Abstract
Animal models of human diseases are increasingly available and are invaluable for studies of organ pathophysiology. Megacolon, abnormal dilatation of the colon not caused by mechanical obstruction, involves the destruction of the autonomic nervous system innervating the colon. Animal models of megacolon include mouse models of Chagas disease and Hirschprung's disease. Small animal imaging has become an important research tool and recent advances in preclinical imaging modalities have enhanced the information content available from longitudinal studies of animal models of human diseases. While numerous applications of imaging technologies have been reported to study the brain and heart of mouse models, fewer studies of the gastrointestinal system have been undertaken due to technical limitations caused by peristaltic and respiratory motion. Various imaging modalities relevant to study of the gastrointestinal tract of intact live animals are reviewed herein.
Highlights
Abnormal dilatation of the colon not caused by mechanical obstruction, involves the absence or destruction of ganglion cells
This destruction of the autonomic nervous system innervation of the bowel in Chagas disease leads to a loss of smooth muscle tone of the bowel wall and subsequent dilation, affecting peristaltic motion that can result in severe constipation, difficulty swallowing, and malnutrition
The development of imaging applications in animal models using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), optical, and ultrasound (US) methods can quickly move from the basic research arena to the clinical setting
Summary
Abnormal dilatation of the colon not caused by mechanical obstruction, involves the absence (in congenital Hirschprung’s disease) or destruction (in Chagas disease caused by infection with the parasite Trypanosom cruzi) of ganglion cells. Mouse models of Hirschprung’s disease have been developed; noninvasive imaging studies of those mice have not yet been reported [7,25,36,37]. The development of imaging applications in animal models using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), optical, and ultrasound (US) methods can quickly move from the basic research arena to the clinical setting.
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