Effect of acute, multiple-dose ethanol on maternal and fetal blood gases and acid-base balance in the near-term pregnant ewe

The effect of ethanol on maternal and fetal blood gases and acid-base balance was determined in six conscious instrumented near-term pregnant ewes for maternal intravenous infusion of 3 g ethanol/kg total body weight administered as six doses of 0.5 g ethanol/kg total body weight over 8 h. Maternal and fetal blood ethanol concentrations, determined in two animals, were maximal at 8 h (3.74 and 3.82 mg/mL, respectively) and were virtually identical during the 24-h study. Maternal and fetal blood gases and acid-base balance were not significantly altered during and after ethanol administration compared with preinfusion values. The data demonstrate that, during near-term ovine pregnancy, the equivalent of a binge-type drinking episode does not produce fetal hypoxia or acidosis. Furthermore, these data do not support the postulated involvement of ethanol-induced fetal hypoxia in the mechanism of ethanol teratogenesis.     

Compliance, blood gases, and acid-base balance in guinea pigs artificially ventilated with different IPPV patterns

In order to estimate optimum parameters for artificial ventilation of adult guinea pigs, the effect of four hours intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) was studied using different tidal volumes (VT), respiratory frequencies (f), and minute volumes (Ve). Total compliance was measured by placing the animal in a whole body plathysmograph, the arterial blood gases, pH and base excess by catheterizing the carotid artery. In Series I 9 guinea pigs were ventilated at parameters adapted to the spontaneous breathing pattern (VT = 2 ml, f = 70 breaths.min-1). This ventilatory pattern resulted in severe disorders in compliance, gas exchange, and acid-base balance. In Series II 3 different VT (2, 6, 10 ml) were studied by changing f so that Ve was kept constant. The results demonstrated a favourable effect of slow and deep ventilation upon lung mechanics and oxygenation. In Series III 3 different Ve (300, 250, 200 ml.min-1) were tested using a constant VT = 10 ml. Optimum parameters for artificial ventilation of adult guinea pigs were: VT = 10 ml and f = 20 breath--min-1 which resulted in stable compliance, good O2-saturation, normocapnia and normal acid-base balance.     

Molecular mechanisms of cell proliferation induced by low power laser irradiation

Low power laser irradiation (LPLI) promotes proliferation of multiple cells, which (especially red and near infrared light) is mainly through the activation of mitochondrial respiratory chain and the initiation of cellular signaling. Recently, the signaling proteins involved in LPLI-induced proliferation merit special attention, some of which are regulated by mitochondrial signaling. Hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met), a member of tyrosine protein kinase receptors (TPKR), is phosphorylated during LPLI-induced proliferation, but tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) receptor has not been affected. Activated TPKR could activate its downstream signaling elements, like Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, PI3K/Akt/eIF4E, PI3K/Akt/eNOS and PLC-gamma/PKC pathways. Other two pathways, ΔΨm/ATP/cAMP/JNK/AP-1 and ROS/Src, are also involved in LPLI-induced proliferation. LPLI-induced cell cycle progression can be regulated by the activation or elevated expressions of cell cycle-specific proteins. Furthermore, LPLI induces the synthesis or release of many molecules, like growth factors, interleukins, inflammatory cytokines and others, which are related to promotive effects of LPLI.     

Effect of hyperthermia on the cardio- and hemodynamics and acid-base balance of the blood in dogs

The effect of severe hyperthermia on the circulatory function was studied in dogs. Arterial pressure was maintained at the normal level, cardiac output increased at the core temperature of about 40 degrees C. An abrupt fall of the arterial pressure and cardiac output was observed at the rectal temperature of about 41 degrees C. The results suggest that a decrease in the cardiac output during severe hyperthermia is due to the fall of the central venous pressure and to the increase of the vascular compliance.     

Effects of exhausting exercise and catecholamines on K+ balance, acid-base status and blood respiratory properties in carp

The potential role of adrenergic mechanisms in the recovery of potassium balance and acid-base status following 5 min of exhausting exercise was studied in carp. The extracellular metabolic H+ load after exercise matched the lactate load, suggesting similar release rates of H+ and lactate from white muscle. Blockage of alpha-adrenoceptors by phentolamine or beta-adrenoceptors by propranolol neither influenced absolute magnitudes nor recovery kinetics of extracellular H+ and lactate loads. The arterial oxygen tension increased following exercise, but blood oxygen transport was not improved via a red cell beta-adrenergic response or modulation of the red cell nucleoside triphosphate content. Exercise induced an increase in extracellular [K+] which was corrected within 30-60 min of recovery. The recovery of K+ balance was not influenced by blockage of adrenergic receptors. Red cell [K+] changed only insignificantly following exercise, whereby a possible function of the red cells as a temporary depository for K+ during the extracellular hyperkalaemia could not be established. The minimal influence of catecholamines on the measured parameters during recovery from exercise was supported by an absence of change in these parameters upon adrenaline injection in resting carp.     

Effect of carbostimulin on indices of acid-base balance and lactate concentration in the blood of swimmer-athletes

It is studied how 10-12-day taking of carbostimulin influences the acid-base equilibrium indices and lactate content in blood of swimmer sportsmen before and after the interval anaerobic loading and in the restoration period. It is found that the preparation promotes a faster removal of the acidosis state developing in sportsmen under the effect of intensive physical exercises.     

Effect of infrared impulse laser irradiation on the development of albino rat embryos]

Development of the white rat embryos has been studied under effect of infrared laser beams (wave length--0.89 mcm, impulse frequency--300 Hz) during various periods of pregnancy. Exposure of the female rats for 256 and 128 sec produces an increased preimplantational death of embryos and certain disturbances in formation of the osseous skeleton in some embryos.     

Influence of progesterone on arterial blood and CSF acid-base balance in women

To study the mechanism of the action of progesterone on pulmonary ventilation during pregnancy, arterial and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) acid-base parameters were measured in 59 pregnant and 36 nonpregnant women at the periods of follicular phase, luteal phase, early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and puerperium. Marked respiratory alkalosis in both arterial blood and CSF was observed in pregnancy and puerperium. The degree of hypocapnia observed in the luteal phase and during pregnancy was closely related to the progesterone level in arterial blood. In conclusion, it is unlikely that the observed hyperventilation results from stimulation at the central chemosensitive areas or peripheral chemoreceptors.     

Gas transport and blood acid-base balance in diving sea snakes.

The values of hemoglobin concentration, Hb-O2 affinity and buffering capacity of the blood of six sea snake species considerably overlap values from terrestrial squamates. Decreased blood pH had little effect on the P50 but increased the n-value of Hb-O2 equilibrium curves. The O2 saturation of blood in the dorsal aorta varied between about 30 and 70% during voluntary diving in Acalyptophis peronii and Lapemis hardwickii. Voluntary dives ended when the lung PP02 was about 50 mm Hg and the arterial PO2 about 30 mm Hg indicating that roughly half of the O2 reserves had been used. In conjunction with relatively stable blood lactate concentration and pH, this indicates that voluntary dives occurred largely aerobically. In contrast, forced dives resulted in depletion of O2 reserves and large changes in blood acid-base balance. Long recovery periods following forced dives are inconsistent with field observations and thus suggest that extensive anaerobic metabolism does not normally occur in sea snakes. Bradycardia was not evident during forced dives. Large differences in PO2 between the lung and dorsal aorta indicated considerable right to left shunting either in the heart or in the lung. Venous blood represented over 50% of the systemic flow when there was considerable O2 in the lung. Therefore blood PO2 may remain relatively low despite elevated lung PO2 resulting from diving. In view of substantial capability for extra-pulmonary gas exchange, high shunting reduces the possibility of losing O2 through the skin and also may help prevent decompression sickness following deep dives.     

Effects of anaesthesia on blood gases, acid-base status and ions in the toad Bufo marinus

It is common practice to chronically implant catheters for subsequent blood sampling from conscious and undisturbed animals. This method reduces stress associated with blood sampling, but anaesthesia per se can also be a source of stress in animals. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the time required for physiological parameters (e.g. blood gases, acid-base status, plasma ions, heart rate and blood pressure) to stabilise following surgery. Here, we report physiological parameters during and after anaesthesia in the toad Bufo marinus. For anaesthesia, toads were immersed in benzocaine (1 g l(-1)) for 15 min or until the corneal reflex disappeared, and the femoral artery was cannulated. A 1-ml blood sample was taken immediately after surgery and subsequently after 2, 5, 24 and 48 h. Breathing ceased during anaesthesia, which resulted in arterial Po(2) values below 30 mmHg, and respiratory acidosis developed, with arterial Pco(2) levels reaching 19.5+/-2 mmHg and pH 7.64+/-0.04. The animals resumed pulmonary ventilation shortly after the operation, and oxygen levels increased to a constant level within 2 h. Acid--base status, however, did not stabilise until 24 h after anaesthesia. Haematocrit doubled immediately after cannulation (26+/-1%), but reached a constant level of 13% within 24 h. Blood pressure and heart rate were elevated for the first 5 h, but decreased after 24 h to a constant level of approximately 30 cm H2O and 35 beats min(-1), respectively. There were no changes following anaesthesia in mean cellular haemoglobin concentration, [K+], [Cl-], [Na+], [lactate] or osmolarity. Toads fully recovered from anaesthesia after 24 h.