Meeting Abstract
P2.19 Friday, Jan. 4 Effect of Weight-Restriction on Anesthetized Rat Skin Histology and Colonic Temperature SCUDDER, J*; PULLIAM, D; BLYSTONE, R; TOVAR, I; Trinity University; Trinity University; Trinity University; Trinity University rblyston@trinity.edu
Our millimeter wave (MMW) exposure research with weight-restricted rats of the same mass as non-weight-restricted rats demonstrated different skin histology. The research protocol required that animals of equivalent mass (between 350 and 400g) be exposed to 35 and 94 gigahertz MMW. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were ordered in batches from Charles Rivers Labs with about half used before they reached 400g and the remainder weight-restricted to stay under 400g before use. Hair follicle adipose deposition patterns as well as adipose about the paniculus carnosus muscle appeared different in the two groups. This observation led us to ask: was our research protocol involving heat movement in the skin compromised by weight-restricting the animals? Juvenile male rats were divided into three groups: Group A (n=5), those that would never be weight-restricted and skin tissue taken at 450g; Group B (n=5), those that would be allowed to reach 400g and weight-restricted back to 350g; and Group C (n=3), rats that were never weight-restricted but were below 375g at sacrifice. Skin histology revealed differences in adipocyte surface area percentages between respective skin tissue samples: A=20.3%; B=5.8%; and C=14.4%. A t-test between A&B and B&C indicated a significant difference in adipocyte number (alpha = 0.01). The colonic temperature change in degree Celsius in anesthetized group A and B rats was 0.302 and -0.906, respectively, which is significant (alpha = 0.01). These data suggest there may be a correlation between adipocyte quantity, anesthesia hypothermia, and weight-restriction. Previously collected MMW exposure data should be reevaluated in terms of possible weight-restriction effects. (Supported by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research.)
