Retroauricular Approach for Targeted Cochlear Therapy Experiments in Wistar Albino Rats.

BACKGROUND: As the idea of stem cell technology in the treatment of sensorial hearing loss has emerged over the past decades, the need for in vivo models for related experiments has become explicit. One of the most common experimental models for inner ear stem cell delivery experiments is the Wistar albino rat. AIMS: To investigate the surgical anatomy of the temporal bone of the Wistar albino rat with respect to the dissection steps, operative techniques and potential pitfalls of surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Animal experimentation. METHODS: Adult Wistar albino rats were operated on via the retroauricular approach under an operation microscope. The anatomy of the temporal bone, the surgical route to the temporal bulla and the inner ear were investigated. Technical details of surgical steps, complications and potential pitfalls during the surgery were noted. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 40 adult Wistar albino rats. The mean times to reach the bulla and to achieve cochleostomy were 4.3 (2-13 min) and 7.5 min (3.5-22 min), respectively. The mean width of the facial nerve was 0.84 mm (0.42-1.25 mm). The stapedial artery lay nearly perpendicular to the course of the facial nerve (88-93 °C). There were three major complications: two large cochleostomies and one massive bleed from the stapedial artery. CONCLUSION: The facial nerve was the key anatomical landmark in locating the bulla. By retrograde tracing of the facial nerve, it was possible to find the bulla ventral (inferior) to the main trunk. The facial nerve trunk was the upper limit when drilling the bulla. By dissecting the main trunk of the facial nerve and retracting cranially, a large drilling space could be achieved. Our results suggest that the retroauricular approach is an effective, feasible route for inner ear drug delivery experiments in Wistar albino rats.

Prevenção do estresse oxidativo na síndrome de isquemia e reperfusão renal em ratos com suplementação nutricional com antioxidantes / Prevention of oxidative stress in renal ischemia-reperfusion syndrome in rats with nutritional antioxidant supplementation

OBJETIVO: Verificar o potencial efeito protetor de suplementação com vitaminas antioxidantes em um modelo de síndrome de isquemia-reperfusão renal em ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 29 ratos Wistar, divididos em três grupos: Grupo I e II (n=10 cada), submetidos a indução do estresse oxidativo pela aplicação de 60 minutos de isquemia renal, seguidos de 10 minutos de reperfusão; adicionalmente, os animais do Grupo II foram pré-tratados por doze dias com vitaminas antioxidantes (vitamina C 11,43mg/kg e vitamina E 28,57mg/kg) antes da submissão à isquemia; Grupo III (n=9), correspondendo aos animais Sham, que foram manipulados de forma equivalente aos outros grupos, porém sem indução do estresse oxidativo e sem suplementação antioxidante. Findo isso, as amostras de sangue e os rins foram colhidos para avaliação dos níveis do malondialdeído, do ácido úrico e da capacidade antioxidante total. RESULTADOS: Para o malondialdeído e ácido úrico do Grupo I foi observado um aumento estatisticamente significante (p<0,01) em relação ao Grupo III, o qual não apresentou diferença em relação ao Grupo II. Para os níveis de capacidade antioxidante total, foi encontrada uma diminuição nos animais do Grupo I em relação aos Grupos II e III (p<0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Esses dados confirmam não apenas a efetiva participação do estresse oxidativo neste modelo de síndrome de isquemia e reperfusão renal em ratos, como também que o uso de vitaminas antioxidantes, associadas à dieta, pode proteger os animais das alterações oxidativas.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to verify the potential protective effect of antioxidant vitamin supplementation in a model of renal ischemic-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Twenty-nine Wistar rats were divided into three groups: groups I and II (n=10 each), were submitted to 60 minutes of renal ischemia, followed by 10 minutes of reperfusion; additionally, animals of group II were treated for twelve days with antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C 11.43mg/kg and vitamin E 28.5 mg/kg) before being submitted to ischemia; In group III (n=9), the animals were treated like the other groups but not submitted to ischemic-reperfusion injury and not given antioxidant supplements. Subsequently, blood samples and the kidneys were collected for assessment of malondialdehyde, uric acid and total antioxidant capacity. RESULTS: The malondialdehyde and uric acid of group I was significantly higher than those of group III (p<0.01), which in turn did not differ from group II. The levels of total antioxidant capacity of the animals of group I was lower than those of groups II and III (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These data confirmed the effective participation of oxidative stress in this model of renal ischemia-reperfusion syndrome in rats and showed that the use of antioxidant supplementation can protect the animals from oxidative changes.