2.3. In vivo studies
2.3.1. Animals and test compound administration
All animal experimental procedures were approved by the
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Mitsubishi Tanabe
Pharma Corporation or LSI Medience Corporation (Tokyo, Japan)
and met the Japanese Experimental Animal Research Association
standards, as defined in the Guidelines for Animal Experiments
(1987). Male ZDF-Leprfa/CrlCrlj rats were purchased from Charles
River Japan. During an acclimatization period of 6 weeks, the animals
were housed with a 12-h light/dark cycle and controlled
temperature and humidity. Rats were provided water ad libitum
and a standard commercial diet. Test compounds for oral gavage
were prepared in 0.5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.