Pain Modelling Platform

Naason Science approaches the nonclinical modelling of pain with a combination of classical pain models but also includes end-points that can point toward efficacy studies in the burden of differing types of pain on body systems. Therefore, along with these classical models we also include the ability to examine signs of anxiety and depression in various pain models along with the pain associated with cancers, endometriosis and diseases such as MS and PD.

Naason Neuropathic and Local Pain Models and Areas of Expertise:

Pain associated with endometriosis
Fibromyalgia
Migraine
SC Ligation models for pain (Chung and CCI)
Visceral pain (Cpl & CPA induced pain)
Post operative pain
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Stroke-induced Neuropathic Pain

Endometriosis Modelling platform

Endometriosis Model in Mice

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Patients experience chronic pelvic pain and infertility, with the most likely origin of the tissue deposits (lesions) being endometrial fragments shed at menses. Menstruation is an inflammatory process associated with a dramatic increase in inflammatory mediators and tissue-resident immune cells. The first reported murine model of endometriosis induced lesions by surgical engraftment. This model involves the placement, by suture or adhesion, of uterine tissue into the peritoneal cavity of the same or a recipient mouse. A novel mouse model of Endometriosis is developed that uses syngeneic mouse menstrual donor tissue introduced into the peritoneum of immunocompetent recipient mice.

Study paradigms for examining endometriosis in mice require precision and practice. In general, Naason Science has a 90% success rate in the creation of vascularized endometriomas as well as endometrial tissue. The methodology involves hormonal priming and decidualization in the donor mice and then the correct methodology to introduce donor tissue.

The model can be used to examine treatments and therapies aimed at reduction of the size and number of endometriomas
the composition of endometriomas and endometrial tissue
inflammatory markers abdominal and peripheral pain responses
anxiety/depression and other discrete behaviours in home-cage, group housed conditions
various molecular markers of inflammation and cytokine response

Endometriosis Model in Rats

Naason Science autograft model of endometriosis has an 80 % rate of success in the implantation of autografts from donors to study groups and is confirmed by observation of stromal cells and epithelial cells in donors. The model can be used as a biochemical and histopathological model and also exhibits ongoing pain as well as anxiety and depression.

Intrastudy and study endpoint readouts from the model are:

Inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, IL1-Beta, Total antioxidant activity of test article (TAC)) etc.
Continual core temperature in group housed rats
Social distancing in the home cage
Home cage locomotor activity in group housed conditions
Animal postural changes
Home cage rearing
Ultrasonic vocalization (USV)
Mechanical allodynia (von Frey) – including bladder
Histopathlogical scoring (including mean volumes of inplants)
Raloxifene as a control to gauge pelvic pain from endometriosis
Plasma haematology and PCR

Reserpine-induced Fibromyalgia

Our Reserpine-induced Fibromyalgia model is designed to simulate chronic pain and associated symptoms found in fibromyalgia patients, providing an essential tool for evaluating potential therapeutic agents.

Fibromyalgia, characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties, remains a challenging condition to treat due to its multifaceted pathophysiology. The Reserpine-induced model uses subcutaneous injections of reserpine in SD rats over a 6-week period, effectively replicating key features of fibromyalgia, such as hyperalgesia and altered pain responses. This is assessed using validated methodologies including Von Frey and hot plate tests to measure nociceptive thresholds and pain sensitivity.

This model supports comprehensive preclinical evaluations, enabling a deeper exploration of novel compounds and their effects on fibromyalgia symptoms. Through the integration of behavioral and physiological assessments, Naason Science continues to support drug development with rigorous and predictive preclinical research.

Migraine Model in rats

Naason Science offers a validated preclinical migraine model in rats, ideal for evaluating the efficacy of new compounds in managing migraine pain. Utilizing the Von Frey test, this model assesses pain thresholds and behavioral changes in response to induced migraine conditions, with options for treatment groups such as Sumatriptan. The model provides reliable insights into compound performance, using advanced metrics like total movement, speed, and isolation behaviors, supported by comprehensive statistical analyses.

Cisplatin-induced NP model in rats

Most people who complete a full course of cisplatin chemotherapy develop sensory neuropathy, resulting in nerve damage that affects sensation. Common symptoms include tingling in the extremities and numbness, significantly impacting quality of life. Cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a frequent, dose-dependent adverse effect that can limit chemotherapy dosage due to its severity. This condition is linked to platinum accumulation in the sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG).

Naason Science’s rat model for CIPN effectively replicates this condition, providing a robust platform for studying its underlying mechanisms and evaluating potential therapies. The model assesses key neuropathic pain markers, including mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, to offer comprehensive insights into analgesic efficacy. By leveraging this model, researchers can explore therapeutic strategies to mitigate CIPN, ultimately supporting better tolerability and improved patient quality of life during chemotherapy.

CCI-induced NP model in rats

The chronic constriction injury (CCI) model is a widely used partial nerve injury model in rodents, produced by carefully tying ligatures around a nerve to create a mild, incomplete constriction. This method induces a neuropathic pain state, leading to behavioral signs of hyperalgesia (heightened sensitivity to pain) and allodynia (pain from normally non-painful stimuli), making it ideal for studying neuropathic pain mechanisms and potential treatments.

In addition to mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity, the model is known for inducing ongoing pain symptoms and changes in limb temperature, providing a comprehensive view of neuropathic pain responses. Partial sciatic nerve ligation (pSNL), a related technique, enhances the model’s versatility, allowing researchers to explore the effects of chronic neuropathic pain and its underlying physiological changes.

Naason Science’s CCI model in rats is a valuable preclinical tool, enabling reliable evaluation of analgesic efficacy and neuropathic pain pathways. It supports the development of new treatments aimed at improving quality of life for patients with chronic pain conditions by providing detailed assessments of behavioral and physiological responses in a controlled setting.

CHUNG-induced NP model in rats

The Spinal Nerve Ligation (SNL), or Chung model, is a well-established model for studying chronic neuropathic pain and assessing the efficacy of potential analgesic compounds. This model replicates key features of peripheral neuropathic pain by surgically ligating the L5 and L6 spinal nerves, which induces pain behaviors similar to those observed in chronic neuropathic pain conditions.

This model effectively produces sustained allodynia and hyperalgesia, allowing researchers to evaluate both the onset and maintenance of pain responses. As a tool for preclinical pharmacotherapy research, the Chung model enables reliable testing of experimental compounds with analgesic properties and provides insights into their effects on chronic pain mechanisms.

Naason Science’s application of the Chung model in rats supports detailed investigation into neuropathic pain pathways and the development of targeted therapies. By offering a controlled, reproducible model, we assist in advancing therapeutic strategies to improve quality of life for individuals suffering from chronic pain disorders.

Visceral pain model (Cyclophosphamide-induced) in rats

Rats and mice are the most commonly used animal models used to assess colonic physiology, pathophysiology, and new treatment approaches for visceral pain. This visceral pain pathway is viscerotopically organized into two distinct ascending bundles traveling on either side of the fasciculus gracilis with the visceral afferent information received in the thoracic or the lumbosacral level of the spinal cord, respectively.

Many studies have been performed on cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced hemorrhagic cystitis to assess the protective action of different treatments CP is an antitumoral agent known to produce frequent toxic effects on the bladder wall of treated patients, resulting in hemorrhagic cystitis through its main toxic metabolite.

EthoVision XT is the most widely applied video tracking software that tracks and analyzes the behavior, movement, and activity of any animal. Free Trial What's new. A cost-effective solution for all standard behavioral tests such as the Morris water maze and open field testing.

Oxaliplatin-induced NP model in rats

OXL induces two types of peripheral neuropathy; acute and chronic. The acute oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXLIPN) may be linked to the rapid chelation of calcium by OXL-induced oxalate and OXL is capable of altering the voltage-gated sodium channels through a pathway involving calcium ions.

In 70% of cases, prolonged exposure to oxaliplatin induces a severe chronic peripheral neuropathy. Some of the chemotherapy and other drugs used to treat cancer can damage peripheral nerves. When this happens it is called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This can be a disabling side effect of cancer treatment.

Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) occur at frequencies ranging from approximately 20–100 kHz. They are emitted by animals such as bats and rodents, and have been extensively studied in rats and mice. As opposed to sonic vocalizations, ultrasonic vocalizations cannot be detected by the human ear. Young and adult rats emit the so-called 22-kHz USVs in response to a wide series of stimuli they perceive as threatening; therefore 22-kHz USVs are often referred to as “alarm calls”. These vocalizations are characterized by a relatively constant frequency and a long duration (up to seconds).