Mammals In Research Research Articles

Toxicological Assessment of 2-Hydroxychalcone-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy: Comparative In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality that uses light to activate a photosensitizing agent, destroying target cells. The growing awareness of the necessity to reduce or eliminate the use of mammals in research has prompted the search for safer toxicity testing models aligned with the new global guidelines and compliant with the relevant regulations. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of PDT on alternative models to mammals, including in vitro three-dimensional (3D) cultures and in vivo, in invertebrate animals, utilizing a potent photosensitizer, 2-hydroxychalcone. Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed in two cellular models: monolayer (2D) and 3D. For this purpose, spheroids of two cell lines, primary dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) and adult human epidermal cell keratinocytes (HaCat), were developed and characterized following criteria on cell viability, shape, diameter, and number of cells. The survival percentages of Caenorhabditis elegans and Galleria mellonella were evaluated at 1 and 7 days, respectively. Results: The findings indicated that all the assessed platforms are appropriate for investigating PDT toxicity. Furthermore, 2-hydroxychalcone demonstrated low toxicity in the absence of light and when mediated by PDT across a range of in vitro (2D and 3D cultures) and in vivo (invertebrate animal models, including G. mellonella and C. elegans) models. Conclusion: There was a strong correlation between the in vitro and in vivo tests, with similar toxicity results, particularly in the 3D models and C. elegans, where the concentration for 50% viability was approximately 100 µg/mL.

Zebrafish as an evolving model in Homoeopathy: A Scoping Review

Background: The scientific community has used the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) model significantly more often which adheres to the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) philosophy as demanded by numerous national and international regulatory agencies. Thus, by substituting Zebrafish for mammals in research, it is possible to decrease the use of those animals and address issues with their welfare.
 Methodology: Data was collected from various databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Research gate, and Google Scholar, to identify preclinical studies examining the effects of Homoeopathic formulations on the variance of diseases in Zebrafish. The 13 qualified manuscripts were included in the full-text analysis after the identified publications were reviewed in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria.
 Results: A systematic search of the databases retrieved 10 studies screened for eligibility after duplicates were removed. A total of 10 full-text articles were assessed with a total of 09 meeting the inclusion criteria and included in the scoping review.
 Conclusion: Zebrafish revealed to be an ideal model to explore studies on toxicity, genetics, behavior and bone diseases. Additionally, researchers can use Zebrafish to discover novel therapies and preventive measures for a range of human ailments.

From Mice to Monkeys? Beyond Orthodox Approaches to the Ethics of Animal Model Choice.

Simple SummaryNew tools, allowing scientists to make precise changes to mammal genomes, have made possible future increased use of larger mammals in biomedical research, such as primates, pigs, and dogs. This paper addresses ethical issues that are raised by using larger mammals instead of smaller ones in this research. Because scientists who use animals in research follow strict guidelines, we first examine what those guidelines suggest for using larger mammals. We then consider what philosophers, who write about the ethics of animal use, consider as the important questions in evaluating which (if any) animals are acceptable to use in research. We find that philosophical perspectives have typically been interested in the question of when or if animal use is justified, while biomedical research guidance has assumed that animal use is justified but defined specific limits to that use. To address directly the ethical questions that arise in the practice of biomedical research in selecting which animals to use, we consider an approach to ethics that is focused on character and living well (or flourishing). This paper is valuable to society in drawing attention to the ethical questions, rather than merely the scientific issues, that are important in selecting which animals to use in biomedical research.Recent developments in genome editing tools, along with limits in the translational potential of rodent models of human disease, have spurred renewed biomedical research interest in large mammals like nonhuman primates, pigs, and dogs. Such scientific developments raise ethical issues about the use of these animals in comparison with smaller mammals, such as mice and rats. To examine these ethical questions, we first consider standard (or “orthodox”) approaches, including ethics oversight within biomedical research communities, and critical theoretical reflections on animal research, including rights-based and utilitarian approaches. We argue that oversight of biomedical research offers guidance on the profession’s permitted uses of animals within a research setting and orthodox approaches to animal ethics questions when and whether animals should be used in biomedicine; however, neither approach sufficiently investigates the nuances of ethical practices within the research setting. To fill this lacuna, we consider a virtue ethical approach to the use of specific animal models in biomedicine. From this perspective, we argued that limitations on flourishing for large mammals in a research setting, as well as potential human-animal bonds, are two sources of likely ethical tensions in animal care and use in the context of larger mammals.

The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach as an Alternative Non-mammalian Animal Model to Investigate Virulence, Pathogenesis, and Drug Efficacy.

Many aspects of innate immunity are conserved between mammals and insects. An insect, the Madagascar hissing cockroach from the genus Gromphadorhina, can be utilized as an alternative animal model for the study of virulence, host-pathogen interaction, innate immune response, and drug efficacy. Details for the rearing, care and breeding of the hissing cockroach are provided. We also illustrate how it can be infected with bacteria such as the intracellular pathogens Burkholderia mallei, B. pseudomallei, and B. thailandensis. Use of the hissing cockroach is inexpensive and overcomes regulatory issues dealing with the use of mammals in research. In addition, results found using the hissing cockroach model are reproducible and similar to those obtained using mammalian models. Thus, the Madagascar hissing cockroach represents an attractive surrogate host that should be explored when conducting animal studies.

2016 Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the use of wild mammals in research and education.

Guidelines for use of wild mammal species in research are updated from Sikes et al. (2011) . These guidelines cover current professional techniques and regulations involving the use of mammals in research and teaching; they also incorporate new resources, procedural summaries, and reporting requirements. Included are details on capturing, marking, housing, and humanely killing wild mammals. It is recommended that Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs), regulatory agencies, and investigators use these guidelines as a resource for protocols involving wild mammals, whether studied in the field or in captivity. These guidelines were prepared and approved by the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM), in consultation with professional veterinarians experienced in wildlife research and IACUCs, whose collective expertise provides a broad and comprehensive understanding of the biology of nondomesticated mammals. The current version of these guidelines and any subsequent modifications are available online on the Animal Care and Use Committee page of the ASM website ( http://mammalogy.org/uploads/committee_files/CurrentGuidelines.pdf ). Additional resources pertaining to the use of wild animals in research are available at: http://www.mammalsociety.org/committees/animal-care-and-use#tab3 . R esumen Los lineamientos para el uso de especies de mamíferos de vida silvestre en la investigación con base en Sikes et al. (2011) se actualizaron. Dichos lineamientos cubren técnicas y regulaciones profesionales actuales que involucran el uso de mamíferos en la investigación y enseñanza; también incorporan recursos nuevos, resúmenes de procedimientos y requisitos para reportes. Se incluyen detalles acerca de captura, marcaje, manutención en cautiverio y eutanasia de mamíferos de vida silvestre. Se recomienda que los comités institucionales de uso y cuidado animal (cifras en inglés: IACUCs), las agencias reguladoras y los investigadores se adhieran a dichos lineamientos como fuente base de protocolos que involucren mamíferos de vida silvestre, ya sea investigaciones de campo o en cautiverio. Dichos lineamientos fueron preparados y aprobados por la ASM, en consulta con profesionales veterinarios experimentados en investigaciones de vida silvestre y IACUCS, de quienes cuya experiencia colectiva provee un entendimiento amplio y exhaustivo de la biología de mamíferos no-domesticados. La presente versión de los lineamientos y modificaciones posteriores están disponibles en línea en la página web de la ASM, bajo Cuidado Animal y Comité de Uso: ( http://mammalogy.org/uploads/committee_files/CurrentGuidelines.pdf ). Recursos adicionales relacionados con el uso de animales de vida silvestre para la investigación se encuentran disponibles en ( http://www.mammalsociety.org/committees/animal-care-and-use#tab3 ).

Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the use of wild mammals in research

Guidelines for use of wild mammal species are updated from the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) 2007 publication. These revised guidelines cover current professional techniques and regulations involving mammals used in research and teaching. They incorporate additional resources, summaries of procedures, and reporting requirements not contained in earlier publications. Included are details on marking, housing, trapping, and collecting mammals. It is recommended that institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs), regulatory agencies, and investigators use these guidelines as a resource for protocols involving wild mammals. These guidelines were prepared and approved by the ASM, working with experienced professional veterinarians and IACUCs, whose collective expertise provides a broad and comprehensive understanding of the biology of nondomesticated mammals in their natural environments. The most current version of these guidelines and any subsequent modifications are available at the ASM Animal Care and Use Committee page of the ASM Web site (http://mammalsociety.org/committees/index.asp).

Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research

General guidelines for use of wild mammal species are updated from the 1998 version approved by the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) and expanded to include additional resources. Included are details on marking, housing, trapping, and collecting mammals. These guidelines cover current professional techniques and regulations involving mammals used in research. Institutional animal care and use committees, regulatory agencies, and investigators should review and approve procedures concerning use of vertebrates at any particular institution. These guidelines were prepared and approved by the ASM, whose collective expertise provides a broad and comprehensive understanding of the biology of nondomesticated mammals in their natural environments.