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Is the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced rat mammary tumor model suitable as a preclinical model to study mammary tumor malignancy?

To study the biological characteristics of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors in rats, 20 Sprague Dawley female rats received a single oral dose of 5 mg of this carcinogen. During the 35-week observation time 78 primary tumors were removed. While in most cases the primary tumor could be removed completely, 7 out of 20 animals eventually had to be sacrificed for inoperable local recurrence of the primary tumor. Notwithstanding, the long period of time given for tumor metastases to develop (mean time between tumor removal and termination was 18.5 weeks), tumor spread either to lungs or regional lymph nodes could not be established. This relatively benign behavior of the tumor was in contrast with the morphological characteristics of the tumor, which uniformly showed the features of adenocarcinomas. The difference in biological behavior between DMBA-induced mammary tumors in rats and malignant mammary tumors in humans suggests that as a model this system is of limited value for investigations of mechanisms of malignant behavior of human tumors.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene

Vitamin D Pathway Activation Reduces Cardiomyocyte DNA Damage and Improves Cardiac Contractility in Preclinical Models.

BACKGROUND: In heart failure (HF), DNA damage caused by various external stressors contributes to cardiac dysfunction through the activation of DNA damage response pathways. To date, no clinical strategies have been established to restore cardiac function by reducing accumulated DNA damage. We previously found that vitamin D improved contractility in lamin A/C (LMNA) p.Q353R-mutant induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSCMs), but whether this effect extends to other LMNA variants and in vivo models remained uncertain. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate the association of vitamin D pathway activation with cardiomyocyte phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) foci and contractile phenotypes in patient-derived iPSCMs and mouse models of HF. METHODS: iPS cell lines were generated from dilated cardiomyopathy patients carrying the LMNA p.R225X mutation, and the effects of vitamin D treatment on γH2AX foci and cardiomyocyte contractility were evaluated. In addition, the effects of the vitamin D analog paricalcitol were evaluated in Lmna p.R225X mice and in a pressure overload mouse model of HF. RESULTS: Consistent with previous findings, vitamin D treatment reduced γH2AX foci in cardiomyocytes derived from LMNA p.R225X mutant iPS cells through upregulating the expression of DNA repair factors, and improved contractility in these iPSCMs. Furthermore, paricalcitol reduced γH2AX foci and attenuated cardiac dysfunction in both Lmna p.R225X mice and pressure overload HF model mice. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D pathway activation improved contractile phenotypes across complementary preclinical models and was accompanied by reduced γH2AX foci or related transcriptional changes. These findings support further mechanistic and preclinical investigation.

DNA damage

CO2 laser urethroplasty in the rabbit: a preclinical model.

Our previous work has shown that the CO2 laser can be successfully used in urethral reconstruction in a rat model. This new experiment investigates the use of the CO2 laser to perform a patch graft urethroplasty in the rabbit, as a preclinical model to its use in the repair of hypospadias in humans. Using sterile technique, a patch graft of preputial skin was welded in the repair of a standardized urethral defect in 10 rabbits. In another cohort, the same urethral defect was repaired using standard microsuture technique. In a control group the patch graft was placed with microsuture in a nonwatertight fashion. All animals were followed for 3 weeks. Histologic and radiologic analyses were done in a blinded fashion. Our study showed that CO2 laser repair, when compared to microsuture in urethral reconstruction, required 40% less operative time and produced better graft healing and less intraluminal scarring.

Animals

Efficacy of pharmacological and microbiota-based therapies in preclinical models of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial neurodevelopmental condition in which pharmacological and microbiota-targeted interventions are emerging as promising therapeutic avenues. Animal models are the main tool to investigate etiology, molecular mechanisms and screening for pharmacological therapies. Methodological differences, outcome measure variability, incomplete reporting, biological confounders, and overgeneralization of the results made evaluating innovative pharmacological agents challenging. These limitations in the field highlight a need for systematic and standardized research to reliably assess and translate pharmacological interventions from ASD animal models to human clinical relevance. SUBJECTS: This systematic review synthesized efficacy evidence for pharmacological and microbiota-based therapies across established ASD animal models. RESULTS: We identified 52 recent (2010-2025) studies that reported key ASD behavioral outcomes after pharmacological or microbiota-focused treatments. Interventions were grouped into therapeutic classes - including oxytocinergic agents, E/I balance therapeutic targets, metabolic drugs, cannabinoids, purine-based interventions and emerging targets - alongside microbiota-directed strategies such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. By integrating effect directions and robustness across models, we identified most potential drug candidates, evaluated the efficacy of novel strategies, and recognized critical translational gaps. The reviewed studies demonstrate that ASD-like behavioral deficits in preclinical models can be modulated through interventions targeting diverse biological systems, including neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, metabolism, and the gut-brain axis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the multifactorial nature of ASD pathophysiology which arises from a network of interacting systemic processes rather than a single molecular defect. It could explain the limited success of traditionally narrowly targeted interventions and suggest a paradigm shift into a more systemic approach.

Animals

A First-in-Class Chemical-Induced Proximity System Achieves Dose-Dependent Control of Tumor Protein P53 Gene Activation in Preclinical Models of Gastric Cancer.

The tumor protein P53 (TP53) gene has long been studied in cancer research with genomic and epigenetic aberrations playing a driving role in cancer pathology, yet even after decades of work, only a few methods have been developed to specifically target TP53 therapeutically. Some cancers are driven by loss-of-function TP53 mutations, while others have wild-type TP53 in a transcriptionally repressed state; the latter is exploitable by advances in epigenome editing. In our previous work, we demonstrated that deactivated CRISPR/Cas9 systems (dCas9), combined with an FK-506-binding protein (FKBP) recruitment protein tag and chemical epigenetic modifier (CEM) small molecules, can elicit gene-specific changes in expression in a dose-dependent manner. Here, we describe the development, application, and characterization of the dCas9-FKBP-CEM technology to increase TP53 expression. We demonstrate that catalyzing increased TP53 expression via dCas9-FKBP-CEM87 induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and tumor growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner in preclinical models of gastric cancer.

CRISPR

[Preclinical modeling of the possible effect of acute uremia on drug resorption in the gastrointestinal tract].

The authors investigated in experiments on rats the course of serum concentrations of sulfisoxazole (S) and acetylsulfisoxazole (AS) in normal rats and in rats after bilateral nephrectomy after intra gastric administration of S. Serum concentrations of S and AS during the first three hours following administration did not differ significantly or were very close. During the subsequent hours the serum concentrations of S and AS in uraemic animals were significantly higher than in controls. The value of the absorption constant in the uraemic animals was on average higher and the absorption half-life lower than in controls. The assembled results suggest that in acute uraemia in rats the intestinal reabsorption of S and its metabolism in the liver are not reduced. The findings support the idea that the model used could be useful in preclinical research of drugs used in the treatment of acute uraemia.

Acute Disease

Are there any common effects in preclinical models of micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure? A systematic review.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants detected in food sources and the marine food chain, raising concerns about human health. Although no causal relationship has been established between MNP exposure and specific diseases, growing evidence suggests adverse developmental, behavioral, cognitive and biochemical effects. This systematic review synthesized evidence from common preclinical neurotoxicology models, including C. elegans, D. rerio, D. melanogaster, in vitro systems and rodents, to identify convergent developmental, behavioral and biochemical outcomes. The protocol was preregistered in OSF, followed PRISMA-P guidelines, applied PICOS criteria, and assessed methodological quality using the European Commission's ToxRTool. Overall, 185 studies were included. Consistent findings showed impaired survival and disrupted development across all models. Behavioral alterations affecting anxiety, memory, learning, sociability and locomotor activity were also consistently reported. In addition, numerous studies identified disruptions in the serotonergic (5-HT) system, including changes in neurotransmitter levels, transporters and metabolic enzymes. Despite methodological heterogeneity, these findings indicate that MNP exposure produces reproducible neurodevelopmental and neurochemical alterations across experimental models. Future studies should improve methodological harmonization, strengthen cross-model comparability and identify robust biomarkers and key mechanisms underlying MNP-induced neurotoxicity, facilitating translation to human health risk assessment frameworks.

Animals

Evaluation of metabolic, reproductive, and gut microbiota alterations in a comparative study of different preclinical models of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted, complex metabolic and endocrine disease where gut flora is considered an important factor in causing PCOS. This study aimed to identify a suitable PCOS model that contributes to gut microbial dysbiosis and metabolic and hormonal disturbances. Prepubertal SD rats were administered with normal control (NC), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), DHT with fructose (F), DHT+ high fat diet (HFD) for 91 days, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA with fructose, DHEA with HFD for 30 days, sodium valproate (SV), sodium valproate with fructose, and sodium valproate with HFD for 21 days. The estrous cycles were assessed over this timeframe. At the end of the experiment, superoxide dismutase and uterine and ovarian morphology were evaluated, along with hormone levels, lipid profiles, and 16S rRNA genomic sequencing. All models exhibited PCOS characteristics, including hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance (p ≤ .001), multiple follicular cysts on ultrasonography, and histological alterations. Gut microbial dysbiosis was observed across all PCOS-induced groups; however, the DHT alone group showed more pronounced alterations in microbial composition than the other experimental groups. Specifically, the DHT alone group exhibited reduced abundance of Firmicutes and increased abundance of Proteobacteria. Among the evaluated models, the DHT-only model showed more pronounced metabolic, hormonal, reproductive, and gut microbial alterations and may serve as a suitable model for PCOS research.

Animals

A model preclinical, clinical, and graduate educational curriculum in emergency medicine for medical students and rotating residents.

The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine model curriculum for medical students and rotating residents was developed over a two-year period. The document was created as a complementary work to the undergraduate Core Content to provide appropriate emphasis, structure, and suggestions on the teaching of emergency medicine core curriculum topics at all levels. Consensus on the curriculum contents was reached from a national sample of emergency medicine educators. An educational matrix format was used to enhance flexibility based on the educational level of the learner and the instructional strengths of the teacher, and allowing for incorporation of a problem-based learning format. An outline of document contents and representative samples from each section are included; the entire document is available from SAEM.

Curriculum

Quantitation of tumor cell removal from bone marrow: a preclinical model.

We have developed a multiassay system consisting of fluorescence microscopy, immunocytology and tumor colony assay to monitor the removal of tumor cells from bone marrow. This system was tested in preclinical purging experiments in which neuroblastoma cells were seeded into bovine marrow and purged by treatment with monoclonal antibodies and immunomagnetic beads. Eight experiments were performed on two different neuroblastoma cell lines seeded at 2% and/or 5% contamination. We consistently demonstrated greater than a 3 log removal with one cycle of antibody/bead treatment and greater than a 1 log further reduction by addition of a second cycle. We also demonstrated removal of all detectable tumor stem cells by this purging method. We feel that this system will prove valuable for monitoring ex vivo tumor removal in future clinical studies and should be considered for use in other purging trials.

Animals

[Heterotransplantation of a human glioma and brain metastases in the athymic nude mouse--a preclinical model for radiation oncology. 1. Basic principles and methodology].

In spite of the great efforts undertaken in the different disciplines, the prognosis of patients with highly malignant gliomas, i.e. astrocytomas of degrees III and IV remains unfavorable. Up to now, new findings about an improvement of radiooncologic therapy methods are obtained retrospectively from the results of complex and time-consuming clinical studies. The heterotransplantation of human tumor tissue in immune-deficient nu/nu mice gives the opportunity to check preclinically the efficiency of different fractionation schemes and cytostatic drugs already. The author's experiences and therapy results are presented in order to demonstrate the possibilities as well as the limits of this in-vivo model performed with a view to clinical conditions.

Animals

Antitumor activity and cross-resistance of carmethizole hydrochloride in preclinical models in mice.

Carmethizole hydrochloride [1-methyl-2-methylthio-4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)imidazole-4', 5'-bis(N-methylcarbamate)hydrochloride, NSC 602,668; hereafter called carmethizole] is a new antitumor drug that has shown relatively broad activity in initial evaluations against several murine tumors and human tumor xenografts in vivo. The present studies were designed to address questions about carmethizole's activity against established disease, its activity on different treatment schedules, and the extent of its cross-resistance with established drugs. Human MX-1 mammary carcinoma, human NCI-H82 small-cell lung carcinoma, and human LOX amelanotic melanoma xenografts in athymic mice were used to determine the drug's activity against established disease; the NCI-H82 lung-tumor xenograft in athymic mice was used to explore its schedule dependence; and a series of drug-resistant murine leukemias provided an in vivo cross-resistance profile. When injected i.p., carmethizole exhibited antitumor activity against advanced-stage s.c. MX-1 mammary, s.c. NCI-H82 lung, and i.p. LOX melanoma xenografts and was as effective against established disease (MX-1 and LOX) as it was against early-stage disease (no data are available for early-stage NCI-H82). The therapeutic effect of carmethizole was not route-dependent, as was evidenced by the similar delays observed in tumor growth following i.p. and i.v. administration. The use of a split-dose schedule on a single day instead of one bolus injection yielded an increase in the total dose delivered, resulting in an increased delay in tumor growth. Murine leukemias resistant to vincristine (VCR), amsacrine (AMSA), or methotrexate (MTX) were not cross-resistant to carmethizole. However, murine leukemias resistant to doxorubicin (ADR), melphalan (L-PAM), cisplatin (DDPt), 1-beta-D-ara-binofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were cross-resistant to carmethizole, suggesting that patients who have previously been treated with any of these agents might be less likely to respond to carmethizole than those who have had no opportunity to develop resistance to any of these compounds. We anticipate that the information derived from these studies may be useful in the design of clinical trials of carmethizole and may stimulate additional basic research on the mechanism of action of this new agent.

Animals

Schedule dependence, activity against natural metastases, and cross-resistance of pyrazine diazohydroxide (sodium salt, NSC 361456) in preclinical models in vivo.

Pyrazine diazohydroxide (sodium salt, NSC 361456; PZDH) is a new antitumor drug with relatively broad activity in initial evaluations against murine leukemias, solid tumors, and two human tumor xenografts in vivo. The present studies were designed to address questions about PZDH activity on different treatment schedules, its activity against metastases, and the extent of its cross-resistance with established drugs. Human LOX amelanotic melanoma xenografts in athymic mice were used to explore schedule dependence and activity against natural metastases, and a series of drug-resistant murine leukemias provided an in vivo cross-resistance profile. Single-dose treatment and prolonged treatment provided equivalent therapeutic responses to PZDH by both the i.p. and i.v. routes in the i.p. LOX model. A s.c. LOX model resulting in spontaneous pulmonary metastases was adapted for bioassay and quantitation of the numbers of LOX cells killed by PZDH among both primary and metastatic cell populations. It was demonstrated that PZDH afforded about 2-log10 orders of magnitude greater cell kill among pulmonary metastases than against primary s.c. LOX tumors in the same mouse. Murine leukemias resistant to doxorubicin (ADR), vincristine (VCR), cisplatin (DDPt), methotrexate (MTX), N,N'-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (BCNU), and cyclophosphamide (CPA) were not cross-resistant to PZDH. However, both P388 and L1210 leukemia sublines resistant to melphalan (L-PAM) were cross-resistant to PZDH, suggesting that patients previously treated with L-PAM might have less likelihood of response to PZDH than those who had had no opportunity to develop L-PAM resistance. Although these observations should not be applied to clinical studies without due caution, they support clinical evaluation of PZDH as well as continued investigation of its molecular pharmacology.

Animals

Cryopreservation of blood mononuclear leukocytes and stem cells suspended in a large fluid volume. A preclinical model for a blood stem cell bank.

It was the purpose of this study to establish and evaluate a freezing-and-thawing method for preservation of hemopoietic stem cells from the peripheral blood. Blood leukocytes collected by means of an IBM Blood-Cell-Separator were frozen in plastic bags using 10% DMSO and controlled cooling rates. Thawing was performed rapidly, and DMSO was diluted and removed prior to the in-vitro and in-vivo assays. The mean recovery of mononuclear cells collected from 82 leukaphereses was 86%. To assess the recovery of cryopreserved hemopoietic stem cells, the soft agar culture method adapted for the dog was used. There was no significant difference in the CFUc recovery per 1 X 10(6) mononuclear cells or in per leukapheresis after different cryopreservation times (1--6 and 7--27 months). To evaluate the hemopoietic repopulation capability of cryopreserved blood stem cells, leukapheresis-derived leukocytes were transfused into 1200 R whole body x-irradiated dogs. The hemopoietic repopulation pattern at day 10 after transfusion of comparable numbers of fresh or frozen leukocytes was not significantly different, as measured in bone marrow smears and sections and by granulocyte concentration in the peripheral blood.

Animals

Preclinical models for human pre-embryo biopsy and genetic diagnosis. I. Efficiency and normalcy of mouse pre-embryo development after different biopsy techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the usefulness of three micromanipulative methods at two different stages of pre-embryo development and to assess possible effects on postbiopsy survival and development. DESIGN: Four-cell and eight-cell mouse pre-embryos were biopsied using enucleation, aspiration, or extrusion of single blastomeres. After biopsy, pre-embryos were observed for in vitro and in vivo development. SETTING: Laboratories of The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Only mice were used. INTERVENTIONS: Pre-embryo biopsy, developmental normalcy and pre-embryo transfer were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Few pre-embryos died as a result of biopsy trauma. High postbiopsy survival rates were associated with normal intrauterine and postnatal development. RESULTS: Expanded blastocyst formation rates from four-cell and eight-cell pre-embryos were 94.6%, 96.7% (controls); 80.7%, 89.1% (enucleation); 90.1%, 91.7% (aspiration); 83.1%, 91.5% (extrusion), respectively. Live birth rates at the four-cell stage were slightly lower in the enucleation group than in the blastomere aspiration and extrusion groups or controls (49.2% versus 58.8%, 56.3% and 66.7%, respectively). For the eight-cell stage, there were no differences between the groups. No developmental abnormalities were found in body or organ weights, in neonates or at 3 weeks of age, or in their subsequent ability to reproduce a second generation. CONCLUSIONS: Biopsy of mouse pre-embryos produces only a small loss of viability because of trauma and permits normal prenatal and postnatal development among surviving pre-embryos.

Animals