Advanced Ethical Tools: Enhancing Humane Animal Testing in Air Pollution Research
The utilisation of experimental animals in research plays a pivotal role in unravelling complex biological processes and understanding the potential impact on health of environmental factors. It serves as a critical tool when human data is unavailable, providing a reliable means to detect important toxic properties of chemical substances and gauge potential risks to both human and environmental well-being.
Laboratory rats, serving as common animal models, offer valuable insights into how the respiratory system responds to indoor pollutants. This knowledge forms the basis for extrapolating findings to human health. It is essential to emphasise that in the EDIAQI project research endeavours adhere strictly to the principles of the 3Rs in science, as regulated by the EU. The 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement— serving as guiding principles that underscore our commitment to minimising animal use, refining experimental procedures to reduce discomfort, and actively seeking alternative methods. This ethical framework ensures that our research is conducted responsibly, with utmost consideration for the welfare of the animals involved, as we strive to advance our understanding of the impact of indoor pollutants on respiratory health.
In the context of the EDIAQI project, two key techniques will be used to examine indoor pollutants effects on the pulmonary system of rats: whole-body plethysmography and telemetry systems. Whole-body plethysmography is a technique employed to measure variations in the volume of an organism's respiratory system, typically applied to small animals, such as rodents. This technique entails placing the animal in an airtight chamber and monitoring changes in pressure as the animal breathes. The alterations in chamber volume are recorded, allowing researchers to assess various respiratory parameters. Whole-body plethysmography proves particularly valuable for studying airway responsiveness, breathing patterns, and the impact of diverse stimuli on respiratory function. It is commonly employed in preclinical research, facilitating investigations into respiratory disorders, the evaluation of pharmaceutical inventions, and the assessment of environmental factors on breathing.
Telemetry systems, in the context of biological research, involves the use of wireless communication to transmit physiological data from a subject to a receiver or data acquisition system. In animal studies, Telemetry systems are frequently employed to monitor various physiological parameters without necessitating direct physical contact. In the context of respiratory research, telemetry systems enable the measurement and transmission of data related to pulmonary function. For instance, implants or sensors may be implanted within an animal's body to monitor parameters such as blood pressure, ECG, core body temperature, and animal activity. The advantage of telemetry systems lies in their ability to provide continuous, real-time monitoring over extended durations, thereby reducing stress on the animals. This also results in more accurate data, especially in studies exploring the effects of environmental factors, such as indoor pollutants, on respiratory health.
The research team at IMROH, specialises in in vivo studies and boasts extensive experience in both physiological and toxicological investigations (Breljak et al. 2022, Karaica et al. 2022 & Vrhovac Madunic et al. 2017). The aim is to enhance our understanding of the impact of indoor air pollutants on juvenile rats, with a particular focus on the period from birth to approximately two months old, This developmental stage is akin to around 12 years of age in humans.
Under the REC-IMI (https://rec.imi.hr/) project, whole body plethysmography system was procured at the IMROH. In the context of the EDIAQI project, an extension for telemetry was acquired, enabling ventures into new dimensions of research and address the potential adverse effects of air pollutants on animal models.
Note: This article has been published on behalf of Ivana Vrhovac Madunic, Vedran Micek, Davorka Breljak, Marko Geric & Goran Gajski, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health (IMROH), Zagreb Croatia.
References:
1) https://www.datasci.com/products/dsi-legacy-respiratory-products/whole-body-plethysmography
2) https://www.datasci.com/products/implantable-telemetry/small-animal-telemetry
3) https://www.datasci.com/products/implantable-telemetry
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