[Animal modeling] - Effects of long-term external or systematic application of glucocorticoid on the metabolic level and organs of mice

  Objective To observe the effects of long-term external or systematic use of glucocorticoid (GC) on the metabolic level and organs of normal mice.

  Methods 60 male KM mice of clean grade, weighing 32~35g, were randomly divided into four groups: the normal control group (1 g/d for each external urea ointment), the 0.5% halometasone external group (1 g/d for each external halometasone cream), the prednisone intragastric group (6 mg/(kg · d) for each oral prednisone), and the dexamethasone subcutaneous group (0.9 mg/(kg · d) for each oral prednisone). After continuous administration for 6 months, observe the effects on body weight, blood glucose, mean arterial pressure and other metabolic levels of mice, as well as the pathological changes of heart, liver and other organs.

  Results The metabolic level of mice treated with GC for a long time changed significantly, mainly including accelerated weight growth, increased mean arterial pressure, abnormal fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance, among which the most significant change was in the prednisone group. In terms of organ damage, the systematic application of GC caused more obvious organ damage in mice, resulting in severe fatty infiltration of liver tissue, inflammatory reaction, lobular structure damage, etc. The most serious organ damage was in the subcutaneous injection group of dexamethasone. The long-term external use of 0.05% halometasone cream group and the control group had no significant effect on the weight, mean arterial pressure, fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance of mice, and had no significant damage to the organs of mice.

  Conclusion Long term external use of halometasone cream has less side effects and higher safety than systematic use of prednisone and dexamethasone on metabolic level and organ damage in mice, providing clues and basis for further guiding clinical rational use of GC to treat patients.