Rats

Therapeutic effect of pomegranate peel extract on heme oxygen-free 1 (HO-1) and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) in the kidney tissue of mice treated with mitomycin [Rats, 2023; 1(2): 27-34]

2025-01-19T22:07:20+03:00

Erratum
Unfortunately, the original version of this article1 incorrectly placed the 50 μm magnified figures in Figures 2a and 2d on the plate. The figures are replaced with each other. The captions for Figures 2 and 3 in this figure also contained errors. These have been corrected. These edits have been corrected in the original article and are also correctly included below.

Selected zoonotic diseases in rodents

2025-01-01T18:32:17+03:00

Rodents, representing 43% of mammalian species, play a pivotal role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases, serving as reservoirs for pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths. Over 217 rodent species are reservoirs for 66 zoonotic diseases, such as salmonellosis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, hantavirus, and Lassa fever. Prominent examples include Yersinia pestis (plague) and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease). Rodents transmit pathogens directly via bites or excreta and indirectly through food, water contamination, or vector organisms like fleas. Urbanization, migration, and habitat fragmentation amplify human-rodent interactions, increasing zoonotic risks. Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus, the most studied species, are primary carriers of zoonotic pathogens, harboring numerous helminths and bacteria. Brown rats dominate most of Europe, while black rats are confined to coastal areas and islands. Resistance to rodenticides and inefficient control measures exacerbate pathogen spread. Diseases like leptospirosis and hantavirus are resurging in Europe, highlighting the urgency for effective rodent control. Zoonotic pathogens include bacterial agents like Yersinia pestis and Leptospira spp., viral pathogens like hanta virus and Kyasanur Forest Disease virus, and parasitic agents such as Toxoplasma gondii. Rodents acquire pathogens via “parasite spillback” in new habitats, amplifying disease transmission risks. Effective control strategies include rodent-proof facilities, rodenticides, and antifertility agents. The global distribution and adaptability of rodents underline their central role in zoonotic disease emergence, necessitating intensified research and control measures to mitigate their impact on public health.

The clinical significance of symmetric dimethylarginine in laboratory animals

2024-12-24T02:08:08+03:00

Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) has emerged as an important biomarker for assessing kidney function, offering higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional biomarkers such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). This review explores the clinical significance of SDMA in laboratory animals, its role in preclinical research, and its translational applications. A byproduct of protein turnover, SDMA is primarily excreted via the kidneys and serves as a reliable indicator of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Unlike traditional biomarkers, SDMA is minimally affected by extrarenal factors such as muscle mass or systemic conditions, allowing for more accurate kidney function assessment. In preclinical models, particularly in rodents, SDMA has proven effective in detecting early kidney dysfunction and monitoring nephrotoxicity during drug development. Its stability, ease of measurement via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and scalability for high-throughput analyses enhance its utility. Comparative studies have consistently shown that SDMA outperforms creatinine and cystatin C, especially in detecting early-stage kidney disease and experimental nephropathy. Furthermore, SDMA’s ability to differentiate between acute and chronic kidney damage strengthens its potential in multi-biomarker panels. Given its translational potential, SDMA serves as a critical bridge between preclinical findings and clinical applications. This review underscores the importance of SDMA in advancing kidney research and improving patient outcomes. The advances in analytical techniques and SDMA’s consistent performance across species position it as a key tool for both preclinical studies and clinical nephrology, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and monitoring kidney health.

Neglected parasite of rats and mice: Cryptosporidium

2025-04-10T01:06:00+03:00

Cryptosporidium sp. is an important zoonotic intestinal pathogen that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and trigger the host's immune response. Cryptosporidium species can infect humans and more than 260 animal species, including 54 rodent species. This review provides a comprehensive review of the pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment approaches and prevention strategies for disease control of Cryptosporidium species infecting rats and mice. The pathological effects of the known pathogenic species Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium parvum and their role in rats and mice are discussed. The importance of prevention methods such as hygiene measures and biological safety practices are emphasized to control the disease. Cryptosporidiosis poses a serious threat to both animal health and public health and therefore the development of effective prevention strategies is essential.

The role of nutrition and care in laboratory mice used for scientific research

2025-06-24T14:47:01+03:00

Laboratory mice (Mus musculus) are the most widely used mammaiıan model in scientific research due to theirgenetic similarity to humans, rapid reproduction manageable size, and cost-effective maintenance This review comprehensively examines the biological characterıstics, behavior, housing requirements,and most imortantly, the nutritional needs of laboratory mice, adequate and species-appropriate nutrition is essential not only for animal welfare but also for the reliability and reproducibility of experimental outcomes. Nutrient requirements vary according to age sex strain and phvsiological status such as growth reproduction pregnancy and lactation. Standard diets must be formulated to provide the appropriate balance of macronutrients (protein, fat carbohvdrates), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and water energy needs, amino acid profiles fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamin reguirements, and trace mineral demands are dicussed in detail supported by specific dietary formulations and intake levels. The paper also addresses the formus and administration of diets (pellet, gel, liquid), and the effects of nutritional defficiencies on phvsiological functions such as immunity reproduction and metabolism. Furthermore, enviromental factors including cage design, ambient temperature, humidity, and light cycles are highlighted as critical elements that interact with nutrition to influence mice physiology. Proper handling and husbandry techniques are outlined to minimize stress and maintain consistent experimental conditions. Emphasis is placed on the need for standardized feeding protocols to ensure comparabilitiy across studies. In conclusion, the successful use of mice in research requires a multidiciplinary approach combining optimal nutrition, ethical care, and well-controlled environmental conditions. These factors are vital to preserving the physiological integrity of laboratory mice and generating meaningful scientific data.