Pharmacokinetic profiles of meloxicam after single IV and PO administration in Bilgorajska geese

The purpose of this study was two-fold: I) to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of meloxicam (MLX) in geese after intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) administration and II) to assess tissue residues in muscle, heart, liver, lung, and kidney. Ten clinically normal female Bilgorajska geese were divided into two groups (treated, n = 8; control, n = 2). Group 1 underwent a 3-phase parallel study with a 1-week washout period. In phase I, animals received MLX (0.5 mg/kg) by IV administration; the blood was collected up to 48 hr. In phases II and III geese were treated orally at the same dosage for the collection of blood and tissue samples, respectively. Group 2 served as control. After the extraction procedure, a validated HPLC method with UV detection was used for plasma and organ analysis. The plasma concentrations were quantifiable up to 24 hr after both the administrations. The elimination phase of MLX from plasma was similar in both the administration groups. The clearance was slow (0.00975 L/hr*Kg), the volume of distribution small (0.0487 L/kg), and the IV half-life was 5.06 ± 2.32 hr. The average absolute PO bioavailability was 64.2 ± 24.0%. Residues of MLX were lower than the LOQ (0.1 µg/kg) in any tested tissue and at any collection time. The dosage used in this study achieved the plasma concentration, which provides analgesia in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots for 5 out of 24 hr after PO administration. MLX tissue concentrations were below the LOD of the assay in tissue (0.03 µg/ml). A more sensitive technique might be necessary to determine likely residue concentrations in tissue.     

Fatty acid,amino acid,and trace mineral analyses of five weaning foods from Jos,Nigeria

Five plant-based weaning foods (WF) (Dietrend, Jot-M, Soy, Ang and Vic-T) locallyprepared in Jos, Nigeria were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography,reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, and atomicemission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma to determine theirfatty acid (FA), amino acid, and trace mineral contents, respectively.Results of these direct analyses were compared to expected values derivedfrom food composition tables prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additionally, results were compared against recommendednutrient values, using breast milk as the standard for FA content andrecommended dietary allowances (RDA) for amino acid and mineral contents.The overall nutritional value of the five WF varied considerably and thequantities of particular nutrients determined by direct analysis differedmarkedly from those estimated using USDA food tables. Comparison of WFfatty acid composition relative to the RDA recommendations and a humanmilk standard revealed a much higher proportion of both linoleic (35–55wt%) and -linolenic acids (1%–7 wt%) relative to human milklipids (11%–12% and 0.8%–0.9% wt, respectively); however, the WFwere devoid of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Soy containedthe highest amounts of linoleic acid (59.7 mg/g) and -linolenicacid (7.46 mg/g) compared to the other four WF (10.2–41.0 and 0.35–3.18 mg/g, respectively). The linoleic acid/-linolenic acid ratio was within the recommended range (5:1 to 10:1) in only Jot-M (10:1)and Soy (8:1). Dietrend, Vic-T and Ang, containedlinoleic/-linolenic ratios of 12:1, 29:1, and 82:1, respectively.The Soy weaning food would provide the most protein (24.3 g/day), basedon an estimated daily intake of 65 g of weaning food by a normalsix-month-old infant, compared to Jot-M (11.9 g/day), Dietrend (11.7g/day), Ang (8.07 g/day) and Vic-T (7.26 g/day). The protein RDA forchildren up to 1 year of age is 13–14 g/day. Comparison of the mineralcontents of the WF to the RDAs for various minerals indicated that all fivewould provide suboptimal amounts of calcium (16 to 250 mg/day) andzinc (1.42 to 3.56 mg/day) compared to respective RDAs of400 mg/day and 5 mg/day.These data show that the Soy weaning food is an excellent source of linoleicacid and -linolenic acid, as well as being a good source of highquality protein. Jot-M and Dietrend provide useful amounts of the essentialFA; however, it is advisable to reevaluate the composition of Ang andVic-T to find ways to improve the linoleic/-linolenic ratio of eachand increase their total protein content. These results document theshortcomings of using published food composition tables based on foods inAmerica when devising weaning foods based on ingredients in another partof the world.     

Rich deciduous forests in Bia owie a as a dynamic mosaic of developmental phases: premises for nature conservation and restoration management

The Bia owie a Primeval Forest, Poland, is the only forest area in temperate Europe where large tracts of natural forest communities have been conserved. The concept of silvatic mosaic [Oldeman, R.A.A., 1990. Forests: Elements of Silvology. Springer, Berlin] was applied in order to characterise the structure of stands representing oak–lime–hornbeam forest in both, the restricted area of Bia owie a National Park (BNP) and the commercial forests (CF), as well as to indicate a holistic approach towards protection and restoration of natural areas.Six developmental phases of stands were distinguished and defined: regeneration, young, pole, late pole, optimal, and terminal. Compositional and structural differences between the first five phases were also evaluated and visualised. Moreover, the considerable differences between analogous phases in BNP and CF were found. The uniform stand patches were mapped into two plots in BNP (25 ha each) and two in CF (25 and 20 ha), with a resolution of 10 m× 10 m pixels.The mosaic composition of natural communities indicates close-to-the equilibrium stage: the biostatic optimal phase occupies 33–40% of the area, while aggradational younger phases share nearly the same portion of the area as the senescent phase does. Although small, 0.01–0.04 ha eco-units dominate in BNP, there is a considerable portion of intermediate and large patches, indicating a complex character of factors responsible for the mosaic structure of natural stands in BNP. Both, composition and texture analyses indicate that the area of 25 ha is close to the minimum structure area specific for the communities studied.The comparison of natural and managed stands revealed large deficits of the optimal phase (only 19%) and a total absence of the terminal one in the managed area (20–35% in natural forest). Also the mosaic texture of CF plots was simplified because of standardisation of the management unit size. The modification of developmental phases, mosaic composition, and structure must lead to changes in the dynamics of the entire community. The present study demonstrates that the natural forest should be considered as a dynamic supersystem, covering a sufficient area to allow the developmental phases to perform in correct proportions. Because of differences in the durability of various phases, the natural cycle of forest development has an asynchronous and highly unpredictable character. Indeed, the applicability of multipurpose forestry rules as a tool of nature conservation has been questioned. An absolute ban on cutting in the remaining old-growth stands should be a basic rule for the restoration management.     

Characterization of rainbow trout milt collected with a catheter: semen parameters and cryopreservation success

Collection of fish milt by stripping risks the danger of milt contamination by urine. This may seriously influence milt characteristics and quality, including usefulness for cryopreservation. Urine contamination of milt may be avoided by using a catheter for sperm collection. The objectives of this study were to provide basic characteristics of milt collected with a catheter, to test the usefulness of this milt for cryopreservation, and to correlate characteristics of fresh and cryopreserved semen with sperm fertility rates. Milt from 25 rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) males were used. All samples were cryopreserved using the pellet method within 1 h of collection, using 0.6 m sucrose and 10% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as an extender. Catheterization resulted in semen of very good motility (> 90% motile spermatozoa) and high fertilization rates after cryopreservation (mean fertilization rate 81.8 ± 13.3% of control, at a sperm/egg ratio of 2.4 ± 0.3 × 10⁶). Osmolality of seminal plasma and concentrations of sodium, potassium and magnesium ions had low variability, which suggests that they are important for creating a stable environment for sperm storage in the sperm duct. Higher variability of certain seminal plasma characteristics, such as protein concentration and antiproteinase activity, suggests that these characteristics are related to individual semen features of particular males. A strong correlation of seminal plasma zinc concentration with protein concentration may reflect an importance of zinc in semen biology. Cryopreservation caused a significant release of protein and acid phosphatase from spermatozoa. Our results did not reveal any single characteristic of semen collected by catheter that could be used as a powerful predictor of cryopreservation success, presumably because all samples were of high quality.     

Evaluation of the ability of colistin,amoxicillin (components of Potencil®), and fluoroquinolones to attenuate bacterial endotoxin‐ and Shiga exotoxin‐mediated cytotoxicity—In vitro studies

Escherichia coli is one of the major pathogens in humans and animals causing localized and systemic infections, which often lead to acute inflammation, watery diarrhea, and hemorrhagic colitis. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Shiga exotoxins (Stx) are mostly responsible for such clinical signs. Therefore, highly effective treatment of E. coli infections should include both eradication of bacteria and neutralization of their toxins. Here, for the first time, we compared the in vitro ability of common antibiotics to decrease LPS‐ and Stx‐mediated cytotoxicity: colistin, amoxicillin (used separately or combined), enrofloxacin, and its metabolite ciprofloxacin. Three experimental scenarios were realized as follows: (a) the direct effect of antibiotics on endotoxin, (b) the effect of antibiotic treatment on LPS‐mediated cytotoxicity in an experiment mimicking “natural infection,” (c) the effect of antibiotics to decrease Stx2e‐mediated cytotoxicity. Two cell lines, A549 and Vero cells, were used to perform cytotoxic assays with the methyl tetrazolium (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase leakage (LDH) methods, respectively. Colistin and amoxicillin, especially used in combination, were able to attenuate LPS toxic effect, which was reflected by increase in A549 cell viability. In comparison with other antibiotics, the combination of colistin and amoxicillin exhibited the highest boster or additive effect in protecting cells against LPS‐ and Stx2e‐induced toxicity. In summary, in comparison with fluoroquinolones, the combination of colistin and amoxicillin at concentrations similar to those achieved in plasma of treated animals exhibited the highest ability to attenuate LPS‐ and Stx2e‐mediated cytotoxicity.     

Effect of the diets with pumpkin silage and synthetic β‐carotene on the carotenoid,immunoglobulin and bioactive protein content and fatty acid composition of colostrum

Forty Simmental cows were divided into four groups with 10 per group to investigate the effect of a transition diet supplemented with synthetic β‐carotene and natural carotenoid‐rich feed (pumpkin silage) on chemical composition of the colostrum. The control group (I) was fed grass and maize silage and supplemental concentrates, group II additionally received 400 mg/day/cow of synthetic β‐carotene, in group, III 40% DM of maize silage was replaced with pumpkin silage to increase β‐carotene intake by 400 mg in relation to group I, and in group IV 60% DM of maize silage was replaced with pumpkin silage without adjusting for β‐carotene. Colostrum was collected from the cows within 5 hr of calving to determine colostrum composition, the content of immunoglobulins and carotenoids, total antioxidant status (TAS), the content of some bioactive proteins and the composition of fatty acids. The study showed that the experimental diets had no effect on the gross composition of colostrum. The content of α‐carotene, β‐carotene and violaxanthin was significantly higher in group IV than in group I and that of lutein higher in group IV than in groups I and II. Total antioxidant status of colostrum in group IV was significantly higher than in group I. Groups III and IV were characterized by a higher concentration of immunoglobulin IgG in relation to group I. IgM level in groups II, III and IV was significantly higher than in group I and that in groups III and IV was also higher than in group II. The highest IgA concentration was observed in group IV and the lowest in group I. Lysozyme concentration was higher in group IV compared to groups I and II. The diets had no effect on the total content of SFA, MUFA and PUFA in colostrum.     

Pharmacokinetic profiles of metamizole (dipyrone) active metabolites in goats and its residues in milk

Metamizole (dipyrone, MET) is a nonopioid analgesic drug commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to assess two major active metabolites of MET, 4‐methylaminoantipyrin (MAA) and 4‐aminoantipyrin (AA), in goat plasma after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration. In addition, metabolite concentration in milk was monitored after IM injection. Six healthy female goats received MET at a dose of 25 mg/kg by IV and IM routes in a crossover design study. The blood and milk samples were analyzed using HPLC coupled with ultraviolet detector and the plasma vs concentration curves analyzed by a noncompartmental model. In the goat, the MET rapidly converted into MAA and the mean maximum concentration was 183.97 μg/ml (at 0.08 hr) and 51.94 μg/ml (at 0.70 hr) after IV and IM administration, respectively. The area under the curve and mean residual time values were higher in the IM than the IV administered goats. The average concentration of AA was lower than MAA in both groups. Over 1 μg/ml of MAA was found in the milk (at 48 hr) after MET IM administration. In conclusion, IM is considered to be a better administration route in terms of its complete absorption with long persistence in the plasma. However, this therapeutic option should be considered in light of the likelihood of there being milk residue.     

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-1β during lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation in ewes implanted or not with slow-release melatonin

Background: Interleukin-1β(IL-1β) is important mediator of inflammatory-induced suppression of reproductive axis at the hypothalamic level. At the beginning of inflammation, the main source of cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) is peripheral circulation, while over time, cytokines produced in the brain are more important. Melatonin has been shown to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines concentration in the brain. In ewes, melatonin is used to advance the onset of a breading season. Little is known about CSF concentration of IL-1β in ewes and its correlation with plasma during inflammation as well as melatonin action on the concentration of IL-1β in blood plasma and the CSF, and brain barriers permeability in early stage of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation.Methods: Systemic inflammation was induced through LPS administration in melatonin-and sham-implanted ewes. Blood and CSF samples were collected before and after LPS administration and IL-1β and albumin concentration were measured. To assess the functions of brain barriers albumin quotient(QAlb) was used.Expression of IL-1β(Il1B) and its receptor type Ⅰ(Il1r1) and type Ⅱ(Il1r2) and matrix metalloproteinase(Mmp) 3 and 9 was evaluated in the choroid plexus(CP).Results: Before LPS administration, IL-1β was on the level of 62.0 ± 29.7 pg/mL and 66.4 ± 32.1 pg/mL in plasma and 26.2 ± 5.4 pg/mL and 21.3 ± 8.7 pg/mL in the CSF in sham-and melatonin-implanted group, respectively.Following LPS it increased to 159.3 ± 53.1 pg/mL and 197.8 ± 42.8 pg/mL in plasma and 129.8 ± 54.2 pg/mL and139.6 ± 51.5 pg/mL in the CSF. No correlations was found between plasma and CSF IL-1β concentration after LPS in both groups. The QAlb calculated before LPS and 6 h after was similar in all groups. Melatonin did not affected m RNA expression of Il1B, Il1r1 and Il1r2 in the CP. The m RNA expression of Mmp3 and Mmp9 was not detected.Conclusions: The lack of correlation between plasma and CSF IL-1β concentration indicates that at the beginning of inflammation the local synthesis of IL-1β in the CP is an important source of IL-1β in the CSF. Melatonin from slow-release implants does not affect IL-1β concentration in plasma and CSF in early stage of systemic inflammation.