Type 2 diabetes mellitus with pancreatic β cell dysfunction in 3 horses confirmed with minimal model analysis

Reasons for performing study: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is diagnosed rarely in equine practice although it may be under‐recognised. A greater awareness of the condition and therapeutic considerations would be to the benefit of such cases presenting in practice. More investigation into the pharmacological management of these cases is needed. Objectives: Three cases of diabetes mellitus were investigated using a specific test for insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β cell function in order to define accurately and characterise the existence of T2DM in all 3 subjects. Methods: The insulin‐modified frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test was performed in each case and the data so obtained were subject to minimal model analysis of insulin‐glucose dynamics. Cases were then monitored following treatment using a combination of dietary modification, metformin, glibenclamide and pergolide. Results: Marked insulin resistance was identified in each case and, furthermore, severe pancreatic β cell dysfunction was present therefore classifying each case as end stage T2DM. Treatment was nevertheless associated with restoration of normoglycaemia in all cases. Conclusions: T2DM in horses may be more common than generally considered. In some cases individuals may respond to therapy aimed at restoring insulin sensitivity and pancreatic function. Drugs used in other species for the treatment of T2DM have not yet been adequately tested in horses. Potential relevance: T2DM should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in mature to elderly horses and ponies suffering from weight loss, polydipsia and polyuria. Clinicians should be encouraged to offer treatment and management advice when such cases are encountered.     

Effect of fasting duration on clinical pathology results in Wistar rats

Background: Fasting is an important preanalytical factor that may affect the interpretation of hematology and clinical biochemistry data in toxicology or pharmacology studies. Limited information is available on how the results may be affected by different durations of fasting. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of fasting duration on clinical pathology results in male and female rats and to determine an optimum fasting time for preclinical studies. Methods: Male and female Wistar rats (10 each per group) were fasted for 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 hours. Changes in body weight and in the results of routine CBC and clinical chemistry analysis were evaluated by 1‐way ANOVA. Results: Body weight was significantly decreased by 4 hours of fasting in all rats, and hemoglobin concentration was significantly increased at 16 hours in male rats. Serum glucose and triglyceride concentrations in both sexes and cholesterol and high‐density lipoprotein‐C concentrations in female rats were also significantly decreased beginning at 16 hours. The creatinine concentration was increased in females after 16 hours of fasting. Serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities were significantly decreased after 8 hours in males and 16 hours in females. Conclusions: Fasting‐induced changes in clinical pathology results were consistent with hemoconcentration and altered nutrition and metabolic function. Most changes occurred at 16 hours, with minimal subsequent changes. Hence, a 16‐hour fasting duration may be recommended for preclinical studies involving clinical pathology measurements.     

Effect of dietary fish meal and fish oil replacement on lipogenic and lipoprotein lipase activities and plasma insulin in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

The effects of a double replacement of fish oil (FO) and fish meal (FM) by dietary vegetable ingredients in juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L. 1758) on some indices of lipid metabolism and plasma insulin levels were analysed. Four experimental diets with a replacement of 75% of FM by plant proteins (PP) were administered. Added oil was either FO (75PP/FO diet), or a vegetable oil mix (VO), replacing 33%, 66% or 100% of FO (75PP/33VO, 75PP/66VO, 75PP/100VO diets). Another diet with 50% of substitution of FM by PP and with 100% of VO was also tested (50PP/100VO diet). Final body weight was similar in all diet groups, except for the 75PP/100VO group, which presented lower values. Circulating insulin levels increased with feed administration in all groups and no differences between diets were observed, with the exception of the 75PP/FO group, which presented higher plasma insulin values. In adipose tissue, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme activities decreased with the inclusion of vegetable oil, especially 5 h after feeding. Diet had no significant effect on the hepatic activity of either enzyme. Lipoprotein lipase activity decreased in white muscle and adipose tissue with the replacement of fish oil in 75PP diets, 5 h after feeding. In conclusion, the use of a combined replacement of fish oil and fish meal by vegetable ingredients in gilthead sea bream permits satisfactory growth, with moderate changes in tissue lipogenesis and lipid uptake.     

无氮日粮法与绝食法测定肉仔鸡内源氨基酸损失量的研究

本试验分别用无氮日粮法和绝食法测定肉仔鸡内源氨基酸损失量,并比较两种方法得到的结果之间的差异.选用49日龄健康的AA肉仔鸡公鸡20只,随机分成2组,每组10只,采用48 h空腹+48 h全收粪法进行试验.结果表明,无氮日粮法和绝食法测定的肉仔鸡内源氨基酸中,精氨酸、苏氨酸、胱氨酸、酪氨酸内源损失量之间无显著性差异(P＞0.05);无氮日粮法测定的其他氨基酸内源损失量极显著(P＜0.01)或显著(P＜0.05)高于绝食法;无氮日粮法测定的总氨基酸内源损失量极显著(P＜0.01)高于绝食法.     

鲮胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ)cDNA的分子克隆和序列分析

采用逆转录-聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）方法，从鲮肝脏总RNA中扩增出胰岛素样生长因子-I（IGF-I）基因，克隆至质粒PUGm-T。测定该基因序列，推导其编码的蛋白质序列。克隆的鲮IGF-IcDNA编码序列包括信号肽、B、C、A、D和E6个区域，共161个氨基酸残基。与鲤IGF-I比较，信号肽由44个氨基酸残基组成比鲤少17个，成熟肽核苷酸序列和氨基酸序列的同源性分别为95.2%和100%,E区域分析结果表明，克隆的鲮IGF-I序列属于IGF-I Ea-2亚型。     

胰岛素、IGF-Ⅰ和IGF-Ⅱ及其对卵巢的作用

介绍了近年来胰岛素、胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ和Ⅱ(IGF—Ⅰ和IGF—Ⅱ)的分子特征、受体性质以及它们促进动物卵巢的细胞代谢、甾体激素合成和受体表达的研究进展。     

脂肪细胞定向和分化因子1(ADD1)基因的研究进展

脂肪细胞定向和分化因子1(ADD1)是重要的核转录因子。ADD1不但是脂肪分化过程中重要的转录因子,同时还可以调控与脂肪代谢相关酶基因的表达。在人类和老鼠的研究发现ADD1基因与肝脏、脾脏等非脂肪组织的脂肪沉积有明确的连锁关系。实验研究提示:ADD1基因可能是影响动物肉质性状和屠体性状的候选基因。