Search

ICLAS Laboratory Animal Quality Network (LAQN) programs currently consist of the Performance Evaluation Program (PEP), which focuses on microbial monitoring by and for laboratory animal diagnostic laboratories, and the Genetic Reference Monitoring Program (GENRef), which provides assay-ready reference DNA for genetic testing of mouse strains. Since 2008, PEP has grown to become a truly international program with participating laboratories in 5 continents. Launched in 2016, GENRef currently distributes DNA from 12 common inbred mouse strains for use in genetic monitoring of locally inbred colonies as well as for genetic testing of stocks, particularly genetically engineered stocks, of uncertain origins. GENRef has the capacity to include additional strains as well as additional species. PEP and GENRef provide the reagents at cost, as a resource to the international scientific community, in the interest of improving research quality in an environment of growing concern for research quality, rigor, and reproducibility.

Splanchnic mast cells increase in chronic liver and in acute-on-chronic liver diseases. We administered Ketotifen, a mast cell stabilizer, and measured the mast cells in the splanchnic organs of cholestatic rats.

Indomethacin induces a chronic model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by spontaneous relapses of inflammation, bacterial translocation, and long-lasting motor disturbances derived from cyclical up-regulated inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) and sustained down-regulated neuronal NOS (nNOS). The aims of this study were to evaluate whether LA-419 [S-(6-nitro-oxi-hexahydro-furo[3,2-b]furan-3-1-il)thioacetate], a NO-donor drug, could re-establish the normal expression of NOS and, hence, prevent the development of intestinal dysmotility, bacterial translocation, and relapses of inflammation associated to this model. Enteritis was induced in rats by administration of indomethacin with and without treatment with a novel NO-donor: LA-419 (0.5 mg/ml in the drinking water). Inflammatory reaction was evaluated by measuring blood leukocytes, serum tumor necrosis factor, and tissue myeloperoxidase. Intestinal motor activity was evaluated using strain-gauges. Ileal expression of iNOS and nNOS mRNA was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Bacterial translocation was evaluated in cultures from mesenteric lymph nodes. The indomethacin-induced acute inflammatory reaction was associated with a rise in blood leukocytes and tumor necrosis factor. In the chronic stage, blood leukocyte monitoring allowed the selection of animals in active and inactive phases. Active phase was associated with iNOS up-regulation, high myeloperoxidase levels, hypomotility, and bacterial translocation. In contrast, inactive phase was associated with hypermotility and absence of bacterial translocation. LA-419 treatment restored nitric-oxide synthase isoenzyme expression and prevented the oscillation of both inflammatory and motor parameters that could be cyclically observed in inflamed rats. LA-419 also prevented intestinal dysmotility, bacterial translocation, and relapses of intestinal inflammation. LA-419 might be a novel therapeutic approach to prevent acute inflammatory relapses in patients with IBD.

The aim of this study was to determine themechanisms implicated in the gastrointestinal inhibitioninduced by ovoalbumin hydrolysate infusedintraluminally. We studied the site of action, thepossible implication of GLP-1, and the nervousmechanisms involved. We prepared anesthetizedSprague-Dawley rats with strain gauges in the antrum,duodenum, and proximal jejunum and a catheter in theduodenum or ileum for peptone infusion. Both intraduodenal(N = 6) and intraileal (N = 5) infusion of ovoalbuminhydrolysate induced inhibition of spontaneous motoractivity in the antrum, duodenum, and proximal jejunum. Duodenal inhibition induced by intraduodenal (N= 6) or intraileal (N = 6) infusion of ovoalbuminhydrolysate was reversed by intraarterial infusion ofGLP-1 receptor antagonist, exendin (9-39) (3 ×10-8mol/kg/40 min). Finally, a combination of theadrenergic blockers phentolamine and propranolol (1mg/kg, each; N = 7) completely blocked inhibitorygastrointestinal motor actions caused by intraduodenal infusion of ovoalbumin hydrolysate. This studydemonstrates that peptone, intraluminally infused,participates in the regulation of gastrointestinalmotility through stimulation of adrenergic pathways in anaesthetized rats. Moreover, these effects arepartly mediated by GLP-1 secretion. The ileum seems tobe the site of action, indicating a role of GLP-1 on theileal break mechanism.