RESUMEN
[Purpose] Behavioral analysis is widely used in animal research. However, such analysis requires specialized equipment and can be difficult to perform. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and validate a simple behavioral analysis method. [Participants and Methods] For behavioral assessments, Wistar rats were placed in a rearing cage and videotaped from two directions: overhead and side view. The filmed videos were analyzed using ImageJ software to calculate the distance traveled and activity and inactivity times of the rats. Intraclass correlation coefficients 1 and 2 were calculated to examine the reliability of the behavioral analysis method. [Results] Intraclass correlation coefficients 1 and 2 for distance traveled and activity and inactivity times determined using the behavioral analysis method showed high reliability. [Conclusion] The behavioral analysis method validated in this study used inexpensive and easily accessible equipment and devices. The results show high correlation coefficients for the measurement of distance traveled and activity time performed by experimental animals, demonstrating the reliability of this simple method.
RESUMEN
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of glucose intake on physical function in a heart failure rat model. [Materials and Methods] Five-week-old male Wistar rats were used for this study. Monocrotalin (40â mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to rats to induce heart failure. The rats were divided into two groups, control and MCT; the MCT group was further classified according to glucose concentration (0%, 10%, and 50%). [Results] Glucose intake during heart failure prevented the loss of body weight, skeletal muscle, and fat mass. Myocardial metabolism in heart failure was enhanced by hypoxia, which in turn, enhanced the glycolytic system. [Conclusion] Glucose loading suppressed cardiac hypertrophy and improved physical function in the heart failure rat model.
