Effects of inhibition of Kupffer cell and splenectomy on thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury

AIM: To examine the effects of inhibition of Kupffer cell and splenectomy on intestinal endotoxemia and hepatic injury. METHODS: The hepatic injury model was established by treatment with thioacetamide (TAA). At the same time, inhibition of Kupffer cells by intravenous GdCl₃ and splenectomy were performed. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TNF-α, endotoxin content and phagocytic index were observed. RESULTS: In the TAA+GdCl₃ group, and TAA+splenectomy group, the endotoxin content was significently higher than that in normal and TAA group (P<0.05). The plasma TNF-α, ALT and total bilirubin were significantly lower than those in TAA group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of Kupffer cells and splenectomy increase plasma endotoxin level, but decreases the plasma TNF-α levels and alleviates the hepatic injury induced by TAA.     

Splenectomy enhances sensitivity of islets to STZ in mice

AIM: To explore the protective role of spleen in damage of islet beta cells induced by streptozotocin (STZ).METHODS: Splenectomy in mice was performed by surgery. Sixty splenectomy mice were divided into 3 groups as the mice were intraperitoneally injected with STZ at doses of 80 mg/kg or 160 mg/kg, and saline, respectively. Sixty normal mice (without splenectomy) were also grouped and treated as above for controls. One week later, fasting blood glucose and serum insulin were monitored,and beta cell mass and the apoptosis of islet cells were analyzed by the methods of immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. The content of reactive oxygen species was determined by the method of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence.RESULTS: Compared to the normal control mice, the concentrations of fasting blood glucose significantly increased, and serum insulin reduced in splenectomy mice treated with STZ at the dose of 80 mg/kg. Moreover, beta cell mass decreased, enrichment factor of nucleosomes of islet apoptotic cells and reactive oxygen species produced in pancreas tissues significantly increased in splenectomy mice treated with STZ at the dose of 80 mg/kg.CONCLUSION: Splenectomy increases the sensitivity of islets to STZ in mice by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species in pancreas.     

Babesiosis Caused by a Large Babesia Species in 7 Immunocompromised Dogs

Background: A large unnamed Babesia species was detected in a dog with lymphoma. It was unknown if this was an underrecognized pathogen.
Objective: Report the historical and clinicopathologic findings in 7 dogs with babesiosis caused by a large unnamed Babesia species characterize the 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) genes.
Animals: Seven immunocompromised dogs from which the Babesia was isolated.
Methods: Retrospective case review. Cases were identified by a diagnostic laboratory, the attending clinicians were contacted and the medical records were reviewed. The Babesia sp. 18S rRNA genes were amplified and sequenced.
Results: Six of 7 dogs had been splenectomized; the remaining dog was receiving oncolytic drugs. Lethargy, anorexia, fever, and pigmenturia were reported in 6/7, 6/7, 4/7, and 3/7 dogs. Laboratory findings included mild anemia (7/7) and severe thrombocytopenia (6/7). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays used to detect Babesia sensu stricto species were all positive, but specific PCR assays for Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni were negative in all dogs. The 18S rRNA gene sequences were determined to be identical to a large unnamed Babesia sp. previously isolated. Cross-reactive antibodies against other Babesia spp. were not always detectable. Five dogs were treated with imidocarb dipropionate and 1 dog with atovaquone/azithromycin; some favorable responses were noted. The remaining dog was untreated and remained a clinically stable carrier.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Dogs with pigmenturia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia should be tested for Babesia sp. by PCR. Serology is not sufficient for diagnosis of this Babesia sp. Asplenia, chemotherapy, or both might represent risk factors for persistent infection, illness, or both.     

人工复制附红细胞体病的研究

21只体重（7±2.3）kg健康杂种犬（经连续5天肌注四环素10mg/kg体重和血液附红细胞体检查阴性后）,随机分为3组;Ⅰ组为切脾组,Ⅱ组为切脾加免疫抑制剂注射组,Ⅲ组为对照组。各组大均腹腔注射附红细胞体病患犬抗凝血4ml（红细胞用红细胞体感染率94％,红细胞数3.8 ×10~6/mm~3）,逐日采血进行血液学变化、生理指标以及临床病征等测定。结果表明,接种后第 1天Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组红细胞附红细胞体感染率为1.5％和2.1％,第6天Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别为81.3％、86.5％和75.2％;血象变化表现出不同程度的红细胞压积、血红蛋白、红细胞总数、嗜酸性白细胞、淋巴细胞下降;白细胞总数、嗜中性白细胞、单核细胞上升的趋势;Ⅰ、Ⅱ组中出现贫血、黄疸、发热、食欲不振、腹泻、呕吐等明显症状的发病犬分别为5只、7只,发病率分别为71％、100％,其中Ⅱ组病势最重,并死亡犬2只。两实验组发病犬其临床症状、血象变化、生理指标及病理组织学变化均同自然发病患犬变化相似,对照组无明显变化。     

Expression of Th cytokines in peripheral blood before and after splenectomy in immune thrombocytopenia patients

AIM: To investigate the changes of Th cytokines before and after splenectomy in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients. METHODS: The QuantiGene Plex method was used to measure the mRNA expression of Th1, Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10), Th3 (transforming growth factor β₁,TGF-β₁), and Th17 (IL-17) cytokines in peripheral blood of ITP patients before and after laparoscopic splenectomy and those in peripheral blood of healthy controls. RESULTS: The mRNA level of IL-2 was significantly decreased in ITP patients before operation compared with the healthy controls, whereas IL-17 was obviously over-expressed. No significant difference of the other cytokines between preoperative group and the normal controls was found. After splenectomy, the expression levels of both IL-2 and TGF-β₁ were significantly higher than those in preoperative group and the normal controls. IL-2 was also significantly increased after operation, but was still lower than that in the normal controls. No significant difference of other cytokines between postoperative group and healthy controls was observed. In addition, The Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) were found to be positively correlated (r=0.647, P<0.01) in preoperative patients, while no correlation was found between the other cytokines. There was a positive correlation between IL-2 and IFN-γ (r=0.787, P<0.01) in postoperative patients. IL-17 also had positive correlations with IL-2 (r=0.554,P<0.01) and IFN-γ (r=0.461,P<0.05) in ITP patients after operation, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is an imbalance of Th cytokines in ITP patients. The mechanism of splenectomy for treating ITP may be associated with the balance regulation of Th cytokines.