution to glucose tolerance of insulin-independent vs. insulin-dependent mechanisms in mice.</a> Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 281, 693-703 (2001).</li><li>Herbach, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dominant-negative+effects+of+a+novel+mutated+Ins2+allele+causes+early-onset+diabetes+and+severe+beta-cell+loss+in+Munich+Ins2C95S+mutant+mice.">Dominant-negative effects of a novel mutated Ins2 allele causes early-onset diabetes and severe beta-cell loss in Munich Ins2C95S mutant mice.</a> Diabetes. 56, 1268-1276 (2007).</li><li>Maeda, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Diet-induced+insulin+resistance+in+mice+lacking+adiponectin/ACRP30.">Diet-induced insulin resistance in mice lacking adiponectin/ACRP30.</a> Nat Med. 8, 731-737 (2002).</li><li>Potenza, M. A., Marasciulo, F. L., Tarquinio, M., Quon, M. J., Montagnani, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Treatment+of+spontaneously+hypertensive+rats+with+rosiglitazone+and/or+enalapril+restores+balance+between+vasodilator+and+vasoconstrictor+actions+of+insulin+with+simultaneous+improvement+in+hypertension+and+insulin+resistance.">Treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats with rosiglitazone and/or enalapril restores balance between vasodilator and vasoconstrictor actions of insulin with simultaneous improvement in hypertension and insulin resistance.</a> Diabetes. 55, 3594-3603 (2006).</li><li>Ayala, J. E., Bracy, D. P., McGuinness, O. P., Wasserman, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Considerations+in+the+design+of+hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic+clamps+in+the+conscious+mouse.">Considerations in the design of hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps in the conscious mouse.</a> Diabetes. 55, 390-397 (2006).</li><li>Wasserman, D. H., Ayala, J. E., McGuinness, O. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lost+in+translation.">Lost in translation.</a> Diabetes. 58, 1947-1950 (2009).</li></ol>

Initially developed for investigation of insulin sensitivity in humans, the clamp procedure has now been adapted to other species including laboratory rats and mice. Investigating animal models of insulin resistance provides a significant aid in understanding the pathophysiology of insulin sensitivity and associated pathologies as well as identifying therapeutic interventions that have clinical value1,2. Several methods to evaluate insulin sensitivity in animals have been employed3. Such techniques ...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Name of the reagent</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalogue number</td>
			<td>Comments (optional)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Intramedic Polyethylene Tubing (PE-50)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-170-12B</td>
			<td>Internal diameter of .58mm (.023") x Outer diameter of .965mm (.038")</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Dow Corning Silastic Laboratory Tubing</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11-189-15C</td>
			<td>Internal diameter of .76mm (0.030") x Outer diameter of 1.65mm (0.065") </td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Tygon S-50-HL Medical Tubing</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>PY2 72-1251</td>
			<td>Internal diameter of 3.2mm (0.125") x Outer diameter of 4.7mm (0.1875")</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Loctite Super Glue</td>
			<td>Grand &amp; Toy</td>
			<td>32237</td>
			<td>Gel Control</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Sterile Surgical Blade</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>BD371610</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Curved Micro Dissecting Forceps</td>
			<td>George Tiemann &amp; Co.</td>
			<td>160-20</td>
			<td>x 2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Straight Micro Dissecting Forceps</td>
			<td>George Tiemann &amp; Co.</td>
			<td>160-15</td>
			<td>x 2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Curved Hemostat</td>
			<td>George Tiemann &amp; Co.</td>
			<td>105-1135</td>
			<td>x 2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Straight Hemostat</td>
			<td>George Tiemann &amp; Co.</td>
			<td>105-1130</td>
			<td>x 2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Hemostat Tip Guards</td>
			<td>Robbins Instruments, Inc.</td>
			<td>15.09-2-004</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Straight Surgery Scissors</td>
			<td>George Tiemann &amp; Co.</td>
			<td>105-402</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>VENOJECT Multi-Sample Luer Adapter</td>
			<td>Terumo Medical Products</td>
			<td>810127A</td>
			<td>21 guage, 1 in.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Sterile Catheter Introducer</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>406999</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>14-gauge Blunt Needle</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>511310</td>
			<td>14 guage, 2 in.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Sterile Surgical Suture</td>
			<td>Johnson &amp; Johnson Medical Products</td>
			<td>1679H</td>
			<td>Silk, size 3-0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Non-Sterile Surgical Suture </td>
			<td>Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.</td>
			<td>SP116</td>
			<td>Silk, size 4-0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Cotton Swabs</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>10806-005</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>4ply Gauze Pads</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>CA43845-062</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Small Animal Cordless Clippers</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>729063</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>Halocarbon Products Corp.</td>
			<td>IPN-45</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Anesthetic Cart</td>
			<td>Benson Medical Industries, Inc.</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>70 % Ethanol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>HC-1000</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Betadine Antiseptic Solution</td>
			<td>Western Drug Distribution Centre Ltd.</td>
			<td>105267</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Model 11 Plus Syringe Pump</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>702208</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Stainless Steel Tubing Couplers</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>72-4434</td>
			<td>23 gauge, 0.3 in.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Stainless Steel Tubing Plugs</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>72-4436</td>
			<td>23 gauge, 0.5 in.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Stainless Steel Blunt Needles</td>
			<td>Instech Laboratories, Inc.</td>
			<td>LS22</td>
			<td>22 gauge</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>60 Degree Y-Connectors</td>
			<td>Small Parts</td>
			<td>STCY-22-05</td>
			<td>22 gauge</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>CritSpin Micro-hematocrit Centrifuge</td>
			<td>Iris Sample Processing</td>
			<td>CS12</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Mini Centrifuge</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>05-090-100</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Micro Centrifuge Tubes</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>53550-778</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>50ml polypropylene centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89004-364</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>1ml Plastic Slip Tip Syringes</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>309602</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>3ml Plastic Luerlok Tip Syringes</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>309585</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Heparin Anticoagulant Injection</td>
			<td>Western Drug Distribution Centre Ltd.</td>
			<td>102824</td>
			<td>Manufacturer: LEO Pharma Inc.
				Conc. 1000 IU</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>EDTA Solution</td>
			<td>Promega Corp.</td>
			<td>V4231</td>
			<td>0.5 M, pH 8.0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Saline</td>
			<td>Western Drug Distribution Centre Ltd.</td>
			<td>ABB7983154</td>
			<td>Manufacturer: Hospira
				0.9% Sodium Chloride</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>50% Dextrose</td>
			<td>Vetoquinol</td>
			<td>8DEX012D</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Humulin-R </td>
			<td>Eli Lilly</td>
			<td>HI-210</td>
			<td>100U/ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>1ml Insulin Syringes </td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>309311</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Fisherbrand* Hemato-Seal Sealant</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>02-678</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Fisherbrand* Microhematocrit Capillary Tubes</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22-362-574</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>One Touch Ultra Test Strips</td>
			<td>LifeScan, Inc.</td>
			<td>AW 085-314H</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>One Touch Ultra Blood Glucose Meter</td>
			<td>LifeScan, Inc.</td>
			<td>AW 085-314B</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Sodium Pentobarbitol</td>
			<td>Ceva Sante Animale</td>
			<td>1715 138</td>
			<td>Conc. 54.7mg/ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Red Laboratory Labeling Tape</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89097-932</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Blue Laboratory Labeling Tape</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89097-936</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Weigh Scale</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>01-913-88</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Vortex</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>58815-234</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr valign="top">
			<td>Timer</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>62344-641</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in the conscious rat

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is rapidly rising in prevalence. Characterized by either inadequate insulin production or the inability to utilize insulin produced, T2D results in elevated blood glucose levels. The "gold-standard" in assessing insulin sensitivity is a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp or insulin clamp. In this procedure, insulin is infused at a constant rate resulting in a drop in blood glucose. To maintain blood glucose at a constant level, exogenous glucose (D50) is infused into the venous circulation. The amount of glucose infused to maintain homeostasis is indicative of insulin sensitivity. Here, we show the basic clamp procedure in the chronically catheterized, unrestrained, conscious rat. This model allows blood to be collected with minimal stress to the animal. Following the induction of anesthesia, a midline incision is made and the left common carotid artery and right jugular vein are catheterized. Inserted catheters are flushed with heparinized saline, then exteriorized and secured. Animals are allowed to recover for 4-5 days prior to experiments, with weight gain monitored daily. Only those animals who regain weight to pre-surgery levels are used for experiments. On the day of the experiment, rats are fasted and connected to pumps containing insulin and D50. Baseline glucose is assessed from the arterial line and used a benchmark throughout the experiment (euglycemia). Following this, insulin is infused at a constant rate into the venous circulation. To match the drop in blood glucose, D50 is infused. If the rate of D50 infusion is greater than the rate of uptake, a rise in glucose will occur. Similarly, if the rate is insufficient to match whole body glucose uptake, a drop will occur. Titration of glucose continues until stable glucose readings are achieved. Glucose levels and glucose infusion rates during this stable period are recorded and reported. Results provide an index of whole body insulin sensitivity. The technique can be refined to meet specific experimental requirements. It is further enhanced by the use of radioactive tracers that can determine tissue specific insulin-stimulated glucose uptake as well as whole body glucose turnover.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp in the Conscious Rat at JoVE.com

Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp in the Conscious Rat

The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp is the "gold standard" for the assessment of insulin action. Insulin is infused at a constant rate stimulating glucose uptake. The amount of exogenous glucose infused to counter this drop is indicative of insulin sensitivity. Here the procedure is performed on a conscious, unrestrained rat.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is rapidly rising in prevalence. Characterized by either inadequate insulin production or the inability to utilize insulin produced, ...

hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic-clamp-in-the-conscious-rat

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic Clamps in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by a defect in insulin action. The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, or insulin clamp, is widely considered the "gold standard" method for assessing insulin action in vivo. During an insulin clamp, hyperinsulinemia is achieved by a constant insulin infusion. Euglycemia is maintained via a concomitant glucose infusion at a variable rate. This variable glucose infusion rate (GIR) is determined by measuring blood glucose at brief intervals throughout the experiment and adjusting the GIR accordingly. The GIR is indicative of whole-body insulin action, as mice with enhanced insulin action require a greater GIR. The insulin clamp can incorporate administration of isotopic 2[14C]deoxyglucose to assess tissue-specific glucose uptake and [3-3H]glucose to assess the ability of insulin to suppress the rate of endogenous glucose appearance (endoRa), a marker of hepatic glucose production, and to stimulate the rate of whole-body glucose disappearance (Rd).
The miniaturization of the insulin clamp for use in genetic mouse models of metabolic disease has led to significant advances in diabetes research. Methods for performing insulin clamps vary between laboratories. It is important to note that the manner in which an insulin clamp is performed can significantly affect the results obtained. We have published a comprehensive assessment of different approaches to performing insulin clamps in conscious mice1 as well as an evaluation of the metabolic response of four commonly used inbred mouse strains using various clamp techniques2. Here we present a protocol for performing insulin clamps on conscious, unrestrained mice developed by the Vanderbilt Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center (MMPC; URL: www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/mmpc). This includes a description of the method for implanting catheters used during the insulin clamp. The protocol employed by the Vanderbilt MMPC utilizes a unique two-catheter system3. One catheter is inserted into the jugular vein for infusions. A second catheter is inserted into the carotid artery, which allows for blood sampling without the need to restrain or handle the mouse. This technique provides a significant advantage to the most common method for obtaining blood samples during insulin clamps which is to sample from the severed tip of the tail. Unlike this latter method, sampling from an arterial catheter is not stressful to the mouse1. We also describe methods for using isotopic tracer infusions to assess tissue-specific insulin action. We also provide guidelines for the appropriate presentation of results obtained from insulin clamps.

The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, or insulin clamp, is the gold standard for assessing insulin action in vivo. A method for performing insulin clamps in mice is described. This includes a method for arterial catheterization that permits experiments to be performed in conscious, unrestrained mice with minimal stress.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by a defect in insulin action. The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, or insulin clamp, is widely considered the "gold ...

Angiogenesis in the Ischemic Rat Lung

The adult lung is perfused by both the systemic bronchial artery and the entire venous return flowing through the pulmonary arteries. In most lung pathologies, it is the smaller systemic vasculature that responds to a need for enhanced lung perfusion and shows robust neovascularization. Pulmonary vascular ischemia induced by pulmonary artery obstruction has been shown to result in rapid systemic arterial angiogenesis in man as well as in several animal models. Although the histologic assessment of the time course of bronchial artery proliferation in rats was carefully described by Weibel 1, mechanisms responsible for this organized growth of new vessels are not clear. We provide surgical details of inducing left pulmonary artery ischemia in the rat that leads to bronchial neovascularization. Quantification of the extent of angiogenesis presents an additional challenge due to the presence of the two vascular beds within the lung. Methods to determine functional angiogenesis based on labeled microsphere injections are provided.

The lung is perfused by both the systemic bronchial artery and pulmonary arteries. In most lung pathologies, it is the smaller systemic vasculature that shows robust neovascularization. Cessation of pulmonary blood flow promotes brisk bronchial angiogenesis. We provide surgical details of inducing left pulmonary artery ischemia that promotes bronchial neovascularization.

The  adult lung is perfused by both the systemic bronchial artery and the entire  venous return flowing through the pulmonary arteries. In most lung ...

Slow-release Drug Delivery through Elvax 40W to the Rat Retina: Implications for the Treatment of Chronic Conditions

Diseases of the retina are difficult to treat as the retina lies deep within the eye. Invasive methods of drug delivery are often needed to treat these diseases. Chronic retinal diseases such as retinal oedema or neovascularization usually require multiple intraocular injections to effectively treat the condition. However, the risks associated with these injections increase with repeated delivery of the drug. Therefore, alternative delivery methods need to be established in order to minimize the risks of reinjection. Several other investigations have developed methods to deliver drugs over extended time, through materials capable of releasing chemicals slowly into the eye. In this investigation, we outline the use of Elvax 40W, a copolymer resin, to act as a vehicle for drug delivery to the adult rat retina. The resin is made and loaded with the drug. The drug-resin complex is then implanted into the vitreous cavity, where it will slowly release the drug over time. This method was tested using 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (APB), a glutamate analogue that blocks the light response of the retina. It was demonstrated that the APB was slowly released from the resin, and was able to block the retinal response by 7 days after implantation. This indicates that slow-release drug delivery using this copolymer resin is effective for treating the retina, and could be used therapeutically with further testing.

This paper details how Elvax 40W can be used as a slow-release method for drug delivery to the adult rat retina. The protocol for preparing, loading, and delivering the drug-resin complex to the eye is described.

Diseases of the retina are difficult to treat as the retina lies deep within the eye. Invasive methods of drug delivery are often needed to treat these ...

Catheterization of the Carotid Artery and Jugular Vein to Perform Hemodynamic Measures, Infusions and Blood Sampling in a Conscious Rat Model

The success of a small animal model to study critical illness is, in part, dependent on the ability of the model to simulate the human condition. Intra-tracheal inoculation of a known amount of bacteria has been successfully used to reproduce the pathogenesis of pneumonia which then develops into sepsis. Monitoring hemodynamic parameters and providing standard clinical treatment including infusion of antibiotics, fluids and drugs to maintain blood pressure is critical to simulate routine supportive care in this model but to do so requires both arterial and venous vascular access. The video details the surgical technique for implanting carotid artery and common jugular vein catheters in an anesthetized rat. Following a 72 hr recovery period, the animals will be re-anesthetized and connected to a tether and swivel setup attached to the rodent housing which connects the implanted catheters to the hemodynamic monitoring system. This setup allows free movement of the rat during the study while continuously monitoring pressures, infusing fluids and drugs (antibiotics, vasopressors) and performing blood sampling.

Vascular accesses to measure hemodynamics, provide fluids and perform blood sampling are important to any small animal model study. We present a technique for implanting catheters into the carotid artery and the common jugular vein in an anesthetized rat for connecting to a system to perform monitoring, infusions and sampling.

The success of a small animal model to study critical illness is, in part, dependent on the ability of the model to simulate the human condition. ...

Transcutaneous Assessment of Renal Function in Conscious Rodents

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the gold standard to assess overall kidney function. However, traditional methods to evaluate GFR are cumbersome and time-consuming. In addition, serial blood or urine samples are required, with the associated stress for the experimental animals. A recent technique significantly reduces the investment in time and resources, minimizing the invasiveness and the animal stress, but being equally valid as the traditional approaches. The method measures transcutaneously renal function. Using an optical device and the exogenous renal marker fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-sinistrin, this technique is capable of measuring the elimination kinetics of the marker through the skin. With neither blood nor urine samples nor the associated laboratory assays needed, the results of the transcutaneous measurement are almost instantaneously available. The method has been already validated in different species and successfully applied in several models of renal pathology. Moreover, due to its minimally invasive characteristics, it is suitable for sequential measurements within the same animal. Here is provided a detailed protocol to carry out the transcutaneous assessment of renal function in rodents.

Determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the gold standard to assess overall kidney function. However, traditional procedures to measure this parameter are cumbersome and require a large investment of time. Here we describe a faster and minimally invasive method to determinate GFR transcutaneously.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the gold standard to assess overall kidney function. However, traditional methods to evaluate GFR are cumbersome and ...

The Dimethylnitrosamine Induced Liver Fibrosis Model in the Rat

Four to six week old, male Wistar rats were used to produce animal models of liver fibrosis. The process requires four weeks of administration of 10 mg/kg dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), given intraperitoneally for three consecutive days per week. Intraperitoneal injections were performed in the fume hood as DMN is a known hepatoxin and carcinogen. The model has several advantages. Firstly, liver changes can be studied sequentially or at particular stages of interest. Secondly, the stage of liver disease can be monitored by measurement of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes. Thirdly, the severity of liver damage at different stages can be confirmed by sacrifice of animals at designated time points, followed by histological examination of Masson&#39;s Trichome stained liver tissues. After four weeks of DMN dosing, the typical fibrosis score is 5 to 6 on the Ishak scale. The model can be reproduced consistently and has been widely used to assess the efficacy of potential anti-fibrotic agents.

We describe a method to produce an animal model of liver fibrosis in the rat, and assess the degree of fibrosis by histological examination of the liver. The model can be used to study the development of liver disease as well as to test the efficacy of potential anti-fibrotic agents.

Four to six week old, male Wistar rats were used to produce animal models of liver fibrosis. The process requires four weeks of administration of 10 mg/kg ...

Method of Direct Segmental Intra-hepatic Delivery Using a Rat Liver Hilar Clamp Model

Major hepatic surgery with inflow occlusion, and liver transplantation, necessitate a period of warm ischemia, and a period of reperfusion leading to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury with myriad negative consequences. Potential I/R injury in marginal organs destined for liver transplantation contributes to the current donor shortage secondary to a decreased organ utilization rate. A significant need exists to explore hepatic I/R injury in order to mediate its impact on graft function in transplantation. Rat liver hilar clamp models are used to investigate the impact of different molecules on hepatic I/R injury. Depending on the model, these molecules have been delivered using inhalation, epidural infusion, intraperitoneal injection, intravenous administration or injection into the peripheral superior mesenteric vein. A rat liver hilar clamp model has been developed for use in studying the impact of pharmacologic molecules in ameliorating I/R injury. The described model for rat liver hilar clamp includes direct cannulation of the portal supply to the ischemic hepatic segment via a side branch of the portal vein, allowing for direct segmental hepatic delivery. Our approach is to induce ischemia in the left lateral and median lobes for 60 min, during which time the substance under study is infused. In this case, pegylated-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD), a free radical scavenger, is infused directly into the ischemic segment. This series of experiments demonstrates that infusion of PEG-SOD is protective against hepatic I/R injury. Advantages of this approach include direct injection of the molecule into the ischemic segment with consequent decrease in volume of distribution and reduction in systemic side effects.

A unique rat liver hilar clamp model was developed for studying the impact of pharmacologic molecules in ameliorating ischemia-reperfusion injury. This model includes direct cannulation of the portal supply to the ischemic liver segment via a branch of the portal vein, allowing for direct hepatic delivery.

Major hepatic surgery with inflow occlusion, and liver transplantation, necessitate a period of warm ischemia, and a period of reperfusion leading to ...

Assessment of Respiratory Function in Conscious Mice by Double-chamber Plethysmography

Air volume changes created by a conscious subject breathing spontaneously within a body box are at the basis of plethysmography, a technique used to non-invasively assess some features of the respiratory function in humans as well as in laboratory animals. The present article focuses on the application of the double-chamber plethysmography (DCP) in small animals. It provides background information on the methodology as well as a detailed step-by-step procedure to successfully assess respiratory function in conscious, spontaneously breathing animals in a non-invasive manner. The DCP can be used to monitor the respiratory function of multiple animals in parallel, as well as to identify changes induced by aerosolized substances over a chosen time period and in a repeated manner. Experiments on control and allergic mice are used herein to demonstrate the utility of the technique, explain the associated outcome parameters, as well as to discuss the related advantages and shortcomings. Overall, the DCP provides valid and theoretically sound readouts that can be trusted to evaluate the respiratory function of conscious small animals both at baseline and after challenges with aerosolized substances.

The objective of the present article is to provide a detailed description of the recommended procedures to evaluate respiratory function in conscious mice by double-chamber plethysmography.

Air volume changes created by a conscious subject breathing spontaneously within a body box are at the basis of plethysmography, a technique used to ...

Multi-system Monitoring for Identification of Seizures, Arrhythmias and Apnea in Conscious Restrained Rabbits

Patients with ion channelopathies are at a high risk of developing seizures and fatal cardiac arrhythmias. There is a higher prevalence of heart disease and arrhythmias in people with epilepsy (i.e., epileptic heart.) Additionally, cardiac and autonomic disturbances have been reported surrounding seizures. 1:1,000 epilepsy patients/year die of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The mechanisms for SUDEP remain incompletely understood. Electroencephalograms (EEG) and electrocardiograms (ECG) are two techniques routinely used in the clinical setting to detect and study the substrates/triggers for seizures and arrhythmias. While many studies and descriptions of this methodology are in rodents, their cardiac electrical activity differs significantly from humans. This article provides a description of a non-invasive method for recording simultaneous video-EEG-ECG-oximetry-capnography in conscious rabbits. As cardiac electrical function is similar in rabbits and humans, rabbits provide an excellent model of translational diagnostic and therapeutic studies. In addition to outlining the methodology for data acquisition, we discuss the analytical approaches for examining neuro-cardiac electrical function and pathology in rabbits. This includes arrhythmia detection, spectral analysis of EEG and a seizure scale developed for restrained rabbits.

Using simultaneous video-EEG-ECG-oximetry-capnography, we developed a methodology to evaluate the susceptibility of rabbit models to develop provoked arrhythmias and seizures. This novel recording system establishes a platform to test the efficacy and safety of therapeutics and can capture the complex cascade of multi-system events that culminate in sudden death.

Patients with ion channelopathies are at a high risk of developing seizures and fatal cardiac arrhythmias. There is a higher prevalence of heart disease ...

Repetitive Blood Sampling from the Subclavian Vein of Conscious Rat

Rats are widely used in pharmacokinetics (PK) and toxicokinetic (TK) studies that need to collect a certain amount of blood at specific time points to detect drug exposure. The rat blood sampling method determines the quality of the plasma and further affects the precision of the test results. The subclavian vein blood collection method described in this protocol collects blood samples repeatedly in the conscious state of animals to meet the needs of PK and TK tests. The skills of restraint handling and appropriate procedure of needle incision ensure the success rate of blood collection. It is easy to operate while ensuring the quality of plasma and at the same time catering to animal welfare. However, this method requires skilled operation, and an improper one may cause animal weakness, pain, lameness, and even mortality. The current method has been used in the testing facility for a 4-week oral toxicity study in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with TK. The maximum amount of blood collected within 24 h did not exceed 20% of the animal's total blood. The animals' body weight was more than 200 g for males and females. The data showed that the animals' bodyweight increased steadily every week, and the clinical observation was normal after repetitive sample collection.

The present protocol describes a simple and efficient method for collecting blood from the subclavian vein in rats. It enables rapid, timely, and easily identifiable sampling without anesthesia and obtains high-quality blood through repetitive sample collection.

Rats are widely used in pharmacokinetics (PK) and toxicokinetic (TK) studies that need to collect a certain amount of blood at specific time points to ...