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Durst M, Graf TR, Graf R, Kron M, Arras M, Zechner D, Palme R, Talbot SR, Jirkof P. Analysis of Pain and Analgesia Protocols in Acute Cerulein-Induced Pancreatitis in Male C57BL/6 Mice. Front Physiol 2021; 12:744638. [PMID: 34880773 PMCID: PMC8645955 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.744638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatitis is known to be painful in humans and companion animals. However, the extent of pain in experimental mouse models of acute pancreatitis is unknown. Consequently, the severity classification of acute pancreatitis in mice is controversially discussed and standardized pain management is missing. In this study, we investigated acute Cerulein-induced pancreatitis with pain-specific and well-being orientated parameters to detect its impact on mice. Male C57BL/6J male mice were injected with Cerulein; animals that received saline injections served as control group. The animals were observed for weight change and water intake. To assess pain, behaviors like stretch-and-press and reduced rearing, the Mouse Grimace Scale, and von Frey hypersensitivity were assessed. Fecal corticosterone metabolites and burrowing behavior were assessed to detect changes in the animal’s well-being. Pancreatitis severity was evaluated with amylase and lipase in the blood and pancreas histology. To investigate whether different analgesics can alleviate signs of pain, and if they influence pancreas inflammation, animals received Buprenorphine, Paracetamol in combination with Tramadol, or Metamizole in the drinking water. The calculated intake of these analgesics via drinking reached values stated to be efficient for pain alleviation. While pancreatitis did not seem to be painful, we detected acute pain from Cerulein injections that could not be alleviated by analgesics. The number of inflammatory cells in the pancreas did not differ with the analgesic administered. In conclusion: (1) Cerulein injections appear to be acutely painful but pain could not be alleviated by the tested analgesics, (2) acute pancreatitis induced by our protocol did not induce obvious signs of pain, (3) analgesic substances had no detectable influence on inflammation. Nevertheless, protocols inducing more severe or even chronic pancreatitis might evoke more pain and analgesic treatment might become imperative. Considering our results, we recommend the use of Buprenorphine via drinking water in these protocols. Further studies to search for efficient analgesics that can alleviate the acute pain induced by Cerulein injections are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattea Durst
- Centre for Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Theresia Reding Graf
- Pancreas Research Laboratory, Department of Visceral Surgery & Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Graf
- Pancreas Research Laboratory, Department of Visceral Surgery & Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mareike Kron
- Centre for Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Margarete Arras
- Centre for Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steven R Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Paulin Jirkof
- Centre for Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Office for Animal Welfare & 3R, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Sever D, Grapin-Botton A. Regeneration of the pancreas: proliferation and cellular conversion of surviving cells. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 64:84-93. [PMID: 32721583 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The most common pancreas-related disorders are diabetes, pancreatitis and different types of pancreatic cancers. Diabetes is a chronic condition which results from insufficient functional β-cell mass, either as a result of an autoimmune destruction of insulin producing β-cells, or as their death or de-differentiation following years of hyperactivity to compensate for insulin resistance. Chronic pancreatitis leads to cell death and can develop into diabetes or pancreatic cancer. To stimulate regeneration in such pathologies, it is of high importance to evaluate the endogenous regeneration capacity of the pancreas, to understand the conditions needed to trigger it, and to investigate the cellular and molecular regenerative responses. This short review focuses on observations made in the last 2 years on the mechanisms enhancing pancreatic cell proliferation, notably new combinations of pharmacological agents, as well as those triggering cellular conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dror Sever
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, Blegdamsvej, 3B 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anne Grapin-Botton
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, Blegdamsvej, 3B 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 1307 Dresden, Germany.
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Perra A, Kowalik MA, Cabras L, Runfola M, Sestito S, Migliore C, Giordano S, Chiellini G, Rapposelli S, Columbano A. Potential role of two novel agonists of thyroid hormone receptor-β on liver regeneration. Cell Prolif 2020; 53:e12808. [PMID: 32347601 PMCID: PMC7260063 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although the hepatomitogenic activity of triiodothyronine (T3) is well established, the wide range of harmful effects exerted by this hormone precludes its use in liver regenerative therapy. Selective agonists of the beta isoform of thyroid hormone receptor (TRβ) do not exhibit T3-induced cardiotoxicity and show a good safety profile in patients with NASH. The aim of this study was to investigate whether two novel TRβ agonists, the prodrug TG68 and the active compound IS25 could stimulate hepatocyte proliferation without T3/TRα-dependent side effects. METHODS Rats were treated with three different doses (12.5, 25 and 50 μg/100 g body weight) for one week. Hepatocyte proliferation, liver injury and serum biochemical parameters were measured by immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Both drugs increased hepatocyte proliferation as assessed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation (from 14% to 28% vs 5% of controls) and mitotic activity. Enhanced proliferation occurred in the absence of significant signs of liver injury as shown by lack of increased serum transaminase levels or of apoptosis. No cardiac or renal hypertrophy typically associated with treatment with T3 was observed. Importantly, no proliferation of pancreatic acinar cells, such as that seen after administration of T3 or the TRβ agonist GC1 was detected following either TG68 or IS25, demonstrating the hepato-specificity of these novel TRβ agonists. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows that TG68 and IS25 induce massive hepatocyte proliferation without overt toxicity. Hence, these agents may have a significant clinical application for regenerative therapies in liver transplantation or other surgical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Perra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marta Anna Kowalik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lavinia Cabras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Simona Sestito
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Migliore
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Institute-FPO, IRCCS, Italy
| | - Silvia Giordano
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Institute-FPO, IRCCS, Italy
| | | | | | - Amedeo Columbano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Chen R, Malagola E, Dietrich M, Zuellig R, Tschopp O, Bombardo M, Saponara E, Reding T, Myers S, Hills AP, Graf R, Sonda S. Akt1 signalling supports acinar proliferation and limits acinar-to-ductal metaplasia formation upon induction of acute pancreatitis. J Pathol 2019; 250:42-54. [PMID: 31531867 DOI: 10.1002/path.5348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Molecular signalling mediated by the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt axis is a key regulator of cellular functions. Importantly, alteration of the PI3K-Akt signalling underlies the development of different human diseases, thus prompting the investigation of the pathway as a molecular target for pharmacologic intervention. In this regard, recent studies showed that small molecule inhibitors of PI3K, the upstream regulator of the pathway, reduced the development of inflammation during acute pancreatitis, a highly debilitating and potentially lethal disease. Here we investigated whether a specific reduction of Akt activity, by using either pharmacologic Akt inhibition, or genetic inactivation of the Akt1 isoform selectively in pancreatic acinar cells, is effective in ameliorating the onset and progression of the disease. We discovered that systemic reduction of Akt activity did not protect the pancreas from initial damage and only transiently delayed leukocyte recruitment. However, reduction of Akt activity decreased acinar proliferation and exacerbated acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) formation, two critical events in the progression of pancreatitis. These phenotypes were recapitulated upon conditional inactivation of Akt1 in acinar cells, which resulted in reduced expression of 4E-BP1, a multifunctional protein of key importance in cell proliferation and metaplasia formation. Collectively, our results highlight the critical role played by Akt1 during the development of acute pancreatitis in the control of acinar cell proliferation and ADM formation. In addition, these results harbour important translational implications as they raise the concern that inhibitors of PI3K-Akt signalling pathways may negatively affect the regeneration of the pancreas. Finally, this work provides the basis for further investigating the potential of Akt1 activators to boost pancreatic regeneration following inflammatory insults. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Chen
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ermanno Malagola
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maren Dietrich
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Richard Zuellig
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Tschopp
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marta Bombardo
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Enrica Saponara
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Theresia Reding
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Myers
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Andrew P Hills
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rolf Graf
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Sonda
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.,Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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