Different central manifestations in response to electroacupuncture at analgesic and nonanalgesic acupoints in rats: a manganese-enhanced functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Acupuncture analgesia is an important issue in veterinary medicine. This study was designed to elucidate central modulation effects in response to electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoints. Manganese-enhanced functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats after sham acupuncture, sham EA, or true EA at somatic acupoints. The acupoints were divided into 3 groups: group 1, analgesic acupoints commonly used for pain relief, such as Hegu (LI 4); group 2, nonanalgesic acupoints rarely used for analgesic effect, such as Neiguan (PC 6); and group 3, acupoints occasionally used for analgesia, such as Zusanli (ST 36). Image acquisition was performed on a 1.5-T superconductive clinical scanner with a circular polarized extremity coil. The results showed that there was no neural activation caused by EA at a true acupoint with shallow needling and no electric current (sham acupuncture). When EA at a true acupoint was applied with true needling but no electric current (sham EA), there was only a slight increase in brain activity at the hypothalamus; when EA was applied at a true acupoint with true needling and an electric current (true EA), the primary response at the hypothalamus was enhanced. Also, there was a tendency for the early activation of pain-modulation areas to be prominent after EA at analgesic acupoints as compared with nonanalgesic acupoints. In conclusion, understanding the linkage between peripheral acupoint stimulation and central neural pathways provides not only an evidence-based approach for veterinary acupuncture but also a useful guide for clinical applications of acupuncture.     

家畜经穴循经特性的研究

本实验采用脉冲电流法和叩听高音法在动物皮肤表面沿背中线的垂线作各个水平的扫描测定在12只绵羊、10只山羊、3只北京白猪、10只小香猪、11只家猫和7头驴体上的测定结果表明,不同种属动物的背部体表(从百会穴垂线水平至肩胛后缘)每侧均存在有两条低电阻线和叩听高音线,它们均与背中线平行,左右两侧呈对称分布,而且相对稳定。它们距背中线的距离因动物大小而定,叩听高音线与低电阻线基本重合,且其在体表的循行路线与传统经络基本相吻合。并在猪、猫背部扫描对所记录的低阻电流变化曲线与高音量变化曲线相一致,表明经络除具有上还低电阻特性外,还具有叩听高音的特性,由之进一步证明了经络在动物体上存在的客观性。同时,我们应用脉冲电流经络电阻测定仪,在驴体上进行了十二经脉体表循行线低阻抗特性的初步探测,结果表明,在驴体表存在有十二条低电阻线,其基本稳定,而且可以重复测出,它们在体表的循行路线与有关资料所描述的马的经络循行路线大部分相吻合。通过对家兔抢风穴的测试,证明穴位点电阻值低于周围非穴位点,当动物处于抑制状态时虽二者的电阻值均有下降,但穴位点电阻值低于非穴位点的特性未能改变。循经加压阻滞有抑制激光作用于穴位使痛阈提高的效应等,说明激光照射穴位所引起的信号,具有循经传导     

电针百会穴对脾虚泄泻模型大鼠影响的研究

旨在探讨电针百会穴对脾虚泄泻大鼠的影响.选取64只Wistar大鼠,分成假手术组、模型组、百会组和阳性对照组.除假手术组外,其他各造模组以灌胃番泻叶浸液造模,待造模组出现脾虚泄泻症状后,百会组电针百会穴,阳性对照组灌胃蒙脱石散,持续2周.整个试验过程中观察并记录所有大鼠的症状体征、体质量和腹泻指数.试验结束后,检测各组...     

穴位注射在犬病临床上的应用

穴位注射是针刺和药物结合、中医与西医相结合的一种新型疗法.在穴位注射药液,通过针刺及药物对穴位的双重作用来调整机体的机能和改变病理状态,从而达到治疗疾病的目的.在犬病临床上多用于治疗常见病、多发病和少数传染病等多种疾病.该法操作简单,用药量少,疗效显著.论文根据临床实践对穴位注射疗法的作用机理、操作方法和临床相关病例的治疗情况进行了概述.     

Electroacupuncture-induced neural activation detected by use of manganese-enhanced functional magnetic resonance imaging in rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on neural activity detected by use of manganese-enhanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and elucidate the relationship between somatic acupoint stimulation and brain activation. ANIMALS: 40 New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURE: Manganese-enhanced fMRI was performed in anesthetized rabbits manipulated with electroacupuncture (EA) on Zusanli (ST-36) and Yanglingquan (GB-34) acupoints. Image acquisition was performed on a 1.5T superconductive clinical scanner with a circular polarized extremity coil. T1-weighted images were acquired sequentially as follows: baseline, after mannitol injection, after manganese infusion, and 5 and 20 minutes after initiation of EA. RESULTS: Changes in focal neural activity were detected by use of manganese-enhanced fMRI. Stimulation on Zusanli (ST-36) for 5 minutes resulted in activation of the hippocampus, whereas stimulation on Yanglingquan (GB-34) resulted in activation of the hypothalamus, insula, and motor cortex. Activation became less specific after 20 minutes of EA. Furthermore, stimulation on ipsilateral acupoints led to bilateral brain activation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Each acupoint has a corresponding cerebral linkage, and stimulation on these points resulted in time-dependent neural activation. Understanding the linkage between peripheral acupoint stimulation and central neural pathways may provide a useful guide for clinical applications of acupuncture.     

应用单克隆抗体技术分析血清抗体成分的方法学研究——附56例鼻疽血清分析结果

本文建立了一种应用单克隆抗体(McAb)技术分析血清抗体成分的方法。经实验证明,本法特异性和重复性均较理想,并不受血清种属的限制。通过对56份鼻疽血清的检测,初步表明本法可用于血清抗体成分分析、血清学诊断以及观察单一抗原决定簇免疫原性等方面。     

犬肠便秘的原因和中西医结合治疗

犬肠便秘是犬常见的消化道疾病,有的是原发性的,有的是继发性的。临床上是否能正确诊断和早期治疗,关系到该病的经过和预后。中西医结合治疗,一方面及时软化粪便,另一方面对其穴位进行针刺,起到改善经络运行气血的作用,从而增强肠道功能。     

经络穴位给药系统在兽医临床上的应用

经络穴位给药系统以中医经络理论为基础,具有经穴效应和药物效应的双重治疗特性,已广泛应用于兽医临床.目前,兽医临床上常用穴位给药方式是穴位埋植和穴位注射,而常用穴位主要是后海穴、百会穴、肺龠穴.随着经络穴位给药系统的广泛应用,新型经络穴位给药制剂和经络穴位给药作用机理已成为经络穴位给药系统研究的重点.     

Electroencephalography (EEG) spectral edge frequency for assessing the sedative effect of acupuncture in dogs

Electroencephalography (EEG) is an effective method for the evaluation of sedation or anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to examine the sedative effect of acupuncture by electroencephalographic spectral edge frequency (SEF) in Miniature Schnauzer dogs (4.2-6.1 kg, 1-2 years old). The acupuncture points "GV20 and Yintang" were applied for 20 min. Sedation level was assessed before, during, and after acupuncture by spectral edge frequency 95 values and the Ramsay sedation score. The spectral edge frequency 95 values were significantly reduced during acupuncture on GV20 or Yintang point and returned to the baseline values after acupuncture releasing. The Ramsay sedation score (RSS) also showed the acceptable sedation level during acupuncture. It was concluded that an acupuncture application at GV20 or Yintang point used in the present study would be a valuable method to induce the sedation in dogs.     

复方中药对肉鸡免疫功能和抗氧化功能的影响研究

笔者自拟一剂中药（炙黄芪200 g、当归160 g、何首乌120 g、淫羊藿120 g、扁豆100 g、黄柏20 g、穿心莲20 g、附子160 g、炙甘草100 g）,以艾维茵肉鸡为试验动物,研究其对禽免疫功能和抗氧化功能的影响。试验结果表明,试验各组与对照组比较,免疫器官指数、淋巴细胞转化率、血清中抗体水平3项指标均有显著差异（P＜0.05）;血液中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性和总抗氧化能力2项指标也有显著差异（P＜0.05）。     

论动物环境与生产系统学科的发展

我国的畜牧业发展已经进入新的时期,动物环境与生产系统已经成为新的重要研究领域。以典型大学或研究所为代表,介绍其开展家畜生态、家畜生产系统、动物行为与福利研究的领域及进展,提出构建我国动物环境与生产系统学科的必要性。动物环境与生产系统学科的研究目标和内容主要应围绕牧业资源与可持续畜牧业和家畜生态与环境友好畜牧业、家畜生产系统与有机畜牧业。     

Evidence-based complementary and alternative veterinary medicine--a contradiction in terms?

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) like acupuncture, herbal medicine and homeopathy is increasingly used in the treatment of human and animal disease. On the other hand, CAM is discussed controversially, especially in the context of Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine (EBVM). This paper provides a balanced analysis of the currently available data on CAM in human and veterinary medicine. In conclusion, little rigorous research data concerning the efficacy and safety of CAM has been published. However, acupuncture is gaining increasing acceptance in academic medicine, based on several metaanalyses that show efficacy for specific conditions. In practice, decisions concerning CAM therapies should also be based on the best available evidence provided by scientifically valid data. This implies that CAM interventions must be validated by stringent high quality research to obtain an objective and replicable overview of efficacy and safety. Nevertheless, trials should be designed according to important aspects of CAM therapies (e.g. individual treatment). In conclusion, Evidence-Based Alternative Veterinary Medicine is not a contradiction in terms.     

监测口蹄疫抗体的液相阻断ELISA法的改进和体会

液相阻断ELISA（LBE）法由于具有高度的敏感性、特异性和重复性,目前被广泛应用于动物免疫抗体效果监测实践工作中,特别是为防控牛、羊亚洲I型口蹄疫（FMD）做出了积极的贡献。但该方法操作繁琐,稍有不慎就会导致实验结果发生偏差或试验失败,笔者就该方法应用于亚I型口蹄疫抗体检测中的改进和体会作一总结。     

Anti-adipogenic effect of Artemisia annua in diet-induced-obesity mice model

Obesity has increased continuously in western countries during the last several decades and recently become a problem in developing countries. Currently, anti-obesity drugs originating from natural products are being investigated for their potential to overcome adverse effects associated with chemical drugs. Artemisinic acid, which was isolated from the well-known anti-malaria herb Artemisia annua (AA) L., was recently shown to possess anti-adipogenic effects in vitro. However, the anti-adipogenic effects of AA in animal models have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we conducted daily oral administration with AA water extract in a diet-induced obesity animal model and treated 3T3-L1 cells with AA to confirm the anti-adipogenic effects in the related protein expressions. We then evaluated the physiology, adipose tissue histology and mRNA expressions of many related genes. Inhibition of adipogenesis by the AA water extract was observed in vitro. In the animal model, weight gain was significantly lower in the AA treated group, but there were no changes in food intake volume or calories. Reductions in lipid droplet size and mRNA expression associated with adipogenesis were also observed in animal epididymal fat. This study is the first to report that AA has an anti-obese effects in vivo.     

Acupuncture Diagnosis in Equine Stifle Disease

The stifle is a large and complex joint in quadrupeds, including horses, making the diagnosis of stifle diseases a challenge for the clinician. The detection of “stifle syndrome” during acupuncture examination of the equine stifle may be useful for diagnosis of stifle diseases in horses. The aim of the present study was to describe stifle syndrome diagnosis in horses. From 2001 through 2012, 810 athletic horses involved in different disciplines were examined using the technique of acupuncture diagnosis. Stifle syndrome was suspected when the following points were reactive: the sacral point suggestive of stifle disease located at the sacral origin of the biceps femoris muscle, bladder (BL)-20, BL-21, and stomach (ST)-30, together with the three local points in the muscle groove of the posterolateral aspect of the thigh. The diagnostic protocol included radiography and/or ultrasonography in certain cases. The horses were evaluated because of reduced athletic performance, routine or prepurchase examination, hind limb lameness, refusal to jump, inappetence, upward fixation of the patella, thoracolumbar spine or sacroiliac pain, suspensory lesion, and front hoof problems, and 86 (9.4%) were diagnosed with stifle syndrome. The sacral acupuncture point suggestive of stifle syndrome correlated with BL-21, local stifle points, gall bladder (GB)-27, spleen-13, BL-23, BL-52, BL-26, and/or GB-25, ST-30, BL-54 (P < .0001), and BL-20 (P = .003). Twenty-two (25.6%) of the 86 horses with stifle syndrome underwent ultrasonography and/or radiography, and lesions were detected in 21. In conclusion, acupuncture for diagnosis of stifle disease may be considered a diagnostic method to be included in routine clinical examination of horses, and its reproducibility shall be investigated in further studies.     

动物源性食品中齐帕特罗一步法ELISA试剂盒的研制

本研究依据直接竞争ELISA原理建立了齐帕特罗一步法ELISA试剂盒。以齐帕特罗与载体蛋白偶联物作为免疫原免疫新西兰大白兔制得齐帕特罗多克隆抗体,棋盘包被法确定其最佳抗体包被浓度、酶标抗原工作浓度、包被条件、反应时间、底物显色时间等,并对试剂盒的各项技术指标进行确认。结果表明,成功组装了齐帕特罗一步法ELISA试剂盒,并建立了尿液、饲料、奶粉和奶汁,以及组织等样品的前处理方法,检测限均远低于1 μg/kg。该试剂盒线性检测范围为0.15～10 ng/mL,IC₅₀浮动范围0.43～0.79 ng/mL,样品板内、批内、批间的变异系数均小于15%,平均回收率在70%～110%之间,与其同类药物的交叉反应率均小于0.1%。提示,本试验研制的试剂盒重复性、特异性、稳定性等各项指标均符合技术要求,可用于动物源性食品中齐帕特罗药物残留的检测。     

15N transamination in the administration of various tracer substances. 1. Whole body studies in rats

4 groups of 3 growing Wistar rats each were orally given either 15N methionine, 15N lysine, 15N glycine or 15N ammonia sulphate over 10 days. By means of measuring 15N, the 15N accumulation in the amino acids (AA) of the body protein, statements were to be made on the transamination of the individual 15N substances and thus their suitability as tracer substances for studies of N metabolism. None of the tested 15N AA achieved a proportionate labelling of all AA of the body protein. The AA used as tracer in each case showed the highest 15N labelling of all AA in the body. Of the amino 15N detected in the animal body, ca. 19% were found in Met after a 15N Met application, ca. 88% in Lys after a 15N Lys application and ca. 50% in Gly after a 15N Gly application. After the application of 15N ammonia sulphate ca. 42% of the body amino 15N are apportioned to the essential and ca. 58% to the non-essential AA. Thus this substance produces a more proportional labelling of the essential and non-essential AA of the body protein than 15N Gly. The following quotas of the 15N amounts applied were found in the AA of the animal bodies: tracer substance lysine 52%, glycine 32%, ammonia sulphate 24%, methionine 21%. After summing up the amino acid 15N amounts in the animal body, eliminating in each case the tracer AA and taking into account the molecular weight of the AA, there was a good agreement of the intensity of the accumulation of 15N in the individual AA, irrespective of the applied tracer substance: arginine, glutamic acid, cysteine and aspartic acid highest, threonine, phenylalanine and lysine lowest accumulation.     

Alternative low doses and routes of administering a prostaglandin F2�� analogue to induce luteolysis in Nelore cows

The present study was conducted in order to verify the efficacy of lower doses and alternative routes of a prostaglandin F2α analogue, luprostiol (PGF), for the induction of luteolysis and the precipitation of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus). A conventional dose (15 mg) of PGF was compared to doses lower than the conventional dose, which ranges from 10 to 50%, that were administered intramuscularly (IM), intravulvosubmucosally (IVSM), or in the Bai-hui acupuncture site located within the lumbosacral area. The cows were administered PGF 8 day after estrus in the presence of a corpus luteum, and randomly assigned to the following groups: G1 (positive control), 15 mg, IM (n = 23); G2, 7.5 mg, IM (n = 23); G3, 3.75 mg, IM (n = 24); G4, 7.5 mg, IVSM (n = 25); G5, 3.75 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 24); and G6, 1.5 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 25). The results indicated that 50% of a conventional dose of PGF (7.5 mg) resulted in a complete luteal regression (plasma progesterone <1 ng/ml) at Hour 48, and hastened estrus, regardless of whether or not PGF was administered IM or IVSM. Comparatively, 10 or 25% of the conventional dose, even when administered to the Bai-hui acupoint, resulted in an initial reduction in the concentration of progesterone at Hour 24, followed by an increase observed at Hour 48. In conclusion, 25% of a conventional PGF dose administered via the Bai-hui acupoint proved inadequate to induce a complete luteal regression, whereas 50% of a conventional dose administered IM or IVSM was found to be the minimal dose required to induce effectively a complete luteal regression, and to precipitate the onset of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows.     

Pharmacokinetic investigations of the marker active metabolites 4‐methylamino‐antipyrine and 4‐amino‐antipyrine after intramuscular injection of metamizole in healthy piglets

Metamizole (MT) is a pyrazolone nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug labelled for humans and animals. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of its active metabolites 4‐methylamino‐antipyrine (MAA) and 4‐amino‐antipyrine (AA) in male piglets after a single intramuscular injection of MT. Eight healthy male piglets were administered MT (100 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Blood was sampled at scheduled time intervals, and drug plasma concentrations evaluated by a validated HPLC method. MAA and AA plasma concentrations were quantitatively detectable from 0.25 to 48 h and 0.50 to 72 h, respectively, in 6 of 8 and 7 of 8 animals. The average maximum concentrations of MAA and AA were of 47.59 and 4.94 mg/mL, respectively. The average half‐lives were 8.57 and 13.3 h for MAA and AA, respectively. This study showed that the amount of MAA and AA produced in piglets is different to that in the animal species previously investigated. Further studies are necessary to understand whether these differences in MAA and AA plasma concentrations between animal species necessitate diverse therapeutic drug dosing.     

Progress in the discovery and definition of monoclonal antibodies for use in feline research

The practice of veterinary medicine and research into both animal diseases and animal models of human disease are restricted by the scarcity of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that react with animal proteins. One way to enlarge the repertoire of mAb to animal leukocyte differentiation antigens (LDA) is to test mAb specific to other species for cross-reactivity to the species of interest. We have tested a panel of 380 commercially available anti-human mAb for cross-reactivity to feline LDA. Twenty-six of these mAb cross-react with cat LDA and 19 others are of questionable cross-reactivity. Definition of mAb specificity in the cat is being investigated by multi-color flow cytometry (FCM) to compare test mAb specificity with that of mAb to known feline LDA. The addition of these cross-reactive mAb to the anti-feline mAb currently available will enhance studies in comparative medicine.