Animal Model Pharmacology

Protected Health Information of the research subjects will be used initially to identify the medical records and echocardiographic studies. Apart of medical record numbers, no other identified data or protected health information will be collected or stored. Some of the investigators will collect echocardiography data and others will collect demographic and clinical data. Therefore, medical records number is needed to accurately combined all data. In addition, medical records numbers are needed to re-verify the accuracy of the collected data if needed. All collected data will be stored on password protected computer on the Rush REDCap website. Only the investigators will have access to the collected data. The patient information will

They sort the lambs into two groups by the birth weight and also measured the heart phenotype. Two mainly experimental methods were applied on

* Origin of Drug: Dutch word droog meaning dry for dried herbs and plants that were the 1st medicine.

- Lilly et al, Pathophysiology of Heart Disease, 5th Ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011.

Sus scrofa, or the domestic pig is a member of the class Mammalia and the order Artiodactyla. Since we as humans are also a member of class Mammalia, we have a good deal in common biologically with pigs, although we might not like to think so. Since we have a good deal in common, it is very helpful for us to study these animals both anatomically and physiologically. We do this when we test medicines on pigs, perfect surgical procedures on pigs, and even when we used to use pig valves for replacements in human hearts. Thus the pig is a first-rate example of a mammal and the purpose of this lab is to recognize the specific similarities between the pig and ourselves as humans. To accomplish this we

At the cellular and tissue levels, the model can duplicate the heart's responses to changes in the levels and flow of calcium, sodium, and potassium. In addition, it can take into consideration the pace at which the ion channels - which take in those ions -

Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz is a cardiologist at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center that has been invited to the Los Angeles Zoo multiple times to assist veterinarians in ruling out cardiac related disorders on their animal residents. After assisting these animals she realized that she had treated these same disorders in her human patients. She began wondering why she had never consulted veterinary medicine to treat her patients when veterinarians consulted human medicine to treat their animal patients. Many newly discovered disorders in humans have already been discovered in animals before. She believes the advances in veterinary medicine can be applied to treating disorders in humans. More physicians should attend and consult veterinary

Initially, the overall notion of using animal models for human health problems was contrived in response to concerns about infectious diseases. The basic presumption was that if these animals were used empirically, became afflicted with an infection and were cured, there was a feasible theory of stopping the same disease in humans. Animals were originally thought, to be valid models of human health concerns. The animal’s disease however, must have the same biological components, symptoms, and responses to the treatments that are similar to human counterparts. Failure to meet one

The Helsinki declaration was founded in 1964 and since here they have been updating principles of good practice in this kinds of experiments. They say, “Welfare of animals used for research must be respected”. Since here the ethical views for non-humans subjects started. Later on the APA gave instructions to determine whether an experiments on animals is acceptable or not. For example animal research should not harm the animal or distress it on any way. If the researchers don’t follow this code, they wont be allowed to keep on with the experiment.

The class I anti- arrhythmogenic drugs, which include subclasses Ia (disopyramide), Ib (lignocaine/lidocaine), and Ic (flecainide/encainide) were tested in ischemic pig models to determine efficacy (Aupetit, Loufoua-Moundanga, Facuon, and Timour, 1997). This was quantified by measuring changes in the electrical fibrillation threshold (EFT) after the addition of the individual drugs during increasing periods of ischemia. The results showed an increase in incidence of spontaneous ventricular fibrillation after each drug treatment when in the ischemic environment. Another result was a decrease in the duration of monophasic action potentials (MAP) after the drug treatment. Because this time became shorter, the critical level for triggering fibrillation was reached sooner (Aupetit, et al., 1997). Lastly, the impaired intraventricular conduction, a direct result of the ischemia, was worsened by the depressant effects of the anti-arrhythmic drugs. Though these drugs do have anti-arrhythmic properties, adding them to the environment of heart failure results in decreased efficacy (Aupetit, et al.,

In this experiment, the external and internal structures of a sheep’s heart was examined and identified by dissection. To determine the functionality of a human heart since they are both mammals.

In researching human disease, model organisms allow for better understanding the disease process without the added risk of harming an actual human. The species chosen will usually meet a determined taxonomic equivalency to humans, so as to react to disease or its treatment in a way that resembles human physiology as needed. Although biological activity in a model organism does not ensure an effect in humans, many drugs, treatments and cures for human diseases are developed in part with the guidance of animal models. There are three main types of disease models: homologous, isomorphic and predictive. Homologous animals have the same causes, symptoms and treatment options as would humans who have the same disease. Isomorphic animals share the same symptoms and treatments. Predictive models are similar

For example a pigs urinary track is very similar to a human’s, a cats throat is similar to that of a child’s and a dogs heart is similar to that of a human’s as well. Currently, artificial bladder transplant in pigs are being preformed and perfected so that bladder failure is no longer life threatening. People with complete bladder failure will someday be able to receive a new artificial bladder and not die as a result of this fatal medical complication. Pediatricians are using cats for practice as to be able to recognize any complications in the throat of children before future problems can occur. Doctors, by giving a dog a controlled heart attack can keep the dog alive but also study what parts of the heart will suffer the most dependent on where the heart attack occurred. This will allow doctors to be able to prevent future complications for heart attack victims.

The goal of drug therapy in veterinary patients is to produce a specific pharmacological response while minimizing adverse effects. A patient’s response to any given therapy is controlled by variety of factors including disease, age, gender, body weight, and other environmental factors. In every population of animals or humans, there is a large amount of variability in the way individuals respond to drug therapy. From a clinical standpoint, this is an important issue that can lead to therapeutic failures or adverse drug reactions (ADRs). By understanding the genetic heritability of traits that influence drug metabolism, clinicians can use this knowledge to individualize treatment protocols and tailor drug and dose selection to individual needs.

Cardiovascular diseases are potentially chronic illnesses that affect many individuals of all ages across the world. Heart disease is a condition that consist of the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels in the human body that leads to myocardial infarctions, chest pain, and even strokes. Concerns about the effects of heart conditions have inspired scientific research to help address the problem. The article, “Heart Therapy” by Gabor Rubanyi examines a different approach that can be used to prevent serious heart problems. The article is based on the premise that people can be at risk of developing blood clots or a thick buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries that can block an individual’s arteries leading to a heart attack and in other severe cases, death. Rubanyi is a physician, and co-founder of Angionetics that intends to use gene therapy to grow new blood vessels in the heart. This paper will provide a summary and critique of the thoughts and ideas posited by Rubanyi.