Application of NAA in whole blood of dystrophin-deficient MDX mouse

Abstract

Small-sized animals are currently used on investigations for new medicines, vaccines or antibiotics before being tested in human. In this study the semi-parametric Neutron Activation Analysis [NAA] technique was used to determine simultaneously the whole blood concentrations of elements that are important for clinical analysis in the Dmd mdx [Duchenne muscular dystrophy] mouse strain. The relevancy of this study is that blood represents the most important biological referential of circulatory system condition and alterations in its ion concentration represents an important tool for medical investigation. It permits also to check the similarities between this mouse strain and the human whole blood estimation values. Blood samples were collected by the retro—orbital venous plexus from eleven adult mice and the individual biological samples [100µ1 whole blood spread in a filter paper] were sealed into individual polyethylene bag, together with the Au detectors used for the measurement of the flux distribution, and irradiated in the nuclear reactor (IEA-R1, 2-4MW, poop type). The activated materials are gamma-counted using an HPGe spectrometer and the concentration obtained by using in-house software. According to these results, Br and K levels of this isogenic mouse are altered in relation to human reference values. This procedure is an efficient alternative to perform synchronized and quantitative analysis of several blood elements.