Bodyweight, locomotion, and behavioral responses of the naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) to lipopolysaccharide administration.

The naked mole rat has unique biologic characteristics that include atypical inflammatory responses. Lipopolysaccharide induces inflammation which triggers brain centers controlling feeding, and behavior to result in "sick animal behavior". We characterized the bodyweight, locomotor, and other behavioral responses of this rodent to lipopolysaccharide administration.

Imiquimod does not elicit inflammatory responses in the skin of the naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber).

Objective: Naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) has recently attracted interest in biomedical research due to its exceptional longevity, cancer resistance and tolerance to potentially harmful conditions or stimuli. Given its unique attributes, this study was designed to characterize inflammatory skin reactions of this animal to topical application of imiquimod, a toll-like receptor 7 and 8 agonist that triggers psoriasis-like skin reaction.

Results: Imiquimod did not cause the expected psoriasis-like skin changes.