Effects of T lymphocytes, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 on renal fibrosis in canine end-stage renal disease

Canine end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is defined as the almost complete failure of renal function or irreversible destruction and is characterized by extensive glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial inflammation, and fibrosis. Renal fibrosis is a common pathway leading to kidney failure. Infiltrating immunocytes in the end-stage kidney and several related factors are involved in renal fibrogenesis. A total of 18 renal tissue samples were obtained from canine patients with ESRD using biopsy and necropsy procedures. The extent of renal fibrosis was histopathologically examined by Masson trichrome staining. T-cell and B-cell localization and macrophage lineages were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Additionally, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, and IL-6 levels in the canine ESRD kidney were immunohistochemically evaluated and compared with expression patterns in the normal kidney. Significant fibrosis and infiltrating immunocytes consistent with lymphocytes were observed. Although the B-cell count was increased in the end-stage kidney, immunostaining patterns disclosed a marked increase in the number of CD3(+) cells. Furthermore, the remarkable increase in IL-1 and IL-6 levels suggests that T cells in the kidneys of dogs with ESRD spontaneously express these cytokines. In this study, the correlation between the degree of renal fibrosis and cytokines in canine ESRD was examined. The present study shows that T lymphocytes and IL-6 play important roles in renal fibrosis.     

Effect of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,meat quality,noxious gas emission and blood profiles in finishing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica (PPA) in finishing pigs. A total of 160 pigs were used in this 10‐week trial. Dietary treatment groups were as follows: CON (basal diet); TRT1 (basal diet + 0.1% PPA); TRT2 (basal diet + 0.2% PPA); and TRT3 (basal diet + 0.3% PPA). During weeks 1–5, pigs fed with different levels of PPA‐supplemented diet showed linear increase (p < .05) in the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen (N) and linear decrease (p < .05) in the concentrations of serum total protein. During weeks 6–10, pigs fed with different levels of PPA‐supplemented diet showed a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p < .05). During the overall period, there was a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p < .05) associated with the inclusion of PPA. Pigs fed diets with 0.2% PPA supplementation had lower (p < .05) feed conversion ratio than those fed CON diet during weeks 6–10 and the overall period, and had higher (p < .05) ATTD of N than those fed CON diet during weeks 1–5. Pigs fed diets with PPA supplementation had lower (p < .05) concentrations of serum total protein than those fed CON diet on week 5. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PPA diet has beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, backfat thickness and the concentrations of serum total protein.     

Use of additives to capture nitrogen in ammoniated wheat straw: Intake, ruminal parameters, digestibility and nitrogen utilization in buffaloes

This study examined the influence of urea treated wheat straw (UTWS) ensiled with additives on feed intake, digestibility, ruminal characteristics and N utilization in Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls (Babulus bubalis) fed ad libitum. Wheat straw was treated on large scale with 4% urea at a 50% moisture level. The UTWS was ensiled with 6% CSL, 6% acidified molasses, 2% acetic acid and 2% formic acid on DM basis in four different cemented trench silos for 15 days. Four diets each having 50% dry matter (DM) from UTWS ensiled with acetic acid (AD), formic acid (FD), acidified molasses (MD) or corn steep liquor (CD) and 50% DM from concentrate mixture were fed to ruminally cannulated bulls in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Ruminal total VFA, acetate, cellulolytic ruminal bacterial count, DM and NDF degradability were significantly higher with MD and CD diets compared with AD and FD diets. Intake of different feed fractions was higher in bulls fed MD and CD diets. Total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients was similar across all treatments. Nitrogen retention was higher in bulls fed MD and CD diets than those fed AD and FD diets. Ensiling UTWS with fermentable carbohydrates sources having low pH compared to organic acids increased the N fixation in the matrix of cell wall fiber thus slowing its release at ruminal level that probably enhanced the N synchronization with carbon skeleton (fiber fermentation) and this consequently improved the N utilization.     

Temporal dynamics of nutrient and carbohydrate distribution during crop cycles of Rosa spp. ‘Kardinal’ in response to light availability

Rose plants that are flush harvested exhibit episodic growth patterns. During these crop cycles little biomass accumulation occurs immediately following harvest; and as new shoots emerge a period of rapid shoot growth and biomass accumulation occurs. The temporal changes in whole-plant nutrient and carbohydrate distribution during these crop cycles and the role of storage in new shoot growth are not well documented. The objective of this project was to quantify N, P, K, and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) distribution in roots, base stems, base leaves, and new shoots during crop cycles in response to light availability. Plants were grown in solution culture under high or low light (mean daily light integral 45.3 or 13.1 mol m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively) during 30–35 day crop cycles. Every five days destructive sampling was used to determine biomass and N, P, K, and TNC concentration of rose plant compartments. N and TNC accumulated in base plant compartments during the first ten days of the crop cycles. N, P, K, and TNC in base plant compartments declined during days 10–25 during a crop cycle concurrent with the rapid growth of flower shoots. N, P, and K storage in base plant parts represents 27, 22, and 24% of the potential N, P, and K required by flower shoots under high light; and 19, 21, and 22% of requirements under low light. TNC storage in base plant parts represents 4–10% of the final biomass of flower shoots. Mobilization of N, P, K, and TNC stored from base plant parts appears to be important during the stage of rapid flower shoot growth when absorption by roots or photosynthesis by shoots was insufficient to meet flower shoot demands. Plant carbohydrate status was improved under high light conditions; storage of N and TNC declined under low light.     

Skeletal unit construction of rat mandible based on the masticatory muscle anatomy and double microcomputed tomography

This study aimed to divide the mandible into skeletal units based on three‐dimensional (3D) muscular anatomy with microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) of Sprague–Dawley rat. Five normal rats were micro‐CT scanned at 12 weeks of age before and after contrast enhancements for the masticatory muscles. Three‐dimensional reconstruction of the mandible was performed from the initial micro‐CT images, followed by segmentation of the masticatory muscles using the second enhanced micro‐CT data. Bone and muscle models were superimposed based on the teeth and bony structures to evaluate muscular orientation and attachment. The mandible was divided into skeletal units using the bony structures and muscle attachments. The mandibular foramen and mental foramen were adopted as the reference points based on their anatomical and developmental significance. The skeletal units consisted of the condylar, coronoid, angular, body and symphyseal units. Further evaluation of these units in relation to development, growth, and other biology and medicine will be helpful in elucidating their biological identities.     

Pharmacokinetic profiles of the active metamizole metabolites after four different routes of administration in healthy dogs

Metamizole (MT), an analgesic and antipyretic drug, is rapidly hydrolyzed to the active primary metabolite 4‐methylaminoantipyrine (MAA) and relatively active secondary metabolite 4‐aminoantipyrine (AA). The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetic profiles of MAA and AA after dose of 25 mg/kg MT by intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.), oral (p.o.), and rectal (RC) routes in dogs. Six dogs were randomly allocated to an open, single‐dose, four‐treatment, four‐phase, unpaired, crossover study design. Blood was collected at predetermined times within 24 hr, and plasma was analyzed by a validated HPLC‐UV method. Plasma concentrations of MAA and AA after i.v., i.m., p.o., and RC administrations of MT were detectable from 5 (i.v. and i.m.) or 30 (p.o. and RC) min to 24 hr in all dogs. The highest concentrations of MAA were found in the i.v., then i.m., p.o., and RC groups. Plasma concentrations of AA were similar for i.v., i.m., and RC, and the concentrations were approximately double those in the PO groups. The AUC_EV/IV ratio for MAA was 0.75 ± 0.11, 0.59 ± 0.08, and 0.32 ± 0.05, for i.m., p.o., and RC, respectively. The AUC_EV/IV ratio for AA was 1.21 ± 0.33, 2.17 ± 0.62, and 1.08 ± 0.19, for i.m., p.o., and RC, respectively. Although further studies are needed, rectal administration seems to be the least suitable route of administration for MT in the dog.     

Pharmacokinetic profiles of metamizole (dipyrone) active metabolites in goats and its residues in milk

Metamizole (dipyrone, MET) is a nonopioid analgesic drug commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to assess two major active metabolites of MET, 4‐methylaminoantipyrin (MAA) and 4‐aminoantipyrin (AA), in goat plasma after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration. In addition, metabolite concentration in milk was monitored after IM injection. Six healthy female goats received MET at a dose of 25 mg/kg by IV and IM routes in a crossover design study. The blood and milk samples were analyzed using HPLC coupled with ultraviolet detector and the plasma vs concentration curves analyzed by a noncompartmental model. In the goat, the MET rapidly converted into MAA and the mean maximum concentration was 183.97 μg/ml (at 0.08 hr) and 51.94 μg/ml (at 0.70 hr) after IV and IM administration, respectively. The area under the curve and mean residual time values were higher in the IM than the IV administered goats. The average concentration of AA was lower than MAA in both groups. Over 1 μg/ml of MAA was found in the milk (at 48 hr) after MET IM administration. In conclusion, IM is considered to be a better administration route in terms of its complete absorption with long persistence in the plasma. However, this therapeutic option should be considered in light of the likelihood of there being milk residue.