一氧化氮抗寄生虫感染的研究进展

一氧化氮 (NO)在寄生虫感染过程中具有抑制或杀伤寄生虫与对宿主机体产生病理损伤的双重作用。机体内 NO的产生及抗寄生虫作用受细胞因子严格调节 ,巨噬细胞经 IFN-γ等细胞因子或脂多糖 L PS刺激后能大量表达 i N-OS,产生的 NO对球虫、弓形虫、锥虫、疟原虫、肝片吸虫、血吸虫等均有杀伤作用 ,NOS抑制剂的阻断则进一步表明 NO在寄生虫感染中的重要作用。近年来 ,关于 NO抗寄生虫感染、作用机制、NO合酶抑制剂和细胞因子影响等的研究报道日渐增多。文章就有关研究进展进行了综述     

一氧化氮合酶与寄生虫感染

一氧化氮(NO)在体内由L-精氨酸在一氧化氮合成酶(NOS)的催化下生成。它是一种重要的信使分子,参与血管、气道平滑肌的调节,神经递质的传递,细胞杀伤,肿瘤细胞的溶解及内分泌激素的释放过程,与许多疾病的发生、发展密切相关;既在机体多个系统多种细胞中具有广泛的生理功能,又可能参与多种疾病的发生过程。寄生虫感染时,动物机体内由其诱发产生各种细胞因子。细胞因子激发一氧化氮合酶基因,其转录产生iNOS(induciblenitricoxidesynthase)mRNA,由iNOSmRNA指导一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)生成。iNOS以精氨酸为底物合成NO。本文就NOS的结构、生成和NO对寄生虫的作用以及影响NO抗寄生虫感染的因素作了综述。     

一氧化氮对线粒体信号的调节

线粒体是细胞内能量合成的主要场所,对维持细胞正常生理功能起着重要作用。一氧化氮(NO)是生物体内一种结构最简单的多功能生物信号分子,在机体正常生理功能调节和疾病的发生中起着十分重要的作用。NO可以影响呼吸链中ATP的合成、促进氧气在组织中的扩散、介导自由基和神经损伤、促进细胞的凋亡等,对线粒体信号的调节起着十分重要的作用。     

一氧化氮与球虫感染

一氧化氮(NO)是一种气体自由基,化学性质非常活泼。现已证实NO能在动物机体的许多组织中合成。在机体内,NO的作用广泛,它不但参与调节血管平滑肌松弛、血小板聚集以及信号转导,而且还是机体免疫系统的调节分子和效应分子,在微生物和寄生虫感染以及宿主免疫过程中发挥着一定的作用。本文就NO的生物特性、作用机制及其与球虫感染的关系和影响因素进行简要综述。     

一氧化氮与卵母细胞发育

一氧化氮(NO)是一种在生物体内具有多种生物学效应的气体自由基。论文根据国内外研究资料,介绍了NO的发现、生物学特性、作用途径,着重阐述了NO在卵巢组织中的分布以及NO与卵母细胞的发生、成熟、排卵和卵泡细胞凋亡与卵泡闭锁的关系。     

精氨酸的抗热应激作用及在母猪上的应用

精氨酸是一种条件性必需氨基酸,在生理调节方面具有重要的功能。在正常情况下,成年动物对精氨酸的需求可以通过内源性合成满足,但在应激条件下,内源合成的精氨酸不足以满足机体的需求。精氨酸代谢可合成一氧化氮(NO),NO在体内发挥着重要的生理作用。文中综述了高温热应激对母猪的影响、精氨酸在体内的代谢过程及在抗氧化应激方面的作用,以促进高温热应激条件下精氨酸在母猪中的应用及研究。     

维生素A调节动物一氧化氮的生成及其相关机制

动物机体由于旺盛的新陈代谢或在受到外界有害因素刺激的情况下会产生大量一氧化氮(NO),进而损伤细胞中的蛋白质、类脂膜和DNA,引发细胞炎症并阻断细胞信号通路,使机体产生氧化应激。维生素A可以有效地调控NO的生成,提高机体抗氧化水平并清除自由基,预防细胞炎症及氧化应激的发生。本文主要综述了维生素A对动物NO生成的调节作用及其相关机理的研究进展,对今后深入研究其调节机理、科学补充维生素A及提高机体的抗氧化功能具有一定参考价值。     

一氧化氮对动物生殖机能的影响

一氧化氮(NO)是动物体内发挥多种生物学效应的自由基,是一种重要的生物信使,它几乎对哺乳动物的各个系统都会产生一定的作用。近几年的研究结果也表明,NO对动物生殖机能的许多方面都有很大的影响。文章着重介绍了NO对动物排卵前LH峰、排卵、胚胎附植和发育、妊娠、分娩以及NO对动物精子获能、精子活力、阴茎勃起等生殖过程的影响。     

NO对胎盘功能和胎儿生长发育的影响

一氧化氮(NO)化学结构简单,性质活跃,广泛参与机体的生理、病理调节。在妊娠期,NO可降低血管对加压物质的反应性,降低外周阻力及血压。目前认为,NO产生减少是妊娠高血压征合征发病的重要原因,是导致母体妊娠期心血管系统发生血容量增加、血压下降、血液重新分布等生理性改变的重要因素,胎盘局部NO及其相关因子对胎盘功能和胎儿的生长发育有直接的影响作用。     

黄芪多糖对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞iNOS基因表达及NO生成的影响

研究黄芪多糖(APS)在体内对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)基因表达及产生一氧化氮(NO)的影响。分别按5、25、50、100、200mg/kg体重,连续1周以腹腔注射方式给予小鼠APS。分离小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞,QRT-PCR检测小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞中iNOS的基因表达量;培养细胞24h,硝酸还原酶法检测上清中的NO含量,培养的单层巨噬细胞做吞噬中性红试验。结果显示,APS(100mg/kg和200mg/kg)可显著地促进巨噬细胞iNOS基因的表达和NO的产生,并显著(50、100、200mg/kg)增强巨噬细胞吞噬中性红功能,APS的作用呈浓度依赖性。体内条件下APS增强巨噬细胞功能的机制之一可能是促进巨噬细胞iNOS基因的表达进而催化产生NO。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -