Development of a Behavioral and Imaging Model of Feeding in Planarians  

作　　者：Robert B. Raffa Christopher S. Tallarida Shan R. Patel Scott M. Rawls Evgeny Krynetskiy 

机构地区：[1]Department of Phar- macology, Temple University School of Medicine and Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. [2]Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.

出　　处：《Pharmacology & Pharmacy》2012年第3期364-367,共4页药理与制药（英文）

摘　　要：Excess weight is a major risk factor for type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other comorbidities. Animal models of feeding provide insight into the problem and provide a means for the discovery and evaluation of pharmacotherapeutic treatment. Mammalian models are the most commonly used, but recently non-mammalian models have been utilized (e.g., C. elegans). Planarians provide an intermediate model. They are the earliest extant animal with a primitive brain-like structure and are a convenient model of mammalian behavioral endpoints and drug-induced effects. The purpose of the present study was to determine if a quantitative measure of presumptive feeding behavior could be visualized using an imaging technique. Colored food pellets were prepared and in some experiments, plasmid-delivered green fluorescent protein was added. Both visible and fluorescence microscopy displayed clear indication of internalization of the red dye and localization to the digestive system. This new methodology establishes a convenient way to study normal physiological feeding behavior as well as modifications induced by drugs or other exogenous substances.Excess weight is a major risk factor for type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other comorbidities. Animal models of feeding provide insight into the problem and provide a means for the discovery and evaluation of pharmacotherapeutic treatment. Mammalian models are the most commonly used, but recently non-mammalian models have been utilized (e.g., C. elegans). Planarians provide an intermediate model. They are the earliest extant animal with a primitive brain-like structure and are a convenient model of mammalian behavioral endpoints and drug-induced effects. The purpose of the present study was to determine if a quantitative measure of presumptive feeding behavior could be visualized using an imaging technique. Colored food pellets were prepared and in some experiments, plasmid-delivered green fluorescent protein was added. Both visible and fluorescence microscopy displayed clear indication of internalization of the red dye and localization to the digestive system. This new methodology establishes a convenient way to study normal physiological feeding behavior as well as modifications induced by drugs or other exogenous substances.

关 键 词：FEEDING IMAGING FLUORESCENCE GFP PLANARIANS 

分 类 号：R73[医药卫生—肿瘤]