Effects of a dietary antimicrobial (carbadox) on liver cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity and bile acid patterns in the young pig

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the antimicrobial carbadox (CX) on bile acid metabolism in the young pig. The pigs were fed a fortified, 19.5% crude protein, corn-soybean meal diet without or with 55 ppm CX. In Exp. I pigs were fed the diets for 28 d, then the level of activity of hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CH-7 alpha), the rate-limiting enzyme of bile acid metabolism, was measured. The CX-fed pigs gained faster (P less than .05) and more efficiently (P less than .05) and had lower (P less than .02) CH-7 alpha activity than the control pigs. In Exp. II, pigs ranging in weight from 12 to 15 kg were fitted with indwelling catheters in the hepatic portal (HP) and anterior vena cava (VC) veins. Radiolabeled chenodeoxycholic acid (CDC) was infused into the HP and blood samples from both veins were taken at meal time and hourly for 6 h following six meals over 3 d. Bile was collected 14 d after infusion. Concentrations of lithocholic acid (LC) in the bile and hyodeoxycholic acid (HDC) in the plasma were reduced by dietary CX. Dietary CX did not significantly affect metabolism of plasma CDC or hyocholic acid (HC) as measured by radioactivity. Meal time (0800 vs 1600) affected (P less than .05) plasma CDC radioactivity at all times and the level of HDC radioactivity 2 h post-prandial. There was a meal time X dietary treatment interaction (P less than .02) on plasma HC radioactivity 2 h post-prandial. These data suggest that dietary CX inhibited intestinal microbial degradation of CDC and HC.     

Bile acid metabolism in the pig

To study bile acid metabolism in the pig, indwelling catheters were surgically placed in the hepatic portal vein and the anterior vena cava of 12-17 kg crossbred pigs. The pigs were fed ad libitum for one hr at 0800 and 1600 hrs daily. Two weeks after the surgery, 50 microCi of 24[14C] chenodeoxycholic acid were infused into the hepatic portal vein. The radioactivity in plasma from the two veins was monitored hourly for six hrs following each of six consecutive meals over a 3-day period. Fecal and urine radioactivity were determined for 14 days. It was found that the peak levels of radioactivity in the plasma of both veins were reached within two hrs post-feeding. The biological half-life of chenodeoxycholic acid was determined to be 6.4 days.     

Nutritional value of fish meals in the diet for young pigs

A series of three experiments was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of fish meals as protein sources in young pigs' diets. Four fish meals (menhaden; mackerel, dried at 85 degrees C and 70 degrees C; and herring, dried at 70 degrees C) were tested. For the first experiment, eight pigs (2 wk old) were surgically fitted with ileal cannulas and used to measure apparent digestibility of the fish meals over the age period of 3 to 7 wk. Compared with menhaden fish meal, mackerel and herring fish meals yielded higher (P < 0.05) ileal digestibility values for threonine, serine, alanine, valine, histidine, lysine, and arginine and also for the average of all amino acids. Ileal digestibility was increased (P < 0.05) as pigs grew. For the second experiment, four different diets each containing different fish meals were fed to 120 pigs to evaluate growth performance over the age period of 3 to 7 wk. Average daily gain was higher (P < 0.07) in pigs fed diets containing either mackerel or herring fish meal than in pigs fed menhaden fish meal during 3 to 5 wk of age and was highest (P < 0.07) in pigs fed a diet containing mackerel fish meal during 5 to 6 wk of age. Gain/feed was higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed diets containing mackerel and herring fish meals than in pigs fed menhaden fish meal. Mackerel dried at 70 degrees C showed the highest value from the previous two experiments and was chosen to measure the relative bioavailability in comparison to spray-dried porcine plasma. A classical slope-ratio design was used to measure relative bioavailability of mackerel fish meal compared to porcine plasma protein. This study showed that mackerel dried at 70 degrees C can replace spray-dried porcine plasma with the same bioavailability during d 17 to 29 postpartum with additional crystalline lysine and amino acid supplementation to match amino acid profile of the spray-dried porcine plasma.     

Effect of carbadox on net absorption of ammonia and glucose into hepatic portal vein of growing pigs

Chronic cannulas were placed into the hepatic portal vein, ileal vein and carotid artery of growing pigs trained to consume their daily allowance of 1.2 kg of feed (16% protein corn-soybean meal basal diet) in a single meal. The average preoperative BW of pigs was 44.7 kg for Trial 1 (three pigs) and 35.3 kg for Trial 2 (seven pigs). In Trial 1, net absorption of ammonia (NH3) and glucose into the portal vein was determined three times at weekly intervals. The net portal absorptions were derived by multiplying the porto-arterial plasma concentration difference of NH3 and glucose by portal vein plasma flow rate estimated with the p-aminohippuric acid indicator-dilution technique. Differences in the net portal absorptions of NH3 and glucose among the three weekly measurements were small (P greater than .05). In Trial 2, the first sequence of net portal absorption measurements was conducted when pigs were fed the basal diet, and the second sequence of measurements was conducted after the pigs had been fed the diet supplemented with 55 ppm of carbadox for 7 d. Carbadox supplementation reduced (P less than .05) plasma NH3 concentration in portal plasma during the 2.5-h to 5-h postprandial period and decreased (P less than .05) net portal absorption of NH3 during the 2.5-h to 4-h postprandial period. Carbadox, however, did not affect (P greater than .05) net portal absorption of glucose. We suggest that carbadox suppresses the production of cell-toxic NH3 by intestinal microorganisms and, thus, reduces the injury and turnover of intestinal cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A Syndrome Resembling Idiopathic Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension in 4 Young Doberman Pinschers

We describe 4 young male Doberman Pinschers (3 littermates and 1 unrelated dog) with a syndrome resembling idiopathic or noncirrhotic portal hypertension of humans. Each dog was evaluated for a hepatopathy resulting in portal hypertension, development of portosystemic collateral vessels, and hepatic encephalopathy. These dogs differ from previous reports of young dogs with hepatic insufficiency associated with portal hypertension and acquired portal systemic shunting by their lack of intrahepatic arteriovenous fistulae, portal vein atresia, or intrahepatic fibrosis. Clinicopathologic features included erythrocyte microcytosis, normal to mildly increased liver enzyme activities, increased concentrations of serum bile acids, reduced plasma indocyanine green clearance, and normal total bilirubin concentration. Abdominal ultrasonography disclosed a small liver and portosystemic collateral vessels. Radiographic imaging studies confirmed hepatofugal portal circulation and discounted hepatic arteriovenous fistulae. Histopathologic features in liver tissue from each dog were similar and consistent in all sections examined. Common findings included increased cross-sectional views of hepatic arterioles; hepatic lobular atrophy; scanty increase in connective tissue around some large portal triads; and absence of inflammation, disturbed lobular architecture, bile duct proliferation, or intrahepatic cholestasis.     

Evaluation of total serum bile acid concentrations for the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease in cattle.

Serum bile acid concentrations were measured in 41 clinically healthy cattle of different breeds. There was no diurnal variation in values and age and sex had no effect. There was no significant difference between serum and plasma bile acid concentrations in clinically healthy cattle. Serum bile acids were stable on storage at -20 degrees C. The total serum bile acid concentrations, together with other tests of hepatic disease, were evaluated in cattle with various types of hepatobiliary disease (hepatic lipidosis, hepatic abscessation, leptospirosis, biliary calculi, fascioliasis), respiratory, cardiovascular and infectious diseases, and in various other conditions not affecting the liver. Total serum bile acids were the most specific and sensitive indicators of a wide variety of hepatic diseases and were significantly correlated with the degree of clinical illness.     

Difference in rates of net portal absorption between crystalline and protein-bound lysine and threonine in growing pigs fed once daily

Net portal absorption of AA during the 6-h postprandial period was measured in eight gilts (48.5 +/- 1.6 kg BW) in a crossover design. The pigs had chronic catheters placed in the portal vein, carotid artery, and ileal vein, and were trained to consume 1.2 kg of a standard grower diet once daily. Blood samples were taken every 30 min for 4 h and then hourly until 6 h after feeding. The first set of blood samples was taken after pigs were fed a meal of the test 16% CP corn-soybean meal diet (16% CP) or the test 12% CP corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with crystalline lysine, threonine, and tryptophan (12% CP + AA) to equal the three AA levels in the 16% CP diet. Pigs were then fed the standard diet for 2 d. Following that, blood samples were again taken after the pigs were fed a meal of the test diet that was not given to them at the first sampling period. Net portal AA absorption was calculated by multiplying porto-arterial plasma AA concentration difference by portal vein plasma flow rate (PVPF), estimated by an indicator-dilution technique employing p-aminohippuric acid as the indicator infused into the ileal vein. Plasma concentrations of lysine and threonine of pigs were affected by the diet x time interaction (P < 0.01). Portal and arterial plasma lysine and threonine concentrations in pigs attained the maximal level by 1 h postprandial when the 12% CP + AA diet was fed, but reached the peak level at 2.5 h postprandial when the 16% CP diet was given. The PVPF of pigs over the 6 h postprandial was less (P < 0.01) when the 12% CP + AA diet was given than when the 16% CP diet was fed. Net portal absorptions of lysine and threonine also were affected (P < 0.05) by time x diet interaction. The peak portal absorption of both lysine and threonine in pigs appeared at 0.5 h postprandial when the 12% CP + AA diet was given, but at 2.5 h postprandial with the feeding of the 16% CP diet. The early appearance of peak portal absorption of lysine and threonine from feeding the 12% CP + AA compared with the 16% CP diet indicates that crystalline lysine and threonine are absorbed more rapidly than protein-bound lysine and threonine in pigs fed once daily.     

Evaluation of total plasma bile acid concentrations for the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease in horses

Plasma bile acid concentrations were measured in normal horses. There was no diurnal variation in values, and age and sex had no effect. There was no significant difference between serum and plasma bile acid concentrations in clinically normal horses. Plasma bile acids were stable on storage for one month at -20 degrees C. The total plasma bile acid concentrations together with total and direct bilirubin concentrations and plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate and iditol dehydrogenase were evaluated in horses with various types of hepatobiliary disease (hepatic necrosis, lipidosis, neoplasia and cirrhosis), gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular, orthopaedic and various other conditions not affecting the liver. Total plasma bile acids together with plasma glutamate and iditol dehydrogenase activities were the best indicators of liver disease. Total plasma bile acid concentrations were the most sensitive indicator of a wide variety of hepatic diseases but alone were unhelpful in differential diagnosis and were of more value when combined with the other tests of hepatic disease.     

Bile acid extraction rate in the liver of cows fed high-fat diet and lipid profiles in the portal and hepatic veins

The purposes of this study are to assess the responses of increased supplemental dietary fat in the cow, without upsetting rumen fermentation, on the bile acid (BA) extraction rate in the liver and to determine whether this diet would affect the postprandial lipid profiles in the portal and hepatic venous blood. Six Holstein cows were equipped with catheters fitted in the portal and hepatic veins. Two cows each were assigned randomly to a sequence of three dietary treatments of 21-day period. The methodology of this study was based on the supplementation of the basal concentrate diet with 0 (control), 5, or 10% calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA). The total bile acids were significantly increased in the portal and hepatic veins with the 5% CSFA diet, whereas no increase occurred with the 10% CSFA diet. Data obtained in this study showed that 10% CSFA diet failed to stimulate BA secretion to exceed the values obtained with 5% CSFA-diet. Moreover, there was no change in the hepatic extraction rate of BA in animals fed either the 0 or 5% CSFA diets which ranged from 2.4 to 6.5-fold and 3.1 to 7.3-fold, respectively. However, the extraction rate increased sharply with the 10% CSFA diet (27-fold). The median portal and hepatic concentrations of total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, phospholipids and non-esterified fatty acids did not show any significant increase during feeding of the control diet. Moreover, feeding either the 5 or 10% CSFA diet did not significantly increase these values in either vein.     

The effects of abomasal casein infusions in growing beef steers on portal and hepatic flux of pancreatic hormones and arterial concentrations of somatomedin-C

The net release of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin by the portal-drained viscera (PDV) and their net uptake by the liver in response to 3-d abomasal infusions of casein were measured in seven multicatheterized beef steers. The steers were fed 4.3 kg DM/d of a high-concentrate diet in 12 equal meals (13.1 Mcal ME/d and 95 g N/d). In two separate experiments, the abomasal infusion of 300 g casein/d (300C) or 150 g casein/d (150C) was compared to a water infusion. Plasma flow was measured by indicator dilution and net flux by venoarterial concentration difference x plasma flow. Arterial plasma concentrations of insulin were increased (P less than .02) by either 300C or 150C. The 300C increased (P less than .03) PDV insulin release but did not affect hepatic uptake, resulting in an increased (P less than .03) total splanchnic (TSP) insulin flux. The 300C increased (P less than .05) plasma concentrations of glucagon as the result of decreased (P less than .06) hepatic extraction ratio and not as the result of increased portal release. The portal and hepatic flux of somatostatin measured as somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) were highly variable and not affected by casein infusions. Arterial plasma concentrations of somatomedin-C were not responsive to abomasal casein infusions. The abomasal infusion of 300C resulted in increased plasma concentrations of insulin via increased PDV release and increased plasma glucagon via decreased hepatic extraction ratio.     

Quantitative measurement of endogenous amino acid absorption in unanaesthetized pigs

The present experiment was carried out with 11 pigs (mean body weight: 53.9 +/- 1.3 kg) fitted with permanent catheters in the portal vein and carotid artery and with an electromagnetic flow probe around the portal vein. They were each subjected to 2 or 3 trials at 3 to 4-day intervals. During each trial the animals received after a previous fasting of 20 h a given amount of a protein-free diet (200 to 1200 g). The blood was collected either continuously for a quantitative determination of amino nitrogen, reducing sugars, urea and ammonia (number of meals 12, mean intake: 727 +/- 60 g) or discontinuously every 30 min between 0 and 8 h after the meal for amino acid analysis (number of meals 8; mean intake 709 +/- 105 g). A rather constant appearance (2 g/h) of amino acids in the portal blood was observed throughout the postprandial period. The intestinal absorption of each amino acid was however variable and represented between 10 and 50% of the daily requirements of the animal during the measuring period (8 h). Glutamine and to a less extent glutamic acid were exceptions as they were taken up by the gut wall from the arterial blood. There was also a marked synthesis of ornithine and citrulline by the latter. Because of the low blood level of urea, there were no apparent exchanges of urea between the blood and the intestine; in contrast, the ammonia absorption represented about 70% of that observed after ingestion of normal protein diets. Most amino acids are largely taken up by the liver and peripheral tissues, but in the case of alanine the syntheses exceed the uptake.     

Circulation of estrogens introduced into the rectum or duodenum in pigs

To determine the absorption and metabolism of 17β-estradiol (E₂) by the rectum of the pig, 10 mg of crystalline E₂ was placed in the rectum of prepubertal gilts in Experiment 1. Blood samples were subsequently obtained from hepatic portal and jugular veins and plasma was assayed for E₂, estrone (E₁), 17β-estradiol-glucuronide (E₂G), estrone-glucuronide (E₁G) and estrone-sulfate (E₁S). Concentration of E₂, E₁, E₂G, E₁G, and E₁S rose in the hepatic portal vein within 30 min and remained elevated for several hr. Concentrations of E₂ in the hepatic portal vein represented 3% of the total estrogen detected in the hepatic portal vein during the 5 hr sampling period, indicating that most of the E₂ was metabolized prior to entering the hepatic portal vein after absorption by the rectal mucosa. Concentrations of E₂, E₁, E₂G, E₁G, and E₁S rose in the jugular vein and remained elevated for several hr. The rise in E₂ and E₁ in the jugular vein may have come from E₂ and E₁ in venous circulation from the rectum that entered the inferior vena cava bypassing the hepatic portal vein and liver. The net result of absorption of E₂ from the rectum of gilts was a large rise in unconjugated and conjugated E₂ and E₁ in the peripheral circulation. In Experiment 2 prepubertal gilts fitted with jugular, hepatic portal, duodenal, and gall bladder catheters were infused into the duodenum with bile from pregnant gilts. Concentrations of E₂, E₁, E₂G, and E₁G were determined in gallbladder bile of gilts before infusion and at 470 min. Concentrations of E₂G and E₁G were determined in hepatic portal and jugular plasma before and after infusion of bile. A cholagogue was given at 480 min and E₂G and E₁G were measured in plasma from 490 min to 960 min. Concentrations of E₂ and E₁ in gallbladder bile rose at 470 min and fell to basal concentrations at 970 min. In gilts given the cholagogue, E₂G and E₁G in both the jugular and hepatic portal veins rose significantly over those in gilts not given the cholagogue. Bile estrogens circulate via the enterohepatic route and factors that influence secretion of estrogens in bile can influence concentrations of circulating estrogens.     

Metabolic profiles and bile acid extraction rate in the liver of cows with fasting-induced hepatic lipidosis

This study was designed to monitor lipid profile in the portal and hepatic blood of cows with fasting-induced hepatic lipidosis, and to compare the results with those in the jugular blood. The work was also carried out to investigate bile acid (BA) in these vessels, and further to investigate BA extraction rate in the liver. Five cows were equipped with catheters in the portal, hepatic and jugular veins (day 0), fasted for 4 days (day 1-day 4) and then refed (day 5-day 11). Before morning feeding, blood was sampled before, during and after fasting from the catheterized vessels. In the portal blood, the concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) showed a progressive increase and at day 5 there was an approximate twofold rise. Increased NEFA concentrations were also found similarly in the other two veins. At day 5, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) in the portal, hepatic and jugular blood rose to 197, 190 and 186% of the pre-fasting value, respectively. However, the concentrations of NEFA and BHBA in the three veins gradually returned to pre-fasting concentration during the refeeding period. Compared with the pre-fasting value at day 0, the content of liver triglyceride (TG) increased significantly at day 5 (P < 0.01). In the liver, the hepatic extraction rate of BA dropped from 3.1 times pre-fasting to 2.2 times during fasting. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of glucose, TG, total cholesterol, cholesterol esters, free cholesterol and phospholipids. The results of the current study show that metabolic alterations occur in the portal, hepatic and jugular veins during induction of hepatic lipidosis in cows, and mostly metabolites, with exception of BA concentration, run parallel. The decreased BA extraction rate in the liver of fasted cows was considered to reflect hepatic cell impairment caused by TG accumulation. Hopefully, the findings, at least in part, contribute to the explanation of the pathophysiology of hepatic lipidosis in dairy cows.     

Hypolipidaemic effects of potato protein and fish protein in pigs

This study was performed to assess the effects of potato protein and fish protein on concentrations of lipids in plasma and lipoproteins and the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in pigs used as an animal model. Therefore, 27 young male pigs with an average body weight of 22 kg were fed diets supplemented with protein extracted from potatoes (containing 849 g protein/kg dry matter), Alaska Pollack fillet as a source of fish protein (containing 926 g crude protein/kg dry matter) or casein which was used as control, for 3 weeks. Diets were formulated to supply identical amounts of each protein to the pigs by the three protein sources, namely 116 g/day in first week and 150 g/day in the second and third week. Pigs fed potato protein had lower concentrations of cholesterol in plasma and LDL than pigs fed casein (p < 0.05); no effect was observed on concentrations of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Pigs fed fish protein had lower cholesterol concentrations in plasma, LDL and HDL, and lower triglyceride concentrations in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins than pigs fed casein (p < 0.05). mRNA concentrations of genes involved in bile acid synthesis and cholesterol uptake were higher in pigs fed fish protein than in pigs fed casein (p < 0.05); no effect on these genes was observed in pigs fed potato protein. Expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation was not altered by fish protein. In conclusion, this study shows that fish protein and potato protein lower plasma cholesterol concentrations in pigs. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of fish protein might be in part caused by a stimulation of bile acid synthesis; the reason for the hypocholesterolaemic effect of potato protein requires further elucidation.     

Bile acid concentrations in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease in the cat

The clinical usefulness of measuring serum bile acid concentrations as a diagnostic test for hepatobiliary disease was examined in 80 cats that were suspected of having hepatic disease. Serum values of total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) also were measured. Fasting serum bile acid values were determined by use of solid-phase radioimmunoassay for total conjugated bile acids or by a direct enzymatic spectrophotometric method. A definitive diagnosis was established by histologic examination of the liver, and on the basis of these findings, cats were assigned to groups (1 to 8, respectively) including: extrahepatic bile duct obstruction, hepatic lipidosis, cirrhosis, intrahepatic cholestasis (cholangiohepatitis, cholangitis), neoplasia, hepatic necrosis, portosystemic vascular anomalies, and miscellaneous. Cats in group 8 had no morphologic evidence of hepatobiliary disease or had hepatic lesions that were mild. Test efficacy of fasting serum bile acids, total bilirubin, ALP, ALT, and AST were expressed by use of 4 indices: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. The diagnostic efficacy of fasting serum bile acids was examined alone and in combinations with the other tests. There was wide overlapping of values of fasting serum bile acids, total bilirubin, ALP, ALT, and AST among cats in groups 1 to 7. The specificity of fasting serum bile acids for the diagnosis of hepatic disease exceeded 90% at values greater than or equal to 5 mumol/L and reached 100% at greater than or equal to 15 mumol/L.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

复合缓冲剂对奶山羊乳成分、血浆生化指标及激素含量的影响

本试验旨在研究长期饲喂高精料饲粮下添加复合缓冲剂(碳酸氢钠20 g/d、氧化镁12 g/d、丁酸钠20 g/d)对奶山羊乳成分、血浆生化指标及激素含量的影响。选择8头安装门静脉及肝静脉瘘管处于泌乳中期的奶山羊随机分为2组,分别饲喂基础饲粮(高精料饲粮组,HG组)和基础饲粮+复合缓冲剂(高精料饲粮+复合缓冲剂组,BG组)。预试期为7 d,正试期为143 d。结果显示:与HG组相比,复合缓冲剂显著升高采食后010 h瘤胃液p H平均值(P0.05);复合缓冲剂显著降低肝静脉血浆中非酯化脂肪酸的含量(P0.05),对门静脉和肝静脉血浆中葡萄糖、β-羟丁酸含量无显著影响(P0.05),对肝脏组织中甘油三酯和总蛋白含量无显著影响(P0.05);复合缓冲剂显著降低门静脉血浆中胰岛素和胰高血糖素的含量(P0.05),对门静脉和肝静脉血浆中胰岛素样生长因子1和生长激素的含量无显著影响(P0.05);复合缓冲剂显著或极显著升高产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率、乳非脂固形物率(P0.05或P0.01)。综合得出,在长期高精料饲粮饲喂条件下,由碳酸氢钠、氧化镁、丁酸钠组成的复合缓冲剂能通过影响奶山羊血浆生化指标及激素含量,影响体机营养物质代谢,最终有效提高产乳量与改善乳品质。     

Bile acid concentrations in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease in the dog

The clinical usefulness of measuring serum bile acid concentrations as a diagnostic test for hepatobiliary disease, was examined in 150 dogs that were suspected of having hepatic disease. Serum values of total bilirubin (TB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and albumin were also measured. Fasting serum bile acid (FSBA) values were determined, using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay for total conjugated bile acids or a direct enzymatic spectrophotometric method. A definitive diagnosis was established by histologic examination of the liver. On the basis of histologic findings, dogs were assigned to groups (1 to 8, respectively) including: extrahepatic bile duct obstruction, cirrhosis, portal systemic vascular anastomosis (PSVA), hepatic necrosis, intrahepatic cholestasis, steroid hepatopathy, neoplasia, and secondary disease. Dogs in group 8 had no morphologic evidence of hepatobiliary disease or had mild hepatic lesions. Test efficacies of FSBA, TB, ALP, ALT, and albumin were expressed using 4 indices: sensitivity, specificity, and positive-predictive and negative-predictive values. The diagnostic efficacy of FSBA was examined alone and in combinations with the other tests. There was wide overlapping of FSBA values among dogs in groups 1 to 7, and there was wide overlapping of ALT and ALP values among dogs in all groups. The specificity of FSBA for the diagnosis of liver disease exceeded 90% at values greater than or equal to 30 mumol/L and reached 100% at greater than or equal to 50 mumol/L. Individual liver tests with the best sensitivity for each group were:FSBA and ALP for extrahepatic bile duct obstruction; FSBA for cirrhosis and PSVA; ALT for hepatic necrosis; and ALP for intrahepatic cholestasis, steroid hepatopathy, and neoplasia. Combinations of tests with the best sensitivity for each group were: FSBA + ALP for extrahepatic bile duct obstruction; FSBA + ALT for cirrhosis and PSVA; FSBA + ALT and TB + ALT for hepatic necrosis; and FSBA + ALP for intrahepatic cholestasis, steroid hepatopathy, and neoplasia. Individual tests had the best sensitivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bile acid clearance in sheep with hereditary hyperbilirubinemia

The disappearance of IV injected [24-14C]cholic acid from plasma was studied in normal and mutant Corriedale and Southdown sheep exhibiting hereditary defects in hepatic organic anion transport. Hepatic cholic acid clearance was determined from the integral of the 40-minute disappearance curves fit to the sums of two exponential functions. Cholic acid clearance among Corriedale sheep was significantly less (P less than 0.05) for mutant sheep (8.44 +/- 0.86 SEM ml/minute/kg of body weight) than for normal sheep (12.7 +/- 0.58 ml/minute/kg). Cholic acid clearance in the Southdown mutant (1.97 +/- 0.59 ml/minute/kg) was less than 15% of normal clearance rate (13.3 +/- 2.2 ml/minute/kg). Clearance of [14C]taurocholic acid (curves fit to three exponential function) in the Southdown mutant (10.8 +/- 0.4 ml/minute/kg) was significantly greater (P less than 0.01) than cholic acid clearance, yet was not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) from normal taurocholate clearance (17.8 +/- 2.5 ml/minute/kg). Hepatic regurgitation of conjugated bile acid was not detected after [14C]cholic acid injection. Both the mutant Corriedale and Southdown sheep, which exhibited inherited defects in hepatic bilirubin transport similar to Dubin-Johnson syndrome and Gilbert's disease in man, exhibited defects in hepatic bile acid clearance.     

Plasma amino acid analysis in dogs with experimentally induced hepatocellular and obstructive jaundice

Plasma amino acid concentrations were determined weekly for 4 weeks in 6 sham-operated control dogs, in 6 sham-operated dogs after induction of liver disease with dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA), and in 6 dogs after surgical ligation of the common bile duct. Results were compared with standard biochemical indices of liver function and with histologic changes in serial liver biopsy specimens. Concentrations of most amino acids increased after 2 weeks in DMNA-treated dogs, whereas they were normal or decreased in bile duct-ligated dogs. With increasing severity of the liver disease, the molar ratio (normal mean +/- SEM = 3.48 +/- 0.14) in DMNA-treated dogs decreased to 2.42 +/- 0.19 by 2 weeks and to 1.17 +/- 0.09 by 4 weeks. The ratio remained normal in bile duct-ligated dogs. Molar ratio and aromatic amino acid concentrations correlated better with hepatic necrosis and inflammation than did standard biochemical indices (eg, bilirubin, liver enzymes). Therefore, plasma amino acid analysis and determination of the molar ratio may be useful in the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular and obstructive jaundice in dogs. A decrease in the molar ratio may reflect portal hypertension and hepatocellular disease.     

Effects of Dietary Starch Source on Nutrient and Energy Absorption via the Portal Vein of Growing Pigs

Four crossbred(Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire)boars,weighing an average of 22.40 ± 1.08 kg and fitted with permanent catheters in their portal and mesenteric veins as well as their carotid artery,were utilized in a 4 × 4 latin square design experiment in order to investigate the effects of different starch sources(maize,brown rice,sticky rice,and resistant starch)on the absorption of energy sources through the portal vein.Portal blood flow averaged 30.68,28.40,29.99,and 30.12 mL/min per kg BW for pigs fed the maize,brown rice,sticky rice,and resistant starch diets,respectively,and did not differ(P0.05)between treatments.The absorptions of glucose,plasma ammonia,and total amino acids were significantly lower(P0.05)in pigs fed the resistant starch diet than pigs fed the other starch sources.In contrast,significantly(P0.05)higher amounts of propionate and total volatile fatty acids were absorbed from the portal vein of pigs fed resistant starch than pigs fed diets based on maize,brown rice,or sticky rice.In addition,significantly(P0.05)more lactic acid was absorbed from the portal vein by pigs fed the sticky rice diet than pigs fed the other three diets.The energy absorbed from the portal vein in the form of glucose and amino-N as well as the total energy absorbed was significantly(P0.05)lower in pigs fed the resistant starch diet than pigs fed the other three starch sources.In contrast,the amount of energy absorbed in the form of volatile fatty acids was significantly(P0.05)higher in pigs fed resistance starch than pigs fed the other three starch sources.The total energy absorbed through the portal vein as a percentage of the gross energy and digestible energy consumed in pigs fed maize were 50.8% and 54.6%,respectively,which were significantly(P0.05)higher than the values in pigs fed resistant starch(41.5% and 46.6% respectively).The results indicate that energy is absorbed in different forms and with different utilization efficiencies in the digestive tract of pigs as a result of feeding different starch sources.Starch sources supplying most of their energy in the form of glucose had higher energy utilization efficiencies,while starch sources supplying most of their energy in the form of volatile fatty acids or lactic acid had lower energy utilization efficiencies.