Rats

Use of experimental animals in research: Legal regulations in Türkiye

2024-11-04T10:17:08+03:00

Experimental animals have been used in research since the beginning of medicine and still have an important place in scientific research today. Initially, there were no rules or limits regarding the treatment of animals used in experiments. When this was added to the rapid increase in the number of animals used in experiments in parallel with the increase in scientific studies, public reactions arose. To counter this reaction, governments began to make regulations on the subject, and the first legal regulations regarding experimental animals emerged. The first legal regulation covering experimental animals in Türkiye was created in 2004. The regulation issued in 2006 determined the working procedures and principles of animal experimentation ethics committees. In addition, a separate regulation was issued for aquatic vertebrates used for scientific research in 2019. Over the years, legal regulations have been revised at certain periods in order to reach the ideal in line with ethical values and emerging needs.

Effect of colistin injury on aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase activities in ovariectomized rats

2024-12-24T11:40:23+03:00

Colistin is an antibiotic with a dose-limiting side effect when used against multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of colistin on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities in ovariectomized rats. Group I was the control group, Group II was ovariectomized only and Group III was ovariectomized and colistin administered. Colistin administration caused damage in ovariectomized rats. AST, ALT and GGT activities were higher (p<0.001) in Group III compared to the other groups. This is an indication that 73 mg/kg colistin administration caused damage. Considering the effects found in the study, administration of colistin at a lower dose and duration can be considered as an alternative medicine option.

Chemically and pharmacologically induced liver toxicity models in experimental animals and observed changes

2024-12-06T15:18:50+03:00

Toxicity models conducted using laboratory animals are widely preferred in biomedical research to understand the effects of toxic substances on biological systems, to make safety assessments, and to test therapeutic approaches. Another reason is the physiological and anatomical similarities of mice, rats, and rabbits to humans. Although there are many experimental liver toxicity models, toxicity models created with drugs and chemicals are preferred over surgical models. These models aim to simulate many conditions such as acute or chronic toxicities, drug toxicities, hepatitis, steatosis, and cirrhosis. Toxicology models have a special importance because the liver is considered one of the most vulnerable organs to toxic substances due to its metabolic functions. In this context, experimental toxicity models created with many drugs and chemicals such as acetaminophen, cadmium, ethanol, carbon tetrachloride, and diclofenac have been evaluated. In experimental studies, although different among models, biochemically elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels indicate liver damage, while decreased glutathione (GSH) levels reflect weakened antioxidant defenses. Histopathologically, although different among models, necrosis, fibrosis, fat accumulation and inflammation have been observed, depending on the type of toxin. Experimental liver toxicity models are indispensable for understanding liver pathophysiology, identifying potential risks and advancing hepatoprotective therapies. Their findings will improve biomedical research and clinical practice in addressing toxin-induced liver damage.

Evaluating the protective effects of choline chloride on biochemical alterations induced by paracetamol toxicity in mice: A pilot study

2024-12-24T11:21:27+03:00

Paracetamol (acetaminophen, APAP) toxicity is a significant clinical concern due to its hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects, which can lead to disruptions in serum protein synthesis, metabolic changes, and electrolyte imbalances. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical impacts of paracetamol toxicity and evaluate the potential protective effects of choline chloride. Using an in vivo model with balb/c mice, three groups were examined: A control group, an APAP-toxicity group (300 mg/kg paracetamol), and a choline-treated group (300 mg/kg paracetamol with 30 mg/kg choline chloride). Biochemical analyses revealed that paracetamol administration caused a slight but non-significant decrease in serum total protein and albumin levels, reflecting impaired hepatic function. While the toxicity model also showed significant reductions in glucose and triglyceride levels, cholesterol and electrolyte changes were non-significant. Notably, treatment with choline chloride led to a significant increase in serum potassium levels but did not significantly alter other biochemical markers within 24 h. These findings suggest that while choline chloride may support electrolyte balance and modulate certain metabolic disruptions, the short-term model may not capture long-term or more profound biochemical alterations. The study underscores the importance of further research to explore the protective role of choline and extended observation periods to better understand paracetamol-induced toxicity and recovery mechanisms.

Examination of postgraduate theses using experimental animals in nursing in Türkiye: Systematic review

2024-12-28T13:05:41+03:00

The aim of this study was to examine the postgraduate theses conducted in the field of nursing in Turkey between 2013 and 2023 using experimental animals and to determine the contribution of the use of experimental animals in nursing research to nursing science. The literature review was conducted from September to October 2023 in the National Thesis Center database of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) using the keywords “experimental animal, animal experiments, rat, mouse and nursing” in Turkish. We found 14 published postgraduate thesis studies in the field of nursing registered in the CoHE National Thesis Center. All theses that met the screening criteria were included in the study (n=14). The theses were examined in terms of year, department, sample group, method, master's and doctoral theses. The data were evaluated as percentages and numbers in the SPSS package program. It was determined that 50% of the postgraduate theses included in the study were conducted between 2013-2018 and the other half between 2019-2023, 85.72% of the theses subject to the study were doctoral dissertations, 28.57% of the studies were conducted in the department of internal medicine nursing, and rats were used as experimental animals in 78.57% of the sample group. Characteristics of the theses included in this review; hypericum perforatum-clinoptilolite-hydrocolloid dressing, olive leaf extract wound dressing, allicin application, tea tree oil, lavender oil and bay leaf essential oil in diabetic wound healing (n=6), use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in wound healing and oxidative stress in diabetic rats (n=1), application of silk protein, propolis, frankincense oil and a hemostatic product in full-thickness wound healing (n=1), topical propolis application in burn healing (n=1), oxidative damage in rats exposed to noise stress in surgical intensive care unit (n=1), application of different diet types in pressure sores (n=1), effects of diabetes on newborn in pregnant rats (n=1), cadmium application in fertility parameters (n=1), and the use of vitamin C and E combination and brown algin in the improvement of semen parameters in infertile male rats (n=1). In conclusion, it is suggested that postgraduate studies using experimental animals in the field of nursing in Türkiye are limited, more evidence-based studies that will contribute to nursing science and care in our country, as in the international arena should be conducted and researchers should be supported