At Aptuit we pride ourselves on maintaining cutting edge technologies and protocols for in vivo preclinical studies.
Our In Vivo Pharmacology Services include:
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
We design and perform cardiovascular studies tailored to individual clients’ needs, whether this is for safety assessment or efficacy on the cardiovascular system. We have the capabilities and experience to measure many variables in such studies, ranging from the standard parameters (e.g. arterial and venous pressures and electrocardiograms (ECGs)), as well as more challenging measurement of cardiac wall dimensions and coronary flows.
Telemetry Studies
To help you meet ICH S7A guidelines, the effects of compounds can be explored in large animal studies using chronically implanted telemetry devices. Cardiovascular parameters measured include:
- Arterial blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Lead II ECG (RR, PR, QT, QTc intervals and QRS duration)
In addition to standard corrected QT intervals, a correction of the QT interval that is specific to each individual subject is derived on a study-by-study basis (QTcQ Interval) to improve the detection of any potential QT interval effect. For the early development of compounds, the effects on arterial blood pressure and heart rate can be explored in small animals using chronically implanted telemetry devices.
Anaesthetized Studies
We can perform anaesthetized studies to measure the effects of compounds on basic cardiovascular parameters including:
- Arterial blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Lead II ECG (RR, PR, QT, QTc intervals and QRS duration)
- Left ventricular parameters
Respiratory parameters may also be measured:
- Respiration rate
- Tidal volume
- Inspiratory and expiratory flow and time
- Arterial blood gases
Additional measurements may also be made in large animals:
- Femoral, carotid, coronary, renal, and aortic blood flow
- QT interval during cardiac pacing
- Effective refractory period
- Intra-atrial, intra-ventricular, and atrio-ventricular conduction times
For the early screening of compounds, the effects on arterial blood pressure and heart rate, as well as lead II ECG can also be explored. Simultaneous recordings of epicardial monophasic action potential can be made. Compounds may also be screened for proarrhythmic effects.
Respiratory Pharmacology
The assessment of drugs on the respiratory system can be divided into two categories:
- The effects of drugs on ventilatory parameters (respiratory rate, tidal volume)
Measurement of ventilatory parameters can provide an assessment of the effects of compounds on the general respiratory function of conscious animals .
- The effects of drugs on lung mechanics (resistance, compliance)
Measurement of lung mechanics in anaesthetized animals provides an assessment of the efficacy of compounds on obstructive or restrictive disorders.
Anaesthetized Studies - Measurement of Respiratory Function
We can measure respiratory function in anaesthetized animals as a follow-up to the core battery of safety pharmacology studies determined by
ICH guideline S7A. We also perform anaesthetized studies to provide a more in-depth assessment of the effects of compounds on respiratory function.
Behavioral Pharmacology
We offer the following studies to examine the effect of compounds on the central nervous system:
- Modified Irwin - The procedure, based on that described by Irwin (1968), is a systematic observational method for comprehensively assessing and quantifying the behavioral and physiological state of the rat or mouse and its response to treatment. With this method, we can identify various classes of pharmacological agents.
- Functional Observational Battery (FOB) - This procedure based on that described by Moser (1989), is a neurobehavioral battery of tests designed to evaluate compound effects on neuromuscular, sensorimotor, CNS, and autonomic functions in animal subjects.
Our parameter measurements include:
- Behavioral observations
- Home cage and open field activity
- Reflexive, physiologic and neuromuscular function tests