Under the patronage of the esteemed Dean of the College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, the Department of Pharmacology, as part of the Continuing Education Unit's activities, held an in-person workshop titled:

"Different Techniques for Blood Sampling from Laboratory Animals"

The workshop was presented by Assistant Professor Dr. Farah Rasoul Jaafar, a faculty member of the Department of Pharmacology, from December 24, 2024, to December 26, 2024. The workshop covered the topic of blood sampling techniques from laboratory animals, which is of critical importance in biomedical research. Given the continuous need for medical research, we rely heavily on animal experiments in the hope of making new scientific advancements. Different models of laboratory animals are used, as these experiments are often conducted in the fields of biomedical research and education.

The importance of this topic lies in the fact that various techniques for collecting blood samples from laboratory animals are vital in scientific experiments. Biomedical researchers use these techniques to evaluate therapeutic responses, validate models, and study physiological functions. Additionally, they aim to develop new industrial techniques in pharmaceutical development, ensuring accurate results. These techniques also have practical applications for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Current research focusing on improving blood collection techniques from laboratory animals spans several key areas:

1. Non-surgical techniques: Research is being conducted to develop non-invasive blood collection techniques, such as using infrared or ultrasound methods to locate blood vessels, thus reducing the need for repeated punctures.

2. Advanced tools: New tools are being developed, such as micro-needles or automated blood collection devices, aimed at minimizing pain and stress on the animals and increasing the efficiency of the process.

3. Improved anesthesia protocols: Research focuses on refining anesthesia and analgesia protocols to make the blood collection process less stressful for animals while ensuring high-quality blood samples.

4. Biometric techniques: Techniques like behavioral analysis or measuring vital signs are used to assess the level of stress or pain during blood collection, helping to improve working methods and reduce the negative impact on animals.

5. Ethics and guidelines: Research is also exploring the development of new ethical standards and guidelines for blood collection from laboratory animals, with the goal of enhancing animal welfare and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards in scientific research.

General objective of the workshop:

To understand the latest techniques used in blood sampling.

Specific objectives of the workshop:

The aim is to familiarize participants with different techniques for collecting blood samples from laboratory animals in scientific experiments. Biomedical researchers use these techniques to assess therapeutic outcomes, validate models, and understand how the body works. These techniques also help in developing new industrial processes in drug manufacturing, ensuring accurate results, and have applications in the practical training of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

By the end of the program, participants are expected to be able to:

1. Understand blood sampling methods.

2. Select the appropriate method based on the experiment.

3. Know the appropriate amount of blood to be drawn for research, using the suitable model of laboratory animals.
   

On Thursday, November 28, 2024, the PhD candidate Asmaa Abdulwahab Ahmed from the Pharmacology Department at Al-Nahrain College of Medicine successfully defended her dissertation entitled:

Effect of Valsartan, Crude Extract, and Flavonoid Fraction of Echinops mosulensis on Induced Parkinson’s Disease Model in Mice

Background:

Parkinson's disease is the second most common chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. Classical anti-Parkinson’s drugs primarily aim to compensate for the diminishing dopamine levels; however, the use of these drugs is still associated with a wide range of clinical issues, which has created an urgent need to incorporate various drugs targeting other pathological events accompanying neurodegeneration, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Therefore, drugs proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or anti-apoptotic effects are believed to be potentially effective against Parkinson's disease and deserve further study. Valsartan directly inhibits the effects of angiotensin II on the AT1 receptor and is widely used today due to its neuroprotective properties. Meanwhile, Echinops mosulensis, belonging to the genus Echinops in the Asteraceae family, contains a wide range of chemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, fats, terpenoids, steroids, and polyacetylenes. Among the various secondary metabolites, phenolic compounds have multiple beneficial effects on humans, including the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Both compounds possess neuroprotective properties, and the current study investigates their effects against Parkinson's disease.

Objectives:

To investigate the effectiveness of Valsartan, crude extract, and flavonoid fraction of Echinops mosulensis in combating Parkinson's disease in an MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease model in male albino mice.

Results:

The current study revealed that, compared to the normal control group, the Parkinson's disease model showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, caspase-3, and cytochrome-c, while dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase levels were significantly reduced, along with a notable increase in alpha-synuclein levels. Additionally, significant changes were observed in neurobehavioral tests, characterized by a substantial decrease in the distance traveled in the open field test and a significant increase in rigidity and pole tests. Regarding histopathological examination of the brain, there were severe signs of vacuolated spaces, neuronal loss, pyknotic nuclei, and the presence of Lewy bodies. The groups treated with Valsartan, crude extract, and flavonoid fraction of Echinops mosulensis alongside Parkinson’s induction showed a marked improvement in the measured parameters and histopathological features compared to the induced models, with the crude extract of Echinops mosulensis yielding better results compared to both Valsartan and the flavonoid fraction of Echinops mosulensis.

Examination Committee:

• Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saleh Sahib (Chair)

• Prof. Dr. Ban Jumaa Qasim (Member)

• Prof. Dr. Enas Jawad Kadhim (Member)

• Prof. Dr. Haider Baha Sahib (Member)

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Fouad Kadhim Kadhim (Member)

• Prof. Dr. Haitham Mahmoud Kadhim (Member and Supervisor)

The dissertation was successfully accepted with distinction.