长期铝暴露对大鼠肝脏功能的影响

旨在探讨长期铝暴露对大鼠肝脏损伤及其功能的影响,为防制其对动物肝脏器官的危害提供理论依据。48只4周龄雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为4组,分别于饮水中添加0,64.18,128.36,256.72mg/kg体重AlCl3.6H2O溶液建立长期铝暴露大鼠模型,试验期120d。断头处死大鼠,检测血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)活性及血清和肝脏中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果表明,随染铝剂量的增加,各染铝组血清ALT、AST活性及肝脏MDA含量显著高于对照组(P<0.01、P<0.05);染铝组肝脏GSH-PX活性显著低于对照组(P<0.01),SOD活性呈先升高后下降趋势,低剂量组高于对照组,高剂量组显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。说明长时间铝暴露可增强肝脏脂质过氧化反应,降低抗氧化能力,引发氧化损伤,进而影响肝脏功能。     

Serum liver enzyme activities in healthy Miniature Schnauzers with and without hypertriglyceridemia

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hypertriglyceridemia in healthy Miniature Schnauzers is associated with high serum liver enzyme activities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 65 Miniature Schnauzers with serum triglyceride concentrations within the reference range (group 1), 20 Miniature Schnauzers with slightly high serum triglyceride concentrations (group 2), and 20 Miniature Schnauzers with moderately to severely high serum triglyceride concentrations (group 3). PROCEDURES: Questionnaires regarding each dog's medical history were completed, and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and G-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities were measured. RESULTS: Median serum ALP activity was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 1 or 2 dogs, but was not significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 dogs. Median serum ALT activity was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 1 dogs, but was not significantly different between any of the other groups. Compared with group 1 dogs, group 2 and 3 dogs were significantly more likely to have high serum ALP activity (odds ratio, 26.2 and 192.6, respectively). Group 3 dogs also were significantly more likely to have high serum ALT activity (odds ratio, 8.0), serum AST activity (odds ratio, 3.7), and serum GGT activity (odds ratio, 11.3), compared with group 1 dogs. Group 3 dogs were significantly more likely (odds ratio, 31.0) to have > or = 2 high serum liver enzyme activities than were group 1 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that moderate to severe hypertriglyceridemia was associated with high serum liver enzyme activities in Miniature Schnauzers.     

Dietary fishmeal versus soyabean meal: an assessment of serum and liver enzyme response in the chicken

In a five-week feeding trial, 90 broiler chicks were used to study the response of serum and liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and alkaline phosphatase following the replacement of varying levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 per cent) of fishmeal protein by soyabean meal protein. The results showed that both serum ALT and AST activities increased significantly (P less than 0.01) with the increasing levels of substitution of soyabean meal for fishmeal. Regression analysis showed a significant (P less than 0.01) positive correlation between ALT and AST activities and the level of soyabean meal substitution with correlation coefficient, r, of 0.93 and 0.98, respectively. The liver ALT and AST tended to increase with the increasing proportion of soyabean meal although such increases were not significant (P greater than 0.01). Serum and liver SDH and alkaline phosphatase activities were not significantly influenced by diet.     

镉对大鼠原代肝细胞的毒性损伤

用两步灌流法获得大鼠肝细胞,肝细胞暴露于浓度为2.5、5、10μmol/L的醋酸镉24 h.测定了细胞活力、培养上清液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)和丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)活性及细胞内谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化.结果表明,细胞相对存活率显著下降(P<0.01),LDH、AST和ALT的释放量增加,5μmol/L和10 μmol/L剂量组与对照组相比差异均显著(P<0.01),细胞内GSH-PX活性降低,各剂量染毒组与对照组相比,差异均极显著(P<0.01);细胞内GSH含量升高,5 μmol/L和10μmol/L剂量组与对照组差异均显著(P<0.05),细胞内MDA含量升高,10μmol/L剂量组与对照组相比差异显著(P<0.05).表明镉可致肝细胞损伤,并且氧化应激起了重要作用.     

Effect of acepromazine on the signs of capture stress in captive and free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

The differences between the capture stress responses of captive and free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and their modulation by acepromazine, during a period of three hours' physical restraint after capture in drive-nets, were examined in 16 free-ranging and 16 captive roe deer. Eight of the free-ranging and eight of the captive animals received acepromazine intramuscularly, and the other eight free-ranging and eight captive deer received the same volume of saline. Heart rate, body temperature and haematological and serum biochemical parameters were analysed. In the groups treated with acepromazine, the heart rate stabilised sooner, and the red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin concentration, packed-cell volume, the serum activities of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the concentrations of creatinine and lactate were significantly lower, and serum glucose started to decrease earlier, than in the untreated groups. Serum potassium levels decreased over time only in the untreated groups. The body temperature stabilised earlier, and the RBC count, haemoglobin concentration, serum CK, AST, ALT and LDH activities, and serum creatinine, lactate, cholesterol and glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the free-ranging roe deer than in the captive deer.     

Effects of cadmium at sub-lethal concentration on growth and biochemical parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Cadmium (Cd), as one of heavy metals and an environmental stressor, may alter many physiological processes like growth and serum parameters in fish. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of cadmium at sub-lethal concentrations (1 and 3 μg/l) on growth and serum biochemical parameters including enzymes, i.e. alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and total protein in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Trout were exposed to cadmium, and, at intervals of 1, 15, and 30 days, selected parameters were evaluated. Condition Factor (K), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Body Weight Gain (BWG) consistently decreased, while Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) increased at the end of experiment. Glucose was elevated in trout exposed to both Cd concentrations at day 15 and then returned to levels comparable to control fish. Triglyceride and cholesterol decreased transiently at day 15 and then increased at day 30. Total protein, AST, ALT and ALP increased linearly by time and Cd concentration. This investigation suggests that growth and serum biochemical parameters could be used as important and sensitive biomarkers in ecotoxicological studies concerning the effects of metal contamination and fish health.     

Identification of a New Locoweed (Oxytropis serioopetala) and Its Clinical and Pathological Features in Poisoned Rabbits

By a series of experiments, we identified a new member of the locoweed family, Oxytropis serioopetala, that produces swainsonine, a phytotoxin harmful to livestock. In order to evaluate the toxicity of Oxytropis serioopetala, its extract was administered to ten rabbits by gavage at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg body weight as swainsonine once daily. After the 20th day, the rabbits appeared depressive and anorexic. In addition, intention tremors were apparent upon movement. Their eyes were dull. The rear limbs were severely weak and even progressed to partial paresis. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in the poisoned rabbits increased significantly. Serum α-mannosidase (AMA) activity decreased markedly. Pathomorphological lesions in the locoweed-poisoned rabbits developed severe microvacuolation of visceral and neurological tissue. Extensive vacuolation was observed in the liver, kidney and brain. These clinical and pathological features are similar to the symptoms of locoism.     

白藜芦醇对玉米赤霉烯酮致小鼠肝脏氧化损伤及炎症的保护作用

为探究白藜芦醇（RSV）对玉米赤霉烯酮（ZEA）中毒小鼠肝脏损伤是否具有保护作用,试验将40只清洁级雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为5组：对照组（生理盐水）、ZEA组（40 mg/kg）、不同浓度的RSV （50、100或200 mg/kg）与ZEA （40 mg/kg）共处理组,每组8只,各组均灌胃给药,试验期12 d。试验结束后采集小鼠肝脏样品,计算肝脏系数,采用苏木素-伊红（HE）染色和免疫组织化学染色法观察各组肝脏病理变化;检测肝脏NF-κB蛋白表达;比色法检测肝脏组织中丙二醛（MDA）含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性及血清中谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）和乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性,ELISA法检测血清中白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）和IL-1β含量。结果显示,与对照组相比,ZEA组小鼠肝组织发生明显病理学变化;与ZEA组相比,不同浓度RSV与ZEA共处理组小鼠肝脏组织病理学变化都有所减轻。免疫组织化学结果显示,与对照组相比,ZEA组肝脏NF-κB蛋白表达增多;与ZEA组相比,不同浓度的RSV与ZEA共处理组肝脏NF-κB蛋白表达均有下降。与对照组相比,ZEA组肝脏系数和肝脏组织MDA含量极显著升高（P<0.01）,肝脏组织SOD和CAT活性显著或极显著降低（P<0.05;P<0.01）,血清中AST、ALT和LDH活性,IL-6、TNF-α和IL-1β含量均极显著升高（P<0.01）。与ZEA组相比,不同浓度RSV与ZEA共处理组肝脏组织CAT活性显著或极显著升高（P<0.05;P<0.01）,血清中AST、ALT和LDH活性及IL-6和IL-1β含量显著或极显著降低（P<0.05;P<0.01）;50 mg/kg RSV与ZEA共处理组肝脏组织SOD活性和血清中TNF-α含量分别显著升高（P<0.05）和极显著降低（P<0.01）;100和200 mg/kg RSV与ZEA共处理组肝脏系数和肝脏组织MDA含量显著或极显著降低（P<0.05;P<0.01）。结果表明,ZEA对小鼠肝脏有严重的氧化及炎症损伤作用,RSV对ZEA中毒的肝损伤具有一定保护作用,尤其以100 mg/kg RSV保护效果最佳。     

Activity of some enzymes in the serum of dromedary camels.

The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and isocitric dehydrogenase (ICD) in the serum of 60 healthy dromedary camels of either sex and different ages (one to 25 years) were determined. The results were analysed with respect to time of year (December-January and May-June), sex and age groups (below four years; four to 10 years; and over 10 years). The overall mean activities of AST, ALT, ALP, ACP, LDH and ICD were 36.1 +/- 0.35, 4.65 +/- 0.35, 27.21 +/- 0.43, 7.18 +/- 0.21, 479.0 +/- 7.33 and 7.74 +/- 0.17 iu litre-1, respectively. Activities of AST, ALT, ALP and ACP were significantly higher during extremely hot conditions (May-June) than in extreme cold (December-January) while the activity of LDH was higher in extremely cold conditions. Analysis of data based on sex revealed that AST, ALT and ALP activities in the serum of male animals were significantly higher than in female animals. The activities of all the enzymes were highest in animals under four years and then gradually decreased with age being lowest in the animals over 10 years.     

Changes in selected biochemical indicators in blood serum in anestrous gilts

The biochemical profile [levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, chlorides and iron, the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and the concentrations of total protein, albumin, cholesterol, urea, glucose, and vitamins A and E] was studied in the blood serum of 40 anoestrous and 40 control inseminated animals in a production herd with an increased occurrence of anoestrus in gilts. The anoestrous gilts showed significantly lower levels of albumin (P less than 0.01) and glucose (P less than 0.01) and ALP activity (P less than 0.05), and significantly higher concentrations of urea (P less than 0.01), vitamin A (P less than 0.01) and vitamin E (P less than 0.05) and ALT activity (P less than 0.05), as compared with the inseminated controls. An extended enzymatological examination consisting of the evaluation of the activities of ALP, AST, ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GMT) was performed in another set of 22 anoestrous and 20 mated gilts. The anoestrous gilts showed a statistically significant increase in the activities of AST (P less than 0.01), GMT (P less than 0.01) and ALT (P less than 0.05) and an insignificant increase in the activity of ALP in comparison with the control animals. The comparison of the obtained values of the studied biochemical criteria with literary data indicated a lower concentration of magnesium and a higher ALP and ALT activities in the anoestrous and inseminated gilts in both groups under study. A high acidity of fat and a medium to high fungus infestation (Mucor sp., Aspergillus sp.) were found by chemical and mycological examination of the administered feed mixtures. The histological examination of the ovaries of anoestrous animals showed cystically degenerative changes, proliferations of fibrous elements, and partial atrophy of ovarial cortex. It has been inferred from the observations that mycotoxins may be involved in the increase in the occurrence of anoestrus, either by a direct effect on sexual organs or by impairing the function of liver which, secondarily contributes to the rise of ovarial dysfunctions.     

Hepatic effects of halothane, isoflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia in dogs

The effects of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane anaesthesia on hepatic function and hepatocellular damage were investigated in dogs, comparing the activity of hepatic enzymes and bilirubin concentration in serum. An experimental study was designed. Twenty-one clinically normal mongrel dogs were divided into three groups and accordingly anaesthetized with halothane (n = 7), isoflurane (n = 7) and sevoflurane (n = 7). The dogs were 1-4 years old, and weighed between 13.5 and 27 kg (18.4 +/- 3.9). Xylazine HCI (1-2 mg/kg) i.m. was used as pre-anaesthetic medication. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg i.v. The trachea was intubated and anaesthesia maintained with halothane, isoflurane or sevoflurane in oxygen at concentrations of 1.35, 2 and 3%, respectively. Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (tidal volume, 15 ml/kg; respiration rate, 12-14/min) was started immediately after intubation and the anaesthesia lasted for 60 min. Venous blood samples were collected before pre-medication, 24 and 48 h, and 7 and 14 days after anaesthesia. Serum level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH GGT) activities and bilirubin concentration were measured. Serum AST, ALT and GGT activities increased after anaesthesia in all groups. In the halothane group, serum AST and ALT activities significantly increased all the time after anaesthesia compared with baseline activities. But in the isoflurane group AST and ALT activities increased only between 2 and 7 days, and in the sevoflurane group 7 days after anaesthesia. GGT activity was increased in the halothane group between 2 and 7 days, and in the isoflurane and sevoflurane groups 7 days after anaesthesia. All dogs recovered from anaesthesia without complications and none developed clinical signs of hepatic damage within 14 days. The results suggest that the use of halothane anaesthesia induces an elevation of serum activities of liver enzymes more frequently than isoflurane or sevoflurane from 2 to 14 days after anaesthesia in dogs. The effects of isoflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia on the liver in dogs is safer than halothane anaesthesia in dogs.     

Study of the soil-plant (carrot)-animal cycle of nutritive and hazardous minerals in a rabbit model.

Carrots were grown on soils polluted by heavy metal salts. Each particular microelement reached a high concentration [molybdenum (Mo) 39.00, cadmium (Cd) 2.30, lead (Pb) 4.01, mercury (Hg) 30.00, and selenium (Se) 36.20 mg/kg dry matter] in the carrot. In a metabolic balance trial conducted with 15 male and 15 female New Zealand White rabbits, the control animals (n = 5) were fed ad libitum with concentrate as basal diet, while the other rabbits received the basal diet and carrots containing the particular microelement. Blood samples were taken to determine the activity of serum enzymes. To investigate the metabolism of Mo, Cd, Pb, Hg and Se, samples were taken from the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, ovaries/testicles, entire digestive tract, adipose tissue, femur, hair, faeces and urine. Carrot had significantly higher digestibility for all nutrients than the rabbit concentrate. Carrot samples of high Pb content had the lowest digestibility of crude protein. The microelements differed in their rate of accumulation in the organs examined: Mo and Cd accumulated in the kidneys, Pb in the kidneys, liver, bones and lungs, Hg in the kidneys and liver, while Se in the liver, kidneys and heart. The proportions of microelements eliminated from the body either via the faeces and urine (Mo 80.18% and Se 47.41%) or via the faeces (Cd 37.86%, Pb 66.39%, Hg 64.65%) were determined. Pathohistological examination revealed that the rate of spermatogenesis was reduced in the Mo, Cd, Pb and Hg groups compared to the control. Lead, Cd and Hg intake resulted in a considerable decrease in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and in an increase of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity because of damages to the kidneys and bones. All experimental treatments decreased the activity of cholinesterase (CHE) because of lesions in the liver.     

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.     

Comparison of blood aminotransferase methods for assessment of myopathy and hepatopathy in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

Muscle injury is common in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is frequently used to assess muscular damage in capture myopathy and traumatic injury. Therefore, accurate measurement of AST and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is important in managed, free-ranging animals, as well as in those rehabilitating from injury. Activities of these enzymes, however, are usually not increased in manatees with either acute or chronic muscle damage, despite marked increases in plasma creatine kinase activity. It is hypothesized that this absence of response is due to apoenzymes in the blood not detected by commonly used veterinary assays. Addition of coenzyme pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P or vitamin B6) should, therefore, result in higher measured enzyme activities. The objective of this study was to determine the most accurate, precise, and diagnostically useful method for aminotransferase measurement in manatees that can be used in veterinary practices and diagnostic laboratories. Additionally, appropriate collection and storage techniques were assessed. The use of an optimized commercial wet chemical assay with 100 micromol P5P resulted in a positive bias of measured enzyme activities in a healthy population of animals. However, AST and ALT were still much lower than that typically observed in domestic animals and should not be used alone in the assessment of capture myopathy and muscular trauma. Additionally, the dry chemistry analyzer, typically used in clinics, reported significantly higher and less precise AST and ALT activities with poor correlation to those measured with wet chemical methods found in diagnostic laboratories. Therefore, these results cannot be clinically compared. Overall, the optimized wet chemical method was the most precise and diagnostically useful measurement of aminotransferase in samples. Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference between paired serum and plasma measurement, indicating that separate reference intervals should be established for serum and plasma. Finally, storage of these enzymes at -70 degrees C for 1 mo resulted in up to a 25% decrease in enzymatic activity in manatee plasma.     

Serum enzyme activity evaluated in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) inflicted with muscle injury

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations were measured in 73 budgerigars. In spite of increases in the serum concentration of AST and ALT the loss of enzyme activity from the injection site occurred at about the same rate for all four enzymes tested. The rate constants, calculated in birds administered muscle extract via the intravenous or the intramuscular route of injection, disclosed that in subjects treated intramuscularly the serum enzyme elevation was dependent on the elimination half-life of the enzyme and partly on the rate at which the particular enzyme was absorbed into the bloods-tream. Moreover, serum enzyme elevations correlated inversely with total clearance. To determine the aetiology of blood enzyme elevation in budgerigars, for diagnostic purposes, the absorption rate, total clearance and elimination half-life of each of these four enzymes are deemed valuable components.     

Influence of dietary tannic acid and polyethylene glycol on growth and intestinal D-xylose absorption of broiler cockerels and activity of serum enzymes

1. In an experiment on broiler cockerels, the influence of tannic acid (TA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), weight of intestine and liver, the activities of serum enzymes LDH, AST, ALT and intestinal absorption function were investigated. 2. Broiler cockerels were given either a commercial diet alone (control group) or a commercial diet with TA (20 g/kg), PEG (10 g/kg) or TA plus PEG (20 + 10 g/kg), for 10 d. 3. On the last day of the experiment, all birds and remaining feed were weighed individually and a sample of blood was taken to measure the serum activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The capacity of intestinal cells for the absorption of D-xylose was measured. Finally all birds were killed humanely and the intestine and liver were weighed. 4. The results showed that TA significantly reduced BWG and FCR, as well as the activity of LDH, AST and ALT. 5. TA also increased the relative weight of the intestine. Adding PEG alone had no effect on any of the measured parameters. 6. However, PEG improved significantly BWG, FCR and the activity of LDH and AST of TA-fed birds. 7. The plasma D-xylose concentration of experimental birds was similar for all dietary treatments most likely because of temporal separation between feeding the dietary TA and administering the D-xylose. 8. It was concluded that the presence of tannins in the GI lumen of the bird was necessary to affect the processes involved in the absorption of simple sugars such as D-xylose, at the level of intestinal absorptive cells.     

Plasma biochemistry of one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius): Effects of anticoagulants and comparison with serum

The effects of various types of anticoagulants on plasma biochemistry were studied in man and various animals but limited informations are existing for camel plasma biochemistry. Eleven clinically healthy one-humped camels were blood sampled in different tubes containing different anticoagulants and plain tubes for harvesting plasma and serum. The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, and chloride and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured. Except for the amounts of AST, ALT, CK, total bilirubin, and inorganic phosphorus, other measured parameters were significantly lower in citrated plasma than in serum. Most parameters did not show any difference, but significant increase for CK activity and significant decrease for GGT, cholesterol, creatinine and chloride were seen when heparin was used as anticoagulant. Using EDTA as an anticoagulant caused a significant difference in the amounts of some measured parameters in plasma except glucose, AST, ALT, GGT, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, bilirubin, and triglyceride in comparison with serum.     

Serum complement activity and serum enzymes in rats after a subcutaneous injection of toxin prepared from Pasteurella multocida type D

Toxin produced by Pasteurella multocida type D was investigated for its effect on serum complement and serum biochemistry in rats. Rats were given a sublethal single subcutaneous injection of D toxin equivalent to 0.2 microgram/kg of body weight. Serum obtained 1, 3, 5 and 7 days post-treatment was tested for complement activity, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Serum complement titers were significantly elevated (P less than 0.05) at all times after injection of toxin compared to rats injected with diluent and tested at the same intervals. Bilirubin was decreased but both control and D toxin-treated rats had low concentrations of bilirubin in their sera. The other biochemical constituents measured had no consistent pattern that would indicate liver damage in the rats.     

Plasma biochemistry of one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius): effects of anticoagulants and comparison with serum

The effects of various types of anticoagulants on plasma biochemistry were studied in man and various animals but limited informations are existing for camel plasma biochemistry. Eleven clinically healthy one-humped camels were blood sampled in different tubes containing different anticoagulants and plain tubes for harvesting plasma and serum. The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, and chloride and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured. Except for the amounts of AST, ALT, CK, total bilirubin, and inorganic phosphorus, other measured parameters were significantly lower in citrated plasma than in serum. Most parameters did not show any difference, but significant increase for CK activity and significant decrease for GGT, cholesterol, creatinine and chloride were seen when heparin was used as anticoagulant. Using EDTA as an anticoagulant caused a significant difference in the amounts of some measured parameters in plasma except glucose, AST, ALT, GGT, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, bilirubin, and triglyceride in comparison with serum.     

The apo-enzyme content of aminotransferases in healthy and diseased domestic animals

We investigated the apo-enzyme content of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in clinically normal and ill canine, feline, equine and bovine patients. Aminotransferase activity was measured with and without the addition of exogenous pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P5P). The amount of apo-enzyme was expressed as the percentage change in aminotransferase activity with the inclusion of P5P. The results of aminotransferase assays without P5P (holo-enzyme activity) were highly correlated to the results obtained with P5P (total enzyme activity) in all four species (Spearman rank correlations > 0.980). The median apo-aminotransferase percentage in clinically normal patients was: 11% ALT and 0% AST in 115 dogs, 7% ALT and -5% AST in 50 cats, 6% AST in 46 horses and 9% AST in 50 cattle. The amount of apo-enzyme did not increase as holo-enzyme activity increased in any of the species. The apo-aminotransferase content was not significantly different in canine, feline and equine patients with diseases affecting the liver, kidney or musculature compared to clinically normal animals. The apo-enzyme content did not differ significantly between specific liver diseases in canine and feline patients.