Pulmonary clearance of Mycoplasma pulmonis in rats with respiratory viral infections or of susceptible genotype.

We sought to determine whether or not increased severity of bronchopulmonary disease due to Mycoplasma pulmonis infection in rats with respiratory viral infections and in rats of susceptible genotype could result from altered pulmonary clearance. Pathogen-free rats were exposed to aerosols of radiolabeled M. pulmonis and the numbers of M. pulmonis colony-forming units, and amounts of radiolabel in the lungs were determined immediately after exposure or 4 hours later. Intrapulmonary killing of M. pulmonis during the 4-hour interval was determined from decreases in ratios of colony-forming units to radiolabel, and physical clearance was determined from decreases in radiolabel. Neither intrapulmonary killing nor physical clearance differed between control F344 rats and F344 rats inoculated with Sendai virus or sialodacryoadenitis virus, or between F344 and LEW rats. Rates of intrapulmonary killing and physical clearance were 64 +/- 3% and 44 +/- 2%, respectively (overall means +/- standard error).     

Natural mycoplasmal infections in isolator-maintained LEW/Tru rats

For 4 years a colony of cesarean-derived, isolator-maintained LEW/Tru rats was evaluated for mycoplasmal infection by serology, culture and histopathology. Anti-mycoplasmal antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the colony eventually was found to have inapparent infections of Mycoplasma pulmonis and Mycoplasma arthritidis. Rats, naturally infected with M. pulmonis, remained consistently positive in the M. pulmonis ELISA after their initial seroconversion, and eventually developed clinical signs and lesions of respiratory and genital mycoplasmosis. M. pulmonis was apparently eliminated by serological testing and removal of infected rats. Rats naturally infected with M. arthritidis did not develop clinical or histologic evidence of mycoplasmal disease and their sera gave inconsistent results in the M. pulmonis ELISA, but eventually developed positive M. arthritidis ELISA responses. M. arthritidis was isolated from the genital tract, the intestinal tract, and Harderian gland. In contrast to M. pulmonis, removal of serologically positive animals was not sufficient for elimination of M. arthritidis from the colony.     

The decrement of carcinogenesis by dietary selenium and expression of placental form of glutathione-S-transferase in rat glioma

Supranutrition dietary levels of the element selenium (Se) that have been shown to reduce or retard tumor development resulting from transplantation. The rat placental form of glutathione-S-transferase (GST-p) has been reported to be a good marker for preneoplastic or neoplastic lesions. Four groups of rats with glioma were exposed to Se-free, 0.05, 2.0, and 4.0 ppm sodium selenite GST-p was investigated. Normal brain tissue did not differ significantly in all groups. In contrast, GST-p in tumor was significantly higher in Se-free and 4.0-ppm groups compared to 0.5- and 2.0-ppm groups. The concentration of Se in normal brain tissue did not differ significantly in Se-supplement groups. By contrast, Se in tumors was significantly higher in the 0.5- and 2.0-ppm groups compared to the Se-free and 4.0-ppm groups. Mean group survival at 30 d after treatment was determined and compared with previous dietary Se. Survival was significantly longer in the 0.5- and 2.0-ppm groups than in the Se-free and 4.0-ppm groups. The 2.0-ppm group had enhanced survival, similar to the 0.5-ppm group. The Se-free and 4.0-ppm groups might have no protection against carcinogenesis.     

Tylosin concentrations in rat serum and lung tissue after administration in drinking water

Tylosin has low in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations against Mycoplasma pulmonis but levels attainable in rat serum or lung tissue have not been reported previously. Tylosin levels in rat serum and lung tissue were determined after administration of tylosin in the drinking water. Rats were given water mixed with a commercially available preparation of tylosin base, vitamins, and dextrose. Although the calculated amount of tylosin added to the water was intended to provide a concentration of 500 mg/L, the concentration attained was 70-79 mg/L and decreased rapidly with time. Bioassay of serum and lung tissue after 1-10 days of continuous medication revealed no detectable tylosin concentrations (less than 0.1 microgram/ml) in serum, while lung tissue from all treated rats contained tylosin (means = 10.69 +/- 2.66 micrograms/gm tissue, range = 3.93 to 18.14, n = 59). These concentrations are over ten times the reported in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations against M. pulmonis which indicates that tylosin administration in drinking water may be useful in the treatment of M. pulmonis pneumonia in rats.     

Lung mechanics and connective tissue proteins in diabetic Bio-Breeding/Worcester Wistar rats

We studied lungs of spontaneously diabetic Bio-Breeding/Worcester (BB/W) Wistar rats which resemble human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Compared with the age-matched control group, the body weight of the diabetic rats tended to be smaller and lung wet and dry weight were similar, but lung dry weight, relative to body weight and to lung wet weight, was significantly larger. Both air and saline lung volumes were reduced in the diabetic rats, and volume-pressure (V-P) curves expressed as a percent of maximal lung volume were significantly shifted downward and to the right of those in the control group over the midportion. Total DNA and RNA contents were similar in both groups, whereas protein content and concentration and protein/DNA and RNA/DNA ratios were significantly reduced in the diabetic rats. In contrast, content and concentration of 4-hydroxy-L-proline, elastin, and crude connective tissue were significantly higher in the diabetic group. We conclude that the increase in connective tissue proteins in the BB/W rats is most likely responsible for the shift in the V-P curves.     

Effects of xenogeneic, allogeneic and isogeneic thymus grafts on lymphocyte populations in peripheral lymphoid organs of the nude rat

In order to gain information about the effect of xenografted, allografted and isografted thymic tissue on peripheral lymphoid organs of immune-deficient rats, athymic nude LEW rats of ninth backcross-intercross were grafted with fetal calf and neonatal BDIX and LEW thymus. Adrenalectomy was also performed in some animals in order to obtain a possible enhancement of the immunological reconstitution. Both groups of isogeneic-thymus-grafted animals had more T helper cells than the nude controls. Furthermore, they had more densely populated paracortical areas in the inguinal lymph nodes and higher lymphocyte counts in the thoracic duct lymph. Finally, the inguinal lymph nodes contained germinal centres. Xenogeneic and allogeneic thymus transplants did not induce constant changes in the parameters observed compared with the untreated nudes. No clear difference was observed between the adrenalectomized and non-adrenalectomized thymic-isografted animals. We therefore conclude that of all the experimental animals examined the isografted nude rats show by far the best response and that adrenalectomy seems unnecessary for the success of neonatal isogeneic thymus grafts. We also conclude that the isogeneic-thymus-grafted nude rat is a suitable tool for immunological reconstitution studies.     

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern and total LDH activity in the lung and liver of rats chronically exposed to low and high oxygen concentrations.

Young adult rats were continuously exposed for 44 and 84 days to environments containing 9–11%, 20%, and 80% oxygen. Low and high oxygen atmospheres were achieved by using boxes laminated with silicone rubber membranes which have a differing permeability for oxygen on one side and for carbon dioxide and nitrogen on the other. Animals exposed to both extreme concentrations significantly slowed body growth, and the weight of the lungs was proportionally less. The pattern of LDH isoenzymes in the lung showed the presence of all five characteristically changing isoenzymes in relation to oxygen concentration. A marked increase of M subunits in the LDH in lungs of rats exposed to low oxygen indicated a higher tissue concentration of lactate. Thus, the percentage of M subunits was significantly higher in low oxygen and significantly lower in lungs of rats exposed to high oxygen as compared to controls. Under the same experimental conditions there were no changes in the liver LDH isoenzyme pattern. Total LDH activity in the lungs of rats exposed to either extreme oxygen atmosphere was significantly elevated as compared to controls kept at an ambient atmosphere. It is concluded that chronic exposure of rats to low as well as to high oxygen was injurious to the lung tissue, as evidenced by total LDH activity. Thus, LDH isoenzyme pattern in the lung reflected the actual gas exposure (pO₂), rather than local tissue metabolism.     

Detection of Mycoplasma pulmonis by fluorogenic nuclease polymerase chain reaction analysis

Mycoplasma pulmonis induces persistent infections in laboratory mice and rats and can contaminate biological materials. We developed a fluorogenic nuclease polymerase chain reaction (fnPCR) assay to detect M. pulmonis specifically. Primer and probe sequences for the assay were targeted to 16S rRNA sequences specific to M. pulmonis. The assay consistently detected the equivalent of fewer than 10 copies of template DNA. When evaluated against a panel of 24 species of bacteria, the M. pulmonis assay detected only M. pulmonis isolates. Evaluation of 10-fold serial dilutions of cultured M. pulmonis showed that the M. pulmonis fnPCR assay and culture on Dutch agar had comparable sensitivity in detecting viable M. pulmonis organisms, whereas the mouse antibody production test displayed positive serologic results at dilutions higher than those in which viable organisms could be detected. Finally, the M. pulmonis fnPCR assay was able to detect M. pulmonis DNA in nasopharyngeal wash fluid and trachea, lung, and uterus tissue collected from mice naturally infected with M. pulmonis but did not detect the organism in similar samples collected from uninfected, negative control mice. The M. pulmonis fnPCR assay provides a high-throughput, PCR-based method to detect M. pulmonis in infected rodents and contaminated biological materials.     

仙灵骨葆对骨质疏松大鼠OPG/RANK/RANKL 表达的影响

目的:观察仙灵骨葆治疗骨质疏松模型大鼠后,对大鼠体内OPG/RANKL/RANK表达的影响。方法:卵巢摘除法建立SD大鼠骨质疏松模型,设立假手术组、对照组(单纯去卵巢组)、雌激素组(给予17β-雌二醇)和治疗组(给予仙灵骨葆)。术后1周开始给药,给药12周后检测各组大鼠股骨骨密度,ELISA法检测血清中OPG/RANKL含量,RT-PCR检测骨组织中OPG/RANK/RAN-KL mRNA表达,免疫组化检测骨组织中RANK的表达。结果:对照组大鼠骨密度显著低于假手术组;治疗组和雌激素组大鼠O-PG表达显著高于对照组,RANK及RANKL的表达显著低于对照组。结论:采用卵巢摘除法成功建立大鼠骨质疏松模型;仙灵骨葆可促进骨质疏松大鼠OPG的表达,并抑制RANK及RANKL的表达,对骨质疏松模型大鼠有治疗作用。     

Increased vitamin E content in the lung after ozone exposure: a possible mobilization in response to oxidative stress

Vitamin E (vE) is a biological free radical scavenger capable of providing antioxidant protection depending upon its tissue content. In previous studies, we observed that vE increased significantly in rat lungs after oxidant exposure, and we postulated that vE may be mobilized to the lung from other body sites under oxidative stress. To test this hypothesis, we fed Long-Evans rats either a vE-supplemented or a vE-deficient diet, injected them intraperitoneally with 14C-labeled vE, and then exposed half of each group to 0.5 ppm ozone (O3) for 5 days. After exposure, we determined vE content and label retention in lungs, liver, kidney, heart, brain, plasma, and white adipose tissue. Tissue vE content of all tissues generally reflected the dietary level, but labeled vE retention in all tissues was inversely related to tissue content, possibly reflecting a saturation of existing vE receptor sites in supplemented rats. Following O3 exposure, lung vE content increased significantly in supplemented rats and decreased in deficient rats, but the decrease was not statistically significant, and vE content remained unchanged in all other tissues of both dietary groups. Retention of 14C-labeled vE increased in all tissues of O3-exposed rats of both dietary groups, except in vE-deficient adipose tissue and vE-supplemented brain, where it decreased, and plasma, where it did not change. The marked increases in lung vE content and labeled vE retention of O3-exposed vE-supplemented rats support our hypothesis that vE may be mobilized to the lung in response to oxidative stress, providing that the vitamin is sufficiently available in other body sites.     

Effects of repeated cycles of starvation and refeeding on lungs of growing rats.

Adult male rats were subjected to four cycles of mild starvation (2 wk) and refeeding (1 wk) and were compared with a fed group. Starvation was induced by giving rats one-third of their measured daily food consumption. During each starvation cycle, rats lost approximately 20% of their body weight. Despite catch-up growth and overall weight gain, starved rats had lower final body weight than fed rats. Lung dry weight and lung volumes were also reduced in the starved group. The mechanical properties of air- and saline-filled lungs did not change significantly with repeated cycles of starvation. Mean linear intercept was similar in the two groups, but alveolar surface area was reduced in the starved rats. Total content of crude connective tissue and concentration per lung dry weight of hydroxyproline and crude connective tissue were reduced in starved rats. We conclude that lung growth is retarded in growing rats subjected to repeated cycles of mild starvation and refeeding, as manifested by smaller lung volume and reduced alveolar surface area. Because alveolar size is unchanged, a reduced number of alveoli is most likely responsible for decreased lung volumes.     

海水淹溺致大鼠急性肺损伤模型的建立

目的：建立海水淹溺肺损伤（SWD-ALl）的大鼠模型,为SWD—ALl的基础及救治研究提供平台。方法：128只健康SD大鼠随机分为4组,即对照（CG）组和海水灌注（SGI、SG2、SG4）组（分别气管内注入1、2、4mL／kg海水）。观察大鼠气管内海水灌注后症状以及各组呼吸频率、心率、动脉血气、肺湿／干重r~（W／D）,留取肺组织病理标本观察病变。结果：与对照组比较,海水灌注组大鼠心率、呼吸频率明显加快,气道有白色泡沫渗出物,口唇发绀,肺部满布湿罗音。动脉血气分析氧分压（PaO2）和二氧化碳分压（Pa—CO2）显著降低（P〈0．01）;SGl、SG2组30min测氧合指数（Pa02／FiO2）低于300mmHg,之后逐渐升高至接近正常,SG4组各时间点测PaOJFi02得均在300mmHg以下;各组间比较,SG4组肺组织湿／干重比（W／D）明显高于其他组（P〈0．01）。肺组织病理观察,光镜下肺间质水肿,肺泡隔断裂,大量的红细胞及炎性细胞浸润。结论：经气管内灌注海水4mL／kg,可成功建立海水淹溺急性肺损伤的动物模型。     

Sex differences in the uptake and retention of imipramine and desmethylimipramine in the rat lung

¹⁴C-Imipramine was administered to male and female Sprague-Dawley rats and animals were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, and 20 hours later. At all time points, total radioactivity in female lung was several-fold higher than in males. In addition, female lungs had a higher concentration of desmethylimipramine (DMI) as compared to imipramine than did male rat lungs. This was reflected by a higher conversion of imipramine to DMI by hepatic and pulmonary microsomes from female rats. Finally male rats cleared both imipramine and DMI from their lungs at a slower rate than did female rats.     

The Effects of Zinc Treatment on the Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability and Brain Element Levels During Convulsions

We evaluated the effect of zinc treatment on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and the levels of zinc (Zn), natrium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) in the brain tissue during epileptic seizures. The Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each as follows: (1) control group, (2) pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) group: rats treated with PTZ to induce seizures, (3) Zn group: rats treated with ZnCl₂ added to drinking water for 2 months, and (4) Zn?+?PTZ group. The brains were divided into left, right hemispheres, and cerebellum?+?brain stem regions. Evans blue was used as BBB tracer. Element concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The BBB permeability has been found to be increased in all experimental groups (p?<?0.05). Zn concentrations in all brain regions in Zn-supplemented groups (p?<?0.05) showed an increase. BBB permeability and Zn level in cerebellum?+?brain stem region were significantly high compared to cerebral hemispheres (p?<?0.05). In all experimental groups, Cu concentration decreased, whereas Na concentrations showed an increase (p?<?0.05). Mg content in all the brain regions decreased in the Zn group and Zn?+?PTZ groups compared to other groups (p?<?0.001). We also found that all elements’ levels showed hemispheric differences in all groups. During convulsions, Zn treatment did not show any protective effect on BBB permeability. Chronic Zn treatment decreased Mg and Cu concentration and increased Na levels in the brain tissue. Our results indicated that Zn treatment showed proconvulsant activity and increased BBB permeability, possibly changing prooxidant/antioxidant balance and neuronal excitability during seizures.     

Effects of starvation on lung mechanics and biochemistry in young and old rats

Two groups of rats (young and old) were food-deprived for 3 wk and were compared with age-matched fed groups. Final body weight and dry and wet weights of lungs were significantly reduced in both young and old starved rats. As determined by saline volume-pressure (VP) curves, lungs of young starved rats accepted significantly less volume at all pressure levels compared with lungs of young fed rats. When expressed as a percent of maximum lung volume, the VP curve in young starved rats was significantly shifted upward at low lung volumes. In the old rats, the VP curves were similar in fed and starved rats. Total lung content of protein, DNA, crude connective tissue, hydroxyproline, and elastin were significantly reduced in young starved compared with young fed rats, whereas in old starved rats only protein and DNA contents were lower than those in old fed animals. It appears that in rapidly growing young rats starvation leads to growth retardation, loss of connective tissue components, and possibly reduction in tissue elastic forces at low lung volumes, whereas starvation has no significant effects on lung mechanics and connective tissue in old rats.     

Mycoplasma pulmonis-host relationships in a breeding colony of Sprague-Dawley rats with enzootic murine respiratory mycoplasmosis

The longitudinal Mycoplasma pulmonis-host relationships in rats 1 to 72 weeks of age were investigated in a conventional breeding colony of Sprague-Dawley rats with enzootic murine respiratory mycoplasmosis (MRM). Mean intracage ammonia (NH3) concentrations of 52 +/- 21 micrograms/1 and active Sendai virus infections during the first month of life were associated with important early events in MRM. There was rapid colonization of proximal airways by large numbers of M. pulmonis in most rats by 2 weeks of age and the lungs by 6 weeks. The prevalence of lesions of MRM peaked by 3 weeks in nasal passages, later in middle ears, larynx and trachea, and not until 8 weeks in lungs. Approximately 10% of rats 8 weeks of age and older had bronchiectasis and/or bronchiolectasis, usually restricted to a few airways. Despite continued high NH3 concentrations (42 +/- 14 micrograms/1 in cages of weanlings and 86 +/- 45 micrograms/1 in cages of adults), M. pulmonis populations declined dramatically by 8 weeks of age. Nevertheless, in older rats lesions continued to be extremely prevalent in proximal airways. Mycoplasma pulmonis infection and disease persisted in respiratory tracts of most rats through 72 weeks of age, despite high serum concentrations of mycoplasma-specific IgM and IgG antibodies. These interrelationships of M. pulmonis, host, and environment may be representative of many breeding colonies of rats that have enzootic MRM.     

A mixture of organisms affects cholesterol metabolism together with rat cecal flora.

The effects of a mixture of organisms on cecal fermentation and cholesterol metabolism in sham-operated and cecectomized rats were investigated. Male F344 rats, allocated into four groups: cecectomized rats fed a mixture of organisms (CEMO), cecectomized rats fed rice bran (CERB), sham-operated rats fed a mixture of organisms (SHMO), and sham-operated rats fed rice bran (SHRB) for 4 weeks. The diets had 0.5% cholesterol and 0.125% sodium cholate added. There were no significant differences in the body weight gain and food intake among the groups. The cecal pH in the SHMO group was significantly lower than that in the other groups. The total cholesterol and (VLDL + IDL + LDL)-cholesterol concentrations in serum were significantly lower in the SHMO group than that in the SHRB group, and the triacylglycerol concentration in the sham-operated rats tended to decrease compared to the cecectomized rats. The fecal cholesterol excretion in the CERB group was higher than that in the other groups, and that in the SHMO group was significantly higher than in the SHRB group. The acetic acid, propionic acid, n-butyric acid, and total short-chain fatty acid concentrations in the cecum contents were significantly higher in the SHMO group than those in the other groups. Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus in the SHMO group tended to be higher than the other groups and Bacteroidaceae in the CEMO and CERB groups were significantly higher than that in the SHMO group. The results demonstrate that the mixture of organisms was fermented with the cecal contents and that the metabolites such as short-chain fatty acid lowered the serum total cholesterol and liver cholesterol concentrations in the rats fed a cholesterol-containing diet.     

The estrogen antagonist tamoxifen inhibits carrageenan induced inflammation in LEW/N female rats

Carrageenan induces a measurable inflammatory response in susceptible animals, and mature females are more responsive to carrageenan, than males. In the present study, we tested whether the estrogen antagonist tamoxifen influences carrageenan-induced inflammatory responses. Female LEW/N rats were treated with tamoxifen and compared to a control group of animals injected with vehicle. Tamoxifen significantly reduced estrous phase of estrous cycle during treatment, consistent with its functional anti-estrogen effects. Moreover, tamoxifen significantly decreased exudate volume but did not significantly influence relative white blood cell counts in the exudate. Interestingly, tamoxifen induced differential dose-dependent alterations in peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations. Low dose of tamoxifen increased CD25 cells. The high tamoxifen dose significantly increased CD8 blood lymphocyte counts. Our data indicate that tamoxifen treatment decreases carrageenan-induced inflammatory response in female LEW/N rats and suggest therefore that this inflammatory response is, at least in part, estrogen related. Moreover, our results suggest a possible role for tamoxifen in treatment of inflammatory disorders.     

Effect of long-term swimming exercise on zinc,magnesium, and copper distribution in aged rats

Trace element content of different tissues might be altered by both age and exercise training. We aimed to determine the effects of a 1-yr swimming protocol (60 min/d, 5 day/wk) on tissue levels and the distribution of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) in aging rats. Three groups were formed: sedentary and trained old groups and a young control group. Tissue Zn, Mg, and Cu concentrations were measured in the kidney, heart, liver, lungs, and gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Kidney zinc concentration significantly decreased in the sedentary old group compared to the young control group (p<0.01) and was significantly higher in the trained old group compared to the sedentary old group (p<0.01), whereas Zn levels in the soleus muscle significantly increased in the sedentary old group in comparison to young controls (p<0.05). Tissue Mg concentrations remained unchanged. The sedentary old group exhibited a significant decrease in kidney Cu concentration compared to the young control group (p<0.01). Although kidney Cu levels also decreased in trained old rats in comparison to young controls (p<0.05), they were significantly higher than in sedentary old rats (p<0.01). The decrease in kidney Zn and Cu content as a result of aging was partly prevented by long-term swimming exercise.     

通络益气方对博来霉素致大鼠肺纤维化的治疗作用研究

目的:研究通络益气方对博来霉素致大鼠模型肺组织病理及肺组织羟脯氨酸(HYP)的影响。方法:将36只SPF级健康6周龄Wistar雄性大鼠置于SPF级条件下,适应性试养3天后,分为3组:空白组、模型组、治疗组,每组12只。除空白组外,其余两组,在清醒状态下,放入与小动物雾化给药仪相连的30 cm×30 cm×20 cm自制玻璃箱中,雾化吸入浓度为5 g/L(50%)的博莱霉素,雾化20分钟,休息5分钟,一天连续激发2小时,连续刺激4周。空白组在同样条件下雾化吸入0.9%生理盐水,操作方法与其余两组相同。治疗组大鼠造模后第2天起给予通络益气方,通络益气方溶液按体质量给予大鼠药液1 m L/100 g灌胃,每次于雾化前1h灌胃;模型组、正常组均给予生理盐水(1 m L/100 g)灌胃。各组大鼠连续刺激4周后,用1%戊巴比妥钠(50 mg/kg)麻醉后,待其肌肉松驰、呼吸平稳后,仰面固定于专用板上,用动物专用CT进行肺扫描。各组大鼠在末次诱导后,24 h内腹腔注射1%戊巴比妥钠麻醉后,取肺组织进行HE和Masson染色,观察各组大鼠肺组织病理HE染色、Masson染色及肺组织中HYP的含量。结果:与空白组(0.76±0.06)相比,治疗组(1.11±0.13)、模型组(1.47±0.22)HYP均升高(P<0.05);与模型组(1.47±0.22)相比,治疗组(1.11±0.13)HYP明显降低(P<0.05)。结论:通络益气方能降低对肺纤维化大鼠肺组织中胶原的沉积,起到治疗肺纤维化的作用,与通络益气方抑制HYP胶原蛋白的表达有关。