Potential role of the CD38/cADPR signaling pathway as an underlying mechanism of the effects of medetomidine on insulin and glucose homeostasis

ObjectiveTo investigate the CD38/cADPR signaling pathway as possible underlying mechanism of the effects of medetomidine on insulin and glucose homeostasis.AnimalsThirty–two C57BL/6 mice of both sexes.MethodsWild–type (WT) and CD38–knockout (CD38^?/?) mice received medetomidine (50 μg kg^?1) or a similar volume of 0.9% NaCl (control) by intraperitoneal (IP) injection (each group n = 8). The mice were euthanized 45 minutes later with sodium pentobarbital IP and blood was sampled via cardiac puncture. Insulin and glucose concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and by the oxygen rate method, respectively. Data were analyzed with anova and Bonferroni post hoc (5% significance) and are shown as mean ± SD.ResultsPlasma insulin and glucose concentrations were similar between WT and CD38^?/? mice under control conditions. As compared to controls, medetomidine administration produced a statistically significant decrease in plasma insulin concentrations in the WT mice whereas the decrease in the CD38^?/? mice was not statistically significant. Correspondingly, medetomidine caused a significantly greater increase in plasma glucose concentrations in the WT than in the CD38^?/? mice.ConclusionThe CD38/cADPR signaling pathway may be one underlying mechanism of the glucose and insulin effects of the alpha–2 adrenergic receptor agonist medetomidine and likely other drugs of its’ class.     

The effects of a loading dose followed by constant rate infusion of xylazine compared with romifidine on sedation,ataxia and response to stimuli in horses

ObjectiveTo compare xylazine and romifidine constant rate infusion (CRI) protocols regarding degree of sedation, and effects on postural instability (PI), ataxia during motion (A) and reaction to different stimuli.Study designBlinded randomized experimental cross-over study.AnimalsTen adult horses.MethodsDegree of sedation was assessed by head height above ground (HHAG). Effects on PI, A and reaction to visual, tactile and acoustic stimulation were assessed by numerical rating scale (NRS) and by visual analogue scale (VAS). After baseline measurements, horses were sedated by intravenous loading doses of xylazine (1 mg kg^?1) or romifidine (80 μg kg^?1) administered over 3 minutes, immediately followed by a CRI of xylazine (0.69 mg kg^?1 hour^?1) or romifidine (30 μg kg^?1 hour^?1) which was administered for 120 minutes. Degree of sedation, PI, A and reaction to the different stimuli were measured at different time points before, during and for one hour after discontinuing drug administration. Data were analysed using two-way repeated measures anova, a Generalized Linear Model and a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (p < 0.05).ResultsSignificant changes over time were seen for all variables. With xylazine HHAG was significantly lower 10 minutes after the loading dose, and higher at 150 and 180 minutes (i.e. after CRI cessation) compared to romifidine. Reaction to acoustic stimulation was significantly more pronounced with xylazine. Reaction to visual stimulation was greater with xylazine at 145 and 175 minutes. PI was consistently but not significantly greater with xylazine during the first 30 minutes. Reaction to touch and A did not differ between treatments. Compared to romifidine, horses were more responsive to metallic noise with xylazine.ConclusionsTime to maximal sedation and to recovery were longer with romifidine than with xylazine.Clinical relevanceWith romifidine sufficient time should be allowed for complete sedation before manipulation.     

紫蛇尾皂苷的初步纯化和生物学活性研究

对紫蛇尾Ophiopholis mirabilis皂苷粗提物进行初步纯化,并对所得产物的抑菌活性、抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性和细胞毒活性进行了研究。采用AB-8大孔吸附树脂初步纯化紫蛇尾皂苷粗提物,采用香草醛—高氯酸法测定总皂苷含量,采用滤纸片法测定抑菌活性,采用比色法和MTT法分别测定α-葡萄糖苷酶和MCF-7人乳腺癌细胞的抑制率。结果表明:纯化后的紫蛇尾皂苷纯度增加至48.57%;皂苷粗提物及纯化物的抑菌活性表现一致,均对枯草芽孢杆菌Bacillus subtilis具有明显的抑制作用,且纯化物的抑菌效果略强;皂苷粗提物对α-葡萄糖苷酶的抑制效果明显,大孔树脂95%乙醇洗脱所得纯化物的抑制率达到94.62%;皂苷粗提物及纯化物对MCF-7人乳腺癌细胞均表现出了很强的细胞毒活性,其中大孔树脂60%、75%、95%乙醇洗脱所得纯化物的浓度为300μg/m L时,细胞抑制率均高达97%以上。研究表明,紫蛇尾皂苷粗提物及纯化物均表现出了很强的选择性抑菌活性、α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制活性和对MCF-7人乳腺癌细胞的细胞毒活性,且纯化物的活性增强。     

Effects of different doses of L-659'066 on the bispectral index and clinical sedation in dogs treated with dexmedetomidine

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of three doses of L-659’066 (MK-467) on the bispectral index (BIS) and clinical sedation in dexmedetomidine-sedated Beagles.Study designRandomized, experimental cross over study.AnimalsEight purpose-bred healthy laboratory Beagles.MethodsDexmedetomidine (10 μg kg^?1 IV [DEX]) was administered alone or in combination with three doses of L-659’066 (250 μg kg^?1 [DL250]; 500 μg kg^?1 [DL500] and 750 μg kg^?1 [DL750] IV) in the same syringe in a randomized crossover manner. The bispectral index (BIS), electromyography (EMG) and sedation score were recorded at baseline and 5, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after treatment.ResultsWhen compared to DEX, BIS and EMG were significantly higher and the sedation score significantly lower with DL500 and DL750. With DEX, BIS was significantly decreased at times 20, 30 and 60 minutes whereas the sedation scores were significantly increased at all time points after drug administration in all groups. Bioequivalence for clinical sedation was detected between DEX and all doses of L-659’066, reaching European Medicines Agency (EMA) standards.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAlthough L-659’066 interfered with dexmedetomidine induced sedation, the degree of the reduction was not clinically relevant. Despite performing better when dexmedetomidine was used alone, BIS did not reflect the clinical sedative status when the antagonist was added.     

Effects of three antagonists on selected pharmacodynamic effects of sublingually administered detomidine in the horse

ObjectiveTo describe the effects of alpha₂-adrenergic receptor antagonists on the pharmacodynamics of sublingual (SL) detomidine in the horse.Study designRandomized crossover design.AnimalsNine healthy adult horses with an average age of 7.6 ± 6.5 years.MethodsFour treatment groups were studied: 1) 0.04 mg kg^?1 detomidine SL; 2) 0.04 mg kg^?1 detomidine SL followed 1 hour later by 0.075 mg kg^?1 yohimbine intravenously (IV); 3) 0.04 mg kg^?1 detomidine SL followed 1 hour later by 4 mg kg^?1 tolazoline IV; and 4) 0.04 mg kg^?1 detomidine SL followed 1 hour later by 0.12 mg kg^?1 atipamezole IV. Each horse received all treatments with a minimum of 1 week between treatments. Blood samples were obtained and plasma analyzed for yohimbine, atipamezole and tolazoline concentrations by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Behavioral effects, heart rate and rhythm, glucose, packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma proteins were monitored.ResultsChin-to-ground distance increased following administration of the antagonists, however, this effect was transient, with a return to pre-reversal values as early as 1 hour. Detomidine induced bradycardia and increased incidence of atrioventricular blocks were either transiently or incompletely antagonized by all antagonists. PCV and glucose concentrations increased with tolazoline administration, and atipamezole subjectively increased urination frequency but not volume.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAt the doses administered in this study, the alpha₂-adrenergic antagonistic effects of tolazoline, yohimbine and atipamezole on cardiac and behavioral effects elicited by SL administration of detomidine are transient and incomplete.     

Effects of bone mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on silicosis fibrosis in rats

AIM: To study the effects of exogenous bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation on silicosis fibrosis in rats, and to explore the dose-effect relationship. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated and cultured from male 5-week-old SD rats in vitro. Fifty healthy female SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, silicosis model group, BMSCs treatment A group (1×10⁹ cells/L), BMSCs treatment B group (3×10⁹ cells/L) and BMSCs treatment C group (5×10⁹ cells/L). The silicosis model was made by one-time infusion of silica dust suspension using the non-exposed tracheal intubation, and different doses of BMSCs were given for intervention therapy. All the rats were sacrificed on the 21st day after the model was established. The morphological changes of the lung tissues were observed by HE staining and Masson staining. The localization and distribution of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) were determined by the method of immunohistochemistry. The protein levels of TNF-α, TGF-β, collagen type I and collagen type III were detected by Western blotting. The sex-determining region (SRY) protein was searched by an immunofluorescence method to confirm the homing of BMSCs. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the silicosis model group had significant alveolitis changes, silicon nodule formation, collagen deposition and other pathological characteristics. Compared with silicosis model group, the pathological changes in BMSCs treatment A group were improved. The conditions of BMSCs treatment B group were also improved significantly. However,the pathological changes in BMSCs treatment C group were increased obviously. The protein levels of TNF-α, TGF-β, collagen type I and collagen type III in the lung tissues ranked as follows: BMSCs treatment C group > silicosis model group > BMSCs treatment A group > BMSCs treatment B group > control group. The difference between BMSCs treatment C group and silicosis model group was not statistically significant, and the differences between the other groups were statistically significant. The SRY-positive cells were observed in BMSCs treatment B group, but no significant expression in the heart, liver, spleen and kidney tissues was observed. CONCLUSION: The exogenous BMSC transplantation antagonizes the development of silicosis fibrosis in rats, which has dose-effect relationship.     

Evaluation of the ocular penetration of topical alpha-luminol (Galavit®/GVT®)

Purpose Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. It has also been implicated as part of the pathogenic mechanisms in the development of glaucoma. Alpha‐luminol has shown profound anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects in both experimental animal and human clinical studies. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate for the first time the ocular penetration of topical alpha‐luminol. Methods Nine animals were divided into three treated groups (three animals each; one drop OU/n = 18), each group receiving a different concentration of the eyedrop (0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5%). Aqueous humor and peripheral blood samples were obtained from each rabbit at three different timepoints (20 min, 4 h and 12 h). Samples were analyzed by means of high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry; median values were compared. Results Alpha‐luminol was found in the aqueous humor in all treated groups at all timepoints. At the 2nd and 3rd timepoints (4 h and 12 h), aqueous humor levels decreased significantly (P < 0.05) for two of the three dosages tested and it was not detectable in some eyes. The highest aqueous humor concentration of the drug was 272 ng/mL after 20 min (0.0217% of one drop, 2.5% group). Alpha‐luminol was found in the vitreous in two animals, one in the 1.5% and another in the 2.5% group (16.4 and 21.5 ng/mL, respectively), at 12 h. Conclusions Topically administered alpha‐luminol readily penetrates into the anterior chamber and can penetrate into the vitreous chamber. Further investigation is warranted to better understand the intraocular pharmacokinetics of alpha‐luminol.     

牛Ⅰ型干扰素受体α链与其配体结合活性的鉴定

为研究牛Ⅰ型干扰素受体α链（IFNAR1）与其配体结合的生物学性质,本研究采用RT-PCR方法从感染水疱性口炎病毒（vesicular stomatitis virus,VSV）的犊牛原代肾细胞中扩增得到IFNAR1基因,然后构建了表达BoIFNAR1胞外区多肽（BoIFNAR1-EC）的原核表达载体pET30a-BoIFNAR1-EC,在Rosetta^TM（DE3）pLysS宿主菌中表达出重组蛋白rBoIFNAR1-EC,并以纯化后的rBoIFNAR1-EC作为免疫原制备兔抗牛IFNAR1的多克隆抗体,随后鉴定BoIFNAR1与其配体的结合活性。结果表明,试验成功克隆得到1 685 bp的牛IFNAR1基因,编码560个氨基酸,由24个氨基酸组成的信号肽、414个氨基酸组成的胞外区、23个氨基酸组成的跨膜区及99个氨基酸组成的胞内区组成,与其他物种IFNAR1氨基酸序列同源性为63%~91%,在进化上具有高度保守性,其与羊的亲缘关系最近。随后构建了含牛IFNAR1胞外区基因的重组表达载体,并诱导表达了重组牛IFNAR1胞外区蛋白rBoIFNAR1-EC,其在大肠杆菌中几乎全部为可溶性表达,经纯化透析后作为免疫原制备了兔抗牛IFNAR1的特异性抗体,抗体效价高达1：204 800。配体结合试验表明,牛IFNAR1重组蛋白可与牛IFN-αA和IFN-ε结合,其多克隆抗体可阻断牛IFN-αA和IFN-ε与细胞表面的IFNAR1特异性结合,进而阻断牛IFN-αA和IFN-ε的抗病毒信号传导。     

Skin surface lipids and skin and hair coat condition in dogs fed increased total fat diets containing polyunsaturated fatty acids

It is generally believed that diets containing increased amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) result in improved canine skin and hair coat (SHC). However, the extent to which dietary fat amount and type play a role remains to be systematically investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of both increased dietary fat amount and type on SHC assessments of dogs. Improvements of SHC conditions were investigated after feeding three diets containing increased total dietary fat (i.e. 13% total fat) for 12 weeks in relation to a lower fat acclimation diet (i.e. 9% total fat). The higher fat diets varied in polyunsaturated and saturated fat types and amounts but total fat was kept constant. Skin and hair coat assessments were performed at selected intervals by a trained group of veterinarians and graduate students. In addition, hair lipids were fractionated by thin layer chromatography after extraction of plucked hair samples. Significant improvements were found in hair coat glossiness and softness in all dogs fed the higher fat diets in relation to the acclimation diet. Improvements as a result of fat type were also seen but only at 12 weeks. A parallel finding was a marked increase in hair cholesteryl ester content determined at the end of the study at which time SHC scores were significantly improved. Skin and hair coat condition improvements may thus be related to increased cholesteryl ester deposited on the hair shaft surface when high fat diets are fed. Whereas this finding is preliminary, hair lipid analysis may be a useful, non-invasive technique with which to help assess dietary effects on canine SHC.     

水牛抑制素α亚基基因的克隆与原核表达

采用RT-PCR方法从水牛卵巢总RNA中扩增抑制素α亚基基因,并克隆入pMD18-T载体,进行PCR、双酶切及测序鉴定.序列分析结果表明:水牛抑制素α亚基基因编码序列长为1 083 bp,编码360个氨基酸,与牛、人、猪抑制素α亚基基因CDS成熟蛋白氨基酸的同源性分别为96%、80%、87%,表明抑制素α亚基是一组在进化上高度保守的蛋白质.将水牛抑制素α亚基基因CDS克隆到pET-30a表达载体中,转化宿主菌BL21(DE3)进行原核表达.在1 mmol/L IPTG 中,37 ℃诱导表达4 h后抑制素α亚基基因重组蛋白可成功获得表达.将表达产物进行SDS-PAGE分析,结果表达产物主要以包涵体形式存在,分子质量约为40 ku.