Background:The Mongolian gerbil is an excellent laboratory animal for preparing the cerebral ischemia model due to its inherent deficiency in the circle of Willis.However,the low incidence and unpredictability of symp...Background:The Mongolian gerbil is an excellent laboratory animal for preparing the cerebral ischemia model due to its inherent deficiency in the circle of Willis.However,the low incidence and unpredictability of symptoms are caused by numerous complex variant types of the circle.Additionally,the lack of an evaluation system for the cer-ebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)model of gerbils has shackled the application of this model.Methods:We created a symptom-oriented principle and detailed neurobehavioral scoring criteria.At different time points of reperfusion,we analyzed the alteration in locomotion by rotarod test and grip force score,infarct volume by triphenyltetrazo-lium chloride(TTC)staining,neuron loss using Nissl staining,and histological charac-teristics using hematoxylin-eosin(H&E)straining.Results:With a successful model rate of 56%,32 of the 57 gerbils operated by our method harbored typical features of cerebral I/R injury,and the mortality rate in the male gerbils was significantly higher than that in the female gerbils.The suc-cessfully prepared I/R gerbils demonstrated a significant reduction in motility and grip strength at 1 day after reperfusion;formed obvious infarction;exhibited typi-cal pathological features,such as tissue edema,neuronal atrophy and death,and vacuolated structures;and were partially recovered with the extension of reperfu-sion time.Conclusion:This study developed a new method for the unilateral common carotid artery ligation I/R model of gerbil and established a standardized evaluation system for this model,which could provide a new cerebral I/R model of gerbils with more practical applications.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of 4 d' anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy on the H pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils based on physiological and pathological changes. METHODS: We used 6-wk-old male gerbils ora...AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of 4 d' anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy on the H pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils based on physiological and pathological changes. METHODS: We used 6-wk-old male gerbils orally inoculated with H pylori (ATCC43504, 2×108 CFU/mL). Seven weeks after H pylori inoculation, the animals of study group received 4 d' anti-H pylori triple therapy (H pylori-eradicated group). Seven days later, all animals of the H pylori-eradicated and control groups (H pylori-infected & H pylori-uninfected groups) were sacrificed. We examined gastric mucosal lesions macroscopically, studied gastritis microscopically and determined the stomach weight ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and prostaglandin (PG) E2 level. RESULTS: The results showed that both macroscopic and histological gastric damages were significantly less in H pylori-eradicated group than H pylori-infected group. Stomach weight ratio, MPO activity and PGE2 levels were significantly higher in H pylori-infected group than those in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Four days' anti-H pylori therapy was effective in the improvement of H pylori-induced gastric lesions in Mongolian gerbils.展开更多
INTRODUCTION Since 1982,Helicobacter pylori(Hp) has been successfully isolated and cultured,and the fact many diseases such as gastritis,peptic ulcer,gastric carcinoma
AIM:To investigate whether Z:ZCLA Mongolian gerbils are readily susceptible to infection by human hepatitis E virus(HEV).METHODS:Z:ZCLA Mongolian gerbils were infected with a clinical HEV strain isolated from an acute...AIM:To investigate whether Z:ZCLA Mongolian gerbils are readily susceptible to infection by human hepatitis E virus(HEV).METHODS:Z:ZCLA Mongolian gerbils were infected with a clinical HEV strain isolated from an acutehepati tis E patient,and virus pathogenesis was assessed in this host.Non-infected gerbils served as the control group.Feces samples from gerbils were collected weekly for reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction.Serum anti-HEV Ig G and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.At sacrifice,each animal's liver,spleen and kidney were collected for histopathologic examination.RESULTS:HEV-infected gerbils showed fatigue,with histopathological changes observed in the liver,spleen and kidney.HEV RNA was detected in fecal samples taken at day 7 after inoculation and the detectable levels lasted out to day 42 after inoculation.Interestingly,ALT levels were only moderately increased in the HEV-infected animals compared with the noninfected control group.CONCLUSION:Z:ZCLA Mongolian gerbils are susceptible to human HEV.展开更多
The Mongolian gerbil has been widely used in many research fields and has been reported to be a diurnal laboratory animal. The circadian rhythmicity of these gerbils was investigated in the present study by measuring ...The Mongolian gerbil has been widely used in many research fields and has been reported to be a diurnal laboratory animal. The circadian rhythmicity of these gerbils was investigated in the present study by measuring two hormones that show daily oscillations, cortisol and ACTH, in serum using ELISA kits. The levels of the two hormones were highest at 8:00 am and their rhythmic changes were similar to those in humans. In addition, the influence of stress of handling and blood collection on the physiological parameters of the gerbils was examined. After adaptation to handling for 1 week, some serum parameters in the animals changed. Handling and blood collection did not impact significantly on the following parameters: creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and albumin (ALB). However, blood glucose (GLU), total protein (TP) and globulin (GLB) significantly increased while creatinine (CRE) and albumin/globulin (A/G) significantly decreased after adaptation. This work further confirms that the Mongolian gerbil is a diurnal animal and also indicates that a suitable adaptation procedure is necessary for getting reliable results when performing experiments using these animals.展开更多
In a study of gerbils with contrasting social and mating systems (group-living monogamous Mongolian gerbil Meriones unguiculatus, solitary nonterritorial promiscuous midday jird M. meridianus, and solitary territorial...In a study of gerbils with contrasting social and mating systems (group-living monogamous Mongolian gerbil Meriones unguiculatus, solitary nonterritorial promiscuous midday jird M. meridianus, and solitary territorial promiscuous pale gerbil Gerbillus perpallidus), we employed part ner pref ere nee tests (PPTs) to assess among-species variation in sociability and pair-bonding patterns and tested whether the nature of contact between individuals: direct contact (DC) versus nondirect contact (NDC) affected our results. We measured male pref ere nces as the time: 1) spe nt alone, 2) with familiar (partner), and 3) unfamiliar (stranger) female in the 3-chambered apparatus. Gerbil species differed strongly in sociability and male partner preferences. The time spent alone was a reliable indicator of species sociability indepe ndent of the nature of con tact, whereas the pattern and level of betwee n-species differe nces in male partner preferences depended on con tact type: DC PPTs, un like NDC-tests, discriminated well betwee n monogamous and promiscuous species. In the DC-tests, stranger-directed aggression and stranger avoidanee were observed both in the highly social monogamous M. unguiculatus and the solitary territorial promiscuous G. perpallidus, but not in the non territorial promiscuous M. meridianus. In M. unguiculatus, stranger avoidanee in the DC-tests increased the time spent with the partner, thus providing evidence of a partner preference that was not found in the NDC-tests, whereas in G. perpallidus, stran ger avoidance in creased the time spe nt alone. This first comparative experimental study of partner prefere nces in gerbils provides new in sights into the in terspecific variation in gerbil sociality and mating systems and sheds light on behavioral mechanisms un derlyi ng social fidelity and pair-b on ding.展开更多
AIM： To investigate whether chronic H pylori infection has the potential to induce pancreatitis in the Mongolian gerbil model, and whether it is dependent on an intact type Ⅳ secretion system. METHODS： Mongolian ge...AIM： To investigate whether chronic H pylori infection has the potential to induce pancreatitis in the Mongolian gerbil model, and whether it is dependent on an intact type Ⅳ secretion system. METHODS： Mongolian gerbils were infected with wild type （WT） H pylori type Ⅰ strain B128 or its isogenic mutant B128 △cag γ （defective type Ⅳ secretion）. After seven months of infection, H pylori was reisolated from antrum and corpus and Hpylori DNA was analyzed by seminested polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Inflammation and histological changes were documented in the gastric antrum, corpus, and pancreas by immunohistochemistry. Cytokine mRNA, gastric pH, plasma gastrin, amylase, lipase, and glucose levels were determined. RESULTS： The H pylori infection rate was 95%. Eight infected animals, but none of the uninfected group, developed transmural inflammation and chronic pancreatitis. Extensive interstitial fibrosis and inflammation of the pancreatic lobe adjacent to the antrum was confirmed by trichrome stain, and immuno-histochemically. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA was significantly increased in the antral mucosa of all infected gerbils. In the corpus, only cytokine levels of WT-infected animals andthose developing transmural inflammation and pancreatitis were significantly increased. Levels of lipase, but not glucose or amylase levels, were significantly reduced in the pancreatitis group. H pylori DNA was detected in infected antral and corpus tissue,but not in the pancreas CONCLUSION： H pylori infection is able to induce chronic pancreatitis in Mongolian gerbils independently of the type Ⅳ secretion system, probably by an indirect mechanism associated with a penetrating ulcer.展开更多
AIM: The cag pathogenicity island (PAI) is one of potential virulence determinants of Helicobacter pylori. The Mongolian gerbil is a suitable experimental animal for the screening of virulence factors of H pylori.METH...AIM: The cag pathogenicity island (PAI) is one of potential virulence determinants of Helicobacter pylori. The Mongolian gerbil is a suitable experimental animal for the screening of virulence factors of H pylori.METHODS: Five-week-old Mongolian gerbils were inoculated with a standard H pylori strain (ATCC 43504)possessing the cag PAI or a clinical isolate lacking the genes' cluster (OHPC-0002). The animals were killed at 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 wk after inoculation (n = 5 each), and macroscopic and histopathological findings in the stomachs were compared.RESULTS: In gerbils infected with ATCC 43504, a more severe degree of infiltration of polynuclear and mononuclear cells and lymphoid follicles was observed from 4 wk after inoculation compared to gerbils infected with OHPC-0002 especially in the antrum and transitional zone from the fundic to pyloric gland area. In addition,glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, gastric ulcer and hyperplastic polyps were noted in gerbils infected with ATCC 43504, whereas only mild gastric erosions occurred in those infected with OHPC-0002.CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the cag PAI could be directly involved in gastric immune and inflammatory responses in the Mongolian gerbils, leading to a more advanced gastric disease.展开更多
Background: In the previous study, we established an ischemia-prone gerbil population(IG), which was selectively bred to increase the incidence of unilateral carotid arterial occlusion(UCO)-induced ischemia in Mongoli...Background: In the previous study, we established an ischemia-prone gerbil population(IG), which was selectively bred to increase the incidence of unilateral carotid arterial occlusion(UCO)-induced ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. However, if the characteristics of ischemia model in IG are the same as those in general gerbils(GG), and if the neurological symptoms are associated with the neurological insults in IG is still unclear.Methods: In the present study, we evaluated the UCO model in IG by analyzing neurological symptoms, neurological injury in the hippocampal CA1 region and compared with GG.Results: The data showed that the ratios of neurological symptom scores ≥ 2 in the IG and GG groups were 65.0% vs 30.0%, respectively, and were significantly different(P <.01).The neuronal damage following a UCO ischemic insult in the IG group was more severe compared to the GG group. There was a high correlation between the neurological insults' scale and the neurological symptom score in the IG and GG groups(r =.979 and.943 in the IG and GG groups, respectively). In animals with mild neurological symptom scores(2 and 3), the neuronal insults were significantly different between female and male gerbils in both IG and GG.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IG population would likely be more advantageous to establish an ischemic model.展开更多
The prostate is an accessory sex gland that develops under precise androgenic control. It is known that hormonal imbalance may disrupt its development predisposing this gland to develop diseases during aging. Although...The prostate is an accessory sex gland that develops under precise androgenic control. It is known that hormonal imbalance may disrupt its development predisposing this gland to develop diseases during aging. Although the hypothesis regarding earlier origins of prostate diseases was proposed many years ago, the mechanisms underlying this complex phenomenon are poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prostates of old male gerbils exposed to testosterone during intrauterine and postnatal life using morphological, biometrical, stereological, Kariometric, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence analyses. Our findings demonstrate that prenatal and pubertal exposure to testosterone increases the susceptibility to the development of prostate diseases during aging. The presence of a more proliferative gland associated with foci of adenomatous hyperplasia in animals exposed to testosterone during the prenatal and pubertal phase show that the utero life and the pubertal period are important phases for prostatic morphophysiology establishment, which is a determinant for the health of the gland during aging. Therefore, these findings reinforce the idea that prostate disease may result from hormonal disruptions in early events during prostate development, which imprint permanently on the gland predisposing it to develop lesions in later stages of life.展开更多
AIM: We studied the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms expression in gastric antrum and corpus of female gerbils and their regulation by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). METHODS: Ovari...AIM: We studied the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms expression in gastric antrum and corpus of female gerbils and their regulation by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). METHODS: Ovariectomized adult female gerbils were subcutaneously treated with E2, and E2 + P4. Uteri and stomachs were removed, the latter were cut along the greater curvature, and antrum and corpus were excised. Proteins were immunoblotted using antibodies that recognize ER-alpha, ER-beta, and PR-A and PR-B receptor isoforms. Tissues from rats treated in the same way were used as controls. RESULTS: Specific bands were detected for ER-alpha (68 KDa), and PR isoforms (85 and 120 KDa for PR-A and PR-B isoforms, respectively) in uteri, gastric antrum and corpus. We could not detect ER-beta isoform. PR isoforms were not regulated by E2 or P4 in uterus and gastric tissues of gerbils. ER-alpha isoform content was significantly down-regulated by E2 in the corpus, but not affected by hormones in uterus and gastric antrum. CONCLUSION: The presence of ER-alpha and PR isoforms in gerbils stomach suggests that E2 and P4 actions in this organ are in part mediated by their nuclear receptors.展开更多
The following study of populations of gerbil in arid and Saharan terrain enables us toexamine the relationships between the essential determinants in the cycles of abundance. Social unity, methods of spatial distribut...The following study of populations of gerbil in arid and Saharan terrain enables us toexamine the relationships between the essential determinants in the cycles of abundance. Social unity, methods of spatial distribution, dispersal, strategies for food and repro-duction, and also disappearance, are linked to climatic factors and defined according to therecognised hierarchy of stages of perceptions in Ecology individual, group, population,展开更多
Objective： To setup an animal model of gastric carcinogenesis by Helicobacter pylori （Hp） for basic, prevention and therapeutic research of Hp-related diseases. Methods： 22 young male Mongolian gerbils were admini...Objective： To setup an animal model of gastric carcinogenesis by Helicobacter pylori （Hp） for basic, prevention and therapeutic research of Hp-related diseases. Methods： 22 young male Mongolian gerbils were administrated with suspension of Hp strain TN2 by intragastric garage for 5 consecutive times （4×10^8 CFU/time, 1 time/4 days）. 10 male gerbils were used as negative control. Two infected gerbils were killed at 10, 20, and 30 weeks, respectively, after inoculation to monitor the development of gastric lesions. Other animals were killed at 40 experimental weeks. Pathological changes of glandular stomach were examined histologically. Results： Gastric intraepithelial neoplasias （GIN） and low-grade dysplasias were observed only in the pyloric antrum of Hp-treated gerbils （3 and 2 ones, respectively）, but not in control group （5/13 vs. 0/10, P〈0.04）. High incidence of chronic active gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis were observed in Hp-treated animals （10/13, 76.9%）. Low incidence of chronic atrophic gastritis was also detected in negative control gerbils （3/10, 30%; P〈0.04）. Conclusion： Hp inoculation could induce chronic inflammation and malignant lesions of the glandular stomach of Mongolian gerbils conveniently.展开更多
L-Deprenyl is selective and irreversible monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, known to have neuroprotective properties. Putrescine, one of polyamine, is thought to be important in the neuronal cell damage associated with va...L-Deprenyl is selective and irreversible monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, known to have neuroprotective properties. Putrescine, one of polyamine, is thought to be important in the neuronal cell damage associated with various type of excitatory neurotoxicity. We examined the effects of L-deprenyl on the changes in putrescine level and neuronal damage after transient global ischemia in ger-bils. Male Mongolian gerbils weighing 65 - 75 g were used in the experiment. Global ischemia was induced by occlusion of common carotid arteries for 3 min to observe neuronal injury in hippocampal pyramidal cells. L-Deprenyl group was given 10 mg/kg of L-deprenyl intraperitoneally immediately after, 3 h and 6 h after global ischemia. Treated animals were processed in parallel with ischemic animals receiving saline as a vehicle and with sham- operated controls. Hippocampal putrescine level was increased by global ischemia and inhibited by L-deprenyl treatment. In histological findings, counts of viable neurons were made in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampal CA1 area 3 days after ischemic insult. The number of viable neurons in the pyramidal cell layer of CA1 area was significantly increased in animals treated with L-deprenyl compared to vehicle-treated ischemic animals (p < 0.05). In terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick endlabeling (TUNEL) assay, semiquantitative analysis of dark-brown neuronal cells was made in the hippocampal CA1 area. There was also a significant difference in the degree of TUNEL staining in the hippocampal CA1 area between vehi-cle-treated and L-deprenyl-treated animals (p < 0.05). These data show L-deprenyl is effective as a prophylactic treatment for neuronal injury when it is administrated before ischemia but a further study need to know the effects of administration of L-deprenyl after ischemia and at given times after reper-fusion.展开更多
Mongolian gerbils had high ability to endure both high and cold temperatures.To study the mechanism of high ability for thermal adaptation,gerbils were acclimated to high temperature(30°C)for 8 weeks,and were mea...Mongolian gerbils had high ability to endure both high and cold temperatures.To study the mechanism of high ability for thermal adaptation,gerbils were acclimated to high temperature(30°C)for 8 weeks,and were measured for metabolic fea-tures,body composition as well as mitochondrial content and activities.Lipidomic techniques were used to measure changes in mitochondrial membrane,including potential mitochondrial membrane remodeling during acute thermoregulation in gerbils.Heat acclimated gerbils showed lower basal metabolic rates but no changes in adaptive non-shivering thermogenesis were detected.A significant mitochondrial membrane remodeling with increases in monounsaturated/polyunsaturated free fatty acids ratios was associated with the decrease in metabolic rate.During heat acclimation,mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase activity was elevated in brown adipose tissue,presumably caused by the increase in membrane unsaturation.Our results indicated that mitochondrial membrane remodeling is an important mechanism during heat acclimation in Mongo-lian gerbils,to reduce the metabolic rate in general while preserving sufficient capability to respond to acute cold.Such a mechanism may allow gerbils to cooperate with wide range of daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations.展开更多
Background:The nest flea index of Meriones unguiculatus is a critical indicator for the prevention and control of plague,which can be used not only to detect the spatial and temporal distributions of Meriones unguicul...Background:The nest flea index of Meriones unguiculatus is a critical indicator for the prevention and control of plague,which can be used not only to detect the spatial and temporal distributions of Meriones unguiculatus,but also to reveal its cluster rule.This research detected the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of the plague natural foci of Mongolian gerbils by body flea index from 2005 to 2014,in order to predict plague outbreaks.Methods:Global spatial autocorrelation was used to describe the entire spatial distribution pattern of the body flea index in the natural plague foci of typical Chinese Mongolian gerbils.Cluster and outlier analysis and hot spot analysis were also used to detect the intensity of clusters based on geographic information system methods.The quantity of M.unguiculatus nest fleas in the sentinel surveillance sites from 2005 to 2014 and host density data of the study area from 2005 to 2010 used in this study were provided by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Results:The epidemic focus regions of the Mongolian gerbils remain the same as the hot spot regions relating to the body flea index.High clustering areas possess a similar pattern as the distribution pattern of the body flea index indicating that the transmission risk of plague is relatively high.In terms of time series,the area of the epidemic focus gradually increased from 2005 to 2007,declined rapidly in 2008 and 2009,and then decreased slowly and began trending towards stability from 2009 to 2014.For the spatial change,the epidemic focus regions began moving northward from the southwest epidemic focus of the Mongolian gerbils from 2005 to 2007,and then moved from north to south in 2007 and 2008.Conclusions:The body flea index of Chinese gerbil foci reveals significant spatial and temporal aggregation characteristics through the employing of spatial autocorrelation.The diversity of temporary and spatial distribution is mainly affected by seasonal variation,the human activity and natural factors.展开更多
Animal immunity is usually impaired in obesity.We know little about the effect of being overweight or obese on the immune function of wild rodents.The present study is aimed to test the hypothesis that immunity is sup...Animal immunity is usually impaired in obesity.We know little about the effect of being overweight or obese on the immune function of wild rodents.The present study is aimed to test the hypothesis that immunity is suppressed in overweight Mongolian gerbils(Meriones unguiculatus).In the study,16 overweight(body mass:90.8-127.6 g)and 16 lean gerbils(body mass:60.5-77.7 g)were randomly selected from a total of 174 male gerbils(body mass range:55.8-144.7 g).Half of the overweight and lean males were injected with sterile saline;the others were immunochallenged(IC)with phytohaemagglutinin and keyhole limpet hemocyanin to assess cellular and humoral immunity,respectively.Body fat mass,wet and dry spleen mass,leukocyte counts,blood glucose levels and serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the overweight gerbils than in the lean gerbils.However,phytohemagglutinin response indicative of cellular immunity and immunoglobulin G concentrations was significantly lower in the IC overweight gerbils than in the IC lean gerbils.These results indicate that cellular and humoral immunity are impaired in the overweight gerbils.Excessive body fat mass,higher leukocyte counts and serum leptin levels imply that overweight gerbils are in a low grade inflammatory state.展开更多
Pneumocystis spp. infect the lungs of multiple mammalian species and cause disease in immunosuppressed individuals. The Pneumocystis isolates that have been studied to date fall into two major clades, those from prima...Pneumocystis spp. infect the lungs of multiple mammalian species and cause disease in immunosuppressed individuals. The Pneumocystis isolates that have been studied to date fall into two major clades, those from primates and those from rodents. Within each of these clades, different species have been described on the basis of host specificity and differences in sequence and morphology. Here, we demonstrate that dexamethasone immunosuppression consistently results in histologically apparent lung infection in gerbils (28/35 animals). Sequence analysis of the 18S, 5.8S and internal transcribed spacer regions of the rDNA and a portion of the mitochondrial large subunit rDNA demonstrated that this gerbil Pneumocystis is grouped with other rodent Pneumocystis spp., but is distinct from them. Our results suggest that gerbil Pneumocystis differs sufficiently from Pneumocystis species found in other rodents to be considered a separate species.展开更多
The present review provides a compilation of the published data on the ecology and social behavior of tamarisk gerbils. Both field studies anddirect observations under semi-natural conditions provide evidence that the...The present review provides a compilation of the published data on the ecology and social behavior of tamarisk gerbils. Both field studies anddirect observations under semi-natural conditions provide evidence that the tamarisk gerbil is a nocturnal herbivorous rodent that lives in highlyseasonal habitats and displays seasonal fluctuations in reproduction and spatial organization. A typical feature of the tamarisk gerbils’ spatialorganization is higher mobility of males during the breeding season (as compared with the nonbreeding period) and formation of temporaryaggregations of males competing for access to receptive females;the composition of these aggregations was variable and depended on thereproductive condition of the females. Females tend to occupy exclusive home ranges irrespective of their reproductive condition. The matingsystem of the species can be defined as scramble competition polygyny with some features of polygynandry and promiscuity. The tamariskgerbil has distinct features of a solitary species and its social structure is primarily based on aggressive interactions or mutual avoidance ofconspecifics resulting in a dominance hierarchy among males and site-dependent dominance among females during the breeding season. Bythe end of the breeding season, males become less mobile and occupy nearly exclusive home ranges, consistent with solitary living. The mainfeatures of the spatial and social organization of this species, which distinguish it from other solitary rodents, are the higher mobility of malesand the formation of temporary multimale–multifemale aggregations during the breeding season. Overall, the data presented expand our understanding of socioecology of gerbils.展开更多
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China,Grant/Award Number:2021YFF0702402National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:32070531。
文摘Background:The Mongolian gerbil is an excellent laboratory animal for preparing the cerebral ischemia model due to its inherent deficiency in the circle of Willis.However,the low incidence and unpredictability of symptoms are caused by numerous complex variant types of the circle.Additionally,the lack of an evaluation system for the cer-ebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)model of gerbils has shackled the application of this model.Methods:We created a symptom-oriented principle and detailed neurobehavioral scoring criteria.At different time points of reperfusion,we analyzed the alteration in locomotion by rotarod test and grip force score,infarct volume by triphenyltetrazo-lium chloride(TTC)staining,neuron loss using Nissl staining,and histological charac-teristics using hematoxylin-eosin(H&E)straining.Results:With a successful model rate of 56%,32 of the 57 gerbils operated by our method harbored typical features of cerebral I/R injury,and the mortality rate in the male gerbils was significantly higher than that in the female gerbils.The suc-cessfully prepared I/R gerbils demonstrated a significant reduction in motility and grip strength at 1 day after reperfusion;formed obvious infarction;exhibited typi-cal pathological features,such as tissue edema,neuronal atrophy and death,and vacuolated structures;and were partially recovered with the extension of reperfu-sion time.Conclusion:This study developed a new method for the unilateral common carotid artery ligation I/R model of gerbil and established a standardized evaluation system for this model,which could provide a new cerebral I/R model of gerbils with more practical applications.
文摘AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of 4 d' anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy on the H pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils based on physiological and pathological changes. METHODS: We used 6-wk-old male gerbils orally inoculated with H pylori (ATCC43504, 2×108 CFU/mL). Seven weeks after H pylori inoculation, the animals of study group received 4 d' anti-H pylori triple therapy (H pylori-eradicated group). Seven days later, all animals of the H pylori-eradicated and control groups (H pylori-infected & H pylori-uninfected groups) were sacrificed. We examined gastric mucosal lesions macroscopically, studied gastritis microscopically and determined the stomach weight ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and prostaglandin (PG) E2 level. RESULTS: The results showed that both macroscopic and histological gastric damages were significantly less in H pylori-eradicated group than H pylori-infected group. Stomach weight ratio, MPO activity and PGE2 levels were significantly higher in H pylori-infected group than those in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Four days' anti-H pylori therapy was effective in the improvement of H pylori-induced gastric lesions in Mongolian gerbils.
文摘INTRODUCTION Since 1982,Helicobacter pylori(Hp) has been successfully isolated and cultured,and the fact many diseases such as gastritis,peptic ulcer,gastric carcinoma
基金Supported by Science Technology Department of Zhejiang Province No.2011F20015Health and Family Planning Commission of Zhejiang Province,No.XKQ-010001
文摘AIM:To investigate whether Z:ZCLA Mongolian gerbils are readily susceptible to infection by human hepatitis E virus(HEV).METHODS:Z:ZCLA Mongolian gerbils were infected with a clinical HEV strain isolated from an acutehepati tis E patient,and virus pathogenesis was assessed in this host.Non-infected gerbils served as the control group.Feces samples from gerbils were collected weekly for reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction.Serum anti-HEV Ig G and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.At sacrifice,each animal's liver,spleen and kidney were collected for histopathologic examination.RESULTS:HEV-infected gerbils showed fatigue,with histopathological changes observed in the liver,spleen and kidney.HEV RNA was detected in fecal samples taken at day 7 after inoculation and the detectable levels lasted out to day 42 after inoculation.Interestingly,ALT levels were only moderately increased in the HEV-infected animals compared with the noninfected control group.CONCLUSION:Z:ZCLA Mongolian gerbils are susceptible to human HEV.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:No.31572341
文摘The Mongolian gerbil has been widely used in many research fields and has been reported to be a diurnal laboratory animal. The circadian rhythmicity of these gerbils was investigated in the present study by measuring two hormones that show daily oscillations, cortisol and ACTH, in serum using ELISA kits. The levels of the two hormones were highest at 8:00 am and their rhythmic changes were similar to those in humans. In addition, the influence of stress of handling and blood collection on the physiological parameters of the gerbils was examined. After adaptation to handling for 1 week, some serum parameters in the animals changed. Handling and blood collection did not impact significantly on the following parameters: creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and albumin (ALB). However, blood glucose (GLU), total protein (TP) and globulin (GLB) significantly increased while creatinine (CRE) and albumin/globulin (A/G) significantly decreased after adaptation. This work further confirms that the Mongolian gerbil is a diurnal animal and also indicates that a suitable adaptation procedure is necessary for getting reliable results when performing experiments using these animals.
文摘In a study of gerbils with contrasting social and mating systems (group-living monogamous Mongolian gerbil Meriones unguiculatus, solitary nonterritorial promiscuous midday jird M. meridianus, and solitary territorial promiscuous pale gerbil Gerbillus perpallidus), we employed part ner pref ere nee tests (PPTs) to assess among-species variation in sociability and pair-bonding patterns and tested whether the nature of contact between individuals: direct contact (DC) versus nondirect contact (NDC) affected our results. We measured male pref ere nces as the time: 1) spe nt alone, 2) with familiar (partner), and 3) unfamiliar (stranger) female in the 3-chambered apparatus. Gerbil species differed strongly in sociability and male partner preferences. The time spent alone was a reliable indicator of species sociability indepe ndent of the nature of con tact, whereas the pattern and level of betwee n-species differe nces in male partner preferences depended on con tact type: DC PPTs, un like NDC-tests, discriminated well betwee n monogamous and promiscuous species. In the DC-tests, stranger-directed aggression and stranger avoidanee were observed both in the highly social monogamous M. unguiculatus and the solitary territorial promiscuous G. perpallidus, but not in the non territorial promiscuous M. meridianus. In M. unguiculatus, stranger avoidanee in the DC-tests increased the time spent with the partner, thus providing evidence of a partner preference that was not found in the NDC-tests, whereas in G. perpallidus, stran ger avoidance in creased the time spe nt alone. This first comparative experimental study of partner prefere nces in gerbils provides new in sights into the in terspecific variation in gerbil sociality and mating systems and sheds light on behavioral mechanisms un derlyi ng social fidelity and pair-b on ding.
基金Supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB576) to RH and (RI 972/3-1) to GRthe Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (NGFN-2) to RHby US Public Health Service Grants P01 DK062041 and R01DK45729 to JLM
文摘AIM： To investigate whether chronic H pylori infection has the potential to induce pancreatitis in the Mongolian gerbil model, and whether it is dependent on an intact type Ⅳ secretion system. METHODS： Mongolian gerbils were infected with wild type （WT） H pylori type Ⅰ strain B128 or its isogenic mutant B128 △cag γ （defective type Ⅳ secretion）. After seven months of infection, H pylori was reisolated from antrum and corpus and Hpylori DNA was analyzed by seminested polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Inflammation and histological changes were documented in the gastric antrum, corpus, and pancreas by immunohistochemistry. Cytokine mRNA, gastric pH, plasma gastrin, amylase, lipase, and glucose levels were determined. RESULTS： The H pylori infection rate was 95%. Eight infected animals, but none of the uninfected group, developed transmural inflammation and chronic pancreatitis. Extensive interstitial fibrosis and inflammation of the pancreatic lobe adjacent to the antrum was confirmed by trichrome stain, and immuno-histochemically. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA was significantly increased in the antral mucosa of all infected gerbils. In the corpus, only cytokine levels of WT-infected animals andthose developing transmural inflammation and pancreatitis were significantly increased. Levels of lipase, but not glucose or amylase levels, were significantly reduced in the pancreatitis group. H pylori DNA was detected in infected antral and corpus tissue,but not in the pancreas CONCLUSION： H pylori infection is able to induce chronic pancreatitis in Mongolian gerbils independently of the type Ⅳ secretion system, probably by an indirect mechanism associated with a penetrating ulcer.
文摘AIM: The cag pathogenicity island (PAI) is one of potential virulence determinants of Helicobacter pylori. The Mongolian gerbil is a suitable experimental animal for the screening of virulence factors of H pylori.METHODS: Five-week-old Mongolian gerbils were inoculated with a standard H pylori strain (ATCC 43504)possessing the cag PAI or a clinical isolate lacking the genes' cluster (OHPC-0002). The animals were killed at 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 wk after inoculation (n = 5 each), and macroscopic and histopathological findings in the stomachs were compared.RESULTS: In gerbils infected with ATCC 43504, a more severe degree of infiltration of polynuclear and mononuclear cells and lymphoid follicles was observed from 4 wk after inoculation compared to gerbils infected with OHPC-0002 especially in the antrum and transitional zone from the fundic to pyloric gland area. In addition,glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, gastric ulcer and hyperplastic polyps were noted in gerbils infected with ATCC 43504, whereas only mild gastric erosions occurred in those infected with OHPC-0002.CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the cag PAI could be directly involved in gastric immune and inflammatory responses in the Mongolian gerbils, leading to a more advanced gastric disease.
基金Key Projects in the National Science&Technology Pillar Program,Grant/Award Number:2015BAI09B01
文摘Background: In the previous study, we established an ischemia-prone gerbil population(IG), which was selectively bred to increase the incidence of unilateral carotid arterial occlusion(UCO)-induced ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. However, if the characteristics of ischemia model in IG are the same as those in general gerbils(GG), and if the neurological symptoms are associated with the neurological insults in IG is still unclear.Methods: In the present study, we evaluated the UCO model in IG by analyzing neurological symptoms, neurological injury in the hippocampal CA1 region and compared with GG.Results: The data showed that the ratios of neurological symptom scores ≥ 2 in the IG and GG groups were 65.0% vs 30.0%, respectively, and were significantly different(P <.01).The neuronal damage following a UCO ischemic insult in the IG group was more severe compared to the GG group. There was a high correlation between the neurological insults' scale and the neurological symptom score in the IG and GG groups(r =.979 and.943 in the IG and GG groups, respectively). In animals with mild neurological symptom scores(2 and 3), the neuronal insults were significantly different between female and male gerbils in both IG and GG.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IG population would likely be more advantageous to establish an ischemic model.
文摘The prostate is an accessory sex gland that develops under precise androgenic control. It is known that hormonal imbalance may disrupt its development predisposing this gland to develop diseases during aging. Although the hypothesis regarding earlier origins of prostate diseases was proposed many years ago, the mechanisms underlying this complex phenomenon are poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prostates of old male gerbils exposed to testosterone during intrauterine and postnatal life using morphological, biometrical, stereological, Kariometric, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence analyses. Our findings demonstrate that prenatal and pubertal exposure to testosterone increases the susceptibility to the development of prostate diseases during aging. The presence of a more proliferative gland associated with foci of adenomatous hyperplasia in animals exposed to testosterone during the prenatal and pubertal phase show that the utero life and the pubertal period are important phases for prostatic morphophysiology establishment, which is a determinant for the health of the gland during aging. Therefore, these findings reinforce the idea that prostate disease may result from hormonal disruptions in early events during prostate development, which imprint permanently on the gland predisposing it to develop lesions in later stages of life.
文摘AIM: We studied the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms expression in gastric antrum and corpus of female gerbils and their regulation by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). METHODS: Ovariectomized adult female gerbils were subcutaneously treated with E2, and E2 + P4. Uteri and stomachs were removed, the latter were cut along the greater curvature, and antrum and corpus were excised. Proteins were immunoblotted using antibodies that recognize ER-alpha, ER-beta, and PR-A and PR-B receptor isoforms. Tissues from rats treated in the same way were used as controls. RESULTS: Specific bands were detected for ER-alpha (68 KDa), and PR isoforms (85 and 120 KDa for PR-A and PR-B isoforms, respectively) in uteri, gastric antrum and corpus. We could not detect ER-beta isoform. PR isoforms were not regulated by E2 or P4 in uterus and gastric tissues of gerbils. ER-alpha isoform content was significantly down-regulated by E2 in the corpus, but not affected by hormones in uterus and gastric antrum. CONCLUSION: The presence of ER-alpha and PR isoforms in gerbils stomach suggests that E2 and P4 actions in this organ are in part mediated by their nuclear receptors.
文摘The following study of populations of gerbil in arid and Saharan terrain enables us toexamine the relationships between the essential determinants in the cycles of abundance. Social unity, methods of spatial distribution, dispersal, strategies for food and repro-duction, and also disappearance, are linked to climatic factors and defined according to therecognised hierarchy of stages of perceptions in Ecology individual, group, population,
文摘Objective： To setup an animal model of gastric carcinogenesis by Helicobacter pylori （Hp） for basic, prevention and therapeutic research of Hp-related diseases. Methods： 22 young male Mongolian gerbils were administrated with suspension of Hp strain TN2 by intragastric garage for 5 consecutive times （4×10^8 CFU/time, 1 time/4 days）. 10 male gerbils were used as negative control. Two infected gerbils were killed at 10, 20, and 30 weeks, respectively, after inoculation to monitor the development of gastric lesions. Other animals were killed at 40 experimental weeks. Pathological changes of glandular stomach were examined histologically. Results： Gastric intraepithelial neoplasias （GIN） and low-grade dysplasias were observed only in the pyloric antrum of Hp-treated gerbils （3 and 2 ones, respectively）, but not in control group （5/13 vs. 0/10, P〈0.04）. High incidence of chronic active gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis were observed in Hp-treated animals （10/13, 76.9%）. Low incidence of chronic atrophic gastritis was also detected in negative control gerbils （3/10, 30%; P〈0.04）. Conclusion： Hp inoculation could induce chronic inflammation and malignant lesions of the glandular stomach of Mongolian gerbils conveniently.
文摘L-Deprenyl is selective and irreversible monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, known to have neuroprotective properties. Putrescine, one of polyamine, is thought to be important in the neuronal cell damage associated with various type of excitatory neurotoxicity. We examined the effects of L-deprenyl on the changes in putrescine level and neuronal damage after transient global ischemia in ger-bils. Male Mongolian gerbils weighing 65 - 75 g were used in the experiment. Global ischemia was induced by occlusion of common carotid arteries for 3 min to observe neuronal injury in hippocampal pyramidal cells. L-Deprenyl group was given 10 mg/kg of L-deprenyl intraperitoneally immediately after, 3 h and 6 h after global ischemia. Treated animals were processed in parallel with ischemic animals receiving saline as a vehicle and with sham- operated controls. Hippocampal putrescine level was increased by global ischemia and inhibited by L-deprenyl treatment. In histological findings, counts of viable neurons were made in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampal CA1 area 3 days after ischemic insult. The number of viable neurons in the pyramidal cell layer of CA1 area was significantly increased in animals treated with L-deprenyl compared to vehicle-treated ischemic animals (p < 0.05). In terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick endlabeling (TUNEL) assay, semiquantitative analysis of dark-brown neuronal cells was made in the hippocampal CA1 area. There was also a significant difference in the degree of TUNEL staining in the hippocampal CA1 area between vehi-cle-treated and L-deprenyl-treated animals (p < 0.05). These data show L-deprenyl is effective as a prophylactic treatment for neuronal injury when it is administrated before ischemia but a further study need to know the effects of administration of L-deprenyl after ischemia and at given times after reper-fusion.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32330012 and 32270508)to DHW.
文摘Mongolian gerbils had high ability to endure both high and cold temperatures.To study the mechanism of high ability for thermal adaptation,gerbils were acclimated to high temperature(30°C)for 8 weeks,and were measured for metabolic fea-tures,body composition as well as mitochondrial content and activities.Lipidomic techniques were used to measure changes in mitochondrial membrane,including potential mitochondrial membrane remodeling during acute thermoregulation in gerbils.Heat acclimated gerbils showed lower basal metabolic rates but no changes in adaptive non-shivering thermogenesis were detected.A significant mitochondrial membrane remodeling with increases in monounsaturated/polyunsaturated free fatty acids ratios was associated with the decrease in metabolic rate.During heat acclimation,mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase activity was elevated in brown adipose tissue,presumably caused by the increase in membrane unsaturation.Our results indicated that mitochondrial membrane remodeling is an important mechanism during heat acclimation in Mongo-lian gerbils,to reduce the metabolic rate in general while preserving sufficient capability to respond to acute cold.Such a mechanism may allow gerbils to cooperate with wide range of daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations.
基金The research was supported by the Innovation Project of State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environment Information System(Grant No.088RA90BYA)the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(Grant No.2016YFC1201301).
文摘Background:The nest flea index of Meriones unguiculatus is a critical indicator for the prevention and control of plague,which can be used not only to detect the spatial and temporal distributions of Meriones unguiculatus,but also to reveal its cluster rule.This research detected the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of the plague natural foci of Mongolian gerbils by body flea index from 2005 to 2014,in order to predict plague outbreaks.Methods:Global spatial autocorrelation was used to describe the entire spatial distribution pattern of the body flea index in the natural plague foci of typical Chinese Mongolian gerbils.Cluster and outlier analysis and hot spot analysis were also used to detect the intensity of clusters based on geographic information system methods.The quantity of M.unguiculatus nest fleas in the sentinel surveillance sites from 2005 to 2014 and host density data of the study area from 2005 to 2010 used in this study were provided by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Results:The epidemic focus regions of the Mongolian gerbils remain the same as the hot spot regions relating to the body flea index.High clustering areas possess a similar pattern as the distribution pattern of the body flea index indicating that the transmission risk of plague is relatively high.In terms of time series,the area of the epidemic focus gradually increased from 2005 to 2007,declined rapidly in 2008 and 2009,and then decreased slowly and began trending towards stability from 2009 to 2014.For the spatial change,the epidemic focus regions began moving northward from the southwest epidemic focus of the Mongolian gerbils from 2005 to 2007,and then moved from north to south in 2007 and 2008.Conclusions:The body flea index of Chinese gerbil foci reveals significant spatial and temporal aggregation characteristics through the employing of spatial autocorrelation.The diversity of temporary and spatial distribution is mainly affected by seasonal variation,the human activity and natural factors.
基金This study was supported by grants to DHW from the National Science and Technology Ministry Project(No.2007BC109103)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30625009).
文摘Animal immunity is usually impaired in obesity.We know little about the effect of being overweight or obese on the immune function of wild rodents.The present study is aimed to test the hypothesis that immunity is suppressed in overweight Mongolian gerbils(Meriones unguiculatus).In the study,16 overweight(body mass:90.8-127.6 g)and 16 lean gerbils(body mass:60.5-77.7 g)were randomly selected from a total of 174 male gerbils(body mass range:55.8-144.7 g).Half of the overweight and lean males were injected with sterile saline;the others were immunochallenged(IC)with phytohaemagglutinin and keyhole limpet hemocyanin to assess cellular and humoral immunity,respectively.Body fat mass,wet and dry spleen mass,leukocyte counts,blood glucose levels and serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the overweight gerbils than in the lean gerbils.However,phytohemagglutinin response indicative of cellular immunity and immunoglobulin G concentrations was significantly lower in the IC overweight gerbils than in the IC lean gerbils.These results indicate that cellular and humoral immunity are impaired in the overweight gerbils.Excessive body fat mass,higher leukocyte counts and serum leptin levels imply that overweight gerbils are in a low grade inflammatory state.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing (Grant No. 7052009)
文摘Pneumocystis spp. infect the lungs of multiple mammalian species and cause disease in immunosuppressed individuals. The Pneumocystis isolates that have been studied to date fall into two major clades, those from primates and those from rodents. Within each of these clades, different species have been described on the basis of host specificity and differences in sequence and morphology. Here, we demonstrate that dexamethasone immunosuppression consistently results in histologically apparent lung infection in gerbils (28/35 animals). Sequence analysis of the 18S, 5.8S and internal transcribed spacer regions of the rDNA and a portion of the mitochondrial large subunit rDNA demonstrated that this gerbil Pneumocystis is grouped with other rodent Pneumocystis spp., but is distinct from them. Our results suggest that gerbil Pneumocystis differs sufficiently from Pneumocystis species found in other rodents to be considered a separate species.
文摘The present review provides a compilation of the published data on the ecology and social behavior of tamarisk gerbils. Both field studies anddirect observations under semi-natural conditions provide evidence that the tamarisk gerbil is a nocturnal herbivorous rodent that lives in highlyseasonal habitats and displays seasonal fluctuations in reproduction and spatial organization. A typical feature of the tamarisk gerbils’ spatialorganization is higher mobility of males during the breeding season (as compared with the nonbreeding period) and formation of temporaryaggregations of males competing for access to receptive females;the composition of these aggregations was variable and depended on thereproductive condition of the females. Females tend to occupy exclusive home ranges irrespective of their reproductive condition. The matingsystem of the species can be defined as scramble competition polygyny with some features of polygynandry and promiscuity. The tamariskgerbil has distinct features of a solitary species and its social structure is primarily based on aggressive interactions or mutual avoidance ofconspecifics resulting in a dominance hierarchy among males and site-dependent dominance among females during the breeding season. Bythe end of the breeding season, males become less mobile and occupy nearly exclusive home ranges, consistent with solitary living. The mainfeatures of the spatial and social organization of this species, which distinguish it from other solitary rodents, are the higher mobility of malesand the formation of temporary multimale–multifemale aggregations during the breeding season. Overall, the data presented expand our understanding of socioecology of gerbils.
