Lab Anim Res.  2014 Sep;30(3):136-141. 10.5625/lar.2014.30.3.136.

Experimental model of tympanic colic (acute abdomen) in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)

• Martinez-Pereira MA
• Franceschi RdC
• Coelho BP
• Funkler GD
• Zancan DM

• KMID: 2312125
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5625/lar.2014.30.3.136

Abstract

Digestive disorders caused by sudden changes in diet or inappropriate diet are among the most common disorders of the digestive system. Cecal or intestinal tympany, one consequence of inappropriate diet, is characterized by the accumulation of gases, marked distension of the cecum and colon and the induction of inflammatory processes. To know the effects of intestinal tympany on the enteric plexuses, we developed a method of experimental tympanic colic (TC) in the Chinchilla lanigera. This species was used in view of its susceptibility to TC. TC was induced with a diet rich in alfalfa associated with grain overload for two weeks. Physical and clinical examination including the von Frey test confirmed the diagnosis. The chinchillas with acute abdomen were treated with 1% ketoprofen and resumption of a balanced diet. Necropsy and histopathological analysis showed tympany-induced alterations mainly in the cecum and colon. After treatment, the control conditions were restored. The TC protocol is proposed as an experimental approach designed to aid the study of the effects of acute intestinal inflammation and obstruction caused by an inappropriate diet.

Keyword

Intestinal tympany; acute abdomen; bowel inflammation; Chinchilla lanigera

MeSH Terms

Abdomen, Acute
Cecum
Edible Grain
Chinchilla*
Colic*
Colon
Diagnosis
Diet
Digestive System
Gases
Inflammation
Ketoprofen
Medicago sativa
Models, Theoretical*
Gases
Ketoprofen

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Time line of the experimental procedures. D0-D4: The acclimation period and first clinical examination. D4-D18: the tympanic colic period lasted from D4 to D18 and was divided in two shorter periods: disease induction (D4-D11) and disease maintenance (D11 to D18). The animals were examined and the mechanic hyper-sensitization was analyzed (von Frey test, D11 and D18). D18-D23: the recuperation period was divided in shorter periods: drug treatment (D18-D23: one daily injection of 1% Ketofen (2 mg/kg, IM) and post-treatment (D23-D38). On D23 and D38 the animals were examined and submitted to the von Frey test.

• 

  Figure 2 Response of abdominal sensitivity and foot withdrawal frequencies to a mechanical force transducer (von Frey test) in C. lanigera. In each animal, the mean force required, in milli-Newtons (mN), to evoke a response was calculated based on three measurements successively. The von Frey test was conducted on D11, D18, D23 and D38. Data presented as means±standard error (n=5/group). Repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferroni test were applied. Asterisk indicates P<0.05, when the tympanic and recovery groups are compared with the control group.

• 

  Figure 3 Ventral view of the abdominal cavity in necropsy observations (A-D) and histopathological alterations (E-G) occasioned by the experimental tympanic colic protocol in C. lanigera. A. Control animal. B. The tympanic animal presented an increase in volume in the cecum, inter-cecal and ascending colon segments. The abdominal viscera were displaced due to the increased volume of the cecum. C. In the recovery animal, after the drug treatment, the cecum volume returned to that observed in the control animals. D. Ischemic focuses and infarct in the mesenteric blood vessels (arrowheads) were observed in the tympanic animal, when compared with the control (A) and recovery (C) animals. E. Saccular cecum wall showed integrity in a control animal. F. Saccular cecum in the tympanic animal showed multiple macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes occupy the epithelial layer, and the lymphatic nodule extends to the lamina propria (right side). G. Tubular cecum showed an increase of inflammatory cells observed between the crypt and the lamina propria. Note the disruption of the muscularis mucosa. Hematoxylin and eosin stain (E-G). Are indicated: liver (l), stomach (s), duodenum (d), jejunum (j), saccular portion (sp) and tubular portion (t) of the cecum, ascending colon (aC), descending colon (dC), transverse colon (tC) and mesentery (m) and lymphatic nodule (ln). Bar: 2 cm (A-D) and 100 µm (E-G).

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