Gastritis-associated adenocarcinoma and intestinal metaplasia in a Syrian hamster naturally infected with Helicobacter species

The objective of this study was to evaluate stomachs of 2-year-old Syrian hamsters that were naturally colonized by multiple Helicobacter species including Helicobacter aurati. A previous report on 7- to 12-month-old Syrian hamsters described chronic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, a putative preneoplastic lesion in the stomach, without cancer. This report describes an invasive adenocarcinoma at the pyloric-duodenal junction in one of nine hamsters at a site of helicobacter-associated inflammation and marked intestinal metaplasia. Ceca of nine of nine animals were culture positive and polymerase chain reaction positive for Helicobacter spp. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of the stomach using a H. pylori polyclonal antibody detected positive-staining bacteria within the pyloric region of three of nine hamsters including the neoplastic glands. However, argyrophilic bacteria were demonstrated only within the stomach of the hamster with gastric adenocarcinoma. This is a first report of gastric adenocarcinoma in helicobacter-infected hamsters. Syrian hamsters appear suitable as potential model for studying development of helicobacter-associated gastric adenocarcinomas.     

Gastritis and intestinal metaplasia in Syrian hamsters infected with Helicobacter aurati and two other microaerobes

Chronic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia associated with naturally occurring colonization by Helicobacter aurati and two other microaerobic species were observed in Syrian hamsters. Thirty-five hamsters, between 7 and 12 months of age, were evaluated from two research and three commercial facilities. Microaerobic bacteria were cultured from the hamster stomachs. These bacteria included H. aurati, a fusiform, urease-positive species; a second novel helical, urease-negative Helicobacter sp.; as well as a smaller, urease-negative Campylobacter sp. Southern blot analysis detected Helicobacter spp. DNA in the gastric tissues of all 35 hamsters; 15 hamsters also had Campylobacter sp. DNA in their gastric tissues. When examined by light microscopy, argyrophilic bacteria consistent with H. aurati or the second Helicobacter sp. were present in antral sections of 12 out of the 15 hamsters where bacteria were seen, while 9 out of the 15 hamsters had bacteria resembling the Campylobacter sp. The presence of Helicobacter spp. but not the presence of Campylobacter sp. was significantly correlated to gastritis severity (P < 0.0001 for Helicobacter spp., P = 0.6025 for Campylobacter sp.) and intestinal metaplasia, as measured by numbers of goblet cells (P = 0.0239 for Helicobacter spp., P = 0.5525 for Campylobacter sp.). Severely affected hamsters also had Giardia sp. within their metaplastic gastric pits. Hamsters with naturally occurring helicobacter-associated gastritis provide a model for studying the development of intestinal metaplasia and gastric giardiasis in H. pylori-infected humans.     

动物精原干细胞移植研究概况

精原干细胞移植技术是一种新兴的动物繁殖技术,可以提高雄性动物的生殖能力.该技术是从适龄雄性供体动物采集精原干细胞,注射入适龄受体动物的生精小管中使其产生精子的技术.精原干细胞移植首先在小鼠试验中获得成功,接着人们将这项技术应用到家畜等大中型动物中并获得成功.随着这项技术的不断深入研究,精原干细胞不但可以在同种间进行移植,而且在异种间的移植也获得成功.通过对培养体系的不断完善,筛选、移植方法的不断改进,可以获得更高的移植成功率.精原干细胞移植为提高优良品种家畜的生产效率、保护野生动物资源、转基因动物的生产及不育症的治疗提供了一种新的方法.     

Cell-cycle-dependent Colonization of Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells After Transplantation into Seminiferous Tubules

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) migrate to the niche upon introduction into the seminiferous tubules of the testis of infertile animals. However, only 5–10% of the transplanted cells colonize recipient testes. In this study, we analyzed the impact of cell cycle on spermatogonial transplantation. We used fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator transgenic mice to examine the influence of cell cycle on SSC activity of mouse germline stem (GS) cells, a population of cultured spermatogonia enriched for SSCs. GS cells in the G1 phase are more efficient than those in the S/G2-M phase in colonizing the seminiferous tubules of adult mice. Cells in the G1 phase not only showed higher expression levels of GFRA1, a component of the GDNF self-renewal factor receptor, but also adhered more efficiently to laminin-coated plates. Furthermore, this cell cycle-dependency was not observed when cells were transplanted into immature pup recipients, which do not have the blood-testis barrier (BTB) between Sertoli cells, suggesting that cells in the G1 phase may passage through the BTB more readily than cells in the S/G2-M phase. Thus cell cycle status is an important factor in regulating SSC migration to the niche.     

Toward an ideal animal model to trace donor cell fates after stem cell therapy: production of stably labeled multipotent mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow of transgenic pigs harboring enhanced green fluorescence protein gene

The discovery of postnatal mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) with their general multipotentiality has fueled much interest in the development of cell-based therapies. Proper identification of transplanted MSC is crucial for evaluating donor cell distribution, differentiation, and migration. Lack of an efficient marker of transplanted MSC has precluded our understanding of MSC-related regenerative studies, especially in large animal models such as pigs. In the present study, we produced transgenic pigs harboring an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene. The pigs provide a reliable and reproducible source for obtaining stable EGFP-labeled MSC, which is very useful for donor cell tracking after transplantation. The undifferentiated EGFP-tagged MSC expressed a greater quantity of EGFP while maintaining MSC multipotentiality. These cells exhibited homogeneous surface epitopes and possessed classic trilineage differentiation potential into osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, with robust EGFP expression maintained in all differentiated progeny. Injection of donor MSC can dramatically increase the thickness of infarcted myocardium and improve cardiac function in mice. Moreover, the MSC, with their strong EGFP expression, can be easily distinguished from the background autofluorescence in myocardial infarcts. We demonstrated an efficient, effective, and easy way to identify MSC after long-term culture and transplantation. With the transgenic model, we were able to obtain stem or progenitor cells in earlier passages compared with the transfection of traceable markers into established MSC. Because the integration site of the transgene was the same for all cells, we lessened the potential for positional effects and the heterogeneity of the stem cells. The EGFP-transgenic pigs may serve as useful biomedical and agricultural models of somatic stem cell biology.     

Enhanced protection against Heligmosomoides polygyrus in IL-2 receptor β-chain overexpressed transgenic mice with intestinal mastocytosis

IL-2 receptor β-chain overexpressed transgenic (Tg2Rβ) mice lack NK cells, but the development of other lymphocyte subsets and macrophages remained apparently intact. These mice also exhibit intestinal mastocytosis. Helminth infection induces various immune responses, such as mast cells, goblet cells, eosinophils and IgE, mediated by Th2 cytokines. IL-4 is also important in the regulation of resistance and susceptibility to Heligmosomoides polygyrus infection. However, there are contradictory results about the relation between resistance to H. polygyrus and intestinal mastocytosis. The present study showed that Tg2Rβ mice suppressed worm fecundity with mastocytosis without an increase of the levels of goblet cells, eosinophils and IgE compared with control mice. These results clearly indicated that mast cells have the ability for to protect against H. polygyrus infection. However, additional studies are required to evaluate protective effector mechanisms against H. polygyrus.     

野生黄鼬消化管组织结构的观察

通过组织学观察,探讨野生黄鼬消化管的组织结构特点.将8只野生黄鼬经乙醚麻醉后处死,解剖取食管、胃、小肠、大肠,制作石蜡切片,观察其组织结构.结果显示野生黄鼬食管的黏膜为复层扁平上皮,食管腺发达,肌层以骨骼肌为主.胃贲门部有发达的皱襞和贲门腺;胃底腺有大量的主细胞和壁细胞;胃大弯部的腺体以壁细胞为主,仅有少量主细胞;胃幽门部有发达的幽门腺和大量壁细胞.十二指肠黏膜层有小肠腺,内有潘氏细胞存在,黏膜下层含有十二指肠腺;空肠可见孤立淋巴小结、弥散淋巴组织及集合淋巴小结.结肠无皱襞和肠绒毛,大肠腺排列紧密,其中杯状细胞特别多;直肠固有膜内有发达的大肠腺.所以野生黄鼬消化管的特点是胃各部胃腺发达,壁细胞特别多.     

Effect of triple therapy on eradication of canine gastric helicobacters and gastric disease

Nine helicobacter-positive pet dogs with upper gastrointestinal signs were studied to evaluate the effect of a triple therapy, normally applied to humans for the eradication of gastric helicobacters, on clinical signs and gastric histology, as well as the recurrence of helicobacters after eradication in an extended follow-up in four dogs. Endoscopy was performed at entry to the study and repeated after eradication therapies and additional treatments. If the triple therapy (amoxycillin, metronidazole and bismuth subcitrate) failed, tetracycline and omeprazole were prescribed. Additional therapies were instituted if clinical signs persisted after eradication therapies. Helicobacter status was verified from gastric biopsy specimens by the urease test and histological examination, and in a few dogs also by brush cytology. Triple therapy eradicated gastric helicobacters in 7/9 dogs; gastric helicobacters were also eradicated in one dog treated with tetracycline and omeprazole. Eradication of helicobacters resulted in significant improvement, but not total resolution, of clinical signs. Subsequent additional therapies resulted in further alleviation of clinical signs. Neither triple therapy nor additional therapies had a significant effect on gastric histological changes. Gastric helicobacters recurred in 4/4 dogs within three years of the eradication treatment. Because canine gastric helicobacters alone were not definitively shown to induce clinical signs, routine eradication therapy seems not to be warranted at present.     

Review of gastric rupture in the horse

Gastrointestinal rupture is an important cause and complication of equine colic. The stomach is the most commonly affected segment in the gastrointestinal tract involved in gastrointestinal rupture. Gastric rupture can be primary or secondary; however, unless prodromal clinical signs are identified, localised and corrected, the resulting peritoneal contamination with feed, intestinal secretions and bacteria is invariably fatal. Causes for gastric rupture may be known or idiopathic; however, factors that predispose a horse to gastric rupture are poorly understood. Further research is needed to identify underlying causes and pathophysiology of gastric rupture to prevent it from occurring.     

Effects of intraoperative irradiation on gastric and urinary bladder incisions in the dog

Fourteen adult dogs of mixed breeding were given intraoperative irradiation (25 Gy) after surgical incisions were made into the greater curvature of the stomach and the ventral surface of the urinary bladder. Sequential biopsy samples were obtained 10 days to 180 days after surgical operation. All irradiated stomachs developed gastritis and persistent ulceration of the irradiated field. Microscopic changes induced by irradiation of both the bladder and stomach progressed from severe submucosal edema to severe submucosal fibrosis. A parallel progression of fibrinoid degeneration of the small blood vessels was seen in both organs. Severe gastric ulceration persisted up to 180 days after irradiation, although a degree of mucous neck cell and gastric gland regeneration did occur. Pathologic changes were less severe in the bladder than in the stomach. The bladder had greater resiliency and capability for healing and, in contrast to the stomach, showed a capability to reepithelialize the radiation-induced ulcers. Conclusions of this study are as follows: (a) the canine urinary bladder tolerated intraoperative radiation therapy after tissue resection better than did the canine stomach, (b) the combination of surgical operation and irradiation resulted in a more prolonged and complicated healing pattern than did either procedure alone, and (c) the introduction of a surgical procedure upon irradiated tissue within an undetermined time span relative to irradiation resulted in a similar pattern of disturbed healing.     

Experimental induction of bacterial gastritis and gastric ulcer disease in gnotobiotic swine inoculated with porcine Helicobacter-like species

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether 2 isolates of recently isolated swine-origin Helicobacter pylori-like bacteria are pathogenic in pigs and compare the signs of gastric disease induced by these isolates with those detected in H pylori- and Helicobacter heilmannii-infected pigs. ANIMALS: 36 neonatal gnotobiotic pigs. PROCEDURE: Groups of separately housed pigs were inoculated orally with swine-origin Helicobacter-like isolates 2662 or 1268, H pylori (human gastric pathogen), or a gastric homogenate from gnotobiotic swine containing H heilmannii. Noninoculated pigs were used as control animals. Clinical signs and development of homologous and heterologous antibodies against Helicobacter organisms were assessed. After euthanasia, gastric tissues were examined grossly and microscopically; Helicobacter organisms were detected by use of Warthin-Starry and immunohistochemical stains. RESULTS: Both porcine Helicobacter-like isolates colonized the stomachs of swine. Isolate 2662 was highly pathogenic; in 13 isolate 2662-inoculated pigs, gastroesophageal ulcerations developed in 9 and ulceration of the gastric glandular mucosa was detected in 5. Histologically, inflammatory gastritis consisting of multifocal to diffuse lymphocytic and plasmacytic cellular infiltrates and lymphoid follicle formation in the gastric lamina propria accompanied bacterial colonization of the gastric compartment. In contrast, H heilmannii was minimally pathogenic in that only modest inflammatory cell infiltrates were seen. Gastroesophageal or mucosal ulcers were not evident in pigs inoculated with H heilmannii. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data indicate that swine-origin H pylori-like bacteria can be pathogenic in pigs and suggest that porcine gastric disease may be mediated, in part, by colonization of the stomach by swine-origin H pylori-like bacteria.     

Effect of diet particle size and feeding of H2-receptor antagonists on gastric ulcers in swine

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of diet and the administration of H2-antagonists in feed on gastric ulcer formation and performance of growing-finishing swine. Pigs receiving a finely ground diet (less than lmm) grew faster (.73 vs .68 kg/d, P less than .01) and had better feed utilization (3.47 vs 3.76, P less than .01) than pigs receiving a cracked corn-based diet. Incidence of ulcers in the esophageal region of the stomach of pigs fed the finely ground diet was greater (P less than .01) than in pigs fed cracked corn. The average daily gain of pigs receiving the finely ground diet was inversely related to ulcer incidence (r = .403, P less than .01, df = 59). The addition of 5, 10, 20 or 100 ppm of the H2-antagonist, metiamide, or 6, 18 or 54 ppm of SK&F 93479 to the finely ground diet did not improve pig performance or affect the incidence of gastric ulceration. The addition of 2, 6 and 18 ppm of SK&F 93479 to a corn-soy diet containing 4.5% alfalfa meal caused a reduction in gastric ulceration (P less than .05) and improved feed utilization by 3.2% (P less than .05). These data suggest that finely ground diets improve the performance of growing-finishing swine, but increase the incidence of ulcers in the esophageal region of the stomach. Severe gastric ulceration adversely affects swine performance. Feeding H2-antagonists does not reduce the ulcerogenic properties of finely ground diets, suggesting factors other than gastric acid secretion are involved in ulcerogenesis. The use of H2-antagonists in corn-soy diets improves feed utilization and reduces ulceration.     

Role of cholecystokinin in the gastric motor response to a meal in horses

OBJECTIVE: To measure plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) activity and the effect of a CCK-1 receptor antagonist on accommodation of the proximal portion of the stomach, and subsequent gastric emptying, in horses after ingestion of high-fat or high-carbohydrate meals. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult horses with gastric cannulas. PROCEDURES: In the first study, horses were offered a high-fat (8% fat) or a high-carbohydrate (3% fat) pelleted meal of identical volume, caloric density, and protein content. Related plasma CCK-like activity was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In a separate experiment, a horse was fed a grain meal with corn oil and phenylalanine, and plasma CCK activity was assessed by bioassay. A second study evaluated the effect of a CCK-1 receptor antagonist, devazepide (0.1 mg/kg, IV), on gastric accommodation and emptying following a meal of grain supplemented with either corn oil (12.3% fat) or an isocaloric amount of glucose (2.9% fat). Gastric tone was measured by a barostat and emptying by the (13)C-octanoic acid breath test. RESULTS: No plasma CCK-like activity was detected by RIA or bioassay before or after ingestion of meals. Preprandial devazepide did not alter the gastric accommodation response but did significantly shorten the gastric half-emptying time and time to peak breath (13)CO(2) content with the glucose-enriched meal. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In horses, CCK participates in regulating the gastric motor response to a meal. Compared with other species, horses may be more responsive to carbohydrate than fat. A vagovagal reflex most likely mediates this regulation, with CCK as a paracrine intermediary at the intestinal level.     

Nonendoscopic Antegrade Percutaneous Gastrostomy: The Effect of Preplacement Gastric Insufflation on Tube Position and Intra-Abdominal Anatomy

Nonendoscopic tube gastrostomy was performed on 41 anesthetized dogs using the technique of Fulton and Dennis with or without gastric insufflation prior to tube placement. Immediately after tube placement, dogs were euthanized and postmortem examinations performed. When gastric insufflation was not performed (group I), gastrostomy tubes penetrated the visceral surface of the stomach in 25% of dogs. The deep leaf of the omentum was interposed between stomach and body wall in the majority of these dogs, exposing other intra-abdominal organs to potential injury. Additionally, displacement and tethering of the spleen cranial to the gastrostomy site were observed in 33% of dogs in group I. Similar results were obtained when preplacement gastric insufflation was performed after the orogastric tube was inserted sufficiently far to displace the stomach laterally against the body wall (group II). In contrast, consistent positioning of gastrostomy tubes through the parietal surface of the stomach was achieved when the stomach was insufflated prior to lateralizing the left abdominal wall with the gastric end of the orogastric tube (group III). It was concluded that the blind percutaneous gastrostomy technique is made safer by insufflating the stomach immediately prior to pushing the gastric wall laterally into contact with the parietal peritoneum. J Vet Intern Med 1996;10:15–20. Copyright © 1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine .     

The anatomy of the oesophagus, stomach and intestine in common wolffish (Anarhichas lupus L.): a basis for diagnostic work and research

The alimentary canal of laboratory-reared common wolffish (Anarhichas lupus L.) was studied using light and electron microscopy. In the oesophagus, a simple columnar microvillous epithelium with transport characteristics was observed in addition to the main striated squamous epithelium. An osmoregulatory function is proposed for the simple columnar epithelium, which was supported by wide, thin-walled vessels. In the stomach, a separate type of neck cells was observed leading into the acinar gastric glands, which morphologically consist of one cell type: chief cells. The intestine was divided into a proximal and distal segment by an intestinal valve. Pyloric caeca were not present. We propose that shallow, crypt-like structures in the intestinal mucosa are the sites of epithelial-cell proliferation in juveniles and adults. The length of microvilli decreased from approximately 4 microns in the cranial part of the proximal intestine, to 1.5 microns in the distal intestine. In the distal intestine, rod-shaped bacteria were observed between microvilli. An extensive system of thin-walled vessels was observed in the submucosa of juvenile and adult wolffish stomach and intestine. Eosinophilic granular cells were numerous in the perivascular connective tissue in the gastric and intestinal submucosa of adults and juveniles, but were not observed in larvae.     

Canine gastric dilatation-volvulus

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a dramatic and enigmatic disease of large and giant breed dogs characterised by the rapid accumulation of gas in the stomach. This causes gastric dilatation, twisting of the stomach about its long axis, compression of surrounding organs, hypovolaemic and cardiogenic shock, and if untreated, death. It has been estimated that the disease afflicts approximately 60,000 dogs in the USA each year with a mortality rate ranging from 7 to 60 per cent depending on accessibility to adequate veterinary care. The cause is unknown. While diet was at one time believed to be associated with the genesis of the disease, critical review of available data provides no evidence to support this hypothesis. A variety of predisposing or risk factors have been identified but none is suspected of being the cause, indeed, the disorder may have a multiple aetiology. Current thinking suggests that the final common pathway in the development of GDV may be an inhibition of gastric motility and emptying. This could come about through a primary disruption of normal gastric electrical patterns or through the effect of extraneous stressful events that disrupt gastric motility. After dilatation a series of potentially lethal events is unleashed which include compression of the caudal vena cava, pooling of blood in the microcirculation of the viscera and hindlimbs, metabolic acidosis, gastric necrosis, cardiac arrhythmias, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hypotensive and cardiogenic shock and death. Nevertheless, even advanced cases can survive if treated appropriately. If the cause could be identified logical prophylaxis might follow. Studies at the University of Florida have failed to demonstrate any effect of diet on gastric function in large breed dogs, suggesting that diet is probably not the cause of the disease. Researchers at Colorado State University also found no association with diet in clinical patients. Recent studies at the University of Florida have revealed distinct abnormalities in gastric electrical activity in GDV patients. In human patients these abnormalities, called dysrhythmias, have been associated with gastric distention, bloating, delayed emptying, nausea and retching. Unfortunately, dysrhythmias are also present, albeit to a lesser degree, in experimental GDV. These findings leave unanswered the question as to whether abnormalities in gastric motility play a role in the genesis of GDV.     

Efficient production of chimeric mice from embryonic stem cells injected into 4- to 8-cell and blastocyst embryos

Background

Production of chimeric mice is a useful tool for the elucidation of gene function. After successful isolation of embryonic stem (ES) cell lines, there are many methods for producing chimeras, including co-culture with the embryos, microinjection of the ES cells into pre-implantation embryos, and use of tetraploid embryos to generate the full ES-derived transgenic mice. Here, we aimed to generate the transgenic ES cell line, compare the production efficiency of chimeric mice and its proportion to yield the male chimeric mice by microinjected ES cells into 4- to 8-cell and blastocysts embryos with the application of Piezo-Micromanipulator (PMM), and trace the fate of the injected ES cells.

Results

We successfully generated a transgenic ES cell line and proved that this cell line still maintained pluripotency. Although we achieved a satisfactory chimeric mice rate, there was no significant difference in the production of chimeric mice using the two different methods, but the proportion of the male chimeric mice in the 4- to 8-cell group was higher than in the blastocyst group. We also found that there was no tendency for ES cells to aggregate into the inner cell mass using in vitro culture of the chimeric embryos, indicating that they aggregated randomly.

Conclusions

These results showed that the PMM method is a convenient way to generate chimeric mice and microinjection of ES cells into 4- to 8-cell embryos can increase the chance of yielding male chimeras compared to the blastocyst injection. These results provide useful data in transgenic research mediated by ES cells.     

Morphological,morphometric and histochemical characterization of the gastric mucosa of the camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Mucosal morphology, morphometry and mucin histochemistry of the stomach were studied in the one-humped camel. The lining of the stomach was divided into eight grossly identifiable regions. The first region was non-glandular, occupied the body of the first compartment of the stomach and constituted 53.2% of the gastric mucosa. The other seven regions were lined by a glandular mucosa. Histological, histochemical and morphometric investigations have shown that glandular mucosa comprises pseudo-cardiac, cardiac, fundic and pyloric regions. The pseudo-cardiac region was characterized by widely separated short tubular serous glands. It constituted 36.2% of the gastric mucosa; it extended over the entire lining of the second compartment and parts of the first and third compartments. The cardiac region was confined to the initial zone of the third compartment amidst the psuedo-cardiac region but contiguous with the distal end of the gastric groove. It constituted 3.4% of the gastric mucosa and was characterized by neutral and acid mucin positive glands. The fundic and pyloric regions occupied the distal distended part of the third compartment. The fundic region constituted 4.3% of the gastric mucosa. It was packed with typical fundic glands characterized by chief cells, parietal cells and acid mucin positive neck cells. The pyloric region constituted 2.9% of the gastric mucosa. Its glands were positive to acid mucins except for their bases that were positive to neutral mucins. Differences in volume densities of the mucosal components and reactivity of the surface epithelium and gastric pits to mucin stains were noted in the different regions of the stomach.     

Expression of gastric ghrelin and H(+)-K(+)-ATPase mRNA in weanling piglets and effect of ghrelin on H(+)-K(+)-ATPase expression and activity in gastric mucosal cells in vitro

This study was designed to investigate the effect of ghrelin on gastric acid secretion in weaning piglets both in vivo and in vitro. Thirty newborn piglets were selected from six litters and on 28, 35 (weaning), 38, 42 and 45d of age, respectively, one piglet from each litter was killed and the mucosal tissue from gastric fundus was collected for detecting ghrelin mRNA as well as H(+)-K(+)-ATPase mRNA expression and activity. Primary cultures of gastric mucosal cells from 5-week-old weaning piglets were challenged with 3x10(-5), 3x10(-4), 3x10(-3), 3x10(-2) and 3x10(-1)nmol/ml h-ghrelin, respectively, for 4h in order to further clarify the effect of ghrelin on gastric H(+)-K(+)-ATPase mRNA expression and activity. Ghrelin mRNA expression in gastric fundus kept stable from 28d to 42d, followed by a sudden increase on 45d, exhibiting a peak that was significantly higher than any other age groups investigated. H(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and mRNA expression showed similar trends of increase with slightly different timing. H(+)-K(+)-ATPase mRNA expression tended to increase on 42d, while H(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity started to rise from 35d, but neither of them reached significantly higher levels until 45d. In vitro, ghrelin significantly increased H(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity of gastric mucosal cells at 3x10(-4), 3x10(-3), and 3x10(-2)nmol/ml, but augmented H(+)-K(+)-ATPase mRNA expression only at 3x10(-4)nmol/ml. The results indicate that ghrelin mRNA expression is up-regulated 10 days after weaning in the gastric fundus of piglets, coinciding with the increase of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase mRNA expression and activity. Ghrelin acts on gastric mucosal cells to stimulate both mRNA expression and activity of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase in vitro.     

The radioprotective effects of the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Callophyllis japonica in mice that undergo whole body irradiation

The radioprotective activity of extracts from the red seaweed Callophyllis (C.) japonica was investigated in mice that underwent whole-body exposure to gamma radiation. A methanol extract of C. japonica and its fractions [hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol and the remaining H₂O] were used. Each fraction (100 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) 2 times into the BALB/c mice, once at 1 and once at 24 h before exposure to 9 Gray (Gy) of gamma radiation. Pre-irradiation administration of the hexane and EtOAc fractions saved the mice, with their survival rates being greater than 80% at 30 days post-irradiation; the mice that were pretreated with the other fractions showed survival rates lower than 20% over the same time period. To examine the effect of each C. japonica fraction on the survival of intestinal and bone marrow stem cells, the number of intestinal crypts and bone marrow cells in the gamma-irradiated mice were examined. Pre-treatment of mice (i.p., 100 mg/kg body weight at 1 and 24 h before irradiation) with the hexane or EtOAc fraction prior to 6-Gy irradiation significantly protected the number of jejunal crypts and bone marrow cells at 9 days after irradiation. These findings suggest that certain extracts from C. japonica, when they are administered prior to irradiation, play an important role in the survival of irradiated mice, and this is possibly due to the extracts protecting the hematopoietic cells and intestinal stem cells against gamma irradiation.