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Li H, Deng Z, Yu X, Lin J, Xie Y, Liao W, Ma Y, Zheng Q. Combining dual-view fusion pose estimation and multi-type motion feature extraction to assess arthritis pain in mice. Biomed Signal Process Control 2024; 92:106080. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2024.106080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
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2
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Domínguez-Oliva A, Olmos-Hernández A, Hernández-Ávalos I, Lecona-Butrón H, Mora-Medina P, Mota-Rojas D. Rat Grimace Scale as a Method to Evaluate Animal Welfare, Nociception, and Quality of the Euthanasia Method of Wistar Rats. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3161. [PMID: 37893885 PMCID: PMC10603718 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Refinement of experimental procedures in animal research has the objective of preventing and minimizing pain/distress in animals, including the euthanasia period. This study aimed to evaluate pain associated with six methods of euthanasia in Wistar rats (injectable, inhalational, and physical), by applying the Rat Grimace Scale (RGS), comparing the scores, and determining the method with the highest score that might indicate pain for laboratory rodents. Sixty adult male and female Wistar rats were used and assigned to six treatments: pentobarbital, CO2, decapitation, isoflurane, ketamine + xylazine, and ketamine + CO2. Video recording to assess the RGS scores was performed in four events: basal: 24 h before the procedure; Ti1: three minutes before the procedure; Ti2: during the application of the euthanasia method; and Ti3: immediately after the application until LORR. The main findings of this study showed that, during Ti2, decapitation and ketamine + xylazine had the highest scores (0.6 ± 0.26 and 0.6 ± 0.16, respectively) (p < 0.0001), while at Ti3, CO2 (0.9 ± 0.18) and isoflurane (1.2 ± 0.20) recorded the highest scores (p < 0.0001). According to the present results, decapitation and ketamine + xylazine elicited short-term acute pain, possibly due to tissue damage caused by both methods (injection and guillotine). In contrast, isoflurane's RGS scores recorded during Ti3 might be associated with nociception/pain due to the pungency of the drug or to the pharmacological muscle relaxant effect of isoflurane. Further research is needed to establish a comprehensive study of pain during euthanasia, where RGS could be used minding the limitations that anesthetics might have on facial expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Master in Science Program “Maestría en Ciencias Agropecuarias”, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco Campus, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
- Neurophysiology of Pain, Behavior and Assessment of Welfare in Domestic Animals, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology—Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Mexico City 14389, Mexico
| | - Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
- Clinical Pharmacology and Veterinary Anesthesia, Biological Sciences Department, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | - Hugo Lecona-Butrón
- Division of Biotechnology—Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Mexico City 14389, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology of Pain, Behavior and Assessment of Welfare in Domestic Animals, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico
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3
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Modi AD, Parekh A, Pancholi YN. Evaluating Pain Behaviours: Widely Used Mechanical and Thermal Methods in Rodents. Behav Brain Res 2023; 446:114417. [PMID: 37003494 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Globally, over 300 million surgical procedures are performed annually, with pain being one of the most common post-operative side effects. During the onset of injury, acute pain plays a protective role in alerting the individual to remove noxious stimuli, while long-lasting chronic pain without any physiological reason is detrimental to the recovery process. Hence, it created an urgent need to better understand the pain mechanism and explore therapeutic targets. Despite the hardship in performing human pain studies due to ethical considerations, clinically relevant rodent pain models provide an excellent opportunity to perform pain studies. Several neurobehavioural tests are used to assess the drug efficacy in rodents to determine avoidance behaviour latency and threshold. This review article provides a methodological overview of mechanical (i.e. von Frey, Mechanical Conflict System) and thermal (i.e. Hargreaves Assay, Hot and Cold Plate, Temperature Place Preference) tests to assess pain in clinically relevant pain rodent models. We further discussed the current modifications of those tests along with their use in literature, the impact of confounding variables, advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshat D Modi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada; Department of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada.
| | - Anavi Parekh
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Yajan N Pancholi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
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4
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Aulehner K, Leenaars C, Buchecker V, Stirling H, Schönhoff K, King H, Häger C, Koska I, Jirkof P, Bleich A, Bankstahl M, Potschka H. Grimace scale, burrowing, and nest building for the assessment of post-surgical pain in mice and rats-A systematic review. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:930005. [PMID: 36277074 PMCID: PMC9583882 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.930005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies suggested an informative value of behavioral and grimace scale parameters for the detection of pain. However, the robustness and reliability of the parameters as well as the current extent of implementation are still largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to systematically analyze the current evidence-base of grimace scale, burrowing, and nest building for the assessment of post-surgical pain in mice and rats. The following platforms were searched for relevant articles: PubMed, Embase via Ovid, and Web of Science. Only full peer-reviewed studies that describe the grimace scale, burrowing, and/or nest building as pain parameters in the post-surgical phase in mice and/or rats were included. Information about the study design, animal characteristics, intervention characteristics, and outcome measures was extracted from identified publications. In total, 74 papers were included in this review. The majority of studies have been conducted in young adult C57BL/6J mice and Sprague Dawley and Wistar rats. While there is an apparent lack of information about young animals, some studies that analyzed the grimace scale in aged rats were identified. The majority of studies focused on laparotomy-associated pain. Only limited information is available about other types of surgical interventions. While an impact of surgery and an influence of analgesia were rather consistently reported in studies focusing on grimace scales, the number of studies that assessed respective effects was rather low for nest building and burrowing. Moreover, controversial findings were evident for the impact of analgesics on post-surgical nest building activity. Regarding analgesia, a monotherapeutic approach was identified in the vast majority of studies with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs and opioids being most commonly used. In conclusion, most evidence exists for grimace scales, which were more frequently used to assess post-surgical pain in rodents than the other behavioral parameters. However, our findings also point to relevant knowledge gaps concerning the post-surgical application in different strains, age levels, and following different surgical procedures. Future efforts are also necessary to directly compare the sensitivity and robustness of different readout parameters applied for the assessment of nest building and burrowing activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Aulehner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Cathalijn Leenaars
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Verena Buchecker
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Helen Stirling
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Schönhoff
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Hannah King
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Häger
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ines Koska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Paulin Jirkof
- Office for Animal Welfare and 3Rs, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - André Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Marion Bankstahl
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany,*Correspondence: Heidrun Potschka
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Domínguez-Oliva A, Mota-Rojas D, Hernández-Avalos I, Mora-Medina P, Olmos-Hernández A, Verduzco-Mendoza A, Casas-Alvarado A, Whittaker AL. The neurobiology of pain and facial movements in rodents: Clinical applications and current research. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1016720. [PMID: 36246319 PMCID: PMC9556725 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1016720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most controversial aspects of the use of animals in science is the production of pain. Pain is a central ethical concern. The activation of neural pathways involved in the pain response has physiological, endocrine, and behavioral consequences, that can affect both the health and welfare of the animals, as well as the validity of research. The strategy to prevent these consequences requires understanding of the nociception process, pain itself, and how assessment can be performed using validated, non-invasive methods. The study of facial expressions related to pain has undergone considerable study with the finding that certain movements of the facial muscles (called facial action units) are associated with the presence and intensity of pain. This review, focused on rodents, discusses the neurobiology of facial expressions, clinical applications, and current research designed to better understand pain and the nociceptive pathway as a strategy for implementing refinement in biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Master in Science Program “Maestría en Ciencias Agropecuarias”, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assesment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Daniel Mota-Rojas
| | - Ismael Hernández-Avalos
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
| | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology-Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Antonio Verduzco-Mendoza
- Division of Biotechnology-Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Casas-Alvarado
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assesment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alexandra L. Whittaker
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
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Viñas-Noguera M, Csatlósová K, Šimončičová E, Bögi E, Ujházy E, Dubovický M, Belovičová K. Sex- and age- dependent effect of pre-gestational chronic stress and mirtazapine treatment on neurobehavioral development of Wistar rat offspring. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0255546. [PMID: 35113878 PMCID: PMC8812964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormonal fluctuations, such as the perinatal period, may increase susceptibility of women to depression, which in turn exert a negative impact on child's neurodevelopment, becoming a risk factor in development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, the use of antidepressants during this critical period presents a serious health concern for both the mother and the child, due to the consequences of treatment in terms of the reliability and safety for the proper neurodevelopment of the organism being not well known. Atypical antidepressants, such as mirtazapine, that targets both serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in the central nervous system (CNS), represent a novel focus of research due to its unique pharmacological profile. The aim of this work was to study the effects of maternal depression and/or perinatal antidepressant mirtazapine treatment on the neurobehavioral development of the offspring. Pre-gestationally chronically stressed or non-stressed Wistar rat dams were treated with either mirtazapine (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle during pregnancy and lactation followed by analysis of offspring's behavior at juvenile and adolescent age. We found mirtazapine induced significant alterations of nursing behavior. In offspring, pregestational stress (PS) had an anxiogenic effect on adolescent males (p≤0.05) and increased their active behavior in forced swim test (p≤0.01). Interaction between pregestational stress and mirtazapine treatment variously induced anxiolytic changes of juvenile (p≤0.05) and adolescent (p≤0.05) females and impairment of spatial memory (p≤0.01) in adolescent females as well. Hippocampal density of synaptophysin, pre-synaptic protein marker, was decreased mainly by mirtazapine treatment. In conclusion, our results show mirtazapine induced significant alterations in maternal behavior and several sex- and age-dependent changes in neurobehavioral development of offspring caused by both prenatal mirtazapine treatment and/or chronic pregestational stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Viñas-Noguera
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Kristína Csatlósová
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Eva Šimončičová
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Ezster Bögi
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eduard Ujházy
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Dubovický
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Kristína Belovičová
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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7
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Radulescu A, White FA, Chenu C. What Did We Learn About Fracture Pain from Animal Models? J Pain Res 2022; 15:2845-2856. [PMID: 36124034 PMCID: PMC9482434 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s361826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in bone fracture repair research has been made possible due to the development of reproducible models of fracture in rodents with more clinically relevant fracture fixation, where there is considerably better assessment of the factors that affect fracture healing and/or novel therapeutics. However, chronic or persistent pain is one of the worst, longest-lasting and most difficult symptoms to manage after fracture repair, and an ongoing challenge remains for animal welfare as limited information exists regarding pain scoring and management in these rodent fracture models. This failure of adequate pre-clinical pain assessment following osteotomy in the rodent population may not only subject the animal to severe pain states but may also affect the outcome of the bone healing study. Animal models to study pain were also mainly developed in rodents, and there is increasing validation of fracture and pain models to quantitatively evaluate fracture pain and to study the factors that generate and maintain fracture pain and develop new therapies for treating fracture pain. This review aims to discuss the different animal models for fracture pain research and characterize what can be learned from using animal models of fracture regarding behavioral pain states and new molecular targets for future management of these behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Radulescu
- Royal Veterinary College, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, London, NW1 OTU, UK
| | - Fletcher A White
- Department of Anesthesia, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chantal Chenu
- Royal Veterinary College, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, London, NW1 OTU, UK
- Correspondence: Chantal Chenu, Royal Veterinary College, Department of Comparative Biological Sciences, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK, Tel +44 207 468 5045, Email
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8
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Magnusdottir R, Gohin S, Ter Heegde F, Hopkinson M, McNally IF, Fisher A, Upton N, Billinton A, Chenu C. Fracture-induced pain-like behaviours in a femoral fracture mouse model. Osteoporos Int 2021; 32:2347-2359. [PMID: 34080043 PMCID: PMC8563675 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-021-05991-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study is the first comprehensive characterisation of the pain phenotype after fracture using both evoked and naturalistic behaviours in adult male and ovariectomised female mice. It also shows that an anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) therapy could be considered to reduce pain after fracture surgery. INTRODUCTION Bone fractures are common due to the ageing population and very painful even after healing. The phenotype of this pain is still poorly understood. We aimed to characterise it in a femoral fracture model in mice. METHODS We employed both adult male, and female ovariectomised (OVX) mice to mimic osteoporotic fractures. Mice underwent a unilateral femoral fracture maintained by an external fixator or a sham surgery. Pain behaviours, including mechanical and thermal sensitivity, weight bearing and LABORAS, were measured from baseline to 6 weeks after fracture. The effect on pain of an antibody against nerve growth factor (anti-NGF) was assessed. Changes in nerve density at the fracture callus were analysed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Following surgery, all groups exhibited high levels of invoked nociception. Mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia were observed from 1 week after surgery, with nociceptive sensitization in the fracture group maintained for the 6 weeks, whereas it resolved in the sham group after 3 weeks. OVX induced reduction in pain thresholds, which was maintained after fracture. The frequency of naturalistic behaviours did not change between groups. Anti-NGF administered before and weekly after surgery alleviated fracture-induced mechanical nociception. The density of nerve fibres in the fracture callus was similar in all groups 6 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Fractures in rodent models are highly painful in both sexes. This pain-like phenotype is prolonged and should be routinely considered in fracture healing studies as it can affect the study outcome. The anti-NGF alleviates fracture-induced mechanical pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Magnusdottir
- Skeletal Biology Group, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, 4 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK
- Transpharmation Ltd., The London Bioscience Innovation Centre, 2 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0NH, UK
| | - S Gohin
- Skeletal Biology Group, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, 4 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK
| | - F Ter Heegde
- Skeletal Biology Group, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, 4 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK
| | - M Hopkinson
- Skeletal Biology Group, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, 4 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK
| | - I F McNally
- Skeletal Biology Group, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, 4 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK
| | - A Fisher
- Transpharmation Ltd., The London Bioscience Innovation Centre, 2 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0NH, UK
| | - N Upton
- Transpharmation Ltd., The London Bioscience Innovation Centre, 2 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0NH, UK
| | - A Billinton
- Astrazeneca, Neuroscience, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, CB21 6GH, UK
| | - C Chenu
- Skeletal Biology Group, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, 4 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK.
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9
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Zhang H, Lecker I, Collymore C, Dokova A, Pham MC, Rosen SF, Crawhall-Duk H, Zain M, Valencia M, Filippini HF, Li J, D'Souza AJ, Cho C, Michailidis V, Whissell PD, Patel I, Steenland HW, Virginia Lee WJ, Moayedi M, Sterley TL, Bains JS, Stratton JA, Matyas JR, Biernaskie J, Dubins D, Vukobradovic I, Bezginov A, Flenniken AM, Martin LJ, Mogil JS, Bonin RP. Cage-lid hanging behavior as a translationally relevant measure of pain in mice. Pain 2021; 162:1416-1425. [PMID: 33230005 PMCID: PMC8054539 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The development of new analgesic drugs has been hampered by the inability to translate preclinical findings to humans. This failure is due in part to the weak connection between commonly used pain outcome measures in rodents and the clinical symptoms of chronic pain. Most rodent studies rely on the use of experimenter-evoked measures of pain and assess behavior under ethologically unnatural conditions, which limits the translational potential of preclinical research. Here, we addressed this problem by conducting an unbiased, prospective study of behavioral changes in mice within a natural homecage environment using conventional preclinical pain assays. Unexpectedly, we observed that cage-lid hanging, a species-specific elective behavior, was the only homecage behavior reliably impacted by pain assays. Noxious stimuli reduced hanging behavior in an intensity-dependent manner, and the reduction in hanging could be restored by analgesics. Finally, we developed an automated approach to assess hanging behavior. Collectively, our results indicate that the depression of hanging behavior is a novel, ethologically valid, and translationally relevant pain outcome measure in mice that could facilitate the study of pain and analgesic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hantao Zhang
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Irene Lecker
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chereen Collymore
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Animal Care and Veterinary Services, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anastassia Dokova
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Sarah F. Rosen
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hayley Crawhall-Duk
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maham Zain
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Megan Valencia
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jerry Li
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Abigail J. D'Souza
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chulmin Cho
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Vassilia Michailidis
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Paul D. Whissell
- Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ingita Patel
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Wai-Jane Virginia Lee
- Centre for Multimodal Sensorimotor and Pain Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Massieh Moayedi
- Centre for Multimodal Sensorimotor and Pain Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Toni-Lee Sterley
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jaideep S. Bains
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jo Anne Stratton
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - John R. Matyas
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - David Dubins
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Loren J. Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey S. Mogil
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Robert P. Bonin
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for the Study of Pain, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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10
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Whittaker AL, Liu Y, Barker TH. Methods Used and Application of the Mouse Grimace Scale in Biomedical Research 10 Years on: A Scoping Review. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030673. [PMID: 33802463 PMCID: PMC7999303 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mouse Grimace Scale (MGS) was developed 10 years ago as a method for assessing pain through the characterisation of changes in five facial features or action units. The strength of the technique is that it is proposed to be a measure of spontaneous or non-evoked pain. The time is opportune to map all of the research into the MGS, with a particular focus on the methods used and the technique's utility across a range of mouse models. A comprehensive scoping review of the academic literature was performed. A total of 48 articles met our inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The MGS has been employed mainly in the evaluation of acute pain, particularly in the pain and neuroscience research fields. There has, however, been use of the technique in a wide range of fields, and based on limited study it does appear to have utility for pain assessment across a spectrum of animal models. Use of the method allows the detection of pain of a longer duration, up to a month post initial insult. There has been less use of the technique using real-time methods and this is an area in need of further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. Whittaker
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy 5371, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Yifan Liu
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy 5371, Australia;
| | - Timothy H. Barker
- JBI, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia;
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Conde G, Carvalho JRG, Dias PDP, Moranza HG, Montanhim GL, Ribeiro JDO, Chinelatto MA, Moraes PC, Taboga SR, Bertolo PHL, Gonçalves MI, Pinheiro DG, Ferraz G. In vivo biocompatibility and biodegradability of poly(lactic acid)/poly(ε-caprolactone) blend compatibilized with poly(ε-caprolactone- b-tetrahydrofuran) in Wistar rats. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2021; 7. [PMID: 33652429 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/abeb5a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) are two important aliphatic esters known for their biodegradability and bioresorbability properties; the former is stiffer and brittle while the smaller modulus of the latter allows a suitable elongation. The new biomaterials being developed from the blend of these two polymers (PLA and PCL) is opportune due to the reducing interfacial tension between their immiscible phases. In a previous study, PLA/PCL immiscible blend when compatibilized with poly(ε-caprolactone-b-tetrahydrofuran) resulted in enhanced ductility and toughness no cytotoxic effect in vitro tests. There is little published data on the effect of poly(ε-caprolactone-b-tetrahydrofuran) on PLA and PCL biocompatibility and biodegradability in vivo tests. This study focuses on evaluating the behavioral response and polymer-tissue interaction of compatibilized PLA/PCL blend compared to neat PLA implanted via intraperitoneal (IP) and subcutaneous (SC) in male Wistar rats, distributed in four experimental groups: neat PLA, PLA/PCL blend, sham, and control at 2-, 8- and 24-weeks post-implantation (WPI). Open-field test was performed to appraise emotionality and spontaneous locomotor activity. Histopathological investigation using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and picrosirius-hematoxylin (PSH) was used to assess polymer-tissue interaction. Modifications in PLA and the PLA / PCL blend's surface morphology were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PLA group defecated more often than PLA/PCL rats 2 and 8 WPI. Conjunctive capsule development around implants, cell adhesion, angiogenesis, and giant cells of a foreign body to the biomaterial was observed in light microscopy. Both groups displayed a fibrous reaction along with collagen deposition around the biomaterials. In the SEM, the images showed a higher degradation rate for the PLA/PCL blend in both implantation routes. The polymers implanted via IP exhibited a higher degradation rate compared to SC. These findings emphasize the biocompatibility of the PLA/PCL blend compatibilized with poly(ε-caprolactone-b-tetrahydrofuran), making this biopolymer an acceptable alternative in a variety of biomedical applicatio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Conde
- Animal Morphology and Physiology, UNESP Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP - CEP 14884-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, BRAZIL
| | - Julia Ribeiro Garcia Carvalho
- Animal Morphology and Physiology, UNESP Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, BRAZIL
| | - Paula do Patrocínio Dias
- Materials Engineering, USP São Carlos, Av. João Dagnone, 1100 Jd. Sta Angelina, Sao Carlos, São Paulo, 13563-120, BRAZIL
| | - Henriette Gellert Moranza
- Animal Morphology and Physiology, UNESP Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, BRAZIL
| | - Gabriel Luiz Montanhim
- Clinic and Surgery, UNESP Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, BRAZIL
| | - Juliana de Oliveira Ribeiro
- Clinic and Surgery, UNESP Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, BRAZIL
| | - Marcelo Aparecido Chinelatto
- Materials Engineering, USP São Carlos, Av. João Dagnone, 1100 Jd. Sta Angelina, Sao Carlos, São Paulo, 13563-120, BRAZIL
| | - Paola Castro Moraes
- Clinic and Surgery, UNESP Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, BRAZIL
| | - Sebastião Roberto Taboga
- Biology, UNESP IBILCESJRP, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265 - Jardim Nazareth - São José do Rio Preto/SP, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, 15054-000, BRAZIL
| | - Paulo Henrique Leal Bertolo
- Veterinary Pathology, UNESP Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, BRAZIL
| | - Michelli Inacio Gonçalves
- Technology Department, UNESP, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP - CEP 14884-900, Sao Paulo, SP, 01049-010, BRAZIL
| | - Daniel Guariz Pinheiro
- Animal Morphology and Physiology, UNESP Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP - CEP 14884-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, BRAZIL
| | - Guilherme Ferraz
- Animal Morphology and Physiology, UNESP Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof.Paulo Donato Castellane s/n - Jaboticabal/SP, Jaboticabal, 14884-900, BRAZIL
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Mota-Rojas D, Olmos-Hernández A, Verduzco-Mendoza A, Hernández E, Martínez-Burnes J, Whittaker AL. The Utility of Grimace Scales for Practical Pain Assessment in Laboratory Animals. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101838. [PMID: 33050267 PMCID: PMC7600890 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Grimace scales for laboratory animals were first reported ten years ago. Yet, despite their promise as pain assessment tools it appears that they have not been implemented widely in animal research establishments for clinical pain assessment. We discuss potential reasons for this based on the knowledge gained to date on their use and suggest avenues for further research, which might improve uptake of their use in laboratory animal medicine. Abstract Animals’ facial expressions are widely used as a readout for emotion. Scientific interest in the facial expressions of laboratory animals has centered primarily on negative experiences, such as pain, experienced as a result of scientific research procedures. Recent attempts to standardize evaluation of facial expressions associated with pain in laboratory animals has culminated in the development of “grimace scales”. The prevention or relief of pain in laboratory animals is a fundamental requirement for in vivo research to satisfy community expectations. However, to date it appears that the grimace scales have not seen widespread implementation as clinical pain assessment techniques in biomedical research. In this review, we discuss some of the barriers to implementation of the scales in clinical laboratory animal medicine, progress made in automation of collection, and suggest avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco Campus, Ciudad de México 04960, CDMX, Mexico;
| | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology—Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Tlalpan 14389, CDMX, Mexico; (A.O.-H.); (A.V.-M.)
| | - Antonio Verduzco-Mendoza
- Division of Biotechnology—Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Tlalpan 14389, CDMX, Mexico; (A.O.-H.); (A.V.-M.)
| | - Elein Hernández
- Department of Clinical Studies and Surgery, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautiltán UNAM, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Estado de México, Mexico;
| | - Julio Martínez-Burnes
- Graduate and Research Department, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Cd Victoria 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico;
| | - Alexandra L. Whittaker
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, SA 5116, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Grimace Scores: Tools to Support the Identification of Pain in Mammals Used in Research. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101726. [PMID: 32977561 PMCID: PMC7598254 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The 3Rs, Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, is a framework to ensure the ethical and justified use of animals in research. The implementation of refinements is required to alleviate and minimise the pain and suffering of animals in research. Public acceptability of animal use in research is contingent on satisfying ethical and legal obligations to provide pain relief along with humane endpoints. To fulfil this obligation, staff, researchers, veterinarians, and technicians must rapidly, accurately, efficiently and consistently identify, assess and act on signs of pain. This ability is paramount to uphold animal welfare, prevent undue suffering and mitigate possible negative impacts on research. Identification of pain may be based on indicators such as physiological, behavioural, or physical ones. Each has been used to develop different pain scoring systems with potential benefits and limitations in identifying and assessing pain. Grimace scores are a promising adjunctive behavioural technique in some mammalian species to identify and assess pain in research animals. The use of this method can be beneficial to animal welfare and research outcomes by identifying animals that may require alleviation of pain or humane intervention. This paper highlights the benefits, caveats, and potential applications of grimace scales.
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14
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Preliminary survey of the attitudes of Brazilian scientists towards pain management and assessment in animals used in science. Vet Anaesth Analg 2020; 47:647-656. [PMID: 32698982 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the current scenario in Brazil regarding pain assessment and control in experimental animals. STUDY DESIGN Prospective survey. METHODS A confidential questionnaire was available online and sent by e-mail to Brazilian scientists working with animal experimentation in Brazil. Data collection was conducted from October 2016 to October 2017. The exclusion criteria included blank questionnaires or with <80% completed responses, researchers not performing experiments involving animals and foreign scientists. RESULTS A total of 96 questionnaires from 104 respondents were analyzed. The Fisher's exact test showed a disparity between the proportions of scientists who recognized the importance of analgesia and their application of analgesic techniques in painful procedures (p < 0.0003), and also for the researchers who assumed that experiments inflicted pain and their classification of the degree of invasiveness (p < 0.0001), indicating their insufficient knowledge of these topics. Overall, 77% of institutions did not offer specific training to assess pain in experimental animals, and 24% of respondents had no training to work with animal experimentation. In total, 62% of the studies inflicted pain, 48% of respondents used pain scales, and the drugs administered most frequently for pain management were morphine (44%), meloxicam (43%) and tramadol (37%); 15% of respondents did not include analgesics even though their studies inflicted pain. Commonly used animals were rats (33%), mice (29%) and rabbits (8%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The results of this preliminary survey indicated that in Brazil there is a gap in the knowledge and training on pain assessment and management of experimental animals. Therefore, there is a necessity for an educational program to prepare and train scientists to assess and manage pain in laboratory or experimental animals. Further studies using a psychometrically validated survey instrument are warranted.
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15
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Jirkof P, Rudeck J, Lewejohann L. Assessing Affective State in Laboratory Rodents to Promote Animal Welfare-What Is the Progress in Applied Refinement Research? Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E1026. [PMID: 31775293 PMCID: PMC6941082 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An animal's capacity to suffer is a prerequisite for any animal welfare concern, and the minimization of suffering is a key aim of refinement research. In contrast to the traditional focus on avoiding or reducing negative welfare states, modern animal welfare concepts highlight the importance of promoting positive welfare states in laboratory animals. Reliable assessments of affective states, as well as the knowledge of how to elicit positive affective states, are central to this concept. Important achievements have been made to assess pain and other negative affective states in animals in the last decades, but it is only recently that the neurobiology of positive emotions in humans and animals has been gaining more interest. Thereby, the need for promotion of positive affective states for laboratory animals is gaining more acceptance, and methods allowing the assessment of affective states in animals have been increasingly introduced. In this overview article, we present common and emerging methods to assess affective states in laboratory rodents. We focus on the implementation of these methods into applied refinement research to identify achieved progress as well as the future potential of these tools to improve animal welfare in animal-based research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulin Jirkof
- Department Animal Welfare and 3R, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Rudeck
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), 12277 Berlin, Germany; (J.R.); (L.L.)
| | - Lars Lewejohann
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), 12277 Berlin, Germany; (J.R.); (L.L.)
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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16
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Williams ACDC. Persistence of pain in humans and other mammals. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20190276. [PMID: 31544608 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary models of chronic pain are relatively undeveloped, but mainly concern dysregulation of an efficient acute defence, or false alarm. Here, a third possibility, mismatch with the modern environment, is examined. In ancestral human and free-living animal environments, survival needs urge a return to activity during recovery, despite pain, but modern environments allow humans and domesticated animals prolonged inactivity after injury. This review uses the research literature to compare humans and other mammals, who share pain neurophysiology, on risk factors for pain persistence, behaviours associated with pain, and responses of conspecifics to behaviours. The mammal populations studied are mainly laboratory rodents in pain research, and farm and companion animals in veterinary research, with observations of captive and free-living primates. Beyond farm animals and rodent models, there is virtually no evidence of chronic pain in other mammals. Since evidence is sparse, it is hard to conclude that it does not occur, but its apparent absence is compatible with the mismatch hypothesis. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of mechanisms and behaviour important for pain'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C de C Williams
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
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17
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George RP, Howarth GS, Whittaker AL. Use of the Rat Grimace Scale to Evaluate Visceral Pain in a Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9090678. [PMID: 31547463 PMCID: PMC6769932 DOI: 10.3390/ani9090678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Mucositis is a painful and often debilitating condition associated with cancer treatment. Management of associated symptoms is an important clinical consideration. Animal models are used in mucositis research to model the condition in humans in order to develop novel therapeutic agents to relieve symptoms. Previous animal studies have focused on disease severity and outcomes, but often failed to measure pain. The rat grimace scale (RGS) is a validated observational measure used to gauge pain levels experienced by rats. The aim of this study was to assess the rat grimace scale in a rat model of mucositis, and to examine whether changes in clinical signs and anxiety reflected the grimace responses recorded. We also aimed to determine whether the responses were pain-specific by administering potent opioid painkilling agents. In the present study rat grimace scores did not change significantly between treatments. Development of reliable pain assessment methods in animal models is urgently required to improve model relevance to human clinical practice, in addition to safeguarding animal welfare. Abstract The rat grimace scale (RGS) is a measure of spontaneous pain that evaluates pain response. The ability to characterize pain through a non-invasive method has considerable utility for numerous animal models of disease, including mucositis, a painful, self-limiting side-effect of chemotherapy treatment. Preclinical studies investigating novel therapeutics for mucositis often focus on pathological outcomes and disease severity. These investigations fail to measure pain, in spite of reduction of pain being a key clinical therapeutic goal. This study assessed the utility of the RGS for pain assessment in a rat model of mucositis, and whether changes in disease activity index (DAI) and open field test (OFT) reflected the grimace responses recorded. Sixty tumor-bearing female Dark Agouti rats were injected with either saline or 5-Fluourouracil alone, or with co-administration of opioid analgesics. Whilst differences in DAI were observed between treatment groups, no difference in RGS scores or OFT were demonstrated. Significant increases in grimace scores were observed across time. However, whilst a statistically significant change may have been noted, the biological relevance is questionable in terms of practical usage, since an observer is only able to score whole numbers. Development of effective pain assessment methods in animal models is required to improve welfare, satisfy regulatory requirements, and increase translational validity of the model to human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca P George
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.
| | - Gordon S Howarth
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia.
| | - Alexandra L Whittaker
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.
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Xiao Z, Martinez E, Kulkarni PM, Zhang Q, Hou Q, Rosenberg D, Talay R, Shalot L, Zhou H, Wang J, Chen ZS. Cortical Pain Processing in the Rat Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Primary Somatosensory Cortex. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:165. [PMID: 31105532 PMCID: PMC6492531 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is a complex multidimensional experience encompassing sensory-discriminative, affective-motivational and cognitive-emotional components mediated by different neural mechanisms. Investigations of neurophysiological signals from simultaneous recordings of two or more cortical circuits may reveal important circuit mechanisms on cortical pain processing. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and primary somatosensory cortex (S1) represent two most important cortical circuits related to sensory and affective processing of pain. Here, we recorded in vivo extracellular activity of the ACC and S1 simultaneously from male adult Sprague-Dale rats (n = 5), while repetitive noxious laser stimulations were delivered to animalÕs hindpaw during pain experiments. We identified spontaneous pain-like events based on stereotyped pain behaviors in rats. We further conducted systematic analyses of spike and local field potential (LFP) recordings from both ACC and S1 during evoked and spontaneous pain episodes. From LFP recordings, we found stronger phase-amplitude coupling (theta phase vs. gamma amplitude) in the S1 than the ACC (n = 10 sessions), in both evoked (p = 0.058) and spontaneous pain-like behaviors (p = 0.017, paired signed rank test). In addition, pain-modulated ACC and S1 neuronal firing correlated with the amplitude of stimulus-induced event-related potentials (ERPs) during evoked pain episodes. We further designed statistical and machine learning methods to detect pain signals by integrating ACC and S1 ensemble spikes and LFPs. Together, these results reveal differential coding roles between the ACC and S1 in cortical pain processing, as well as point to distinct neural mechanisms between evoked and putative spontaneous pain at both LFP and cellular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengdong Xiao
- Department of Instrument Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Erik Martinez
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Prathamesh M Kulkarni
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Qianning Hou
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Biophysics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - David Rosenberg
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Robert Talay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Leor Shalot
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Haocheng Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Kendall LV, Owiny JR, Dohm ED, Knapek KJ, Lee ES, Kopanke JH, Fink M, Hansen SA, Ayers JD. Replacement, Refinement, and Reduction in Animal Studies With Biohazardous Agents. ILAR J 2019; 59:177-194. [DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ily021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Animal models are critical to the advancement of our knowledge of infectious disease pathogenesis, diagnostics, therapeutics, and prevention strategies. The use of animal models requires thoughtful consideration for their well-being, as infections can significantly impact the general health of an animal and impair their welfare. Application of the 3Rs—replacement, refinement, and reduction—to animal models using biohazardous agents can improve the scientific merit and animal welfare. Replacement of animal models can use in vitro techniques such as cell culture systems, mathematical models, and engineered tissues or invertebrate animal hosts such as amoeba, worms, fruit flies, and cockroaches. Refinements can use a variety of techniques to more closely monitor the course of disease. These include the use of biomarkers, body temperature, behavioral observations, and clinical scoring systems. Reduction is possible using advanced technologies such as in vivo telemetry and imaging, allowing longitudinal assessment of animals during the course of disease. While there is no single method to universally replace, refine, or reduce animal models, the alternatives and techniques discussed are broadly applicable and they should be considered when infectious disease animal models are developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lon V Kendall
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, and Laboratory Animal Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - James R Owiny
- Laboratory Animal Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Erik D Dohm
- Animal Resources Program, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Katie J Knapek
- Comparative Medicine Training Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Erin S Lee
- Animal Resource Center, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Jennifer H Kopanke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Michael Fink
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Sarah A Hansen
- Office of Animal Resources, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Jessica D Ayers
- Laboratory Animal Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
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Araújo-Filho HG, Pereira EWM, Campos AR, Quintans-Júnior LJ, Quintans JSS. Chronic orofacial pain animal models - progress and challenges. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:949-964. [PMID: 30220225 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1524458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic orofacial pain is one of the most common pain conditions experienced by adults. Animal models are often selected as the most useful scientific methodology to explore the pathophysiology of the disorders that cause this disabling pain to facilitate the development of new treatments. The creation of new models or the improvement of existing ones is essential for finding new ways to approach the complex neurobiology of this type of pain. Areas covered: The authors describe and discuss a variety of animal models used in chronic orofacial pain (COFP). Furthermore, they examine in detail the mechanisms of action involved in orofacial neuropathic pain and orofacial inflammatory pain. Expert opinion: The use of animal models has several advantages in chronic orofacial pain drug discovery. Choosing an animal model that most closely represents the human disease helps to increase the chances of finding effective new therapies and is key to the successful translation of preclinical research to clinical practice. Models using genetically modified animals seem promising but have not yet been fully developed for use in chronic orofacial pain research. Although animal models have provided significant advances in the pharmacological treatment of orofacial pain, several barriers still need to be overcome for better treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heitor G Araújo-Filho
- a Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Department of Physiology , Federal University of Sergipe , São Cristóvão , Brazil
| | - Erik W M Pereira
- a Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Department of Physiology , Federal University of Sergipe , São Cristóvão , Brazil
| | - Adriana Rolim Campos
- b Experimental Biology Centre (NUBEX) , University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR) , Fortaleza , Brazil
| | - Lucindo J Quintans-Júnior
- a Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Department of Physiology , Federal University of Sergipe , São Cristóvão , Brazil
| | - Jullyana S S Quintans
- a Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Department of Physiology , Federal University of Sergipe , São Cristóvão , Brazil
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Grading facial expression is a sensitive means to detect grimace differences in orofacial pain in a rat model. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13894. [PMID: 30224708 PMCID: PMC6141616 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32297-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although pre-clinical models of pain are useful for defining relationships between biological mechanisms and pain, common methods testing peripheral sensitivity do not translate to the human pain experience. Facial grimace scales evaluate affective pain levels in rodent models by capturing and scoring spontaneous facial expression. But, the Rat Grimace Scale (RGS) has not assessed the common disorder of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. A rat model of TMJ pain induced by jaw loading (1 hr/day for 7 days) was used to investigate the time course of RGS scores and compare them between different loading magnitudes with distinct peripheral sensitivity profiles (0N–no sensitivity, 2N–acute sensitivity, 3.5N–persistent sensitivity). In the 3.5N group, RGS is elevated over baseline during the loading period and one day after loading and is correlated with peripheral sensitivity (ρ = −0.48, p = 0.002). However, RGS is not elevated later when that group exhibits peripheral sensitivity and moderate TMJ condylar cartilage degeneration. Acutely, RGS is elevated in the 3.5N loading group over the other loading groups (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that RGS is an effective tool for detecting spontaneous TMJ pain and that spontaneous pain is detectable in rats that develop persistent TMJ sensitivity, but not in rats with acute resolving sensitivity.
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Abstract
Failure of analgesic drugs in clinical development is common. Along with the current "reproducibility crisis" in pain research, this has led some to question the use of animal models. Experimental models tend to comprise genetically homogeneous groups of young, male rodents in restricted and unvarying environments, and pain-producing assays that may not closely mimic the natural condition of interest. In addition, typical experimental outcome measures using thresholds or latencies for withdrawal may not adequately reflect clinical pain phenomena pertinent to human patients. It has been suggested that naturally occurring disease in veterinary patients may provide more valid models for the study of painful disease. Many painful conditions in animals resemble those in people. Like humans, veterinary patients are genetically diverse, often live to old age, and enjoy a complex environment, often the same as their owners. There is increasing interest in the development and validation of outcome measures for detecting pain in veterinary patients; these include objective (eg, locomotor activity monitoring, kinetic evaluation, quantitative sensory testing, and bioimaging) and subjective (eg, pain scales and quality of life scales) measures. Veterinary subject diversity, pathophysiological similarities to humans, and diverse outcome measures could yield better generalizability of findings and improved translation potential, potentially benefiting both humans and animals. The Comparative Oncology Trial Consortium in dogs has pawed the way for translational research, surmounting the challenges inherent in veterinary clinical trials. This review describes numerous conditions similarly applicable to pain research, with potential mutual benefits for human and veterinary clinicians, and their respective patients.
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Percie du Sert N, Alfieri A, Allan SM, Carswell HV, Deuchar GA, Farr TD, Flecknell P, Gallagher L, Gibson CL, Haley MJ, Macleod MR, McColl BW, McCabe C, Morancho A, Moon LD, O'Neill MJ, Pérez de Puig I, Planas A, Ragan CI, Rosell A, Roy LA, Ryder KO, Simats A, Sena ES, Sutherland BA, Tricklebank MD, Trueman RC, Whitfield L, Wong R, Macrae IM. The IMPROVE Guidelines (Ischaemia Models: Procedural Refinements Of in Vivo Experiments). J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2017; 37:3488-3517. [PMID: 28797196 PMCID: PMC5669349 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x17709185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Most in vivo models of ischaemic stroke target the middle cerebral artery and a spectrum of stroke severities, from mild to substantial, can be achieved. This review describes opportunities to improve the in vivo modelling of ischaemic stroke and animal welfare. It provides a number of recommendations to minimise the level of severity in the most common rodent models of middle cerebral artery occlusion, while sustaining or improving the scientific outcomes. The recommendations cover basic requirements pre-surgery, selecting the most appropriate anaesthetic and analgesic regimen, as well as intraoperative and post-operative care. The aim is to provide support for researchers and animal care staff to refine their procedures and practices, and implement small incremental changes to improve the welfare of the animals used and to answer the scientific question under investigation. All recommendations are recapitulated in a summary poster (see supplementary information).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Percie du Sert
- 1 National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, UK
| | - Alessio Alfieri
- 2 The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Stuart M Allan
- 3 Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Hilary Vo Carswell
- 4 Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Graeme A Deuchar
- 5 Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow/Arum Biosciences, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tracy D Farr
- 6 School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Lindsay Gallagher
- 5 Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow/Arum Biosciences, Glasgow, UK
| | - Claire L Gibson
- 8 Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Michael J Haley
- 3 Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Malcolm R Macleod
- 9 Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Barry W McColl
- 2 The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Christopher McCabe
- 5 Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow/Arum Biosciences, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anna Morancho
- 10 Neurovascular Research Laboratory. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lawrence Df Moon
- 11 Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Isabel Pérez de Puig
- 13 Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Planas
- 13 Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Anna Rosell
- 10 Neurovascular Research Laboratory. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lisa A Roy
- 5 Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow/Arum Biosciences, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Alba Simats
- 10 Neurovascular Research Laboratory. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emily S Sena
- 9 Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Brad A Sutherland
- 16 Acute Stroke Programme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,17 School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Mark D Tricklebank
- 18 Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca C Trueman
- 6 School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Raymond Wong
- 3 Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - I Mhairi Macrae
- 5 Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow/Arum Biosciences, Glasgow, UK
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Kumar A, Kaur H, Singh A. Neuropathic Pain models caused by damage to central or peripheral nervous system. Pharmacol Rep 2017; 70:206-216. [PMID: 29475003 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathic Pain (NP) is a painful condition which is a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system with symptoms like allodynia, hyperalgesia. It has complex pathogenesis as it involves several molecular signaling pathways, thus numerous reliable animal models are crucial to understand the underlying mechanism of NP and formulate effective management therapy. Some models like spinal cord injury, chronic constriction injury, spinal nerve ligation, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, diabetes-induced NP and many more are discussed. This review contains an overview of the procedures followed to induce neuropathy and specific characteristics of that particular model. Some new techniques like spared nerve ligation, have omitted the limitation of methods not presently used where complete nerve damage occurs. Since animal models provide a window to experienced symptoms and physiology and impact the translation of bench discoveries to the bedside, the reporting, interpretation and comparison of these models is necessary because slight variation in procedure of model generation can drastically alter the results. The development of novel, but rational analgesic drugs to alleviate this intractable pain demands elucidation of molecular mechanisms of NP for which different types of animal models have been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kumar
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Study (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
| | - Harshpreet Kaur
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Study (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Arti Singh
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Study (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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25
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McBride EA. Small prey species’ behaviour and welfare: implications for veterinary professionals. J Small Anim Pract 2017; 58:423-436. [DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Anne McBride
- School of Psychology; University of Southampton; Southampton, SO17 1BJ UK
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26
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Whittaker AL, Lymn KA, Wallace GL, Howarth GS. Differential Effectiveness of Clinically-Relevant Analgesics in a Rat Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158851. [PMID: 27463799 PMCID: PMC4963121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis is characterized by pain and a pro-inflammatory tissue response. Rat models are frequently used in mucositis disease investigations yet little is known about the presence of pain in these animals, the ability of analgesics to ameliorate the condition, or the effect that analgesic administration may have on study outcomes. This study investigated different classes of analgesics with the aim of determining their analgesic effects and impact on research outcomes of interest in a rat model of mucositis. Female DA rats were allocated to 8 groups to include saline and chemotherapy controls (n = 8). Analgesics included opioid derivatives (buprenorphine; 0.05mg/kg and tramadol 12.5mg/kg) and NSAID (carprofen; 15mg/kg) in combination with either saline or 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU; 150mg/kg). Research outcome measures included daily clinical parameters, pain score and gut histology. Myeloperoxidase assay was performed to determine gut inflammation. At the dosages employed, all agents had an analgesic effect based on behavioural pain scores. Jejunal myeloperoxidase activity was significantly reduced by buprenorphine and tramadol in comparison to 5-FU control animals (53%, p = 0.0004 and 58%, p = 0.0001). Carprofen had no ameliorating effect on myeloperoxidase levels. None of the agents reduced the histological damage caused by 5-FU administration although tramadol tended to increase villus length even when administered to healthy animals. These data provide evidence that carprofen offers potential as an analgesic in this animal model due to its pain-relieving efficacy and minimal effect on measured parameters. This study also supports further investigation into the mechanism and utility of opioid agents in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. Whittaker
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Kerry A. Lymn
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Georgia L. Wallace
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Gordon S. Howarth
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
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27
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28
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Abstract
Medical research has a heavy and continuing demand for rodent models across a range of disciplines. Behavioural assessment of pain in such models is highly time consuming, thus limiting the number of models and analgesics that can be studied. Facial expressions are widely used to assess pain in human infants. Recently the mouse grimace scale (MGS) has been developed and shown to be accurate and reliable, requiring only a short amount of training for the observer. This system therefore has the potential to become a highly useful tool both in pain research and clinical assessment of mouse pain. To date, the MGS has only been used as a research tool, however there is increasing interest in its use in cage-side clinical assessment. It is often wrongly assumed that MGS scores of animals not in pain (i.e. at baseline) are zero. Here, we aimed to assess the variability in baseline MGS scores between cohorts, sexes and strains of mice. Establishing the presence of a consistent baseline MGS score could lead to a valuable clinical pain assessment tool for mice when baseline information from the individual mouse may not be available as a comparator. Results demonstrated a significant difference in baseline MGS scores between both sexes (males > females) and strains of mice. The method used to score the facial action units (Live vs. retrospectively from still images) demonstrated significant differences in scores with live scores being significantly lower than retrospective scoring from images. The level of variation shown demonstrates the need for further research to be undertaken with regard to establishing baseline MGS scores for specific strains and sexes of mice, taking into account the method of scoring, prior to considering clinical implementation of this method in pain assessment.
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Hawkins P, Armstrong R, Boden T, Garside P, Knight K, Lilley E, Seed M, Wilkinson M, Williams RO. Applying refinement to the use of mice and rats in rheumatoid arthritis research. Inflammopharmacology 2015; 23:131-50. [PMID: 26168847 PMCID: PMC4508365 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-015-0241-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful, chronic disorder and there is currently an unmet need for effective therapies that will benefit a wide range of patients. The research and development process for therapies and treatments currently involves in vivo studies, which have the potential to cause discomfort, pain or distress. This Working Group report focuses on identifying causes of suffering within commonly used mouse and rat ‘models’ of RA, describing practical refinements to help reduce suffering and improve welfare without compromising the scientific objectives. The report also discusses other, relevant topics including identifying and minimising sources of variation within in vivo RA studies, the potential to provide pain relief including analgesia, welfare assessment, humane endpoints, reporting standards and the potential to replace animals in RA research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny Hawkins
- Research Animals Department, RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, West Sussex, RH13 9RS, UK,
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30
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Effects of acute chemotherapy-induced mucositis on spontaneous behaviour and the grimace scale in laboratory rats. Lab Anim 2015; 50:108-18. [DOI: 10.1177/0023677215595554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal mucositis is a frequent side-effect of chemotherapy treatment. Many oncological research programs aim to identify novel treatments for this distressing condition, and these programs frequently use rat models. Little is known about the presence and progression of pain in these models and how this can best be treated by analgesic therapy. We used a number of behaviour-based methods of pain assessment to determine which tools were best suited for pain identification. Baseline measures for behavioural assessment, rat grimace score and sociability were determined through analysis of continuously recorded video data and an applied social interaction test ( n = 16). Mucositis was then induced by intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil (150 mg/kg) and further behavioural analyses undertaken. An assessment of enrichment interaction was also made by determining the mass of a plastic chew toy gnawed both pre- and post-chemotherapy injection. Behavioural scoring was performed 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after injection, with facial expression being scored at the 12, 24 and 48 h time-points. Sociability testing was performed once during the post-injection period. No significant differences were found in grimace scores between baseline and later daily measures. Behaviours similar to those previously reported post-laparotomy were observed. Writhing, twitching and back-arching behaviours were most evident in rats affected by mucositis and were increased in frequency (respective P values: 0.002, 0.004 and 0.008) 48 h after chemotherapy injection compared with baseline, implying that pain onset occurred around this time-point. Social investigatory behaviour was also increased ( P = 0.002) following disease onset. Each day, rats post-5FU injection gnawed a greater percentage of their nylabone enrichment by weight than the saline-injected control rats ( P = 0.046). These data suggest that, of the tools tested, behavioural assessment scoring may find greatest utility in rodent models of intestinal mucositis and should be investigated further.
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31
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The power of automated behavioural homecage technologies in characterizing disease progression in laboratory mice: A review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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32
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Monteiro C, Dourado M, Matos M, Duarte I, Lamas S, Galhardo V, Lima D. Critical care and survival of fragile animals: The case of Prrxl1 knockout mice. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Whittaker AL, Lymn KA, Nicholson A, Howarth GS. The assessment of general well-being using spontaneous burrowing behaviour in a short-term model of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in the rat. Lab Anim 2014; 49:30-9. [PMID: 25112495 DOI: 10.1177/0023677214546913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mucositis is a common and serious side-effect experienced by cancer patients during treatment with chemotherapeutic agents. Consequently, programmes of research focus on the elucidation of novel therapeutics for alleviation of mucositis symptoms, and these frequently use animal models. However, although these models are assumed to be painful and distressing to the animal, endpoints are difficult to determine. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a change in burrowing behaviour could provide an indication of disease onset and potentially be applied as a humane endpoint. Baseline burrowing behaviour was measured in healthy animals on three occasions by determining the weight of gravel displaced from a hollow tube. Mucositis was then induced in the same animals by intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil (150 mg/kg) and burrowing behaviour recorded over three consecutive days. Standard measures of disease progression, including body weight loss and clinical score, were also made. The presence of mucositis was confirmed at necropsy by findings of decreased duodenal and colon lengths, and reduced liver, spleen and thymus weights in comparison with non-treated control animals. Histological score of the jejunum and ileum was also significantly increased. Mucositis onset coincided with a decrease in mean burrowing behaviour which was progressive, however this result did not achieve statistical significance (P = 0.66).We conclude that burrowing may be a useful indicator of inflammation in the mucositis model, although this requires further characterization. Pre-selection of animals into treatment groups based on their prior burrowing performance should be pursued in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Whittaker
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, South Australia, Australia
| | - K A Lymn
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, South Australia, Australia
| | - A Nicholson
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, South Australia, Australia
| | - G S Howarth
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, South Australia, Australia Gastroenterology Department, Children, Youth and Women's Health Services, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Pain Management for Animals Used in Science: Views of Scientists and Veterinarians in Canada. Animals (Basel) 2014; 4:494-514. [PMID: 26480320 PMCID: PMC4494316 DOI: 10.3390/ani4030494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Veterinarians, veterinarian-scientists and scientists (all engaged in animal-based studies in Canada) were interviewed to explore the challenges and opportunities for laboratory animal pain management. Our broader aim was to contribute to further discussion of how pain can be minimized for animals used in science. Recognizing when animals are in pain continues to present a challenge, and there does not seem to be consensus on the signs of pain. Clarification of the interactions between scientific objectives and pain management are needed, as well as a stronger evidence base for pain management approaches. Detailed examination of pain management for individual invasive animal models in order to develop model-specific pain management protocols may be useful. Abstract To explore the challenges and opportunities for pain management for animals used in research an interview study with 9 veterinarians, 3 veterinarian-scientists and 9 scientists, all engaged in animal-based studies in Canada, was carried out. Our broader aim was to contribute to further discussion of how pain can be minimized for animals used in science. Diverse views were identified regarding the ease of recognizing when animals are in pain and whether animals hide pain. Evidence of inconsistencies in pain management across laboratories, institutions and species were also identified. Clarification of the interactions between scientific objectives and pain management are needed, as well as a stronger evidence base for pain management approaches. Detailed examination of pain management for individual invasive animal models may be useful, and may support the development of model-specific pain management protocols.
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