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Munk A, Philippi V, Buchecker V, Bankstahl M, Glasenapp A, Blutke A, Michelakaki E, Talbot SR, Huwyler J, Jirkof P, Kopaczka M, Merhof D, Palme R, Potschka H. Refining pain management in mice by comparing multimodal analgesia and NSAID monotherapy for neurosurgical procedures. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18691. [PMID: 39134625 PMCID: PMC11319454 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69075-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
While neurosurgical interventions are frequently used in laboratory mice, refinement efforts to optimize analgesic management based on multimodal approaches appear to be rather limited. Therefore, we compared the efficacy and tolerability of combinations of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug carprofen, a sustained-release formulation of the opioid buprenorphine, and the local anesthetic bupivacaine with carprofen monotherapy. Female and male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to isoflurane anesthesia and an intracranial electrode implant procedure. Given the multidimensional nature of postsurgical pain and distress, various physiological, behavioral, and biochemical parameters were applied for their assessment. The analysis revealed alterations in Neuro scores, home cage locomotion, body weight, nest building, mouse grimace scales, and fecal corticosterone metabolites. A composite measure scheme allowed the allocation of individual mice to severity classes. The comparison between groups failed to indicate the superiority of multimodal regimens over high-dose NSAID monotherapy. In conclusion, our findings confirmed the informative value of various parameters for assessment of pain and distress following neurosurgical procedures in mice. While all drug regimens were well tolerated in control mice, our data suggest that the total drug load should be carefully considered for perioperative management. Future studies would be of interest to assess potential synergies of drug combinations with lower doses of carprofen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Munk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Vanessa Philippi
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Verena Buchecker
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Bankstahl
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Aylina Glasenapp
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andreas Blutke
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Effrosyni Michelakaki
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Steven Roger Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Jörg Huwyler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paulin Jirkof
- Office for Animal Welfare and 3R, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcin Kopaczka
- Department of Electrical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dorit Merhof
- Department of Informatics and Data Science, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany.
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2
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Pérez-Pérez D, Monío-Baca C, von Rüden EL, Buchecker V, Wagner A, Schönhoff K, Zvejniece L, Klimpel D, Potschka H. Preclinical efficacy profiles of the sigma-1 modulator E1R and of fenfluramine in two chronic mouse epilepsy models. Epilepsia 2024; 65:2470-2482. [PMID: 39119787 DOI: 10.1111/epi.18037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given its key homeostatic role affecting mitochondria, ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, and voltage-gated ion channels, sigma-1 receptor (Sig1R) represents an interesting target for epilepsy management. Antiseizure effects of the positive allosteric modulator E1R have already been reported in acute seizure models. Although modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission is considered the main mechanism of action of fenfluramine, its interaction with Sig1R may be of additional relevance. METHODS To further explore the potential of Sig1R as a target, we assessed the efficacy and tolerability of E1R and fenfluramine in two chronic mouse models, including an amygdala kindling paradigm and the intrahippocampal kainate model. The relative contribution of the interaction with Sig1R was analyzed using combination experiments with the Sig1R antagonist NE-100. RESULTS Whereas E1R exerted pronounced dose-dependent antiseizure effects at well-tolerated doses in fully kindled mice, only limited effects were observed in response to fenfluramine, without a clear dose dependency. In the intrahippocampal kainate model, E1R failed to influence electrographic seizure activity. In contrast, fenfluramine significantly reduced the frequency of electrographic seizure events and their cumulative duration. Pretreatment with NE-100 reduced the effects of E1R and fenfluramine in the kindling model. Surprisingly, pre-exposure to NE-100 in the intrahippocampal kainate model rather enhanced and prolonged fenfluramine's antiseizure effects. SIGNIFICANCE In conclusion, the kindling data further support Sig1R as an interesting target for novel antiseizure medications. However, it is necessary to further explore the preclinical profile of E1R in chronic epilepsy models with spontaneous seizures. Despite the rather limited effects in the kindling paradigm, the findings from the intrahippocampal kainate model suggest that it is of interest to further assess a possible broad-spectrum potential of fenfluramine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pérez-Pérez
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Cristina Monío-Baca
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva-Lotta von Rüden
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Verena Buchecker
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Amelie Wagner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Schönhoff
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Liga Zvejniece
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Dennis Klimpel
- Department of Forensic and Clinical Toxicology, Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum Labor Krone, Bad Salzuflen, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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3
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Schreiber T, Koopmann I, Brandstetter J, Talbot SR, Goldstein L, Hoffmann L, Schildt A, Joksch M, Krause B, Jaster R, Palme R, Zechner D, Vollmar B, Kumstel S. Evidence-Based Severity Assessment of Animal Models for Pancreatic Cancer. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1494. [PMID: 39062067 PMCID: PMC11275077 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal models are crucial to preclinical oncological research and drug development. Animal experiments must be performed in accordance with the 3R principles of replacement and reduction, if possible, and refinement where these procedures remain crucial. In addition, European Union legislations demand a continuous refinement approach, as well as pro- and retrospective severity assessment. In this study, an objective databased severity assessment was performed in murine models for pancreatic cancer induced by orthotopic, subcutaneous, or intravenous injection of Panc02 cells. Parameters such as body weight change, distress score, perianal temperature, mouse grimace scale, burrowing, nesting behavior, and the concentration of corticosterone in plasma and its metabolites in feces were monitored during tumor progression. The most important parameters were combined into a score and mapped against a reference data set by the Relative Severity Assessment procedure (RELSA) to obtain the maximum achieved severity for each animal (RELSAmax). This scoring revealed a significantly higher RELSAmax for the orthotopic model than for the subcutaneous and intravenous models. However, compared to animal models such as pancreatitis and bile duct ligation, the pancreatic cancer models are shown to be less severe. Data-based animal welfare assessment proved to be a valuable tool for comparing the severity of differently induced cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Schreiber
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.S.); (I.K.); (J.B.); (L.G.); (L.H.); (D.Z.); (B.V.)
| | - Ingo Koopmann
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.S.); (I.K.); (J.B.); (L.G.); (L.H.); (D.Z.); (B.V.)
| | - Jakob Brandstetter
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.S.); (I.K.); (J.B.); (L.G.); (L.H.); (D.Z.); (B.V.)
| | - Steven R. Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Preclinical Data Science, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Lea Goldstein
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.S.); (I.K.); (J.B.); (L.G.); (L.H.); (D.Z.); (B.V.)
| | - Lisa Hoffmann
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.S.); (I.K.); (J.B.); (L.G.); (L.H.); (D.Z.); (B.V.)
| | - Anna Schildt
- Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Markus Joksch
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.J.); (B.K.)
| | - Bernd Krause
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.J.); (B.K.)
| | - Robert Jaster
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.S.); (I.K.); (J.B.); (L.G.); (L.H.); (D.Z.); (B.V.)
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.S.); (I.K.); (J.B.); (L.G.); (L.H.); (D.Z.); (B.V.)
| | - Simone Kumstel
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.S.); (I.K.); (J.B.); (L.G.); (L.H.); (D.Z.); (B.V.)
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4
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Reiber M, von Schumann L, Buchecker V, Boldt L, Gass P, Bleich A, Talbot SR, Potschka H. Evidence-based comparative severity assessment in young and adult mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285429. [PMID: 37862304 PMCID: PMC10588901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In animal-based research, welfare assessments are essential for ethical and legal reasons. However, accurate assessment of suffering in laboratory animals is often complicated by the multidimensional character of distress and pain and the associated affective states. The present study aimed to design and validate multidimensional composite measure schemes comprising behavioral and biochemical parameters based on a bioinformatics approach. Published data sets from induced and genetic mouse models of neurological and psychiatric disorders were subjected to a bioinformatics workflow for cross-model analyses. ROC analyses pointed to a model-specific discriminatory power of selected behavioral parameters. Principal component analyses confirmed that the composite measure schemes developed for adult or young mice provided relevant information with the level of group separation reflecting the expected severity levels. Finally, the validity of the composite measure schemes developed for adult and young mice was further confirmed by k-means-based clustering as a basis for severity classification. The classification systems allowed the allocation of individual animals to different severity levels and a direct comparison of animal groups and other models. In conclusion, the bioinformatics approach confirmed the suitability of the composite measure schemes for evidence-based comparative severity assessment in adult and young mice. In particular, we demonstrated that the composite measure schemes provide a basis for an individualized severity classification in control and experimental groups allowing direct comparison of severity levels across different induced or genetic models. An online tool (R package) is provided, allowing the application of the bioinformatics approach to severity assessment data sets regardless of the parameters or models used. This tool can also be used to validate refinement measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Reiber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Lara von Schumann
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Verena Buchecker
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Lena Boldt
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Gass
- RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andre Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Steven Roger Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
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De Vleeschauwer S, Lambaerts K, Hernot S, Debusschere K. Severity Classification of Laboratory Animal Procedures in Two Belgian Academic Institutions. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2581. [PMID: 37627373 PMCID: PMC10451636 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162581] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the EU Directive 2010/63, all animal procedures must be classified as non-recovery, mild, moderate or severe. Several examples are included in the Directive to help in severity classification. Since the implementation of the Directive, different publications and guidelines have been disseminated on the topic. However, due to the large variety of disease models and animal procedures carried out in many different animal species, guidance on the severity classification of specific procedures or models is often lacking or not specific enough. The latter is especially the case in disease models where the level of pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm depends on the duration of the study (for progressive disease models) or the dosage given (for infectious or chemically induced disease models). This, in turn, may lead to inconsistencies in severity classification between countries, within countries and even within institutions. To overcome this, two Belgian academic institutions with a focus on biomedical research collaborated to develop a severity classification for all the procedures performed. This work started with listing all in-house procedures and assigning them to 16 (sub)categories. First, we determined which parameters, such as clinical signs, dosage or duration, were crucial for severity classification within a specific (sub)category. Next, a severity classification was assigned to the different procedures, which was based on professional judgment by the designated veterinarians, members of the animal welfare body (AWB) and institutional animal ethics committee (AEC), integrating the available literature and guidelines. During the classification process, the use of vague terminology, such as 'minor impact', was avoided as much as possible. Instead, well-defined cut-offs between severity levels were used. Furthermore, we sought to define common denominators to group procedures and to be able to classify new procedures more easily. Although the primary aim is to address prospective severity, this can also be used to assess actual severity. In summary, we developed a severity classification for all procedures performed in two academic, biomedical institutions. These include many procedures and disease models in a variety of animal species for which a severity classification was not reported so far, or the terms that assign them to a different severity were too vague.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sophie Hernot
- Laboratory for In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI-MIMA/BEFY), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Karlijn Debusschere
- Core Facility ANIM, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
- Core ARTH, Animal Facility, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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6
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von Rüden EL, Janssen-Peters H, Reiber M, van Dijk RM, Xiao K, Seiffert I, Koska I, Hubl C, Thum T, Potschka H. An exploratory approach to identify microRNAs as circulatory biomarker candidates for epilepsy-associated psychiatric comorbidities in an electrical post-status epilepticus model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4552. [PMID: 36941269 PMCID: PMC10027890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31017-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with epilepsy have a high risk of developing psychiatric comorbidities, and there is a particular need for early detection of these comorbidities. Here, in an exploratory, hypothesis-generating approach, we aimed to identify microRNAs as potential circulatory biomarkers for epilepsy-associated psychiatric comorbidities across different rat models of epilepsy. The identification of distress-associated biomarkers can also contribute to animal welfare assessment. MicroRNA expression profiles were analyzed in blood samples from the electrical post-status epilepticus (SE) model. Preselected microRNAs were correlated with behavioral and biochemical parameters in the electrical post-SE model, followed by quantitative real-time PCR validation in three additional well-described rat models of epilepsy. Six microRNAs (miR-376a, miR-429, miR-494, miR-697, miR-763, miR-1903) were identified showing a positive correlation with weight gain in the early post-insult phase as well as a negative correlation with social interaction, saccharin preference, and plasma BDNF. Real-time PCR validation confirmed miR-203, miR-429, and miR-712 as differentially expressed with miR-429 being upregulated across epilepsy models. While readouts from the electrical post-SE model suggest different microRNA candidates for psychiatric comorbidities, cross-model analysis argues against generalizability across models. Thus, further research is necessary to compare the predictive validity of rodent epilepsy models for detection and management of psychiatric comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Lotta von Rüden
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Heike Janssen-Peters
- Hannover Medical School (MHH), Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover, Germany
| | - Maria Reiber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Roelof Maarten van Dijk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Ke Xiao
- Hannover Medical School (MHH), Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover, Germany
| | - Isabel Seiffert
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Ines Koska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Hubl
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Hannover Medical School (MHH), Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Koeniginstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany.
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7
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Talbot SR, Kumstel S, Schulz B, Tang G, Abdelrahman A, Seume N, Wendt EHU, Eichberg J, Häger C, Bleich A, Vollmar B, Zechner D. Robustness of a multivariate composite score when evaluating distress of animal models for gastrointestinal diseases. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2605. [PMID: 36788346 PMCID: PMC9929045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29623-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The fundament of an evidence-based severity assessment in laboratory animal science is reliable distress parameters. Many readouts are used to evaluate and determine animal distress and the severity of experimental procedures. Therefore, we analyzed four distinct parameters like the body weight, burrowing behavior, nesting, and distress score in the four gastrointestinal animal models (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), pancreatitis, CCl4 intoxication, and bile duct ligation (BDL)). Further, we determined the parameters' robustness in various experimental subgroups due to slight variations like drug treatment or telemeter implantations. We used non-parametric bootstrapping to get robust estimates and 95% confidence intervals for the experimental groups. It was found that the performance of the readout parameters is model-dependent and that the distress score is prone to experimental variation. On the other hand, we also found that burrowing and nesting can be more robust than, e.g., the body weight when evaluating PDA. However, the body weight still was highly robust in BDL, pancreatitis, and CCl4 intoxication. To address the complex nature of the multi-dimensional severity space, we used the Relative Severity Assessment (RELSA) procedure to combine multiple distress parameters into a score and mapped the subgroups and models against a defined reference set obtained by telemeter implantation. This approach allowed us to compare the severity of individual animals in the experimental subgroups using the maximum achieved severity (RELSAmax). With this, the following order of severity was found for the animal models: CCl4 < PDA ≈ Pancreatitis < BDL. Furthermore, the robustness of the RELSA procedure and outcome was externally validated with a reference set from another laboratory also obtained from telemeter implantation. Since the RELSA procedure reflects the multi-dimensional severity information and is highly robust in estimating the quantitative severity within and between models, it can be deemed a valuable tool for laboratory animal severity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Talbot
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Simone Kumstel
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Benjamin Schulz
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Guanglin Tang
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ahmed Abdelrahman
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nico Seume
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Edgar H U Wendt
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Johanna Eichberg
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christine Häger
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - André Bleich
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
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8
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King H, Reiber M, Philippi V, Stirling H, Aulehner K, Bankstahl M, Bleich A, Buchecker V, Glasenapp A, Jirkof P, Miljanovic N, Schönhoff K, von Schumann L, Leenaars C, Potschka H. Anesthesia and analgesia for experimental craniotomy in mice and rats: a systematic scoping review comparing the years 2009 and 2019. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1143109. [PMID: 37207181 PMCID: PMC10188949 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1143109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Experimental craniotomies are a common surgical procedure in neuroscience. Because inadequate analgesia appears to be a problem in animal-based research, we conducted this review and collected information on management of craniotomy-associated pain in laboratory mice and rats. A comprehensive search and screening resulted in the identification of 2235 studies, published in 2009 and 2019, describing craniotomy in mice and/or rats. While key features were extracted from all studies, detailed information was extracted from a random subset of 100 studies/year. Reporting of perioperative analgesia increased from 2009 to 2019. However, the majority of studies from both years did not report pharmacologic pain management. Moreover, reporting of multimodal treatments remained at a low level, and monotherapeutic approaches were more common. Among drug groups, reporting of pre- and postoperative administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and local anesthetics in 2019 exceeded that of 2009. In summary, these results suggest that inadequate analgesia and oligoanalgesia are persistent issues associated with experimental intracranial surgery. This underscores the need for intensified training of those working with laboratory rodents subjected to craniotomies. Systematic review registration https://osf.io/7d4qe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah King
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Reiber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Vanessa Philippi
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Helen Stirling
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Aulehner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Bankstahl
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hanover, Germany
| | - André Bleich
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hanover, Germany
| | - Verena Buchecker
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aylina Glasenapp
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hanover, Germany
| | - Paulin Jirkof
- Office for Animal Welfare and 3Rs, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nina Miljanovic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Schönhoff
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lara von Schumann
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Cathalijn Leenaars
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hanover, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Heidrun Potschka,
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9
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Reiber M, Miljanovic N, Schönhoff K, Palme R, Potschka H. Behavioral phenotyping of young Scn1a haploinsufficient mice. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 136:108903. [PMID: 36240579 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dravet syndrome is a rare, severe, infancy-onset epileptic encephalopathy associated with a high premature mortality. In most patients, Dravet syndrome is caused by a heterozygous loss-of-function mutation in the SCN1A gene encoding the alpha 1 subunit of the sodium channel. Of the variety of SCN1A variants identified in patients with Dravet syndrome, SCN1A missense mutations occur in one-third of cases. The novel Scn1a-A1783V mouse model of Dravet syndrome carries the human Ala1783Val missense variant. Recently, the behavioral phenotype of Scn1a-A1783V haploinsufficient adult mice has been characterized, which may provide a valuable basis for assessment of novel therapeutic approaches. However, there is still limited information on the developmental course of behavioral alterations in the Scn1a-A1783V mouse model, which is of particular relevance for conclusions about face validity and severity classification of the model. Based on reference data from young wildtype mice, we analyzed selected behavioral parameters and fecal corticosterone metabolites in the Scn1a-A1783V mouse model during post-weaning development. Differences in the preference for a sweet saccharin solution between Dravet mice and wildtype mice were observed once mice reached sexual maturity. Nest building behavior was already influenced by the Scn1a genotype during prepubescence. Sexually mature Dravet mice showed a significantly reduced burrowing performance as compared to their wildtype littermates. In the open-field test, pronounced hyperactivity and increased thigmotactic behavior were evident in prepubescent and sexually mature Dravet mice. Analysis of Irwin scores revealed several genotype-dependent changes in handling-associated parameters during the course of adolescence. The information obtained provides insight into the age-dependence of behavioral patterns in the novel Scn1a-A1783V mouse model of Dravet syndrome. In addition, the dataset confirms the suitability of the applied behavioral composite measure scheme for evidence-based assessment of cumulative severity in genetic mouse lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Reiber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Miljanovic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Schönhoff
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany.
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10
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Mallien AS, Pfeiffer N, Brandwein C, Inta D, Sprengel R, Palme R, Talbot SR, Gass P. Comparative Severity Assessment of Genetic, Stress-Based, and Pharmacological Mouse Models of Depression. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:908366. [PMID: 35783227 PMCID: PMC9245036 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.908366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of animals in neurosciences is pivotal to gaining insights into complex functions and dysfunctions of behavior. For example, various forms of physical and/or psychological stress are inherent to various animal models for psychiatric disorders, e.g., depression. Regarding animal welfare, it would be mandatory to use models that inflict the least amount of stress necessary to address the underlying scientific question. This study compared the severity of different approaches to induce depression in mice: mutagenesis in GluA1 knockout, immobilization stress, and stress-induction via stress hormone treatment. While genetic alterations potentially represent a lifelong burden, the temporary intervention only affects the animals for a limited time. Therefore, we used home cage-based behavioral and physiological parameters, including nest building, burrowing, body weight, and fecal corticosterone metabolites, to determine the well-being of male and female mice. In addition, we performed an evidence-based estimate of severity using a composite score for relative severity assessment (RELSA) with this data. We found that even though restraint stress and supplementation of corticosterone in the diet both aimed at depression-related precipitating stress effects, the latter affected the well-being much stronger, especially in females. Restraint leads to less noticeable well-being impairments but causes depression-associated anhedonic behavior. Mice of both sexes recovered well from the stress treatment. GluA1 KO and their littermates showed diminished well-being, comparable to the immobilization experiments. However, since this is a lifelong condition, this burden is not reversible and potentially accumulative. In line with the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), the process of choosing the most suitable model should ideally include an evidence-based severity assessment to be able to opt for the least severe alternative, which still induces the desired effect. Promoting refinement, in our study, this would be the restraint stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Stephanie Mallien
- Research Group (RG) Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Anne Stephanie Mallien,
| | - Natascha Pfeiffer
- Research Group (RG) Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christiane Brandwein
- Research Group (RG) Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dragos Inta
- Research Group (RG) Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department for Community Health, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (MPIMF), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steven R. Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Peter Gass
- Research Group (RG) Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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11
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Reiber M, Stirling H, Sprengel R, Gass P, Palme R, Potschka H. Phenotyping Young GluA1 Deficient Mice – A Behavioral Characterization in a Genetic Loss-of-Function Model. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:877094. [PMID: 35722188 PMCID: PMC9204703 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.877094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations of glutamatergic neurotransmission have been implicated in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Mice lacking the GluA1 AMPA receptor subunit, encoded by the Gria1 gene, display multiple phenotypical features associated with glutamatergic dysfunction. While the phenotype of adult GluA1 deficient (Gria1–/–) mice has been studied comprehensively, there are relevant gaps in knowledge about the course and the onset of behavioral alterations in the Gria1 knockout mouse model during post-weaning development. Based on former investigations in young wild-type mice, we exposed female and male adolescent Gria1–/– mice to a behavioral home-cage based testing battery designed for the purpose of severity assessment. Data obtained from mice with a constitutive loss of GluA1 were compared with those from wild-type littermates. We identified several genotype-dependent behavioral alterations in young Gria1–/– mice. While the preference for sweetness was not affected by genotype during adolescence, Gria1–/– mice displayed limited burrowing performance, and reached lower nest complexity scores. Analysis of home-cage based voluntary wheel running performance failed to confirm genotype-dependent differences. In contrast, when exposed to the open field test, Gria1–/– mice showed pronounced hyperlocomotion in early and late adolescence, and female Gria1–/– mice exhibited thigmotaxis when prepubescent. We found increased corticosterone metabolite levels in fecal samples of adolescent Gria1–/– mice with females exhibiting increased adrenocortical activity already in prepubescence. Considering the course of behavioral modifications in early and late adolescence, the results do not support a persistent level of distress associated with GluA1 deficiency in the line. In contrast, the laboratory-specific readouts indicate transient, mild impairments of behavioral patterns relevant to animal welfare, and suggest a mild overall burden of the line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Reiber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Helen Stirling
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Gass
- RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Heidrun Potschka,
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12
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The impact of tethered recording techniques on activity and sleep patterns in rats. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3179. [PMID: 35210444 PMCID: PMC8873297 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06307-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrophysiological recordings in animals constitute frequently applied techniques to study neuronal function. In this context, several authors described tethered recordings as a semi-restraint situation with negative implications for animal welfare and suggested radiotelemetric setups as a refinement measure. Thus, we here investigated the hypothesis that tethered recordings exert measurable effects on behavioral and sleep patterns in Sprague–Dawley rats. Animals were kept in monitoring glass cages either with or without a head connection to a recording cable. Saccharin preference, nest building, serum corticosterone and fecal corticosterone metabolite levels were in a comparable range in both groups. The proportion of vigilance states was not affected by the cable connection. Minor group differences were detected in bout lengths distributions, with a trend for longer NREM and WAKE stages in animals with a cable connection. However, a relevant effect was not further confirmed by an analysis of the number of sleep/wake and wake/sleep transitions. The analysis of activity levels did not reveal group differences. However, prolonged exposure to the tethered condition resulted in an intra-group increase of activity. In conclusion, the comparison between freely moving vs tethered rats did not reveal major group differences. Our findings indicate that telemetric recordings only offer small advantages vs cabled set ups, though this may differ in other experimental studies where for example anxiety- or drug-induced effects are analyzed.
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13
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Development of behavioral patterns in young C57BL/6J mice: a home cage-based study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2550. [PMID: 35169182 PMCID: PMC8847349 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06395-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence exists that behavioral patterns only stabilize once mice reach adulthood. Detailed information about the course of behavioral patterns is of particular relevance for neuroscientific research and for the assessment of cumulative severity in genetically modified mice. The analysis considered five age groups focusing on behavioral assessments in the animals’ familiar home cage environment during the adolescence phase. We confirmed age- and sex-specific differences for several of the behavioral parameters and fecal corticosterone metabolites. Interestingly, an age-dependent decline in saccharin preference was detected in female mice. Regardless of sex, relevant levels of burrowing activity were only observed during later developmental phases. The development of nest complexity following the offer of new material was affected by age in female mice. In female and male mice, an age-dependency was evident for wheel running reaching a peak at P 50. A progressive increase with age was also observed for Open field activity. The data sets provide guidance for behavioral studies and for development of composite measure schemes for evidence-based severity assessment in young mice. Except for the burrowing test, the different behavioral tests can be applied in different age groups during post-weaning development. However, age- and sex-specific characteristics need to be considered.
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14
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Kloc ML, Marchand DH, Holmes GL, Pressman RD, Barry JM. Cognitive impairment following experimental febrile seizures is determined by sex and seizure duration. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 126:108430. [PMID: 34902661 PMCID: PMC8748413 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Febrile seizures are the most common type of seizures in children. While in most children the outcome is favorable, children with febrile status epilepticus may exhibit modest cognitive impairment. Whether children with other forms of complex febrile seizure, such as repetitive febrile seizures within the same illness are at risk of cognitive deficits is not known. In this study, we used a well-established model of experimental febrile seizures in rat pups to compare the effects of febrile status epilepticus and recurrent febrile seizures on subsequent spatial cognition and anxiety. METHODS Male and female rat pups were subjected to hyperthermic seizures at postnatal day 10 and were divided into groups of rats with continuous seizures for ≥40 min or recurrent febrile seizures. They were then tested as adults in the active avoidance and spatial accuracy tests to assess spatial learning and memory and the elevated plus maze to measure anxiety. RESULTS Febrile status epilepticus rats demonstrated impaired spatial cognition in active avoidance and spatial accuracy and exhibited reduced anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze. Rats with recurrent febrile seizures did not differ significantly from the controls on any measures. There were also significant sex-related differences with females with FSE performing far better than males with FSE in active avoidance but demonstrating a navigational learning impairment relative to CTL females in spatial accuracy. However, once learned, females with FSE performed the spatial accuracy task as well as CTL females. CONCLUSION There is a duration-dependent effect of febrile seizures on subsequent cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Febrile status epilepticus resulted in spatial cognitive deficits and reduced anxiety-related behaviors whereas rats with recurrent febrile seizures did not differ from controls. Sex had a remarkable effect on spatial cognitive outcome where males with FSE fared worse than females with FSE. The results demonstrate that sex should be considered as a biological variable in studies evaluating the effects of seizures on the developing brain.
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