Search Results (198)

The utility of bioresponsive multifunctional hydrogel compositions for biomedical applications is rapidly increasing due to the diverse array of biological stimuli that can profoundly alter physicochemical gel properties that benefit therapeutic interventions. The purpose of this research is to explore a bioresponsive hydrogel as a drug-free bioengineering concept to fortify the natural physical contraceptive barriers at the cervicovaginal junction. The results of this research demonstrate that a hydrogel comprising 4% (w/w) Carbopol^® 974P and 4% (w/w) polyvinylpyrrolidone (CP4%/PVP4%) undergoes bioresponsive structural changes in the presence of simulated seminal fluid, pH 7.7, (SFS) that increases the work required to spread the gel under physiologically relevant vaginal conditions. Combination of this bioresponsive hydrogel with liquified human semen at a volumetric ratio of 1:5 dramatically reduces in vitro sperm migration by 97%. Simultaneously, total sperm motility decreases from 72.0 ± 9.9% to 7.9 ± 13.7%, which is significantly below the WHO criteria defined for male fertility. Safety assessments performed in vitro and in vivo underline a robust vaginal safety profile comparable to approved vaginal products. Moreover, the results from an exploratory animal study performed with female New Zealand White rabbits suggest that the drug-free physical barrier established intravaginally after exposure of the bioresponsive CP4%/PVP4% hydrogel to alkaline semen seems at least equivalent in the prevention of pregnancy in vivo to the VCF^® Gel (Apothecus Pharmaceuticals, Ronkonkoma, NY, USA), a marketed spermicidal on-demand product containing nonoxynol-9. Full article

Background: Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim., widely used in Russian and Chinese traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory activity, contains bioactive compounds capable of stabilizing epithelial function and reducing inflammation. Despite prior research on its effects in the colon, the impact and mechanism of action of E. senticosus fruit extract on epithelial tissues of the upper digestive and respiratory tract remains unexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of E. senticosus fruit extract on the transepithelial electrical potential and resistance in the tracheal and small intestinal epithelium of rabbits. In addition, the chemical composition of the extract was also profiled by the means of UHPLC-DAD-MS. Methods: Tissue segments from the trachea and small intestine of New Zealand white male rabbits were examined using the Ussing chamber technique. Three concentrations of E. senticosus fruit extract (0.001, 0.1, 10 mg/100 mL) were applied, and changes in transepithelial electrical potential (dPD) and resistance (R) were recorded. Chemical analysis of the extract was conducted using UHPLC-DAD-MS. Results: For the first time, we have discovered that the E. senticosus extract increased membrane resistance in tracheal tissue, suggesting enhanced barrier integrity. In contrast, a slight decrease in resistance was observed in small intestinal tissue. UHPLC-DAD-MS confirmed the presence of chlorogenic acid, dicaffeoylquinic acids, quercetin derivatives, and myo-inositol, compounds known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and membrane-stabilizing effects. Conclusions: The differential response of respiratory and intestinal epithelium to the E. senticosus extract highlights its tissue-specific action and supports its traditional use in the prevention and treatment of diseases characterized by epithelial barrier dysfunction, such as asthma, COPD, and Crohn’s disease. Full article

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of medical conditions including central obesity, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides known to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, with significant sex differences in the syndrome’s incidence and prevalence. These clinical symptoms may be accompanied by cognitive impairment. Methods: In the present experiment, we fed rabbits a diet high in fat and sugar (HFSD), assessed symptoms, and measured changes in cognition using trace eyeblink conditioning. Results: We show that a range of symptoms of metabolic syndrome resulted from HFSD in male and female rabbits and obesity, high blood sugar, and glucose intolerance were higher in male than female rabbits. Specifically, HFSD male rabbits gained more weight and had a higher body-mass index, more body fat, higher fasting glucose levels, and greater glucose intolerance. Importantly, using trace and delay eyeblink conditioning, we show that there was cognitive impairment because of the high-fat and high-sugar diet in both male and female rabbits, but this was greater in HFSD male rabbits than HFSD female rabbits. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome modeled in rabbits fed a diet high in fat and sugar reflects trends in the adult population including central obesity, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides and cognitive impairment and provides an important model and test bed for assessing interventions. Full article

Three isoenergy diets with different crude protein (CP) levels (H = 175, M = 173, and L = 165 g/kg, as is), were fed to 117 sex balanced rabbits (coloured dwarf breed) from 28 to 45 weeks of age. Feed intake, body weight, and fatness were unaffected by the dietary treatment. By reducing dietary CP content, rabbits in group L had a significantly reduced proportion of digestible protein (DP) relative to maintenance requirements compared to group H; p < 0.001), but still exceeding their DP needs. The initial body weight of females was significantly greater than that of males, a difference maintained throughout the study period. Males consumed more feed than females (86.0 vs. 75.2 g/d, p < 0.001) and at 45th week, the skin fold width of males was higher than that of females (p < 0.001). DP balance remained positive in both sexes but was higher in males than females (+3.37 vs. +2.50 g DP/d; p < 0.001). Contrarily, the energy balance was positive in males (+57.9 kJ DE/d) and negative in females (−20.3 kJ DE/d). In conclusion, a dietary CP level of 165 g/kg is considered adequate for adult companion rabbits at maintenance. It is therefore advisable to diversify diets by sex to better meet their nutritional requirements. Full article

Background/Objectives Conventional eye drops are the primary therapeutic option for ocular diseases; however, their clinical utility is hindered by several drawbacks, including limited bioavailability and suboptimal patient compliance. To overcome these challenges, we designed a sustained-release contact lens (CL) device loaded with tranilast (TRA) and determined whether the TRA-laden CL could provide sustained drug delivery to the lacrimal fluid and aqueous humor. Methods TRA nanocrystals were prepared using the bead-milling approach. Using three types of CLs (nonionic, anionic, and cationic), we prepared TRA-laden CLs by employing a combination of solid TRA nanocrystals and soaking methods under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions in an autoclave (the hThP method). Male Japanese albino rabbits (2–3 kg) were used to evaluate the CLs. Results Bead milling reduced the size of the solid TRA nanoparticles (STNs) to approximately 35–180 nm. The TRA-laden cationic CLs prepared using STNs and the hThP method contained a higher amount of TRA than those prepared using the corresponding conventional soaking method. The CLs prepared using the hThP method remained transparent after drug loading. Compared with nonionic and anionic CLs, cationic CLs had the highest drug-loading capacity and allowed for sustained drug release. Moreover, STNs were observed in the released TRA, with no corneal damage or light scattering detected in the rabbits’ eyes. TRA-laden cationic CLs prepared using the hThP method achieved sustained and higher drug delivery into the lacrimal fluid and aqueous humor than those prepared using the conventional soaking method. Conclusions Our findings suggest that TRA-laden cationic CLs prepared using STNs and the hThP method can overcome the challenges associated with the conventional soaking method, including low drug uptake and high burst release. Full article

Background/Objectives: This report documents the first confirmed case in Romania of fatal pneumonia and septicemia in a domestic rabbit caused by multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli, highlighting both its pathogenic potential and One Health implications. Case Study: An 8-month-old male German Giant Spotted rabbit raised on a rural farm under poor husbandry conditions developed acute respiratory distress and died within 48 h. Post-mortem examination revealed severe pulmonary congestion, tracheal inflammation, serofibrinous pericarditis, and systemic vascular lesions. Bacteriological analysis confirmed E. coli from lung, trachea, and bone marrow samples. The isolate demonstrated strong Congo red binding, was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and showed resistance to beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, macrolides, and phenicols, remaining susceptible only to aminoglycosides. PCR screening identified virulence genes (fimH, papC, iutA, ompA) linked to adhesion, immune evasion, and iron acquisition, with potential for horizontal gene transfer. Conclusions: This first documented case in Romania emphasizes the clinical threat posed by multidrug-resistant E. coli in rabbits and the importance of early diagnosis, improved biosecurity, and responsible antimicrobial use. The zoonotic and environmental risks in backyard farming underscore the urgent need for integrated surveillance. Alternative control strategies, including phage therapy and probiotics, should be explored to reduce reliance on conventional antibiotics. Full article

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of carboxymethylcellulose (Seprafilm^®) for the prevention and treatment of arthrofibrosis in rabbit knees, as well as to investigate its underlying mechanisms of action against fibrosis and adhesion formation. Methods: Sixteen male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: a control group and a treatment group that received Seprafilm^® following surgically induced arthrofibrosis in the knee joint. Macroscopic and histological assessments were performed to evaluate adhesion, fibrosis, inflammation, and edema. Results: In the control group, macroscopic adhesion was severe in five rabbits (62.5%), moderate in two (25%), and minimal in one (12.5%). No macroscopic adhesion was observed in the Seprafilm^® group. The mean adhesion score was 2.5 ± 0.75 in the control group versus 0 in the treatment group (p < 0.001). Histologically, five rabbits (62.5%) in the control group showed significant fibrosis, and three (37.5%) showed moderate fibrosis, whereas all rabbits in the Seprafilm^® group exhibited only minimal fibrosis (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Seprafilm^® was effective in reducing both macroscopic and histological signs of adhesion and fibrosis in a rabbit arthrofibrosis model. These findings suggest its potential as a preventive and therapeutic agent in managing arthrofibrosis. Full article

Spinal cord ischemia–reperfusion (SCI/R) injury remains a major clinical challenge with limited therapeutic options. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a proinflammatory mediator released during cellular stress, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemia–reperfusion-induced neural damage. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective potential of the anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in a rabbit model of SCI/R injury. Male New Zealand White rabbits were anesthetized and subjected to 11 min of abdominal aortic occlusion using a micro-bulldog clamp following heparinization. Anti-HMGB1 mAb or control IgG was administered intravenously immediately after reperfusion and again at 6 h post-reperfusion. Neurological function was assessed at 6, 24, and 48 h after reperfusion using the modified Tarlov scoring system. The rabbits were euthanized 48 h after reperfusion for spinal cord and blood sampling. Treatment with anti-HMGB1 mAb significantly improved neurological outcomes, reduced the extent of spinal cord infarction, preserved motor neuron viability, and decreased the presence of activated microglia and infiltrating neutrophils. Furthermore, it attenuated apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses in the spinal cord, and helped maintain the integrity of the blood–spinal cord barrier. These findings suggest that anti-HMGB1 mAb may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for SCI/R injury. Full article

Burn injuries are among the most difficult skin lesions to manage, as they trigger intense inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which often impair angiogenesis, delay epithelialization, and increase the risk of chronic non-healing wounds. Hydrolates of Satureja montana L. and Origanum vulgare L., rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, offer a promising natural alternative for wound management. This study investigated their effects on local redox and inflammatory status in full-thickness burn wounds. Male rabbits (n = 5 per group) received full-thickness burns and were assigned to control, untreated, conventional treatment (Levomekol liniment, boric acid, and Betadine-soaked gauze dressings), Satureja montana L. hydrolate, and Origanum vulgare L. hydrolate groups. Skin samples were collected on days 3, 7, and 14. ELISA was used to quantify redox (MDA, SOD, GSH) and inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-10) markers. Histochemical (H and E, Masson’s trichrome) and immunohistochemical (CD-45) analyses, plus the Greenhalgh score, were used to assess wound healing. Burn injuries significantly altered the redox status in all treated and untreated groups. The hydrolates reduced MDA and restored SOD/GSH levels, with Satureja montana L. showing the most pronounced effects. Satureja montana L. hydrolate modulated pro- and counter-inflammatory cytokines (decreasing IL-1/TNF-α, upregulating IL-10). An assessment of local cellular immunity showed the most prominent decrease in CD45+ cell counts in groups treated with Satureja montana L. and Origanum vulgare L. hydrolates. This study provides promising evidence that Satureja montana L. and Origanum vulgare L. hydrolates offer promise as topical therapies for burn wounds by modulating ROS production and local inflammatory status and by improving wound healing, with Satureja montana L. hydrolate exhibiting the most pronounced therapeutic effect. Full article

This study aimed to assess how sex and age influence the physicochemical and technological properties of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle in Botucatu rabbits. Ten samples were used from each experimental group (females and males 3 and 12 months old). Color (L*, a*, and b*), pH, water-holding capacity, cooking weight loss, shear force, percentage of collagen (soluble, insoluble, and total), myofibrillar fragmentation index, sarcomere length, cholesterol concentrations, lipid oxidation, and chemical composition were evaluated. Sex influenced (p < 0.05) the chemical composition of the meat; young females presented meat with a higher concentration of lipids and cholesterol than males of the same age; however, the opposite results were obtained with the meat of 12-month-old rabbits. Age also influenced the meat’s characteristics: older rabbits had meat with more intense red and yellow colors and longer sarcomere length. In terms of chemical composition, 12-month-old rabbits had higher protein and lower soluble collagen and mineral matter compared to younger rabbits. Overall, age impacted the physicochemical properties, with older rabbits exhibiting more opaque, reddish meat, higher insoluble collagen, and lower moisture content. In addition, the influence of sex, especially on the chemical composition of meat in rabbits, must be emphasized. Full article

Background: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a rare but serious complication following solid organ transplantation (SOT), particularly in transplants involving organs with a high volume of passenger donor T-lymphocytes. This case highlights the clinical course and diagnostic challenges of GVHD following simultaneous pancreas and pre-emptive kidney transplantation. Methods: A 51-year-old male with long-standing type 1 diabetes mellitus underwent simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation with induction therapy using rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin and methylprednisolone. Three months post-transplant, he presented with a diffuse lichenoid cutaneous eruption. Diagnostic evaluation included an extensive infectious workup, skin punch biopsy, liver and bone marrow biopsies, and microchimerism assay. Results: Skin biopsy revealed interface vacuolar dermatitis consistent with cutaneous GVHD. Subsequent liver and bone marrow biopsies confirmed GVHD involvement, with microchimerism assay showing 43% donor-origin T-cells in the bone marrow. Initial treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids led to temporary improvement. However, the patient developed bone marrow suppression, recurrent bacteremia, and invasive fungal infection, resulting in a prolonged ICU stay and ultimately death. Conclusions: This case underscores the importance of considering SOT-GVHD in patients receiving organs rich in donor lymphocytes, such as pancreas transplants. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are critical to improving outcomes in this rare but life-threatening condition. Full article

Background/Objectives: Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a severe health problem globally, resulting in substantial social and economic challenges. While existing medications for managing OUD are proven to be effective, they also present certain challenges. A vaccine offers a promising therapeutic strategy to combat OUD and potentially reduce the risk of overdose death. The TT-6-AmHap heroin conjugate vaccine has effectively reduced heroin-induced pharmacological effects in behavioral assays as well as demonstrated the induction of high titer and high affinity antibody responses in mice and rats. In this GLP study conducted in rabbits, the potential local and systemic toxicity of the TT-6-AmHap heroin vaccine in combination with or without adjuvants ALF43 and Alhydrogel^® (ALFA) was investigated. Methods: Male and female New Zealand White rabbits were administered with vaccines or a saline control intramuscularly at two-week intervals over a 57-day study period. The presence, persistence or reversibility of any toxic effects of the vaccine was determined over a four-week recovery period. Results: Administration of TT-6-AmHap with or without the adjuvants induced high antibody-specific IgG in treatment groups compared to the controls. The study found no TT-6-AmHap-related effects on mortality, physical examinations, dermal Draize observations, body weights, body weight changes, food consumption, ophthalmology, clinical pathology (hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis), macroscopic pathology, or organ weights. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, these results demonstrate that the TT-6-AmHap vaccine with or without adjuvants was well tolerated, immunogenic, and the effects were not considered adverse in both male and female rabbits. Full article

Background: Adrenal glands are situated cranially and in close proximity to both kidneys. The rabbit is a preferred animal pet species and is also used as an experimental model in research. The aim of this study was to investigate the CT anatomical features of the rabbit adrenal glands, using the CT device SOMATOM. Methods: Ten sexually mature clinically healthy rabbits, with body weights from 2.5 to 3.0 kg were used. They were separated into two groups—five males and five females. CT algorithm: Transverse, sagittal, and dorsal CT studies were performed. The animals were positioned in supine recumbency. They were anesthetized with 15 mg/kg Zoletil^® 50. Helical CT was carried out. The body was scanned from the intrathoracic part of the abdominal cavity to the pelvic inlet. CCD, DVD, and MLD dimensions were measured. Results: Transverse CT scans at the Th12 and L1 level visualized the topography of the right and left adrenal glands. Sagittal CT scans of Regio abdominis, 10 mm to the right and to the left of the median plane, showed the right and left adrenal glands as findings with intermediate attenuation. The dorsal CT investigation of Regio abdominis 30 mm and 45 mm ventral to the spine demonstrated both glands in the vicinity of abdominal organs and large blood vessels. CCD of the right adrenal gland was 6.9 ± 0.5 mm, DVD of the same gland was 5.7 ± 0.7 mm, and MLD was—3.9 ± 0.3 mm. CCD of the left adrenal gland was 5.4 ± 0.6 mm, DVD was—4.0 ± 1.1 mm, and MLD was—4.1 ± 0.9 mm. Conclusions: CCD and DVD of the right adrenal gland were greater than the same parameters of the left gland. MLD of the right adrenal gland was lower than the same parameter measured for the left one. Full article

Goji berries (Lycium barbarum), rich in antioxidant and immunomodulatory compounds, have shown potential benefits for male reproductive health. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary Goji berry (GB) supplementation on immune-related and antioxidant gene expression in the male reproductive tract of rabbits. Eighteen 7-month-old New Zealand White rabbit bucks were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (n = 9) receiving a standard diet, and a Goji group (n = 9) receiving the same diet supplemented with 1% GB. After 60 days of nutritional adaptation and then 60 days of treatment, tissues from the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands were collected and analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. Gene expression analysis focused on immune markers (TLR4, IL-1β, IL-10, and TNFα) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, CAT, and GPX). Significant modulation was observed only in the epididymis, where TLR4 and GPX were significantly downregulated in the Goji group (p = 0.0274 and p = 0.007, respectively), while IL-1β and TNFα showed a downward trend. No significant differences were found in the other tissues. These results suggest that Goji berry supplementation exerts tissue-specific effects, particularly in the epididymis, by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress. This supports its potential use as a natural nutraceutical strategy to enhance male fertility in rabbits. Full article

This study was conducted on New Zealand White male and female rabbits over a period of 133 days to ascertain their potential growth rates, body composition for major body parts, and chemical makeup. A total of 220 New Zealand White rabbits, evenly distributed between males and females, were used for this study. One hundred rabbits for potential growth were weighed from day 14 to day 140, while twelve rabbits, six males and six females, were randomly selected at days 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, 70, 84, 112, and 140 for carcass analysis. Although the rate of maturation was faster in females than in males, the Gompertz equation fitted separately to the growth data for males and females indicated that the body weights were similar throughout the trial (0.0243 vs. 0.0239), but males had a higher mature weight (315 g) than the females (309 g). Mature body protein weights averaged 1497 g in males and 843 g in females, and mature body lipid contents averaged 252 and 227 g, respectively. The rate of maturation per day of pelt-free body protein of males and females was 0.0103 and 0.0172, while that of body lipids was 0.0410 and 0.0471, respectively. Separate equations were required for males and females to describe the allometric relationship between protein and lipids in the pelt-free body. The rate of maturation of pelts in females was higher than in males (0.0249 vs. 0.0214/d), and the mature weight was lower (456 vs. 523 g, respectively). Full article