1
|
Yang L, Wang XZ, Wang CZ, Wang DH, Wang ZS, Zhang XY. Time-restricted feeding modulates gene expression related with rhythm and inflammation in Mongolian gerbils. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 287:110038. [PMID: 39260783 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.110038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Time-restricted feeding (TRF) has the potential to modulate circadian rhythm and widely studied in humans and laboratory mice. However, less is known about the physiological responses to TRF in wild mammals. Here, we used Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, to explore the effect of 6-week TRF on gene expression related with circadian rhythm and inflammation. The TRF gerbils had higher cumulative food intake than the ad libitum (AL) group, but body mass, feeding frequency/time and metabolic rate did not differ between groups. In the hypothalamus, downregulation of rhythm-related genes Per3, Cry1 and Dbp was detected in the daytime-restricted feeding (DRF) group and Cry1 was downregulated in the nighttime-restricted feeding (NRF) group. In the liver, the expression of Per1/3, Rev-erbα/β and Dbp was lower, and Bmal1 was higher in the DRF than in AL group, while NRF gerbils showed no changes. In the colon, the expression of Bmal1 and Cry1 was higher but Per3, Rev-erbα/β and Dbp were lower in the DRF than in AL group. Further, the expression of inflammation-related genes such as NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-18 and Nlrp3 was lower in the liver of DRF gerbils, and IL-1β was lower both in the hypothalamus and liver of NRF gerbils. Moreover, the genes related with inflammation such as NF-κB, Nlrp3, IL-10/18/1β and Tnf-α were positively or negatively correlated with multiple rhythm-related genes in the central and peripheral organs. In conclusion, TRF, particularly DRF, could modulate rhythm-related genes in the central and peripheral tissues and reduce hepatic expression of inflammation-related genes in gerbils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; State Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xi-Zhi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; State Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chen-Zhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - De-Hua Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhen-Shan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
| | - Xue-Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dai Y, Pracana R, Holland PWH. Divergent genes in gerbils: prevalence, relation to GC-biased substitution, and phenotypic relevance. BMC Evol Biol 2020; 20:134. [PMID: 33076817 PMCID: PMC7574485 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-020-01696-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Two gerbil species, sand rat (Psammomys obesus) and Mongolian jird (Meriones unguiculatus), can become obese and show signs of metabolic dysregulation when maintained on standard laboratory diets. The genetic basis of this phenotype is unknown. Recently, genome sequencing has uncovered very unusual regions of high guanine and cytosine (GC) content scattered across the sand rat genome, most likely generated by extreme and localized biased gene conversion. A key pancreatic transcription factor PDX1 is encoded by a gene in the most extreme GC-rich region, is remarkably divergent and exhibits altered biochemical properties. Here, we ask if gerbils have proteins in addition to PDX1 that are aberrantly divergent in amino acid sequence, whether they have also become divergent due to GC-biased nucleotide changes, and whether these proteins could plausibly be connected to metabolic dysfunction exhibited by gerbils. Results We analyzed ~ 10,000 proteins with 1-to-1 orthologues in human and rodents and identified 50 proteins that accumulated unusually high levels of amino acid change in the sand rat and 41 in Mongolian jird. We show that more than half of the aberrantly divergent proteins are associated with GC biased nucleotide change and many are in previously defined high GC regions. We highlight four aberrantly divergent gerbil proteins, PDX1, INSR, MEDAG and SPP1, that may plausibly be associated with dietary metabolism. Conclusions We show that through the course of gerbil evolution, many aberrantly divergent proteins have accumulated in the gerbil lineage, and GC-biased nucleotide substitution rather than positive selection is the likely cause of extreme divergence in more than half of these. Some proteins carry putatively deleterious changes that could be associated with metabolic and physiological phenotypes observed in some gerbil species. We propose that these animals provide a useful model to study the ‘tug-of-war’ between natural selection and the excessive accumulation of deleterious substitutions mutations through biased gene conversion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Dai
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Rodrigo Pracana
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Peter W H Holland
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang Y, Zhao P, Song Z, Du X, Huo X, Lu J, Liu X, Lv J, Li C, Guo M, Chen Z. Generation of Gene-Knockout Mongolian Gerbils via CRISPR/Cas9 System. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:780. [PMID: 32733872 PMCID: PMC7360674 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), a well-known "multifunctional" experimental animal, plays a crucial role in the research of hearing, cerebrovascular diseases and Helicobacter pylori infection. Although the whole-genome sequencing of Mongolian gerbils has been recently completed, lack of valid gene-editing systems for gerbils largely limited the further usage of Mongolian gerbils in biomedical research. Here, efficient targeted mutagenesis in Mongolian gerbils was successfully conducted by pronuclear injection with Cas9 protein and single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting Cystatin C (Cst3) or Apolipoprotein A-II (Apoa2). We found that 22 h after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection, zygote microinjection was conducted, and the injected zygotes were transferred into the pseudopregnant gerbils, which were induced by injecting equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and hCG at a 70 h interval and being caged with ligated male gerbils. We successfully obtained Cst3 and Apoa2 gene knockout gerbils with the knockout efficiencies of 55 and 30.9%, respectively. No off-target effects were detected in all knockout gerbils and the mutations can be germline-transmitted. The absence of CST3 protein was observed in the tissues of homozygous Cst3 knockout (Cst3-KO) gerbils. Interestingly, we found that disruption of the Cst3 gene led to more severe brain damage and neurological deficits after unilateral carotid artery ligation, thereby indicating that the gene modifications happened at both genetic and functional levels. In conclusion, we successfully generated a CRISPR/Cas9 system based genome editing platform for Mongolian gerbils, which provided a foundation for obtaining other genetically modified gerbil models for biomedical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Peikun Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zidai Song
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Du
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueyun Huo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyi Lv
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Changlong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenwen Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang L, Wang C, Zhang R, Liu Y, Wang C, Song G, Yu J, Chen Z. Phenotypic characterization of a novel type 2 diabetes animal model in a SHANXI MU colony of Chinese hamsters. Endocrine 2019; 65:61-72. [PMID: 31025261 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-01940-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Developing animal models for human diseases is critical for studying complex diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Since inbred colonies of Chinese hamsters tend toward spontaneous development of diabetes, we investigated them as a possible model. METHODS We regarded individuals with fasting blood glucose (FBG) higher than 6.0 mmol/L and post-prandial blood glucose (PBG) higher than 7.0 mmol/L as diabetic based on the mean and 95% frequency distribution values of FBG and PBG. Diabetic hamsters were characterized based on metabolic profiles, histopathological features, and changes in the expression of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. RESULTS Metabolic analyses showed that diabetic hamsters exhibited mild hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. Histopathological analysis revealed that cell nuclei migrated inward in skeletal muscle and obvious partial liver lipid deposition and focal necrosis was found. We additionally observed mild injury, atrophy, and occasional vacuolization in islet cells. Changes in the expression of several genes related to glucose and lipid metabolism were observed. Decreased expression of adiponectin and GLUT4 and increased expression of PPARγ, Akt, and leptin was observed in skeletal muscle. Decreased expression of adiponectin with increased expression of PPARγ and leptin was observed in the liver. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that we have established a spontaneous diabetic hamster line that closely mimics human T2DM, which may hold potential for further research on the pathogenesis and treatment of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science and Animal Model of Human Disease, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Chenyang Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science and Animal Model of Human Disease, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Ruihu Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science and Animal Model of Human Disease, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Chunfang Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science and Animal Model of Human Disease, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Guohua Song
- Laboratory Animal Center of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science and Animal Model of Human Disease, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Jingjing Yu
- Laboratory Animal Center of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science and Animal Model of Human Disease, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Zhaoyang Chen
- Laboratory Animal Center of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science and Animal Model of Human Disease, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mallek A, Movassat J, Ameddah S, Liu J, Semiane N, Khalkhal A, Dahmani Y. Experimental diabetes induced by streptozotocin in the desert gerbil, Gerbillus gerbillus , and the effects of short-term 20-hydroxyecdysone administration. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 102:354-361. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
|
6
|
Differential expression of genes identified by suppression subtractive hybridization in liver and adipose tissue of gerbils with diabetes. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191212. [PMID: 29394254 PMCID: PMC5796689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We aimed at identifying genes related to hereditary type 2 diabetes expressed in the liver and the adipose tissue of spontaneous diabetic gerbils using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) screening. Methods Two gerbil littermates, one with high and the other with normal blood glucose level, from our previously bred spontaneous diabetic gerbil strain were used in this study. To identify differentially expressed genes in the liver and the adipose tissue, mRNA from these tissues was extracted and SSH libraries were constructed for screening. After sequencing and BLAST analyzing, up or down-regulated genes possibly involved in metabolism and diabetes were selected, and their expression levels in diabetic gerbils and normal controls were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results A total of 4 SSH libraries were prepared from the liver and the adipose tissue of gerbils. There are 95 up or down-regulated genes were identified to be involved in metabolism, oxidoreduction, RNA binding, cell proliferation, and differentiation or other function. Expression of 17 genes most possibly associated with diabetes was analyzed and seven genes (Sardh, Slc39a7, Pfn1, Arg1, Cth, Sod1 and P4hb) in the liver and one gene (Fabp4) in the adipose tissue were identified that were significantly differentially expressed between diabetic gerbils and control animals. Conclusions We identified eight genes associated with type 2 diabetes from the liver and the adipose tissue of gerbils via SSH screening. These findings provide further insights into the molecular mechanisms of diabetes and imply the value of our spontaneous diabetic gerbil strain as a diabetes model.
Collapse
|
7
|
Li X, Lu J, Wang Y, Huo X, Li Z, Zhang S, Li C, Guo M, Du X, Chen Z. Establishment and Characterization of a Newly Established Diabetic Gerbil Line. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159420. [PMID: 27427908 PMCID: PMC4948894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives We aimed to selectively breed a spontaneous diabetic gerbil when a sub-line of inbred gerbil showed increased blood glucose levels was found recently. Then we investigated the characteristics including the serum insulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, leptin, adiponectin and explored the underlying molecular mechanism for the diabetic phenotype. Methods The spontaneous diabetic line of gerbils was selectively inbreed the sub-line of gerbil by monitoring blood glucose of each animal. The serum insulin, adiponectin, and leptin levels were tested using an ELISA kit. The expression levels of GLUT4, Akt, leptin, adiponectin, and calpain 10 (CAPN10) were tested by western blot and Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) in liver, skeletal muscle, and white adipose. Results Our results show that the percentages of animals with FPG≥5.2 (mmol/l), PG2h≥6.8 (mmol/l) and both FPG≥5.2 and PG2h≥6.8 (mmol/l) were increased with the number of breeding generations from F0 (21.33%) to F6 (38.46%). These diabetic gerbils exhibited insulin resistance and leptin resistance as well as decreased adiponectin level in the serum. We also observed decreased expression of adiponectin and increased expression of leptin in the skeletal muscle, respectively. Conclusions These results indicate that we have primarily established a spontaneous diabetic gerbil line, and the diabetic phenotypes may have been accounted for by altered expression of leptin and adiponectin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Li
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jing Lu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xueyun Huo
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zhenkun Li
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Shuangyue Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Changlong Li
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Meng Guo
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaoyan Du
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
- * E-mail: (ZC); (XD)
| | - Zhenwen Chen
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion & Metastasis Research, Beijing 100069, China
- * E-mail: (ZC); (XD)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Slavin BG, Zarow C, Warden CH, Fisler JS. Histological, Immunocytochemical, and Morphometrical Analyses of Pancreatic Islets in the BSB Mouse Model of Obesity. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2009; 293:108-16. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.21019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|
9
|
Rafacho A, Ribeiro DL, Boschero AC, Taboga SR, Bosqueiro JR. Increased pancreatic islet mass is accompanied by activation of the insulin receptor substrate-2/serine-threonine kinase pathway and augmented cyclin D2 protein levels in insulin-resistant rats. Int J Exp Pathol 2008; 89:264-75. [PMID: 18429991 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00588.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that glucocorticoids induce peripheral insulin resistance in rodents and humans. Here, we investigated the structural and ultrastructural modifications, as well as the proteins involved in beta-cell function and proliferation, in islets from insulin-resistant rats. Adult male Wistar rats were made insulin resistant by daily administration of dexamethasone (DEX; 1mg/kg, i.p.) for five consecutive days, whilst control (CTL) rats received saline alone. Structure analyses showed a marked hypertrophy of DEX islets with an increase of 1.7-fold in islet mass and of 1.6-fold in islet density compared with CTL islets (P < 0.05). Ultrastructural evaluation of islets revealed an increased amount of secreting organelles, such as endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in DEX islets. Mitotic figures were observed in DEX islets at structural and ultrastructural levels. Beta-cell proliferation, evaluated at the immunohistochemical level using anti-PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), showed an increase in pancreatic beta-cell proliferation of 6.4-fold in DEX islets compared with CTL islets (P < 0.0001). Increases in insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2), phosphorylated-serine-threonine kinase AKT (p-AKT), cyclin D(2) and a decrease in retinoblastoma protein (pRb) levels were observed in DEX islets compared with CTL islets (P < 0.05). Therefore, during the development of insulin resistance, the endocrine pancreas adapts itself increasing beta-cell mass and proliferation, resulting in an amelioration of the functions. The potential mechanisms that underlie these events involve the activation of the IRS-2/AKT pathway and activation of the cell cycle, mediated by cyclin D(2). These adaptations permit the maintenance of glycaemia at near-physiological ranges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Rafacho
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Juan-Sallés C, Marco A, Ramos-Vara JA, Resendes A, Vergés J, Valls X, Montesinos A. Islet hyperplasia in callitrichids. Primates 2002; 43:179-90. [PMID: 12145399 DOI: 10.1007/bf02629646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Five callitrichids (three common marmosets -Callithrix jacchus -, a black tufted-eared marmoset -C. penicillata-, and a saddle-back tamarin -Saguinus fuscicollis) were diagnosed with islet hyperplasia by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. All were privately-owned, unrelated callitrichids ranging from 2- to 4-year-old. Relevant findings were anorexia (3/5), vomiting (2/5), ptyalism (1/5), polyuria/polydipsia (1/5), respiratory distress (1/5), hyperglycemia (2/3) and glycosuria (1/1); hyperglycemia and glycosuria were associated with pregnancy in a common marmoset and resolved after reducing simple carbohydrates in diet. All five animals died, three of them after few premonitory signs; in two cases, other concurrent diseases unrelated to islet hyperplasia were considered the cause of death. Additional animals from two facilities had high weight (4), physical obesity (3), polyuria/polydipsia/polyphagia/uriposia (1), hyperglycemia (1), and/or glycosuria (2). Pathologic findings in the deceased callitrichids were: islet hyperplasia (5/5); hemosiderosis (5/5); lipomatosis (4/5) of several tissues (atria, 3/5; pancreas, gall bladder, intestine, esophagus, and thyroid, 2/5; liver, 1/5); pancreatic necrosis or steatonecrosis, and/or acute pancreatitis (3/5); and vacuolation of hepatocytes and renal tubular cells most likely consistent with hepatorenal lipidosis (2/5). The islets of Langerhans were more numerous and larger than in a control, and morphologically normal in all cases, except in a common marmoset that had a few cells with a foamy cytoplasm and shrunken hyperchromatic or picknotic nucleus. Insulin (5/5), glucagon (3/5), and somatostatin (3/5) immunohistochemistry revealed that most cells stained positively for insulin diffusely in their cytoplasm (5/5) (staining restricted to the vascular pole of b-cells in the control). These findings suggest that obesity, insulin resistance and/or type II diabetes may be implicated and thus a prospective study on these diseases in callitrichids is necessary to determine their etiopathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carles Juan-Sallés
- Clínica Exótics and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Takeuchi T, Yukawa M, Mochizuki K, Onodera T. Cellular composition of the pancreatic islets in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Anat Histol Embryol 1994; 23:120-7. [PMID: 7978346 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0264.1994.tb00244.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In Mongolian gerbil, morphological changes with age in the content of endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets were analyzed and their relation evaluated by an oral glucose tolerance test. The glucose level 2 hours after glucose administration was 125 +/- 5 mg./d1 in the young group and 103 +/- 4 mg./d1 in the old group. In the dorsal portion, B cells were mainly observed in the central area of the islets, surrounded by circular layers of A cells in the peripheral area. Between the A cells and B cells, D cells were scattered or present in layers. A few PP cells were present in the peripheral area of the islets. In the ventral portion, only a few A cells were observed in the peripheral area of the islets, and B cells were surrounded by PP cells. Secretory granules of A cells generally had an electron-dense spherical core in the limiting membrane. The halo between the limiting membrane and core in A cells was narrower than that in B cells. Secretory granules of B cells were larger than those in A cells, and the core was less electron-dense, and the halo was wider. Secretory granules of D cells were similar in size to those of A cells; the core showed low electron density, and the halo was very narrow. Granules of PP cells resembled those of A cells, but the electron density of the core was slightly lower. The gerbils showed changes in glucose tolerance, the size of the pancreatic islets, the percentage of B cells, and of A cells in the dorsal portion with age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Takeuchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguicultatus) is suggested as a model for aging research because of its unique physiological attributes, ease of handling, and because of data previously collected. Factors that demonstrate the gerbils' suitability in fulfulling practical and scientific considerations important in determining a model for aging research are listed. Additionally, several unique physiological attributes of gerbils are described. Based on these attributes and on review of research in gerbils, it is suggested that gerbils can serve as animal models for behavioral and biological processes, and for normative and pathological aspects for aging.
Collapse
|
13
|
Lucocq JM, Findlay JA. Islet organ, blood glucose and glucose tolerance of lean and obese Mongolian gerbils. A quantitative study. Cell Tissue Res 1981; 220:623-36. [PMID: 7028271 DOI: 10.1007/bf00216765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Gerbils were divided, on the basis of body weight, into obese (greater than 80 gms) and lean (less than 80 gms) groups. Fasting blood glucose estimations on all 31 gerbils, and glucose tolerance tests on 9 lean and 6 obese animals, were carried out. All lean and some obese gerbils were normoglycaemic and other obese were hyperglycaemic. All obese gerbils exhibited glucose intolerance. General morphological studies were undertaken as follows: (i) assessment of mesenteric fat deposits, (ii) measurement of anterior abdominal wall thickness, (iii) ratio of animal length to width at specified loci (index of shape). The degree of obesity was less than previously reported in this species though blood glucose abnormality was comparable. The index of animal shape showed a strong correlation with body weight. The following kinds of histological observation were made on pancreases from 4 lean and 4 obese gerbils: (i) % islet representation, (ii) islet size distribution, (iii) beta-cell granularity, (iv) islet vascularity, (v) islet/duct association, (vi) proportions of alpha- and D-cells, (vii) glycogen deposition in islet and duct cells. The pancreases of obese gerbils contained a higher proportion of islet tissue than those of lean due to generally larger islets: this hyperplasia was mainly attributable to beta-cell proliferation. Many obese gerbil islets exhibited hyperaemia and beta-cell degranulation. There was no evidence of glycogen deposition.
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
The authors have explored the suitability of the Mongolian gerbil as a model in aging research and reviewed data on major factors in gerbil morbidity and mortality. The gerbil is a semi-desert rodent, introduced relatively recently into biomedical research. It is moderately prolific, has a maximum survival of about 208 weeks and is easily maintained. Maternal neglect, fighting and epidemic diseases (Tyzzer's disease, salmonellosis, pneumonia) are potential causes of mortality in gerbil colonies. Obese or breeding gerbils may exhibit hyperadrenocorticism, diabetes, non-lipoid arteriosclerosis and secondary lesions in several organs. There is a high prevalence of spontaneous neoplasms in aged gerbils, especially tumors of the adrenal cortex, ovary and skin. The gerbil is a useful model of experimentally-induced stroke, but has proven unsuitable for studies of cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis. The normal and pathological anatomy of periodontal disease in the gerbil is similar in many respects to that of man.
Collapse
|
15
|
|
16
|
Boquist L. Pancreatic islets subjected to different concentrations of glucose in vitro. A study with special regard to mitochondrial changes. VIRCHOWS ARCHIV. B, CELL PATHOLOGY 1977; 23:219-26. [PMID: 403671 DOI: 10.1007/bf02889133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Isolated pancreatic islets of mice and gerbils were cultured for 6 days at low (2mM) or high (20mM) concentrations of glucose after which they were studied using qualitative and quantitative electron microscopy, histo- and microchemistry, and X-ray microanalysis. Compared with the islets cultured at high glucose, those subjected to low glucose exhibited enhanced succinate dehydrogenase activity, a decreased content of adenosine triphosphate, and an increased volume of B-cell mitochondria which often were rounded or oval.
Collapse
|
17
|
Wilander E, Tjälve H. Diabetogenic effects of N-nitrosomethylurea with special regard to species variations. EXPERIMENTELLE PATHOLOGIE 1975; 11:133-41. [PMID: 1233304 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-4908(75)80053-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The effect of N-nitrosomethylurea on the blood-glucose and the pancreatic islet light microscopic picture was studied in the Chinese hamsters, golden hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats and sand rats. The Chinese hamsters were most susceptible. Only in this species did a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight cause blood-glucose elevations and pancreatic islet damage. At a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight of N-nitrosomethylurea, blood-glucose elevations were recorded in the golden hamster together with damage to the islets and the exocrine pancreatic parenchyma. A toxic dose of 200 mg/kg body weight resulted in hyperglycemia and islet cell destruction in the rat and in slight alterations in the islets of mice. N-nitrosomethylurea was non-diabetogenic to guinea pigs and sand rats. The ethyl derivate of nitrosourea was less toxic and diabetogenic to the Chinese hamsters in comparison with the methyl derivate.
Collapse
|
18
|
Edström C, Boquist L. Alloxan diabetes in duct-ligated rats. Light and electron microscopic findings. ACTA PATHOLOGICA ET MICROBIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA. SECTION A, PATHOLOGY 1973; 81:47-56. [PMID: 4569533 DOI: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1973.tb00475.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
|