Computed tomographic features of the normal spleen in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus).

Computed tomography is commonly utilized for investigation of rabbits, and more recently, for evaluating abdominal pathology. The spleen, however, is an often-overlooked organ, with limited information published. The aims of this retrospective, observational, study were to document the visibility, size, and shape of the normal rabbit spleen and potential correlations with signalment. Institutional imaging archives were reviewed for diagnostic-image-quality abdominal CT studies of rabbits. In 115 cases, the inclusion criteria were met. Pre- and postcontrast CT studies were evaluated by two reviewers for visibility of the spleen. For precontrast CT images, the interrater agreement for identification of the spleen was fair. For postcontrast CT images, interrater agreement was moderate. There were significantly more spleens clearly identified on postcontrast studies compared with precontrast CT. Splenic location, volume, shape, X-ray attenuation, and length were measured, and the splenic-volume-to-body-weight ratio was calculated. The mean splenic volume was 1 mL (range 0.2-3.9 mL), mean length 40 mm (range 20-61 mm), mean attenuation (precontrast CT 80 HU and postcontrast CT 320 HU), and mean splenic volume/body weight ratio was 0.5 mL/kg (range 0.17-1.2 mL/kg). There was a significant relationship between splenic volume and body weight, which was weakly positively correlated. There was no correlation between splenic volume, age, and sex. The most commonly identified splenic shapes were "banana", "tongue", and "elephant trunk". The rabbit spleen can be identified on CT images, but more reliably on postcontrast CT images, which underlines the usefulness of contrast-enhanced CT in this species.

Metabolic Markers Associated with Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Induced by High-Fat Diet and Single Low Dose Streptozotocin in Rats.

Science is still searching for readily available, cost-effective biomarkers to assess metabolic disorders occurring before the onset and during the development of type-2 diabetes (T2DM). The aim of the present study was to induce T2DM in rats through a high-fat diet, followed by a single administration of low dose streptozotocin (STZ), and make an assessment of the development of the disease. The rats were divided into two groups-experimental and control-and were monitored for a period of 10 days. Changes in anthropometric parameters, glucose, insulin, lipids, uric acid, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), as well as the histological changes in the liver and pancreas, were recorded. To assess insulin resistance, we used the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-ß) and visceral obesity-adiposity index (AI). The data demonstrate that the increasing values of glucose, HOMA-IR, AI, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, low- and very-low-density lipoproteins are important markers of the pre-diabetic state. The stable hyperglycemia and increased levels of TC, TG, VLDL, LDL, uric acid and AOPP in experimental rats strongly suggest the development of T2DM. HOMA-IR, HOMA-ß, AI, and uric acid are reliable criteria for T2DM in rats.