[Clinico-biochemical study on Ishibashi rats (author's transl)]

Paracortical hyperplasia of superficial lymph nodes in a new mutant strain of hairless rats (ISh): a lesion similar to human dermatopathic lymphadenopathy

The dermal histology and the regional draining superficial lymph node of a new mutant strain of hairless rats (ISh) were investigated. The homozygote ISh rat was characterized as having naked and wrinkled skin. The comedo-like cysts in the skin resembled human acne and vulgaris. Histopathologically, many Langerhans' cells positive for anti-protein kinase C type II antibody (PKC-II) were recognized in the epidermis. The superficial lymph nodes were significantly larger than those of the heterozygote. The paracortex of these lymph nodes was expanded and the number of Langerhans' cells mainly increased in these areas. These lymph node lesions were similar to those of human dermatopathic lymphadenopathy. The ISh rats should be a very useful animal model for studying dermatopathic lymphadenopathy in humans. Furthermore, they may be a valuable animal model for investigating the mechanisms of not only maturation, movement and migration of Langerhans' cells, but also of their function for antigen presentation.

Analysis of connective tissue macromolecular components in Ishibashi rat skin: role of collagen and elastin in cutaneous aging

The Ishibashi (IS) rat, established from cross-breeding between Wistar and wild rats, has a unique skin appearance, with wrinklings and furrows indicative of skin aging appearing at the age of 12 weeks. To understand the underlying mechanism of the formation of wrinkles, macromolecular components of connective tissue, collagen and elastin, in the young (5-6-week-old) and the aged (23-30-week-old) IS rat skins were biochemically analyzed. Hydroxyproline and isodesmosine contents in the aged IS rats were reduced 22% (P < 0.05) and 37% (P < 0.05) compared to the young rats, whereas no significant differences in the contents of both macromolecules in control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were seen. The relative content of type III collagen was unaltered between the young and aged skins of both IS and SD rats. A relative decrease in the intact elastin molecule (65 kDa) and a relative increase in the elastin fragments with lower molecular weights were observed in the aged IS rat skin by immunoblotting method. These results indicate that the reduction in collagen and elastin contents and increased degradation of elastin molecules in the aged IS rat skin could be related to the formation of wrinkles. Thus, the IS rat may provide a useful model for the study of skin aging.

Arylsulfatase B-deficient mucopolysaccharidosis in rats

A rat colony with mucopolysaccharidosis VI was established and the clinical, pathological, and biochemical features were characterized. Affected rats had facial dysmorphia, dysostosis multiplex, and increased urinary excretion of glucosaminoglycans (GAGs). Ultrastructural studies revealed storage of GAGs throughout the reticuloendothelial cells, cartilage, and other connective tissues, but no deposition was observed in the nervous system. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that the excreted GAG was dermatan sulfate and the activity of hepatic arylsulfatase B was < 5% of the normal mean value. Pedigree analysis showed that the phenotype was inherited as an autosomal recessive single trait. The availability of a rat model of human mucopolysaccharidosis VI should permit the development and evaluation of various strategies to treat the human disease.

Carcinogenic effects of 3-di(hydroxymethyl)-amino-6-(5-nitro-2-furylethenyl)-1,2,4-triazine in the small intestine of Ishibashi and Wistar rats

The carcinogenic effect of an oral administration of 3-di(hydroxymethyl)-amino-6-(5-nitro-2-furylethenyl)-1,2,4-triazin e (DHNT) was studied in two strains of rats. Ishibashi (IS) rats have a perpetual absorption disturbance while Wistar Imamichi (WI) rats have no such disturbance. Small intestinal carcinomas developed in 10 out of 15 (66.7%) IS rats and in all 8 (100%) Wistar rats given 3,500 ppm DHNT for 43 weeks. The total number of lesions in the small intestine was 24 in IS rats and 21 in WI rats. Histologically, the lesions consisted of 7 mucosal dysplasias, 4 adenomas and 12 tubular and 1 papillary adenocarcinoma in IS rats, and 3 mucosal dysplasias, 1 adenomas, and 15 tubular and 2 papillary adenocarcinomas in WI rats. The levels of plasma leucine aminopeptidase, copper and total protein were lower, while blood urea nitrogen was higher in both strains of rats given DHNT than in control rats.

Progression of congenital kyphosis in Ishibashi rats

The development of congenital kyphosis was studied radiographically and histologically in 32 female and 34 male Ishibashi rats between the fourth and thirty-sixth week after birth. The major congenital spinal anomalies were defects of segmentation in the lumbar area. The malformation was classified into four groups according to the state of non-segmentation seen in radiographs. The progression of kyphosis was closely related to various changes at intervertebral spaces. The spinal deformity resulting from narrowing of the intervertebral spaces without bony fusion did not progress with growth, and the epiphyseal plates remained relatively intact unrelated to the existence of disc tissue. The deformity resulting from ventral bony fusion without radiographic bony anomalies showed histologically dysplastic epiphyseal plates on the ventral side. Progression of the kyphosis occurred in this type of deformity. The kyphosis resulting from bony fusion and ventral wedge-vertebrae progressed in the males. Progressive kyphosis appeared to be due to a difference in growth potential between the ventral and dorsal epiphyseal plates.