Preventive effects of Clostridium butyricum on gastric ulceration induced by pylorus ligature in mice

AIM: To investigate the preventive effects of Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) on the type of pylorus ligated gastric ulcer (GU) in mice and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: ICR mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham operation group, model group, C. butyricum pretreatment group and omeprazole pretreatment group. Gastric pyloric ligation was adopted to establish GU model in mice. The gastric juice was collected to measure the content of gastric free mucus, the pH of gastric juice and the activity of pepsin. The gastric tissues were collected for routine HE staining to observe the pathological changes. The content of glycogen was detected by PAS staining. The protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the gastric mucosa was also assessed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The HE and PAS staining showed that the C. butyricum pretreatment obviously attenuated the mucosa lesion induced by ligation. Compared with model group, the pH of gastric juice was significantly raised. The activity of pepsin fell off in C. butyricum group, which was lower than that in omeprazole group. In comparison with model group, the content of gastric free mucus was dramatically increased and PAS staining showed a significant rise in C. butyricum group, but not in omeprazole group. The protein expression of Bax was decreased and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was upgraded in C. butyricum group than those in model group. CONCLUSION: C. butyricum protects gastric mucosa against the challenge of pylorus ligation in mice and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting gastric acid secretion and the activation of pepsin, increasing the production of gastric free mucus, strengthening the expression of bcl-2 gene and inhibiting the expression of bax gene.     

Caecal intussusceptions in horses: a New Zealand perspective

Objective To establish the prevalence of intussusceptions involving the caecum in a population of horses admitted to a university hospital for colic. Design Retrospective clinical study Methods Medical records of all horses admitted to the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1991 and 2004 were examined for information of those horses diagnosed with an intussusception involving the caecum. Results A total of 135 horses were admitted for colic surgery during the study period and 61 horses had a diagnosis of ileocaecal (37), caecocaecal (5) or caecocolic intussusception (19) made either at surgery or necropsy. Of the horses with ileocaecal intussusception, 32 had an incomplete hand-sewn ileocaecostomy without reduction and 29 survived to discharge. All the horses with caecocaecal intussusceptions were diagnosed preoperatively via rectal examination and/or transabdominal ultrasound: 2 were euthanased at surgery and 3 survived to discharge. In the 19 horses with caecocolic intussusceptions, manually reduction at surgery was performed in 6 and 5 of them survived to discharge. A typhlectomy was performed via a colotomy in 6 horses, 3 of which survived to discharge. Conclusions The high prevalence of intussusceptions involving the caecum seen at this referral centre may indicate a higher prevalence in New Zealand than is reported elsewhere in the world. Clinical relevance Intussusceptions involving the caecum should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses presenting with chronic low-grade colic. Transabdominal ultrasound is useful for identifying caecocaecal and caecocolic intussusceptions. Hand-sewn side-to-side incomplete ileocaecostomy is a quick, effective and safe method of surgical treatment of ileocaecal intussusceptions.     

复合酸化剂在断奶仔猪饲料中的应用研究

将96头断奶1周杜×长×大仔猪(35日龄)随机分成4组,每组24头,分为4个重复,每个重复6头,进行28d试验。试验采用单因子完全随机化设计,共设4个处理,包括对照组和3个试验组,基础日粮相同,对照组为不添加酸化剂的基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别为添加0.10%、0.15%和0.20%复合酸化剂的基础日粮。结果表明:添加0.15%和0.20%复合酸化剂均能显著提高断奶仔猪日增重、小肠胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性及盲肠乳酸杆菌数量,降低胃内容物pH,以添加0.15%复合酸化剂最好,能够显著降低料肉比和盲肠大肠杆菌数量。     

Volatile fatty acid profile for grass hay or alfalfa hay fed to alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

The purpose of this study was to determine the diurnal composition and concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and to determine VFA composition and concentration differences between stomach compartment 1 (C1) and caecum of alpacas fed grass and alfalfa hay. The study was divided into two experiments. In Experiment 1 (EXP 1), 10 male alpacas (3+ years old, 65 kg BW) were divided into two groups, housed in drylot pens, provided ad libitum water and fed alfalfa (AH) or grass hay (GH) for 30 days. The alpacas were slaughtered and the digestive tract collected, divided into sub‐tract sections, weighed and digesta sampled for pH, dry matter (DM) and NDF. Volatile fatty acid composition and concentration were determined on C1 and caecal material. Four adult male (3+ years old, 60 kg BW), C1 fistulated alpacas were housed in metabolism crates and divided into two forage groups for Experiment 2 (EXP 2). Alpacas were fed the forages as in EXP 1. Diurnal C1 VFA samples were drawn at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 h post‐feeding. There were no differences between forages for tract weight, C1 and caecum digesta DM or NDF. Differences were noted (p < 0.05) for pH between forages and sub‐tract site. Volatile fatty acids concentrations were different (p < 0.05) for forage and site, and total VFA was higher for AH than GH (110.6 and 79.1 mm ) and C1 than caecum (40.7 and 27.6 mm ). Proportion of VFA was significant (p < 0.05) for forage and site, C1 acetate highest for GH (84.8 vs. 74.0 mm ) and caecum acetate 83.7 and 76.2 mm for GH and AH respectively. These data demonstrate the level of VFA produced in C1 and the caecum of alpacas and the diurnal VFA patterns. Composition of VFA is similar to other ruminant species.     

日粮中性洗涤纤维水平对断奶至2月龄肉兔生产性能、消化代谢和盲肠发酵的影响

80只断奶新西兰兔分成5组,饲喂5种中性洗涤纤维(NDF)水平的日粮(分别为24%、27%、30%33%和36%),研究了日粮NDF水平对断奶至2月龄的肉兔生产性能、营养物质消化利用、免疫指标、盲肠纤维酶活性和盲肠内环境的影响。结果表明:日粮NDF水平对试兔日增重、饲料转化率影响显著(P<0.05),随NDF水平增加,日增重先增加后降低,料重比先降低后增加,30%NDF水平对日增重最高为31.52g/d,饲料转化率最低为3.23:1。随日粮NDF水平的增加,粗纤维、能量、粗蛋白和粗脂肪消化率显著或极显著降低(P<0.05,P<0.01),NDF消化率显著提高(P<0.05),氮沉积先升高后下降,以30%NDF组最高为1.24g/d。不同NDF间胸腺指数和脾脏指数差异不显著(P>0.05)。日粮NDF能极显著提高盲肠纤维素酶的活性(P<0.01),纤维素酶活性由13.79IU/g提高到58.68IU/g。NDF水平对断奶至2月龄试兔盲肠发育影响显著(P<0.05),盲肠占活重的比例随NDF水平的增加呈上升趋势。盲肠氨氮浓度呈下降趋势,24%、27%NDF组与36%NDF组差异显著(P<0.05),总VFA含量呈上升趋势,24%NDF和36%NDF组差异显著(P<0.05),VFA中乙酸比例上升,丙酸、丁酸比例下降。综合以上结果,断奶至2月龄肉兔NDF水平以30%～33%为宜。     

马盲肠感觉神经元的节段性分布——HRP法研究

用HRP法对5匹马盲肠感觉神经元的节段性分布规律进行了研究。结果:标记细胞出现在T_2～L_4脊神经节内。其中T_(8～15)脊神经节内数量最多,其次是T_(3、7)和T_(16、17),其余脊神经节内的标记细胞数量较少。盲肠的感觉神经元,以小细胞为主,中细胞次之,大细胞最少。感觉神经均传入双侧脊神经节中,标记细胞的数量右侧明显地多于左侧(二者之比约4:1)。     

Histological and immunohistochemical studies of the proximal caecum and caecal tonsils of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The proximal caecum in quails consists of lymphoid and non‐lymphoid structures. The caecal tonsils in the proximal part of the caecum are units of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue in poultry. This study aimed to examine the histological characteristics of the proximal caecum, as well as compositions of dendritic cells (DCs) and antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) in the caecal tonsil of quails. Tissue sections were stained with Crossman's triple, periodic acid–Schiff, Gordon and Sweet's silver, Congo red and methyl green‐pyronin dyes, as well as immunohistochemically by the streptavidin–biotin–peroxidase complex method. Caecal lymphoid tissue was located in the lamina propria and submucosa. Germinative centres were observed within the lymphoid tissue. Reticular fibres were mainly distributed in the border area of the germinal centre with only a few fibres scattered in the centre. Plasma cells were observed in the subepithelial region and germinal centres. Eosinophil granulocytes were prevalent in the lymphoid tissue. Additionally, CD83‐immunoreactive DCs and MHC class II immunoreactive APCs were present in the subepithelial area and diffuse lymphoid tissue. While DCs were seen in the germinal centres of tonsillar units, APCs were rarely present in the germinal centres, but they were noticed around the germinal centres. In conclusion, the histological structure of the proximal caecum in quails and the distributions of some immunological cells in the caecal tonsils were revealed. Therefore, the defensive role of the caecal tonsils in the digestive system may be better understood, and comparative studies may be carried out.     

Dietary mannitol increased the absorption of calcium and magnesium in rats

The effect of mannitol on bone‐related mineral absorption and retention and the mechanism was investigated in this study. Fourteen 8‐week‐old male Wistar rats in experiment 1 and same number and age cecectomized Wistar male rats in experiment 2 were divided into two subgroups of seven animals, respectively, fed diets containing 0 or 4% mannitol for 28 days. Mineral balance tests were determined twice during days 8–12 and days 22–26, and the rats were slaughtered on day 28 both in experiment 1 and experiment 2. The whole caecum and colon were collected with the content to analyse tissue weight, content weight, content's pH and moisture, organic acids' concentration and mineral levels. In experiment 1, Ca absorption and retention and Mg absorption were significantly increased by mannitol feeding during days 8–12. Caecal total weight, tissue weight and content weight were increased, the pH of caecum and colon was reduced, and the concentrations of caecal short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were modified by mannitol feeding. In experiment 2, during days 8–12 and days 22–26, Ca absorption and retention were significantly lowered by mannitol feeding in cecectomized rats; however, mannitol feeding decreased Mg absorption during days 8–12, but did not impact Mg retention. Colonic total weight, tissue weight and content weight were significantly increased, and colonic pH was reduced by mannitol feeding. In conclusion, dietary mannitol increased the absorption of Ca and Mg and the caecum markedly contributed to this promoting effect of mannitol.     

Complete caecal bypass without ileal transection for caecal impaction in horses: seven clinical cases (1997-2007)

Objectives To report the clinical outcome in seven horses following use of a newly described surgical technique for treating caecal impaction. Methods The medical records of seven horses with caecal impaction treated surgically using a stapling technique to create a complete caecal bypass without ileal transection were reviewed. Data were obtained from the records and through telephone interviews with case-associated personnel. Results The mean age was 10 years (range 2–22 years) and duration of colic ranged from 24 h to 2 weeks. Five horses had type II motility dysfunction and the remaining two had type I. Mean surgical time was 185 min (range 146–245 min) and the horses were hospitalised for a mean of 12.4 days (range 9–22 days); 71% (5/7) were discharged from hospital and all five were alive 60 days from the surgery date. One horse was lost to follow-up. The four (66.7%) available remaining horses were alive ≥ 1 year (long-term survivors). Conclusions Complete caecal bypass without ileal transection for clinical cases of caecal impaction had comparable outcomes to complete bypass with ileal transection. The technique is easy to perform, has the potential to reduce surgical time, compared with traditional bypass techniques, and may reduce the risk of intraoperative abdominal contamination. It is recommended for use in clinical cases in which caecal bypass is desirable.