The oxytocic effect of xylazine on the canine uterus

The effect of xylazine on intrauterine pressure was compared to that of prostaglandin and oxytocin in seven diestrual bitches. Microtipped pressure transducers were surgically implanted in the uteri of four bitches at 30 d diestrus and in three bitches at 60 d diestrus. Uterine contractile force was measured in the awake bitches on Day 1 and Day 2 following implantation. Uterine responses to intravenous prostaglandin (5 mug/kg), oxytocin (0.05 USP units/kg), and xylazine (0.22 mg/kg) were measured. In the 30-d diestrual bitches, prostaglandin and oxytocin increased intrauterine pressure to 67 and 69 mmHg, with the duration of action being 16 and 14 min, respectively. Xylazine increased intra-uterine pressure to 49 mmHg and had a duration of action of 8 min. All results were decreased but similar in the 60-d diestrual bitches. These findings indicate that xylazine, given intravenously, produces a transitory increase in intrauterine pressure in the diestrual bitch.     

猪气喘病实验猪模型的建立

目的 研究建立猪气喘病人工发病模型。方法 将分离得到的一株猪肺炎支原体(Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae,Mhp)Js株进行各种试验鉴定,证实其为Mhp强毒株。每头猪肺内接种Js株培养物2ml,15～25d后观察临床症状和病理变化,采集病变组织,经冻干制成攻毒用组织毒。安检合格,批号为20000324。给15头小梅山二元杂交猪分别气管内注射以KM₂培养基作10^-2、10^-3、10^-4和10^-5稀释的强毒,每头猪5ml,对照组注射培养基。攻毒后25d观察试验猪临诊症状,X线透视,记录病理变化。结果 10^-2、10^-3、10^-4稀释的强毒试验组猪均出现了典型的猪气喘病临床症状和病理变化。结论 人工发病试验测得Mhp Js株组织强毒接种气管内注射最小发病剂量为10^-4稀释5ml,正式试验人工发病可用100个最小发病剂量即强毒冻干物1:100稀释气管内注射5ml,可确保攻毒成功。     

The rabbit as an experimental model for regional chemotherapy. 2. Isolated perfusion of hindlimbs

Regional chemotherapy to a tumour is most commonly delivered by intra-arterial infusion. An alternative method of regional drug delivery, isolated perfusion, may be used where anatomical considerations permit. The technique of isolated perfusion in the rabbit hindlimb is described. The use of this model with the implantable rabbit VX2 carcinoma allows estimation of drug uptake by normal tissues, primary tumour and popliteal lymph node metastases. Correlation of such data with blood flow measurements enables targeting of new cytotoxic agents to be evaluated. The effect of perfusate composition on tissue uptake of such an agent, the plant toxin ricin, has been determined.     

The rabbit as an experimental model for regional chemotherapy. 1. Intra-arterial hindlimb infusion

Regional delivery of chemotherapy to a tumour or tumour-bearing region has pharmacokinetic advantages over the systemic route. The applications of an animal model for regional drug delivery are outlined. The technique for intra-arterial infusion in the rabbit hindlimb is described. The use of the implantable VX2 rabbit carcinoma as a model for solid human tumours may be studied by this method. Pharmacokinetic data obtained with the model allow comparison between systemic and regional routes of delivery. The distribution of the cancerostatic plant toxin ricin following regional delivery has been investigated using this experimental model.     

The goat as an experimental ruminant model for tuberculosis infection

Young goats were inoculated intratracheally with a low dose of Mycobacterium bovis to determine if they develop lesions similar to those seen in the natural disease in cattle. After 3 months, the challenge induced small lesions (<1 cm diameter) localized in the lungs and pulmonary lymph nodes, similar to those seen in the natural cattle disease. All of the M. bovis-inoculated young goats showed strong cellular immune responses to bovine PPD. Results of the present study suggest that young goats can be used as animal models since a low dose challenge mimics the natural pathogenesis and pathology processes caused by M. bovis in cattle.     

Isolated rat cardiac myocytes as an experimental model to study calcium overload: the effect of calcium-entry blockers

Calcium overload and the effect of a series of calcium-entry blockers were studied in isolated adult cardiac myocytes from the rat challenged with veratrine. The isolation procedure resulted in a high yield of individual rod shaped, calcium tolerant myocytes. After incubation with veratrine, an alkaloid which induces both sodium and calcium influx, 93% of the myocytes became calcium intolerant: the quiescent rod shaped cells vigorously contracted after 30 sec of contact with veratrine and contracture (round cells) ensued within 1 min. Exposure for 30 min to various doses of calcium-entry blockers prior to veratrine addition resulted in the prevention of contracture, the degree of protection depending on the type and the concentration of calcium-entry blocker. Among the different calcium-entry blockers tested, the diarylalkylpiperazines lidoflazine, cinnarizine and flunarizine were protective from the 10(-7) M concentration onwards. Nicardipine was protective at the 10(-6) M and 10(-5) M concentrations, verapamil at 10(-5)M only while other blockers of the "slow channel" type (diltiazem and nifedipine) were not protective in the concentration range tested. This study shows that isolated myocytes represent a valid model for pharmacological investigations. The results with the calcium-entry blockers stress the heterogeneity of the different series of calcium-entry blockers.     

Cytochrome c as an experimental model protein

Mitochondrial cytochrome c is among the most intensively studied of all proteins. Initial interest was in its role in the respiratory chain and as a model for studies of protein structure, folding and electron transfer. The function of cytochrome c in signalling apoptosis has brought a new wave of research into the protein. Bacterial cytochromes c are more complex and varied in function. This review highlights some of these roles and expands on systems for producing holocytochrome c proteins.     

The fruit bat as an experimental model of the neuropathy of cobalamin deficiency

The fruit bat provides a unique small mammal model of the neurological changes associated with cobalamin deficiency. Work with this model has shown that methionine moderates the development of the neurological impairment. This action does not appear to be via the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine, but its role in the provision of formate is not excluded. Furthermore, methylation reactions in the nervous system are not impaired in severe cobalamin deficiency, despite low levels of methionine synthetase activity. The accumulation of physiologically inactive analogues of cobalamin also do not appear to be aetiologically important in the neuropathy. Brain folates are minimally affected by severe cobalamin deficiency, although liver folates decrease significantly. Deranged GABA function in the brain may play a role in the symptomatology of cobalamin deficiency. There is some evidence for the hypothesis that deranged fatty acid metabolism in neural tissue contributes to altered membrane structure and hence function. Changes in the properties of membrane proteins may play a contributory role. The biochemical basis of the neuropathy has still to be fully elucidated.     

The liver of the white rat as an experimental model of observations of the effect of ethyl alcohol on the organism

120 d after the experimental administration of ethanol to laboratory animals (mature male white rats), the changes manifesting themselves by the steatosis and the disorders of the carbohydrate balance and of the activity of the respiratory and the hydrolytic enzymes were observed in the animals' livers. There were no symptoms of a liver fibrosis.     

Ultrastructural changes in the lungs induced by extracorporeal perfusion.

The changes induced in the lungs have been studied, in the course of 15 heart operations with extracorporeal circulation. In each case material was obtained from lungs after the thoracotomy, before starting the perfusion and after its termination. The pulmonary structure showed changes against the control material already prior to perfusion, the most conspicuous alternations of the capillary endothelial cells and of the basal membrane. Examination of the surfactant by ruthenium red demonstrated changes in the reaction; from this circumstance the conclusion has been drawn that affection of the surfactant may have a part in the postperfusion syndrome.     

The effect of resveratrol on surgery-induced peritoneal adhesions in an experimental model

Adhesion formation is a common cause of complications following surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on intra-abdominal adhesion prevention in a rat model. Twenty one Wistar-Albino rats weighing 200-250 g were assigned to three groups, of 7 rats each. After a midline laparotomy was performed, a 1 cm area of the ceacum was abraded in two of the groups. They were then given either resveratrol (Group 1), or saline (Group 2) intraperitoneally. Group 3 rats (sham operation) received no treatment, without the serosal damage. On the 14th day, the rats were killed and the adhesion score was determined according to Mazuji's adhesion grade scale. The tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. The mean Mazuji's adhesion grade in the resveratrol group was 1.0 +/- 0.0, in the saline group 2.57 +/- 1.51, and zero in the sham operated group (p < 0.05 between the resveratrol group and saline group comparison). The levels of MDA and NO in the resveratrol group were significantly lower than those of the saline group (p < 0.001). The level of GSH in the resveratrol group was significantly higher than in the saline and sham operated groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Introduction of resveratrol into the peritoneal cavity at the time of surgery reduced adhesion formation effectively in this model. Resveratrol probably acts through reduction of lipid peroxidation products.