A novel mice model of metabolic syndrome: the high-fat-high-fructose diet-fed ICR mice.

Currently, the metabolic syndrome (MS) is occurring at growing rates worldwide, raising extensive concerns on the mechanisms and therapeutic interventions for this disorder. Herein, we described a novel method of establishing MS model in rodents. Male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were fed with high-fat-high-fructose (HFHF) diet or normal chow (NC) respectively for 12 weeks. Metabolic phenotypes were assessed by glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Blood pressure was measured by a tail-cuff system. At the end of the experiment, mice were sacrificed, and blood and tissues were harvested for subsequent analysis. Serum insulin levels were measured by ELISA, and lipid profiles were determined biochemically. The HFHF diet-fed ICR mice exhibited obvious characteristics of the components of MS, including obvious obesity, severe insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dislipidemia, significant hypertension and hyperuricemia. Our data suggest that HFHF diet-fed ICR mice may be a robust and efficient animal model that could well mimic the basic pathogenesis of human MS.

SMAS fold flap and ADM repair of the parotid bed following removal of parotid haemangiomas via pre- and retroauricular incisions to improve cosmetic outcome and prevent Frey's syndrome.

The growth of parotid haemangiomas during the proliferative phase may be rapid and unpredictable. Involution often takes many years, with attendant psychological sequelae to the child. Although conservative management is usually proposed for parotid haemangiomas occurring in infancy, this may not be particularly helpful and the haemangioma difficult to conceal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliable and aesthetic benefit of using a superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) fold flap and allograft dermal matrix (ADM) repair of the parotid bed following parotid haemangiomas via pre- and retroauricular incision. Forty-three paediatric patients (33 boys and 10 girls) with haemangiomas involving the parotid gland underwent total parotidectomy using a pre- and retroauricular approach with intraoperative placement of ADM within the parotid bed. They further underwent repair of the parotid bed with SMAS fold flaps. A panel of three plastic surgeons assessed the cosmetic outcomes. All of the patients were evaluated using a short questionnaire; postoperative gustatory sweating was assessed using a modification of Minor's starch-iodine test.