Bioavailability of ascorbic acid in horses

The bioavailability of ascorbic acid administered to thoroughbreds by intramuscular injection was investigated. For intramuscular injection two preparations were studied, and the percentage bioavailability up to 24 h of 10 g of ascorbic acid was 95% +/- 22 in four horses and 60% in two horses with preparations A and B, respectively. Bioavailability at 24 h in three horses injected subcutaneously with 10 g of preparation B was 82%. Intramuscular injection of both preparations was apparently well tolerated while subcutaneous injection of preparation B (pH 6.0) was associated with marked irritancy. In a cross-over trial in seven thoroughbreds the effect of 13 or 15 days of oral administration of crystalline ascorbic acid (20 g) or ascorbyl palmitate (47 g) on plasma ascorbic-acid concentrations was investigated. Marked differences occurred between individuals. There was a greater increase in plasma ascorbic-acid concentration with ascorbyl palmitate compared to ascorbic acid at 6 and 24 h following administration. In two horses there was no increase in plasma ascorbic acid at 6 h following either oral preparation. The finding of lowered plasma ascorbic-acid concentrations following a period of supplementation warrants further investigation to assess its significance.     

Pharmacokinetics of ascorbic acid in horses

The pharmacokinetics of ascorbic acid were studied in 29 horses after intravenous (iv), subcutaneous, intramuscular (im) and oral administration. Following iv injection of 5 and 10 g ascorbic acid, respectively, a biphasic decline of ascorbic acid serum levels was found, indicating that the vitamin distributes in the body according to a two-compartment open model. The apparent volume of distribution (average value for V_d(ss)= 0.6 litre/kg) was approximately equivalent to the volume of total body water. The terminal half-life of the biexponential serum level-time curve (t_1/2β) varied between 5 and 17 h. Both distribution and elimination were found to be positively correlated with the iv dose administered. Following subcutaneous and im injection, the average bioavailability of ascorbic acid amounted to 82 and 61 per cent, respectively. However, both routes of administration gave rise to marked local irritation. Following oral administration, the systemic availability of ascorbic acid was very poor. Serum levels in most experiments were not increased above the endogenous pre-administration values of the vitamin. Thus, in horses iv injection appears to be the only satisfactory route of administration of ascorbic acid if supplementation is required.     

Sexual difference in ascorbic acid synthesis, tissue ascorbic acid and plasma total antioxidant capacity in mature chickens

1. An experiment was conducted with commercial White Leghorn type chickens to determine the effect of gender on tissue ascorbic acid concentration, antioxidant capacity and ascorbic acid synthesis. 2. Birds reared and maintained on litter were given a standard layer diet, without supplemental ascorbic acid, from 18 weeks of age. Tissue ascorbic acid concentration, plasma total antioxidant capacity and renal L-gulonolactone oxidase activity were measured at 30 weeks of age. 3. Females and males differed in ascorbic acid synthesis, as measured by renal L-gulonolactone oxidase activity, and tissue ascorbic acid concentration. 4. Plasma total antioxidant capacity and adrenal, gonadal, plasma and pituitary ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly higher in males, whereas ascorbic acid synthesis and splenic and thymic ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly higher in females. 5. L-Gulonolactone oxidase activity was not detected in the comb of cockerels.     

Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations in healthy dogs

Using a highly sensitive and selective analytical method and careful stability control, plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid were determined in German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers and Siberian Huskies, a total 99 animals. Mean concentration was 35.9 micromol l(-1)(range 18.2-50.7), and no significant variation was observed neither between breeds nor between females and males. These and previous reported data on plasma ascorbic acid levels in dogs are discussed in the light of methodological aspects.     

Congenital lipoprotein lipase deficiency in hyperlipemic kitten siblings

The nature of the hyperlipemia in two 3-week-old male kittens, one of which was presented with the owner's complaints of retarded growth and white streaks on its eyes, was studied. Hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-cholesterolemia, and reduced Post-Heparin Plasma Lipolytic Activities (PHPLA) were observed in both animals. One of the kittens, however, was more severely affected and in addition, had lipemia retinalis and a marked lactescent, hyperchylomicronemic serum in spite of a short-term fast before sampling. These findings are strikingly similar to those found in human Type I hyperlipoproteinemia due to familial Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) deficiency. Diagnosis of persistent hyperlipemic syndromes in kittens should include the possibility of LPL deficiency as determined by PHPLA measurements.     

Effect of ascorbic acid administration on erythrocyte osmotic fragility of pigs transported by road during the hot-dry season

The experiments were performed in order to determine the effect of 8-h road transportation of pigs on erythrocytes osmotic fragility during the hot-dry season, and the ameliorative role of ascorbic acid. Twenty-three adult pigs comprising of both sexes served as subjects for the study. Thirteen pigs administered ascorbic acid (AA) per os 30 min before transportation, at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg served as experimental animals, while ten pigs administered with distilled water per os served as control, and were transported for 8 h during the hot-dry season. EDTA blood samples collected a day before (pre-transportation), immediately after 8-h transportation and 7 days post-transportation were used to determine erythrocyte osmotic fragility. The ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) measured within the vehicle ranged between 30.5 – 39.0°C and 40.0 – 71.0% respectively. These values were outside the thermoneutral zone for the pig, indicating that the season was thermally stressful. Results obtained showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in percent haemolysis recorded at NaCl concentrations of 0.4% and 0.6% immediately after transportation in experimental pigs and at 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 and 0.9% NaCl concentrations in experimental pigs 7 days post-transportation. In conclusion, result from the present study indicated that 8-h road transportation during the hot-dry season could induce stress resulting in haemolysis of erythrocytes and AA administration ameliorated the stress.     

Vitamin E deficiency and perinatal mortality in pigs

In a recent letter ⁽¹⁾ to the New Zealand Veterinary Journal on perinatal mortality in piglets, the reported sow Vitamin E supplementation of 50 IU/sow/day was slightly lower than that typically used on most commercial farms in New Zealand. Normal sow dietary supplementation is in the range of 30-60 IU per kg dry matter (DM).     

The effect of polychlorinated biphenyls on the vitamin A, vitamin E, and ascorbic acid status in young pigs

Admixture for 14 to 26 days of concentrations between 1 mg/kg to 250 mg/kg of polychlorinated biphenyls, Delor 103, 105, and 106 (Chemko, Strázeke) to ready-mixed feedstuffs was studied in 5 experiments for its effects on 71 piglets and store pigs. Neither growth nor general health were in any way impaired. Polychlorinated biphenyls produced different effects upon vitamin A, vitamin E, and ascorbic acid levels in different organs. Vitamin A concentrations in blood serum, for example were reduced by 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg of Delor 105 as well as by 250 mg/kg of Delor 103. Liver levels were not significantly depressed. No changes were recordable from vitamin E levels in blood serum and liver. Ascorbic acid saturation of the organism was positively affected. Its concentrations and overall levels in the liver in all experimental groups were higher than those in all controls. Significant rise of ascorbic acid concentrations in blood serum, urine, and kidneys occurred merely in response to 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg of Delor 105 as well as to 250 mg/kg of Delor 103. No adverse effect of tissue-borne residues of polychlorinated biphenyls on the status of administered vitamins was recordable 1 to 4 months after termination of experimental supply. Feed intake with 1 mg/kg of Delor 105, which was equivalent to increased natural contamination, did not cause any negative phenomena in any of the probands.     

Pharmacokinetic study of ascorbic acid in sheep.

Four groups of sheep (5/group) were used in the experiment. Group 1 sheep were given 1 g of ascorbic acid (AA) intravenously (i.v.), group 2 were given 3 g i.v., group 3 were given 1 g intramuscularly (i.m.) and group 4 received 3 g i.m. Blood was collected for 7 h after i.v. administration and for 48 h following i.m. administration. Plasma was analyzed for AA using HPLC techniques. After i.v. administration the rate of elimination was greater at the high dose than the low (0.8560 vs 0.5231 h-1) but the area under the curve (AUC) parameter was proportional to the dosage (127.9 vs 39.7 mcg*h/mL). After i.m. administration AUC parameters were higher than following the i.v. injections. When the times that AA levels were > or = 5 mcg/mL after i.m. injection were compared there was no significant difference between the 1 and 3 g dosages. Times that levels were > or = 10 mcg/mL were significantly longer for the 3 g dose. Using the AUC (area under the curve) parameter as an index of drug exposure, supplementation of adult sheep with AA by the i.m. route should have a greater effect on the animal than i.v. administration.     

Congenital lipoprotein lipase deficiency in hyperlipemic kitten siblings.

The nature of the hyperlipemia in two 3-week-old male kittens, one of which was presented with the owner's complaints of retarded growth and white streaks on its eyes, was studied. Hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and reduced Post-Heparin Plasma Lipolytic Activities (PHPLA) were observed in both animals. One of the kittens, however, was more severely affected and in addition, had lipemia retinalis and a marked lactescent, hyperchylomicronemic serum in spite of a short-term fast before sampling. These findings are strikingly similar to those found in human Type I hyperlipoproteinemia due to familial Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) deficiency. Diagnosis of persistent hyperlipemic syndromes in kittens should include the possibility of LPL deficiency as determined by PHPLA measurements.     

Congenital factor XI deficiency in a domestic shorthair cat

A 6-month-old, female, domestic shorthair cat was examined after onychectomy and ovariohysterectomy because of bleeding from the paws. Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time was discovered, Coagulation factor analyses revealed deficiency of factor XI coagulant activity. Plasma mixing studies indicated factor deficiency or dysfunction rather than factor inhibition. Feline factor XI deficiency in one adult cat has been previously reported but was attributed to factor XI inhibitors. The signalment, lack of primary disease, and the finding of persistent factor XI deficiency in the absence of coagulation inhibitors were considered compatible with congenital factor XI deficiency in the cat of this report.     

初生猪缺硒症的诊断与防治

2003年3月湖南省某猪场发生仔猪大批死亡，经病理变化、微量元素检测等证实为硒缺乏症，本文就其诊断和防治情况报告如下。     

Oral administration of ascorbic acid to horses

The effects of oral administration of high doses of ascorbic acid on plasma concentrations were investigated in both experimental Thoroughbred horses and those within racing stables. A single oral dose (20 g) did not result in any increase in plasma concentrations. However, daily administration of either 4.5 g or 20 g doses resulted in significant increases in plasma concentrations. Monthly variations in plasma ascorbate concentrations were found in both supplemented (20 g daily) and unsupplemented stables. It is concluded that oral supplementation with ascorbic acid is a satisfactory route to increase plasma and tissue concentrations.     

Serum ascorbic acid concentrations in previously unsupplemented greyhounds after administration of a single dose of ascorbic acid intravenously or per os

Plasma vitamin C concentrations (mean + SD) were measured after a large (1 g) dose of vitamin C was administered orally or intravenously to each of four trained greyhounds in a randomized cross-over design. Concentrations increased (p<0.05) for 2 h but returned to baseline by 6 h after supplementation. Peak concentrations were greater (p<0.01) after intravenous than oral administration (6.1+/-1.2 vs. 0.54+/-0.23 mg/dl). This suggests that vitamin C must be administered many times daily to maintain plasma concentrations above normal.     

Zinc toxicity, copper deficiency and anaemia in swill-fed pigs

Zinc toxicity, copper deficiency and an associated anaemia among weaned swill-fed pigs is described. The source of zinc was flaking galvanising from the inside of bins used to store swill before processing. The disease condition readily responded to supplementation of the diet with copper sulphate. The interactions between dietary zinc, copper and calcium are discussed with reference to the swill-feeding industry. It is concluded that supplementary copper should be routinely included in the ration of swill-fed pigs and that the use of galvanised bins for storing swill should be avoided.     

家禽烟酸缺乏症

烟酸又名尼克酸,包括烟酸(吡啶-3-羧酸)和烟酰胺(动物体内烟酸的主要存在形式)两种物质,均具有烟酸活性。烟酸易变成烟酸酰胺(小肠粘膜上),在组织中与蛋白质结合,变成辅酶NAD (烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸)和NADP (烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸),是氧化还原反应中的氧化态辅酶。烟酸