Name: Protocol for Long Duration Whole Body Hyperthermia in Mice (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2012-08-25T12:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 8 min 10 s
Description: Learn a standardized protocol for inducing whole body hyperthermia in mice to study fever-like conditions lasting 12-24 hours. This method enables reproducible research on immune responses and physiological mechanisms.

ai_agent_IP

ai_agent

maintenance

instantTrialDurationMinutes

isBiopharma

enableNewMyJoveSectionDesign

educationFeatures

seoMetaApi

ai_copilot_institution_blacklist

ai_chat_institution_blacklist

freeAccessWindow

ssoRoleCapture

scheduledMaintenanceBanner

joveLabsFeatures

disable_autoplay_for_bots

extended_trial_duration

5 minutes

1. Animal Ethics
Before performing the long duration hyperthermia on mice make sure that the procedure has been approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. All the procedures discussed in this paper and shown in the accompanying video were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of the National Institute of Immunology.
2. Understanding Hyperthermia
Whole Body Hyperthermia (WBH) is delivered by placing the animals in prewarmed cages that are placed in incubator maintained at 39.5°C. During the standardization of protocol, a temperature sensor was surgically implanted in the mice and their body temperature was monitored in different experimental conditions. It was observed that upon placing the animals in heated environment, their temperature gradually increased from 37 °C to up to 42 °C over the duration of 100 min (Figure 1). The resulting "spike" in temperature is intriguing as the internal body temperature shot even higher than the external environmental temperature. 
When the body temperature exceeded 40 °C, the animal would show signs of stress and dehydration such as wetting around the snout. Increase the body temperature beyond 40 °C, will lead to wetting and irreversible stress or even death of animals due to heat stress. So it is important to prevent the temperature spikes during the course of hyperthermia. 
This phenomenon of high temperature spikes is associated with the physical hyperactivity of animal during hyperthermia exposure. Similar temperature spikes were observed by other groups too and were associated with the physical hyperactivity of the animal upon being introduced to environment having higher temperatures 10. 
In our protocol, mice are immobilized during the hyperthermia exposure. As shown in Figure 2, immobilization of animal prevents the temperature spikes.
We have used 8-12 weeks old BALB/Cj mice for demonstrating this protocol. The protocol is not restricted to a particular type/strain of the mice.
3. Preparing for the Experiment
3.1 Incubator
This experiment can be performed in a normal CO2 incubator as they have a good temperature control. Disconnect CO2 gas supply and remove water holding tray of the CO2 incubator. In some models of incubators it is possible to switch off the CO2 controller. Arrange shelves of the incubator so that a mice cage could be placed conveniently inside. Set the temperature of the incubator at 39.5 °C.
3.2 Cages
Typically, the hyperthermia experiment is performed on 4 mice at a time. Two cages are required; one is placed inside the incubator and the other is placed outside at room temperature. Bedding of cages is avoided, as the patches of bedding become wet with time which results in non-uniform temperature inside the cage. The outside cage should have food pellets and water bottle. 
3.3 Mice immobilization tubes
During the course of first 4 cycles of hyperthermia mice are immobilized in perforated tubes. These immobilization tubes can be made from 50 ml 'centrifuge' tubes by piercing 3 mm holes all over its body and four of such tubes will be required. The 50ml tube can conveniently immobilize BALB/Cj mice which are older than 8 weeks. Tubes of appropriate sizes may be required for some unusually different strain of mice or for mice which are very young or older than 50 weeks.
Place immobilization tubes and a cage inside the incubator maintained at 39.5 °C. Wait for at least 2 hour so that the cage and immobilization tubes attain the temperature of the incubator. 
4. First cycle of the Hyperthermia
Mice may experience dehydration during the hyperthermia exposure. Therefore before beginning the experiment, administer 0.5 ml normal saline intraperitoneally to every mouse. Use a 26 G needle with 1 ml syringe.
Quickly take out the cage placed in the incubator, place one animal in each immobilization tubes and place the cage back in the incubator. Record the time. It is essential to keep the cage at the same place in the incubator every time.
After 90 min, take out the cage from the incubator. Release animals from the immobilization tubes and place them in the cage at normal temperature with easy access to food and water. Place empty immobilization tubes back in the incubator. 
After 15 min, the second cycle of hyperthermia is started by delivering 0.5 ml saline intraperitoneally to every mouse. 
They are then immobilized in 50 ml perforated immobilization tubes and placed in the incubator. 
5. Subsequent Hyperthermia Cycles
For first 4 cycles, it is essential to immobilize mice during the hyperthermia exposure and for the first two cycles, saline injection is given before beginning the hyperthermia period. 
After these cycles of hyperthermia followed by rest are completed, mice get acclimatize and do not become hyperactive during the hyperthermia exposure. The intraperitoneal injection of saline may not be necessary if mice readily take food and water during the resting time.
6. After All the Cycles Completed, the Final Step is to Examine the Animals
There should not be any death during the hyperthermia cycles. Every animal has to be watched very carefully in the first few cycles. Rapidly look for any wetting around the snout. This symptom is a signature of dehydration. Mice with such symptoms should immediately be given 0.5 ml normal saline i.p and rest at room temperature. Most of the immobilized mice will not require any additional care and will successfully bear the stress the hyperthermia. 
After completing required cycles, animals may look weak and dehydrated but they will quickly recover within few hours. 
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/3801/3801fig1.jpg" alt="Temperature vs. time graph showing effects of cage placement at 25°C and 39.5°C with annotations." data-altupdatedat="1787630408000" data-alt="Figure 1"> 
Figure 1. Variation of the core body temperature of Mice when the cage was placed in an incubator at 39.5 °C. After 90 min the cage was removed from the incubator and placed at 25 °C. Red circles indicate high temperature spikes.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/3801/3801fig2.jpg" alt="Temperature vs. time graph; study of temperature changes at 25°C and 39.5°C; data analysis." data-altupdatedat="1787630408000" data-alt="Figure 2"> 
Figure 2. Variation of the core body temperature of an immobilized Mice during the hyperthermia cycles. After immobilizing the animal, high temperatures spikes were not observe when the cage was placed at 39.5 °C.

<ol><li>Braude, A. I., Beck, J., Zalesky, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Febrile+response+to+bacterial+pyrogens+in+leukemia%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Blood%22%5BJournal%5D)">Febrile response to bacterial pyrogens in leukemia.</a> Blood. 16, 1279(1960).</li>
<li>Dovern, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Hyperthermic+intraperitoneal+chemotherapy+added+to+the+treatment+of+ovarian+cancer.+A+review+of+achieved+results+and+complications%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Eur.+J.+Gynaecol.+Oncol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy added to the treatment of ovarian cancer. A review of achieved results and complications.</a> Eur. J. Gynaecol. Oncol. 31, 256(2010).</li>
<li>Gaworek, J., Mayer, C. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Systemic+whole+body+hyperthermia+in+oncology%3A+fatal+heat+for+tumor+cells%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Pflege.+Z%22%5BJournal%5D)">Systemic whole body hyperthermia in oncology: fatal heat for tumor cells.</a> Pflege. Z. 56, 15(2003).</li>
<li>Hegewisch-Becker, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Effects+of+whole+body+hyperthermia+%2841.8+degrees+C%29+on+the+frequency+of+tumor+cells+in+the+peripheral+blood+of+patients+with+advanced+malignancies%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Clin.+Cancer+Res%22%5BJournal%5D)">Effects of whole body hyperthermia (41.8 degrees C) on the frequency of tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with advanced malignancies.</a> Clin. Cancer Res. 9, 2079( ).</li>
<li>Jia, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Inhibition+of+B16+murine+melanoma+metastasis+and+enhancement+of+immunity+by+fever-range+whole+body+hyperthermia%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int.+J.+Hyperthermia%22%5BJournal%5D)">Inhibition of B16 murine melanoma metastasis and enhancement of immunity by fever-range whole body hyperthermia.</a> Int. J. Hyperthermia. 27, 275(2011).</li>
<li>Maluta, S., Dall'oglio, S., Nadalini, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Treatment+for+intermediate+and+high-risk+prostate+cancer%3A+controversial+issues+and+the+role+of+hyperthermia%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int.+J.+Hyperthermia%22%5BJournal%5D)">Treatment for intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer: controversial issues and the role of hyperthermia.</a> Int. J. Hyperthermia. 26, 765(2010).</li>
<li>Moyer, H. R., Delman, K. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+role+of+hyperthermia+in+optimizing+tumor+response+to+regional+therapy%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int.+J.+Hyperthermia%22%5BJournal%5D)">The role of hyperthermia in optimizing tumor response to regional therapy.</a> Int. J. Hyperthermia. 24, 251(2008).</li>
<li>Muthana, M., Multhoff, G., Pockley, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Tumour+infiltrating+host+cells+and+their+significance+for+hyperthermia%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int.+J.+Hyperthermia%22%5BJournal%5D)">Tumour infiltrating host cells and their significance for hyperthermia.</a> Int. J. Hyperthermia. 26, 247(2010).</li>
<li>Ostberg, J. R., Repasky, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Comparison+of+the+effects+of+two+different+whole+body+hyperthermia+protocols+on+the+distribution+of+murine+leukocyte+populations%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int.+J.+Hyperthermia%22%5BJournal%5D)">Comparison of the effects of two different whole body hyperthermia protocols on the distribution of murine leukocyte populations.</a> Int. J. Hyperthermia. 16, 29(2000).</li>
<li>Pritchard, M. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Protocols+for+simulating+the+thermal+component+of+fever%3A+preclinical+and+clinical+experience%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Methods%22%5BJournal%5D)">Protocols for simulating the thermal component of fever: preclinical and clinical experience.</a> Methods. 32, 54(2004).</li>
<li>Repasky, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Characterization+of+mild+whole-body+hyperthermia+protocols+using+human+breast%2C+ovarian%2C+and+colon+tumors+grown+in+severe+combined+immunodeficient+mice%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Infect.+Dis.+Obstet.+Gynecol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Characterization of mild whole-body hyperthermia protocols using human breast, ovarian, and colon tumors grown in severe combined immunodeficient mice.</a> Infect. Dis. Obstet. Gynecol. 7, 19(1999).</li>
<li>Willnow, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Treatment+of+otherwise+incurable+tumor+diseases+in+childhood+using+whole-body+hyperthermia+and+chemotherapy%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Dtsch.+Med.+Wochenschr%22%5BJournal%5D)">Treatment of otherwise incurable tumor diseases in childhood using whole-body hyperthermia and chemotherapy.</a> Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. 114, 208(1989).</li>
</ol>

We have nothing to disclose.

As far back as 5,000 B.C., Egyptian doctors treated tumors with heat. The Greeks recognized the value of heat in some medical treatments. The most ancient texts of the Law of Moses mention hot springs (Genesis 36:24) to therapeutically elevate body temperature.
The earlier techniques employed either the use of pyrogenic microbial extracts for induction of fever or hot water baths for induction of hyperthermia 1. However none of these approaches could be easily monitored or controlle...

<table><tbody><tr><td>Thermistor</td><td>RS components</td><td>528-8558</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Incubator</td><td>Heraeus</td><td>B5060 EK-CO2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mice cages</td><td>Citizen industries ltd.</td><td></td><td>Type B 365X207X190 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Animal feed</td><td>Provimi India</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Water bottle for cage</td><td>Local supplier</td><td></td><td>Glass bottle</td></tr><tr><td>Soldering iron</td><td>Solderon, India</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>50 ml Centrifuge tubes</td><td>BD Biosciences</td><td>352070</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Timer</td><td>Local supplier</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1 ml Syringe with 26G needle</td><td>BD Biosciences</td><td>309602</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Saline</td><td>Local supplier</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

protocol for long duration whole body hyperthermia in mice

Protocol for Long Duration Whole Body Hyperthermia in Mice

Hyperthermia is a general term used to define the increase in core body temperature above normal. It is often used to describe the increased core body temperature that is observed during fever. The use of hyperthermia as an adjuvant has emerged as a promising procedure for tumor regression in the field of cancer biology. For this purpose, the most important requirement is to have reliable and uniform heating protocols. We have developed a protocol for hyperthermia (whole body) in mice. In this protocol, animals are exposed to cycles of hyperthermia for 90 min followed by a rest period of 15 min. During this period mice have easy access to food and water. High body temperature spikes in the mice during first few hyperthermia exposure cycles are prevented by immobilizing the animal. Additionally, normal saline is administered in first few cycles to minimize the effects of dehydration. This protocol can simulate fever like conditions in mice up to 12-24 hr. We have used 8-12 weeks old BALB/Cj female mice to demonstrate the protocol.

This paper describes a protocol for whole body hyperthermia in mice that can stimulate fever like conditions up to 12-24 hr.

Hyperthermia is a general term used to define the increase in core body temperature above normal. It is often used to describe the increased core body ...

protocol-for-long-duration-whole-body-hyperthermia-in-mice

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

In this video we describe a step-by-step protocol to study exertional heat stroke (EHS) in a mouse model.

Exertional Heat Stroke Mouse Model: A Protocol to Study Mechanisms Underlying Exertional Heat Stroke

This video demonstrates the procedure to induce heat-induced seizures in a transgenic mouse with epilepsy-related gene mutations by gradually increasing body temperature in a controlled chamber. This protocol is used to study seizure mechanisms and potential therapies for epilepsy.

Triggering and Monitoring Heat-Induced Seizures in a Transgenic Mouse Model

Presented here is a protocol for the fabrication of iron oxide nanoparticle-shelled microbubbles (NSMs) through self-assembly, synergizing magnetic, acoustic, and optical responsiveness in one nanotherapeutic platform for magnetic hyperthermia and photothermal combination cancer therapy.

Magnetic-, Acoustic-, and Optical-Triple-Responsive Microbubbles for Magnetic Hyperthermia and Pothotothermal Combination Cancer Therapy

This article describes two methods of whole-body short-duration hypothermia induction in rats. The first, rapid induction method, employs active cooling using fans and ethanol spray for a rapid decrease in temperature. The second method is a gradual cooling method. This is achieved using the combination of isoflurane anesthesia and the reduction of temperature settings on the homeothermic heat mat. This results in a gradual decrease in core body temperature without the use of any external...

Short-Duration Hypothermia Induction in Rats using Models for Studies examining Clinical Relevance and Mechanisms

The protocol describes the development of a standardized, repeatable, preclinical model of exertional heat stroke (EHS) in mice free from adverse external stimuli such as electric shock. The model provides a platform for mechanistic, preventative, and therapeutic studies.

A Preclinical Model of Exertional Heat Stroke in Mice

The goal of the method is to screen for hyperthermia or heat-induced seizures in mouse models. The protocol describes the use of a custom-built chamber with continuous monitoring of the body temperature to determine whether elevated body temperature leads to seizures.

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Mice and rats are surgically implanted with remote temperature transponders and then habituated to the testing environment and procedure. Changes in muscle temperature are measured in response to pharmacological or contextual stimuli in the home cage or during prescribed physical activity (i.e., treadmill walking at a constant speed).

Measuring Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis in Mice and Rats

Presented here is a protocol to use controlled hyperthermia, generated by magnetic resonance-guided high intensity focused ultrasound, to trigger drug release from temperature-sensitive liposomes in a rhabdomyosarcoma mouse model.

Magnetic Resonance-Guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Generated Hyperthermia: A Feasible Treatment Method in a Murine Rhabdomyosarcoma Model

This protocol presents techniques and methodology necessary for targeted hyperthermic therapy in solid tumor models. The approach leverages the photothermal conversion of near-infrared light by intratumorally injected gold nanorods to induce localized heating within the tumor microenvironment.

Inducing Targeted Mild Hyperthermia in Murine Tumor Models through Photothermal Conversion of Near-infrared Light by Intratumoral Gold Nanorods

Parabiotic joining of two organisms leads to the development of a shared circulatory system. In this protocol, we describe the surgical steps to form a parabiotic connection between a wild-type mouse and a constitutive GFP-expressing mouse.

Parabiosis in Mice: A Detailed Protocol

Learn a standardized protocol for inducing whole body hyperthermia in mice to study fever-like conditions lasting 12-24 hours. This method enables reproducible research on immune responses and physiological mechanisms.

Protocol for Long Duration Whole Body Hyperthermia in Mice

Explore More Videos