Cardiovascular Effects of Enoximone and Epinephrine on Heparin Reversal With Protamine in Conscious Dogs

Objective—To compare enoximone with epinephrine as treatments for the cardiotoxic effects of protamine sulfate.
Study Design—Prospective randomized study.
Animal Population—12 healthy cross-bred dogs weighing 23 ± 4 kg.
Methods—The dogs were anesthetized with xylazine and ketamine to allow instrumentation. Femoral arterial and venous catheters were inserted for pressure monitoring and to allow drug infusion. A thermodilution catheter mounted with a fast response thermistor was inserted into the pulmonary artery via the jugular vein to measure cardiac output and right ventricular volumes. Heparin 300 units/kg followed by protamine 4.5 mg/kg were administered 45 minutes after the xylazine/ketamine. Four animals were not treated (controls), four received enoximone, and four were given epinephrine. Cardiopulmonary parameters were monitored for a period of 30 minutes.
Results—Cardiac index was 104 ± 15 mL/kg/min in the enoximone group, 72 ± 13 mL/kg/ min in the epinephrine group, and 63 ± 10 mL/kg/min in the control group ( P < .05 enoximone versus control and epinephrine). Right ventricular end systolic volume was 18 ± 3, 27 ± 4, and 29 ± 6 mL in the enoximone, epinephrine, and control groups ( P < .05 enoximone versus control and epinephrine). There were no differences in mean arterial pressure or pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance between the groups.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In this study, enoximone was more effective than epinephrine at reversing the hemodynamic changes associated with protamine sulfate administration.     

Effect of Progesterone and Ionomycin on Domestic Cat Sperm Motility Patterns and Acrosome Reaction

This study was aimed at assessing the changes in sperm motion patterns and the percentage of acrosome reaction (AR) in domestic cat semen after treatment with either ionomycin or progesterone (P₄). Ten ejaculates were collected from five tomcats using an artificial vagina, and were diluted, centrifuged and resuspended in a capacitation medium. Samples were evaluated and divided into seven equal aliquots and, after 2 h at 25°C, were incubated for 30 min at 38°C in 5% CO₂ and then analyzed. Computer-assisted sperm analysis and a combination of three fluorescent probes were used to assess sperm plasma, acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Thirty minutes after the start of incubation, P₄ was added (10 μg/ml) to the P1 group. Groups P2 and P3 were supplemented with P₄ (10 and 20 μg/ml, respectively) only after 2 h of incubation, and groups I1 and I2 were supplemented with ionomycin (4 and 8 μ m , respectively) 2 h after incubation. Group E was supplemented with ethanol (0.6%) at 2 h after incubation and group C received no supplementation. Ionomycin and P₄ treatments led to a hyperactivation-like sperm motion and an increase (p < 0.05) in the percentage of AR. Although a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of AR was obtained in group I2 when compared with all P₄ groups, a decrease (p < 0.05) in total and progressive motility was observed in I2 group. As I1 group was similar to I2 to induce AR without diminishing sperm motility, we can conclude that ionomycin at 4 μ m seems to be more suitable to trigger AR in domestic cat sperm.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DETECTION OF FOREIGN BODIES IN SOFT TISSUES USING TURKEY MUSCLE AS A MODEL

Foreign bodies in the soft tissues are frequent problems in both veterinary and human medical practice. Radiography has been the principle tool for diagnosis, but is unable to define many foreign bodies. This study was undertaken to compare the sonographic and radiographic visualization for a variety of foreign bodies. Fresh turkey muscle (pectoral and thigh) with skin was used as the soft tissue model. Assorted foreign bodies were introduced 1 cm into the muscle. Materials examined were small wood fragments, steel wire, glass, nails, graphite, rock, BB pellets, and polystyrene plastic. Following introduction of the foreign bodies radiographs were obtained and the specimens were studied sonographically at 5.0 mHz and 7.5 mHz. All foreign bodies were visible with sonography. A bright echo with either acoustic shadowing or reverberations was present for all specimens. Radiographically metallic foreign bodies were visible but wood, some graphite, and plastic were not seen. We conclude that radiography should remain the primary imaging modality for foreign body detection because of its general availability and low cost. If radiography is negative ultrasound can detect and guide the removal of radiolucent foreign bodies.     

Determination and Occurrence of Free and Conjugated Histamine in Urine of Sheep

1. By modifying the method of Duriér & Pernow (1956) the urinary excretion of free and conjugated histamine was examined in 11 healthy adult sheep.
2. The mean excretion of free histamine was 9.8 ± 9.0 (s) µg base/24 hrs. (uncorrected for losses during extraction). When individual means were used, the range was: 2.1–34.2 µg base/24 hrs. The intraindividual variations were of the same order as the interindividual variations.
3. The mean excretion of conjugated histamine was equivalent to 15.1 ± 9.9 (s) µg histamine base/24 hrs. In all animals the ratio conjugated/free histamine was above 1. The interindividual as well as the intraindividual variation for conjugated histamine was of the same order as for free histamine.

     

Use of 64Copper Measurements to Diagnose Canine Copper Toxicosis

Inherited canine copper toxicosis is a serious problem in Bedlington terriers and West Highland White terriers, and may also be a problem in other less-studied breeds. Affected dogs become ill at midlife with progressive and ultimately fatal liver disease. Treatments for removal of copper and prevention of copper accumulation are available, but are most effective if begun before the dog becomes ill. Until recently diagnosis has not been available until the dog is 1 year of age, and then only by an invasive liver biopsy with determination of liver copper concentration. The authors studied the use of 64copper for early diagnosis of canine copper toxicosis. Two procedures were evaluated. The first involved measuring the concentration of 64copper in blood 24 hours after oral administration of the radioisotope. At this time, 64copper was associated primarily with ceruloplasmin secreted into the blood by the liver. This procedure is useful in the diagnosis of the human counterpart, Wilson's disease. However, the authors found it to be nondiscriminatory between affected and unaffected dogs. In contrast, the second procedure, which involved measuring 64copper excreted in stool during 48 hours after an intravenous dose of radioisotope, yielded results that differentiated most affected and unaffected dogs.     

Pancreatic Polypeptide and Insulin-Secreting Tumor in a Dog With Duodenal Ulcers and Hypertrophic Gastritis

A 7-year-old spayed female Cocker Spaniel was hospitalized with a history of chronic vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. Laboratory abnormalities included leukocytosis, metabolic alkalosis, hypoglycemia, hypoproteinemia, and hyperinsulinemia. Gastroscopy and ultrasonography revealed multiple gastric masses and a possible pancreatic mass, respectively. Examination of tissues obtained at necropsy showed a pancreatic adenocarcinoma with hepatic metastasis, gastric hypertrophy, and multiple duodenal ulcers. Immunocytochemical staining of the neoplasia was positive for pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and insulin and negative for gastrin, calcitonin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serotonin, L-enkephalin, chromagranin, glucagon, and somatostatin. Subsequent serum gastrin and PP assays showed a fasting hypergastrinemia with a normal response of gastrin to provocative testing and extremely increased PP values. The high PP values may have resulted in the vomiting and gastrointestinal ulceration. A PP-secreting tumor has not previously been reported in the dog.     

Effects of Growth Factors and L-Arginine on Ischemic Skin Flaps in Rats

This study determined the effect of the polypeptide growth factors transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and growth hormone (GH) alone and in combination with dietary L-Arginine HCL (ARG) on skin flap survival in rats. Caudally based dorsal skin flaps were created in 110 Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were randomly assigned into three treatment groups, based on drinking water supplementation. Group 1 (n = 50) received ARG in their drinking water, group 2 (n = 50) received tap water alone, and group 3 (n = 10) received N-omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) and hydralazine. Groups 1 and 2 were divided into subgroups of 10 rats each based on treatment with either: TGF-β, IGF-I, GH, or IGF-I + GH. All subgroups that received GH had significantly greater ( P <.0001) median body weight gains when compared with subgroups not receiving GH. L-arginine HCL when added to IGF-I negated the positive effects of IGF-I on both flap survival and weight gain. Although the rats in all subgroups from groups 1 and 2 had an increase in mean percent skin flap survival when compared with the water alone subgroup, only rats receiving IGF-I, or the combination of ARG with either TGF-β or GH, had statistically significant enhanced skin flap survival. Rats in group 3 did not show an increase in skin flap survival when compared with the control subgroup.