[Total parenteral nutrition in rats].
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is difficult in rats because of their activity and aggressivity. On the other hand, this animal is an ideal experimental subject because it is easy to handle, resistant to infections, it has a short vital cycle and is very cheap. Long-term TPN can be simulated in rats after only relatively short periods of infusion. We report herein the results on TPN in rats obtained in our laboratory. Male Wistar rats (n = 86) weighing 170-225 g had a central line inserted under general anesthesia and received 330 mL/kg/day of fluids. They were divided into an Experimental Group (n = 70) that had a solution containing carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (310 Kcal/kg/day) and a Control Group (n = 16) receiving only saline and having free access to rat pellets. Total infusion time was 582.9 days. Twenty-five percent of the rats were withdrawn because of technical problems, 7% because of infection, 46% died and only 22% survived until the end of the experimental period. All animals gained weight. Those in the Experimental Group had significantly higher total protein and Chloride whereas those in the Control Group had higher leukocytes, BUN, liver weight, large bowel length and spleen relative weight. This TPN rat model is suitable for metabolic studies in the laboratory and should be further developed.
Aldazabal
P
P
Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Materno-Infantil Nuestra Sra. de Aránzazu, San Sebastián.
Eizaguirre
I
I
Tovar
J A
JA
López de Torre
B
B
Uriarte
S
S
Mozo
C
C
D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar