Effect of selenium-vitamin E on adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy in rabbits

Administration of selenium-vitamin E (Se-E) to weanling rabbits chronically treated with adriamycin (ADR) resulted in decreased incidence and severity of cardiomyopathy and decreased cumulative mortality during a 10-week experiment. However, Se-E did not protect against extracardiac lesions or against a number of clinicopathologic alterations induced by chronic ADR toxicosis. Histopathologic alterations of ADR-induced cardiomyopathy were concentrated periarterially in the free and septal walls of the left ventricle. Initial vacuolar degeneration of injured cardiac muscle cells was followed by myofibrillar lysis and eventual cell death with subsequent interstitial fibrosis. Ultrastructurally, degenerated cardiac muscle cells had 3 prominent alterations: (1) sarcoplasmic vacuolization caused by distention of elements of sarcoplasmic reticulum and T-tubules, (2) degeneration of mitochondria forming large myelin figures from disrupted membranes, and (3) lysis of myofibrils producing granular sarcoplasmic masses. Severely injured fibers were necrotic and macrophages invaded to remove cellular debris. The interstitium was distended by edema and increased amounts of collagen. Extracardiac lesions in rabbits with chronic ADR toxicosis included the usually recognized alterations involving cell-renewal systems in kidney, testis, bone marrow, skin, and alimentary tract, as well as vacuolar degeneration of skeletal muscle and focal loss of pancreatic tissue, with ensuing pancreatic fibrosis and fat necrosis. Deaths in ADR-treated rabbits usually were precipitated by terminal septic embolism. The partial protection afforded by Se-E against ADR-induced cardiomyopathy may be associated with stabilization of the membranes of injured muscle cells or with prevention of ADR-induced inhibition of coenzyme Q10-dependent mitochondrial enzymes.     

The increment of anti-ORP150 autoantibody in initial stages of atheroma in high-fat diet fed mice

Expression of 150 kda oxygen-regulated protein, ORP150, was examined in the atheromatous lesions on aortic valves in high-fat diet fed mice. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that ORP150 was expressed on the surface of plaque and was co-localized with phagocytes bearing Mac-3, a mouse macrophage differentiation antigen. These findings suggest that ORP150 is involved in the development of the atheromatous plaque. Titer of autoantibody against ORP150 was gradually elevated in parallel with the length of period of high-fat diet feeding. These results suggest that the deposition of immunocomplex toward ORP150 antigen is involved in atheromatous plaque progression.     

Congenital myopathy in Japanese Black calves

Two Japanese Black bull calves from a dam showed muscular weakness and became recumbent after birth. At necropsy, skeletal muscles, including face, neck, body and proximal and distal forelimb and hindlimb were extremely pale in color and edematous. Histopathological examination of skeletal muscles revealed degenerative changes as follows: replacement of muscle with fat, variation in muscle fiber diameter, internal nuclei, central core-like structures, and vacuolar and hyaline degeneration of muscle fibers. Ultrastructurally, the lesions were characterized by focal myofibrillar disorganization with streaming or irregularity of Z bands. The present cases seem to be classified as congenital myopathy based on pathological alterations and age of onset.     

Polymyositis in mice experimentally inoculated with Getah virus

Mice inoculated intracerebrally with parent, large-plaque (LP) and small-plaque (SP) strains of Kanagawa strain of Getah virus showed clinically recumbency and paralysis. The LP strain caused recumbency more rapidly and killed mice more early after inoculation than the parent and SP strains. Microscopically, skeletal muscles of the whole body were involved showing degenerative or inflammatory changes. In mice inoculated with the parent or SP strains, there were degeneration and necrosis of the muscle fibers with inflammatory cell infiltration and regenerative reaction. The lesions were particularly conspicuous in muscles of the hind legs. In mice inoculated with the LP strain, most of the muscle fibers revealed degeneration and necrosis, but reactive changes were poor. In addition, the periosteum and muscular connective tissue were thickened with karyorrhexis. Electron microscopically, virus particles were recognized mainly in cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle fibers of mice inoculated with the LP strain, while they were rare in those of animals injected with the parent and SP strains. From these finding, it was suggested that Kanagawa strain of Getah virus has the virulence to skeletal muscles of mice.     

Histopathological characterization of the skeletal myopathy in rasH2 mice carrying human prototype c-Ha-ras gene

A skeletal myopathy is found in approximately 100% of rasH2 mice. To confirm detailed features of the rasH2 skeletal myopathy, the biceps femoris, diaphragm, triceps brachii, gastrocnemial (types I and II fiber-mixed muscles) and soleus muscle (type I fiber-dominant muscle) obtained from male rasH2 and non-transgenic littermates aged 10-13 and 34 weeks were examined. Variations in the muscle fiber size, early-scattered degeneration/necrosis and regeneration of muscle fibers were detected in 10-13-week-old rasH2 mice. The severity of the above muscular lesions was more prominent in older rasH2 mice. These lesions were noted in the type II myofiber dominant muscles (biceps femoris, triceps brachii and gastrocnemial). NADH-TR stain clearly demonstrated a disorganized intermyofibrillar network and necrotic change in muscle fibers. No specific morphological changes, like rod structure or tubular aggregation seen in some types of myopathy, were noted in Gomori trichrome and NADH-TR stains in the rasH2 mouse like in many types of muscular dystrophy. Electronmicroscopically, occasional muscle fiber degeneration/regeneration, invaded phagocytic cells, indistinct Z-band suggesting excessive contraction and dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum were observed. In summary, the skeletal myopathy occurring in rasH2 mice is consistent with muscular dystrophy characterized morphologically by progressive degeneration and regeneration of myofibers. The myopathy is confined to the type II myofiber predominant muscles and is not associated with any pathognomonic lesions. These characteristics will provide us with a useful model for research in muscular dystrophy of diverse myofibers.     

A familial degenerative neuromuscular disease of Gelbvieh cattle.

A degenerative skeletal muscle disease with vascular, neurologic, and renal lesions and a probable familial distribution was identified in 4-20-month-old purebred Gelbvieh cattle. Thirteen affected animals were confirmed from 6 separate beef herds, with a mortality rate of 100%. Clinical signs in affected animals consisted of ataxia, weakness, and terminal recumbency. Gross and histologic muscle lesions were indicative of nutritional myopathy of ruminants, with a lack of myocardial lesions in most cases and only rare myocardial changes in a few animals. Acute to chronic lesions in most large skeletal muscle groups consisted of degeneration, necrosis, regeneration, fibrosis, and atrophy. Fibrinoid necrosis of arterioles was a common feature in multiple tissues. Lesions in the spinal cord white matter and peripheral nerves consisted of degeneration of the dorsal columns and axons, respectively. Changes in the kidneys consisted of chronic interstitial nephritis with fibrosis, hyaline droplet change and tubular epithelial vacuolar change and were most severe in the older calves. Intracytoplasmic myoglobin and iron were demonstrated within the hyaline droplets in degenerate renal cortical tubular epithelial cells. Vitamin E levels were deficient in most (6/7) of the animals tested. Investigation of the pedigree of affected animals revealed a common ancestry for all but 1 of the animals whose parentage could be traced. This investigation suggests that a hereditary metabolic defect, possibly involving antioxidant metabolism, could be responsible for this condition. Renal disease, possibly secondary to myoglobinuria, may be unique to this bovine condition.     

Liver Enzymes and Ultrastructure in Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is caused by a calicivirus infection that kills most adult rabbits 24–72 h after viral inoculation. Two liver enzymes (AST, aspartate aminotransferase, and ALT, alanine aminotransferase) were monitored in blood samples of calicivirus-infected rabbits during the short course of RHD. Values of AST were used to differentiate three stages of hepatocellular degeneration in RHD: mild (up to 20-fold increase in AST), moderate (150–200-fold elevation of AST) and severe (more than 1000-fold elevation in AST). Liver samples of rabbits from these three biochemical stages of hepatocellular degeneration of RHD were studied by transmission electron microscopy to define the fine structure of the hepatocytes. In the mild hepatocellular degeneration there was proliferation (microvesiculation) of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and swelling of mitochondria into spheroid bodies with loss of cristae. In moderate hepatocellular degeneration, vacuolization of cytoplasm and mitochondrial damage continued to be present, and there was also formation of autophagic vesicles. In the severe hepatocellular degeneration of RHD, the altered mitochondria also showed loss of density of their matrix; rupture of cytoplasmic vacuoles led to the formation of large vesicles. Marked depletion of liver glycogen was also found in this late stage of RHD. These data offer a correlation between biochemical and cytological features of the liver during the hepatocellular degeneration of RHD.     

Studies on the toxic interaction between monensin and tiamulin in rats: toxicity and pathology

The characteristics of the toxic interaction between monensin and tiamulin were investigated in rats. A three-day comparative oral repeated-dose toxicity study was performed in Phase I, when the effects of monensin and tiamulin were studied separately (monensin 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg or tiamulin 40, 120, and 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively). In Phase II, the two compounds were administered simultaneously to study the toxic interaction (monensin 10 mg/kg and tiamulin 40 mg/kg b.w., respectively). Monensin proved to be toxic to rats at doses of 30 and 50 mg/kg. Tiamulin was well tolerated up to the dose of 200 mg/kg. After combined administration, signs of toxicity were seen (including lethality in females). Monensin caused a dose-dependent cardiotoxic effect and vacuolar degeneration of the skeletal muscles in the animals given 50 mg/kg. Both compounds exerted a toxic effect on the liver in high doses. After simultaneous administration of the two compounds, there was a mild effect on the liver (females only), hydropic degeneration of the myocardium and vacuolar degeneration of the skeletal muscles. The alteration seen in the skeletal muscles was more marked than that seen after the administration of 50 mg/kg monensin alone.     

Comparative toxicology of monensin sodium in laboratory animals

The toxicology of monensin has been studied in several laboratory animal species. There was considerable species variation in acute oral LD50 values. The consistent signs of acute toxicity were: anorexia, hypoactivity, skeletal muscle weakness, ataxia, diarrhea, decreased weight gain and delayed deaths. The 3-mo study in rats fed diets containing 0, 50, 150 or 500 ppm monensin resulted in no effects at the lowest dose level, slight reduction of body weight gain in the middle-dose group and severe depression in body weight gain, skeletal and cardiac lesions, and deaths in the highest dose group. The 3-mo study in dogs given daily oral doses of 0, 5, 15 or 50 mg/kg monensin resulted in no effects at the lowest dose level. Dogs in the 15 and 50 mg/kg groups developed, during test wk 1 to 4, anorexia, weakness, ataxia, labored respiration, body weight loss, increased serum muscle enzyme values, severe skeletal muscle degeneration and necrosis with less severe heart lesions and deaths. Mice fed diets containing 0, 37.5, 75, 150 or 300 ppm monensin for 3 mo had reduced body weight gain in all test groups but no other physical signs. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values were increased in mice in the two highest dose groups and minimal heart lesions were found in the highest dose group. Dogs given daily oral doses of 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 or 7.5 mg/kg monensin for 1 yr survived with no evidence of toxicity in the two lowest dose groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Histopathological and aquaporin7 mRNA expression analyzes in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of obese db/db mice

The aim of this study is to examine 1) muscle fiber type composition, 2) myofiber diameter, and 3) aquaporin (AQP) 7 and AQP 9 mRNA expressions by quantitative PCR in muscles of obese db/db mice. The myofiber type composition of skeletal muscle was not statistically significantly different between db/db mice and control mice; while the average myofiber diameter ratio showed a decrease in db/db mice. The expression of AQP7 but not AQP9 mRNA in the skeletal and cardiac muscles was significantly upregulated in db/db mice. Thus this study revealed quantitatively that type 2 myofiber atrophy was shown in the skeletal muscles of db/db mice. AQP7 mRNA expression was upregulated in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of db/db mice.     

Ultrastructure of the gastrocnemius tendon and sheath from broilers infected with reovirus

Gastrocnemius tendon and sheath from male broilers infected with reovirus at 1 day of age were evaluated ultrastructurally at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks postinoculation (PI). Although virus particles were not identified, degenerative changes in sheath and tendon fibroblasts were characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization, disruption of membranes, and loss of ribosomes from rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial degeneration, and cell disruption.     

Increased Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Activity Associated With Muscle Necrosis in the Dog

Serum activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was consistently increased in dogs with canine X-linked muscular dystrophy (CXMD), a primary myopathy characterized by profound and on-going skeletal muscle necrosis. In order to determine whether the ALT was of liver origin, serum activity of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT, and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) obtained from dystrophic dogs was compared with enzyme activity present in clinically normal dogs. In dystrophic dogs at all ages tested, serum activity of CK, AST, and ALT was increased, and significant increases were present in dogs four weeks or older. In contrast, SDH activity in dystrophic dogs was not statistically different from values in clinically normal dogs. Ultrastructural examination of liver tissue revealed no evidence of hepatic degeneration in dystrophic dogs. It was concluded that increased serum activity of ALT in the dog may be associated with severe skeletal muscle degeneration, without concurrent hepatocellular necrosis.     

斑点叉尾(鱼回)疑似疱疹病毒感染的病理形态学观察

对四川省一些养殖场斑点又尾鮰大规模死亡的病鱼组织进行了光镜和电镜观察．在其肾和肝组织的细胞中发现一种圆形或椭圆形病毒颗粒，有囊膜的病毒颗粒存在于胞浆中，直径150～200nm．无囊膜的病毒颗粒既存在于胞浆中，也存在于胞棱中，直径为80～110nm，同时在细胞核内可见无病毒核心的空衣壳，根据其形态特征初步确定为一种疱疹病毒。病鱼主要表现为鳍条基部和皮肤（特别是腹部和尾柄）充血、出血，腹部膨大，眼球突出．鳃发白．腹腔内充有淡黄色或淡红色的腹水，胃肠道扩张，其内充满大量淡黄色的粘液，肝、脾和肾肿大。病理组织学变化主要为全身组织器官广泛性水肿、出血、变性、坏死和炎症细胞浸润，特别是肾、肝、胃肠道、脾和脑的损伤较为严重。肾间质水肿，造血组织坏死，巨噬细胞和中性拉细胞浸润．肾小管上皮细胞空泡变性和坏死；肝水肿，狄氏间隙增宽．肝细胞空泡变性及坏死；胃肠道粘膜上皮变性，坏死．脱落，固有膜，粘膜下层水肿，淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞和中性枉细胞浸润；脾淤血．出血．淋巴细胞减少，大量巨噬细胞和中性粒细胞浸润；脑水肿，神经细胞肿胀．甚至坏死固缩。超微结构上．被病毒感染的细胞发生明显的痛变，线粒体肿胀，嵴断裂．溶解，粗面内质网扩张，核糖体颗粒脱落．细胞核体积增大，染色质浓缩．边集。     

Heterogeneity of Pericyte Populations in Equine Skeletal Muscle and Dermal Microvessels: A Quantitative Study

The objective of this ultrastructural investigation was to determine if populations of pericytes in equine dermal and skeletal muscle capillaries increase in a head-to-foot direction, as has been reported in human skeletal muscles. Samples of equine microvessels were obtained from the longis-simus dorsi skeletal muscle 150 cm. from the ground, from the dermis above this muscle, from the extensor carpi radiali muscle at 55 cm. from the ground, from the dermis adjacent to that muscle, and from dermis 15 cm. from the ground, just above the hoof wall. Tissues were processed for transmission electron miscroscopy. Electron micrographs were analyzed with a digitizing tablet and computer, to determine the ratios of endothelial cell outer circumference and pericyte inner lengths. Pericytes were separated into two classes; those closest to the endothelial cells were defined as covering capillaries. Those separated from endothelial cells by another layer of pericytes were termed enveloping pericytes. There was much greater coverage and envelopment of dermal capillaries (85 % and 135 %) than skeletal muscle capillaries (27 % and 31 %). Regression analysis of the pericyte coverage and envelopment of dermal capillaries revealed a significant increase in pericytes toward the ground. Similarly, the two skeletal muscle tissues differed significantly in their pericyte coverage and envelopment (25/27 % at 150 cm., 31/35 % at 55 cm.). The data indicate that, as in humans, capillary pericytes are not homogeneously distributed within the same tissues, but are more numerous closer to the ground. Differences in pericyte populations could affect studies of microvessel function.     

Study on the Intervention Effect and Mechanism on Insulin Resistant Mice of Total Flavone from Melastoma dodecandrum Lour.

This experiment was conducted to explore the intervention effect and mechanism on insulin resistance (IR) mice of total flavonoids from Melastoma dodecandrum Lour.(TFMD).The model of IR mice was established by intragastric administration of high-fat emulsion,while 600,300 and 150 mg/kg TFMD were administered once daily for 30 days.After the end of the experiment the mices' fasting blood glucose (FBG),fasting serum insulin (FINS),serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride (TG),high density lipoprotein(HDL) were determined.The mRNA expression level of liver insulin receptor(InsR),fat peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPAR-γ),and glucose transporter 4 gene (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle were detected by Real-time quantative PCR,and the protein levels were detected by immunohistoche mical method.The results showed that TDMF could reduce the body weight of IR mice,decrease the level of serum FBG,FINS and HOMA-IR,increase the level of ISI,decrease the content of serum TG,TC and LDL,and increase the content of HDL(P<0.01,P<0.05);And the mRNA expression of INSR,PPAR-γ in liver and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle of IR mice were increased(P<0.01,P<0.05),and the protein expression level of InsR,PPAR-γ in liver and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle of IR mice were increased(P<0.01,P<0.05).The results confirmed that the TFMD could relieve experimental insulin resistance in mice,and the activity was related to the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism and the enhancement of insulin sensitivity.     

地菍总黄酮对胰岛素抵抗小鼠的干预作用及机制研究

本研究旨在探讨地菍总黄酮（TFMD）对胰岛素抵抗（IR）小鼠的干预作用及其机制。试验以灌胃高脂乳剂建立胰岛素抵抗小鼠模型，同时灌胃给予地菍总黄酮混悬液（高剂量（600 mg/kg）、中剂量（300 mg/kg）及低剂量（150 mg/kg））进行治疗，治疗周期为30 d。试验结束后测定小鼠血清中空腹血清胰岛素（FINS）、空腹血糖（FBG）、胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）、胰岛素敏感指数（ISI）、血清甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）及高密度脂蛋白（HDL）水平；利用实时荧光定量PCR法检测各组小鼠肝脏中胰岛素受体（InsR）、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体-γ（PPAR-γ）及骨骼肌中葡萄糖转运体4（GLUT4）的mRNA表达水平；利用免疫组化技术检测各组小鼠肝脏中InsR、PPAR-γ和骨骼肌中GLUT4的蛋白表达水平。结果显示，与模型组相比，地菍总黄酮能降低IR小鼠的体重，降低血清FBG、FINS及HOMA-IR水平，升高ISI水平（P<0.01，P<0.05）；降低血清TG、TC及LDL含量，升高HDL含量（P<0.01，P<0.05）；同时提高IR小鼠肝脏中InsR、PPAR-γ及骨骼肌中GLUT4的mRNA表达量，提高小鼠肝脏InsR、PPAR-γ及骨骼肌中GLUT4的蛋白表达水平（P<0.01，P<0.05）。以上试验结果证实，地菍总黄酮能有效缓解小鼠试验性胰岛素抵抗症状，该活性与调节糖脂代谢、增强胰岛素敏感性有关。     

Differential ammonia metabolism and toxicity between avian and mammalian species,and effect of ammonia on skeletal muscle: A comparative review

Comparative aspects of ammonia toxicity, specific to liver and skeletal muscle and skeletal muscle metabolism between avian and mammalian species are discussed in the context of models for liver disease and subsequent skeletal muscle wasting. The purpose of this review is to present species differences in ammonia metabolism and to specifically highlight observed differences in skeletal muscle response to excess ammonia in avian species. Ammonia, which is produced during protein catabolism and is an essential component of nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis, is detoxified mainly in the liver. While the liver is consistent as the main organ responsible for ammonia detoxification, there are evolutionary differences in ammonia metabolism and nitrogen excretory products between avian and mammalian species. In patients with liver disease and all mammalian models, inadequate ammonia detoxification and successive increased circulating ammonia concentration, termed hyperammonemia, leads to severe skeletal muscle atrophy, increased apoptosis and reduced protein synthesis, altogether having deleterious effects on muscle size and strength. Previously, an avian embryonic model, designed to determine the effects of increased circulating ammonia on muscle development, revealed that ammonia elicits a positive myogenic response. Specifically, induced hyperammonemia in avian embryos resulted in a reduction in myostatin, a well‐known inhibitor of muscle growth, expression, whereas myostatin expression is significantly increased in mammalian models of hyperammonemia. These interesting findings imply that species differences in ammonia metabolism allow avians to utilize ammonia for growth. Understanding the intrinsic physiological mechanisms that allow for ammonia to be utilized for growth has potential to reveal novel approaches to muscle growth in avian species and will provide new targets for preventing muscle degeneration in mammalian species.     

Spastic syndrome in a Holstein bull: a histologic study

A 4-year-old Canadian holstein bull developed the spastic syndrome, an episodic but progressive disorder causing pelvic limb muscular spasms. A post-mortem study, including morphometry of skeletal muscles and teased peripheral nerve fibers of the pelvic limb, revealed mild type II skeletal muscle fiber atrophy and minimal, focal segmental demyelination with remyelination, and axonal degeneration in peripheral nerves. Such alterations are probably incidental or age-associated. Idiopathic muscular cramps is the most probable explanation of the clinical disease and is consistent with the absence of significant morphologic pathologic lesions.     

Dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy in a Weimaraner

A 2-year-old, male Weimaraner with muscular dystrophy was presented with generalized muscle atrophy of the limbs; hypertrophy of the neck, infraspinatus, and lingual muscles; dysphagia; and regurgitation. Unilateral cryptorchidism, unilateral renal agenesis, and hiatal hernia were also detected. Spontaneous muscle activity was identified on myography. Serum creatine kinase was markedly elevated. Immunohistochemical staining for dystrophin was restricted to suspected revertant (characteristics of immaturity) fibers. Histologically, skeletal myofiber degeneration, endomysial fibrosis, and mineralization were present. Following euthanasia, necropsy revealed hypertrophy of the diaphragm and cardiac muscle fibrosis. This case of muscular dystrophy represents a slowly progressive form with organ agenesis.     

鲤鱼急性喹乙醇中毒的病理学研究

试验对鲤鱼进行了喹乙醇急性中毒的病理学研究。喹乙醇对鲤鱼 (60± 5g)口服给药的LD50 为 :32 4 9 4mg/kg体重。中毒鱼表现出特征性的“应激性出血症” ,鳍条基部、嘴部和腹部充血、出血发红 ,肠道排出白色半透明粘液便 ,临死前出现明显的神经症状。病理组织学上 ,肝脂肪变性或水泡变性及凝固性坏死 ,肾上腺空泡变性 ,肠呈卡他性肠炎 ,肾小管上皮细胞、心肌纤维空泡变性 ;鳃小片水肿 ,上皮增生、变性、坏死和脱落。超微结构上 ,心肌、肝和肾小管上皮细胞的线粒体肿胀 ,嵴断裂、溶解 ,肝细胞内糖原颗粒减少。中毒早期肠上皮微绒毛断裂 ,脱落 ,随着病程的发展肠上皮细胞变性、坏死、脱落。