Bacevic M, Rompen E, Radermecker R, Drion P, Lambert F. Practical considerations for reducing mortality rates in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.
Heliyon 2020;
6:e04103. [PMID:
32577551 PMCID:
PMC7305394 DOI:
10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04103]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemically-induced diabetic animal models have been employed in many areas of diabetes mellitus (DM) research, but managing post-induction animal survival rates remains one of the main downsides.
The aim of the present study was to propose a reliable approach to animal management and monitoring after DM induction in a rabbit model in order to reduce animal mortality rates.
DM was induced by injecting alloxan in 12 New Zealand White rabbits. A preventive subcutaneous glucose administration to counteract a potentially lethal hypoglycemic phase following alloxan injection was performed on individual bases. Blood glucose level (BGL) was checked hourly for the first 36 h, then every 2 h until the hyperglycemic state was confirmed.
All 12 rabbits survived a 48-hour post-induction phase. The critical hypoglycemic phase's start points and duration differed significantly among the rabbits, lasting from 6.7 to 37 h (19.75 ± 8.44). The rabbits entered the final hyperglycemic phase 18 h at the earliest and 42 h at the latest after induction (26.63 ± 7.07). The average daily BGLs throughout the study period ranged from 268 to 512 mg/dL (413.73 ± 76.69). Eleven rabbits survived until the end of the experiment.
The variability of rabbits' responses to alloxan injection emphasizes the importance of monitoring rabbit behavior and thoroughly checking BGLs, followed by a preventive glucose administration based on rabbits' individual needs for up to 36 h after alloxan injection. The proposed approach seems to reduce animal mortality.
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