Assessment of fixatives, fixation, and tissue processing on morphology and RNA integrity.

Molecular characterization of morphologic change requires exquisite tissue morphology and RNA preservation; however, traditional fixatives usually result in fragmented RNA. To optimize molecular analyses on fixed tissues, we assessed morphologic and RNA integrity in rat liver when sections were fixed in 70% neutral-buffered formalin, modified Davidson's II, 70% ethanol, UMFIX, modified Carnoy's, modified methacarn, Bouin's, phosphate-buffered saline, or 30% sucrose. Each sample was subjected to standard or microwave fixation and standard or microwave processing, and sections were evaluated microscopically.

Anatomical localization of cartilage degradation markers in a surgically induced rat osteoarthritis model.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by an irreversible loss of articular cartilage. Although surgically induced animal OA models are commonly used in drug efficacy assessment, degradation of type II collagen, an important component of articular cartilage is not routinely evaluated. Here, the medial meniscectomy surgical model (MMT) in Lewis rats was evaluated for proteoglycan loss with toluidine blue staining and collagen degradation with immunohistochemical staining for a collagen cleavage C-neoepitope, using a novel anti-type II collagen neoepitope antigen (TIINE) antibody.

Toxicogenomics of resveratrol in rat liver.

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in grape skin and peanuts has been shown to prevent many diseases including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. To better understand resveratrol's potential in vivo toxicity, we studied the dose response using cDNA stress arrays coupled with drug metabolizing enzymatic (DME) assays to investigate the expression of stress-responsive genes and Phase I and II detoxifying enzymes in rat livers. Male and female CD rats were treated with high doses of resveratrol (0.

Resveratrol-associated renal toxicity.

Resveratrol, (3,5,4'-trihydoxystilbene) a compound found in grapes, mulberries, and peanuts, has antimycotic, antiviral, and beneficial cardiovascular and cancer preventive activities. It is being developed for several clinical indications. To evaluate the potential toxicity of resveratrol, rats were administered by gavage 0, 300, 1000, and 3000 mg trans-resveratrol per kilogram body weight per day for 4 weeks.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of orally administered lycopene in male dogs.

Consumption of lycopene, the predominant carotenoid in tomatoes and tomato products, is associated with reduced prostate cancer risk. The purpose of this study was to measure the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of lycopene after oral administration to male dogs. After single doses of 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) lycopene to 2 dogs/dose, the mean half-life was 36 h and the plasma systemic exposure levels (AUC(0-)( infinity ), area under the curve) after the 30 and 50 mg/kg BW doses were similar.