A simple experimental model of heat shock response in rats

Meyer, Tufi NederSilva, Alcino Lázaro da

Objective: To obtain a simple model for the elicitation of the heat shock response in rats. Design: Laboratory study. Setting: University research laboratories. Sample: Seventy-nine adult male albino rats (weight range 200g to 570g). Procedures: Exposure to heat stress by heating animals in a warm bath for 5 min after their rectal temperatures reached 107.60 F (42 degrees Celsius). Liver and lung samples were collected for heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) detection (Western analysis). Results: Western analysis was positive for HSP70 in the liver and in the lungs of heated animals. There was a temporal correlation between heating and HSP70 detection: it was strongest one day after heating and reduced afterwards. No heated animals died. Conclusion: These data show that heating rats in a warm (45 degrees Celsius) bath, according to parameters set in this model, elicits efficiently the heat shock response.