Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in vivo imaging of a radiotracers in rat.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a highly sensitive, minimally invasive technique which uses radiolabeled substances in low doses for the visualization and observation of biological processes in live organisms (Front. Oncol., 2013, 3, 208). Develoment of a PET requires imaging experiments using small animal PET to observe the behavior of radiolabeled substances in living rats, which will provide us with the necessary information to perform more comprehensive studies in the future.
The present study will involve 40 rats (rattus norvegicus) which will be injected with the radiotracer, scanned on a microPET instrument (Milabs VECTor6 system) with continuous blood sampling and bodily functions will be monitored during the procedure. The study will also give insight into the number of animals required for further experiments, reducing the number of animals needed in the future. The use of radiotracers and PET allows for refinement as the technique is minimally invasive, experiment times are relatively short (a few hours), and the animals are expected to recover normal function after the procedure. The animal will be housed at new animal housing room at DU-035 of KPM to make sure that animals are acclimatize with PET machine environment area. This new animal housing room is equiped with with individually ventilated cages (IVC, Scanbur, types GM900) under standard conditions with a strict 12hrs light/dark cycle under approximately 55% relative humidity at 22 C. All rats will have free access to rodent chow and water. Cages will be enriched with bedding, paper, food sticks, paper or plastic shelters.
The present study will involve 40 rats (rattus norvegicus) which will be injected with the radiotracer, scanned on a microPET instrument (Milabs VECTor6 system) with continuous blood sampling and bodily functions will be monitored during the procedure. The study will also give insight into the number of animals required for further experiments, reducing the number of animals needed in the future. The use of radiotracers and PET allows for refinement as the technique is minimally invasive, experiment times are relatively short (a few hours), and the animals are expected to recover normal function after the procedure. The animal will be housed at new animal housing room at DU-035 of KPM to make sure that animals are acclimatize with PET machine environment area. This new animal housing room is equiped with with individually ventilated cages (IVC, Scanbur, types GM900) under standard conditions with a strict 12hrs light/dark cycle under approximately 55% relative humidity at 22 C. All rats will have free access to rodent chow and water. Cages will be enriched with bedding, paper, food sticks, paper or plastic shelters.