Blood biochemistry reference values for wild juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from Madeira archipelago

Standard biochemical parameters were determined in wild juvenile loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta living offshore Madeira Island, northeast Atlantic. We analyzed the influence of age, sex, sea surface temperature, and body condition index on biochemical parameters including uric acid, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, creatinine kinase (CK), glucose, total protein, urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotranspherase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), sodium (NA), potassium (K), chloride, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Significant positive correlations were found between turtle body size and total cholesterol, total protein, and albumin. Total protein and the enzymes AST and CK were lower than reported levels in adults. Calcium levels were lower than those reported in adult or captive turtles, but similar to wild juveniles from Australian waters, and were interpreted as normal for this age category. These data may be useful to evaluate the health status of stranded or injured animals and to improve veterinary care at rehabilitation centers.     

Effect of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin on postpartum metabolism and milk production in dairy cows

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin (BTPC) supplementation on plasma metabolites and milk production in postpartum dairy cows. A total of fifty-two Holstein cows were randomly assigned to receive either: (1) 10 ml of saline (NaCl 0.9%, control group); (2) 1000 mg of butaphosphan and 0.5 mg of cyanocobalamin (BTPC1 group); and (3) 2000 mg of butaphosphan and 1.0 mg of cyanocobalamin (BTPC2 group). All cows received injections every 5 days from calving to 20 days in milk (DIM). Blood samples were collected every 15 days from calving until 75 DIM to determine serum concentration of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), cholesterol, urea, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), aminotransferase aspartate (AST) and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT). The body condition score (BCS) and milk production were evaluated from calving until 90 DIM. Increasing doses of BTPC caused a linear reduction in plasma concentrations of NEFA and cholesterol. Supplementation of BTPC also reduced concentrations of BHB but it did not differ between the two treatment doses. Milk yield and milk protein had a linear increase with increasing doses of BTPC. A quadratic effect was detected for milk fat and total milk solids according to treatment dose, and BTPC1 had the lowest mean values. Concentrations of glucose, urea, P, Mg, AST, GGT, milk lactose and BCS were not affected by treatment. These results indicate that injections of BTPC during the early postpartum period can reduce NEFA and BHB concentrations and increase milk production in Holstein cows.     

Discriminant analysis of hematological and serum biochemical values in cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) bred and reared under the indoor individually-caged conditions

The data on hematological and serum biochemical properties of laboratory-bred cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) at different ages were analyzed by discriminant analysis. All the animals had been bred and reared under uniform environmental conditions at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, N.I.H., Japan. The items used were as follows: red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit value (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), white blood cell count (WBC), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity (GPT), total protein concentration (TP), albumin concentration (ALB), albumin-globulin ratio (A/G), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose concentration (GLU), total cholesterol concentration (TCHO), free cholesterol concentration (FCHO), triglyceride concentration (TG) and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP). In total, 1086 animals in 10 age groups were examined. Data analyses were done with respect to the difference of sex. Discrimination was possible by Mahalanobis' generalized distance between centroids of groups. In canonical discriminant analysis (discriminant analysis with reduction of dimensionality), age was highly correlated to the value of the first canonical variate. From the approximate relative value of the eigenvector of the first canonical variate, the most discriminant variables are WBC, TP, ALB, A/G, TCHO, FCHO, TG, and ALP. It can be concluded that periodic measurement of these 8 parameters is necessary and sufficient to monitor the physiological conditions of growing monkeys.     

Relationships Between Blood Mg2+ and Energy Metabolites/Enzymes After Acute Exhaustive Swimming Exercise in Rats

Magnesium (Mg) plays a central role in neuronal activity, cardiac excitability, neuromuscular transmission, muscular contraction, vasomotor tone, and blood pressure, all of which are significantly related to physical performance. To date, the available data about detection of blood total Mg (tMg; free-ionized, protein-bound, and anion-complex forms) are inconsistent, and there is limited information on blood free-ionized Mg (Mg²⁺) in relation to physical exercise. The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical changes related to energy metabolism after acute exhaustive swimming exercise (AESE) in rats in an attempt to correlate the role of blood Mg²⁺ with metabolites/enzymes related to energy production. After AESE, blood Mg²⁺, tMg, K⁺, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, lactate, total protein (T-PRO), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatinine kinase (CK) were significantly increased, whereas pH, partial pressure of oxygen, oxygen saturation, the Mg²⁺/tMg and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ ratios, HCO₃ ^?, glucose, triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly decreased. During AESE, lactate, T-PRO, albumin, AST, ALP, LDH, CK, CRE, BUN, and UA showed significant positive correlations with changes in blood Mg²⁺, while glucose, TG, and LDL correlated to Mg²⁺ in a negative manner. In conclusion, AESE induced increases in both blood Mg²⁺ and tMg, accompanied by changes in blood metabolites and enzymes related to energy metabolism due to increased metabolic demands and mechanical damages.     

正常晚期妊娠妇女血生化指标分析

目的:探讨正常晚期妊娠妇女血生化指标的特点,更好地辅助临床诊断和治疗。方法:测定并比较92例正常晚期妊娠妇女和65例健康非妊娠妇女的15项血生化指标。结果:正常晚期妊娠组与健康非妊娠对照组相比,总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、α-L-岩藻糖苷酶(AFU)、总胆汁酸(TBA)共5项指标均有非常显著性差异(P<0.01),血糖(GLU)、肌酐(CR)等2项指标有显著性差异(P<0.05),而总胆红素(TBIL)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、肌酸激酶(CK)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、尿素氮(BUN)、尿酸(UA)共8项指标2组间比较均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:正常晚期妊娠时,孕妇血TP、ALB、ALP、AFU、TBA、GLU及CR等7项指标的改变由妊娠适应性生理反应引起,非机体组织器官疾患所致,该7项指标已不适于以健康未妊娠妇女的正常参考值范围作为衡量标准,提示临床医护人员分析晚期妊娠妇女血生化指标时应结合多项相关指标甚至多种辅助检查结果进行,以便及时制定正确合理的诊疗策略。     

Multivariate analysis of hematological and serum biochemical values in female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) aged less than a year

Hematological and serum biochemical data obtained from 91 laboratory-bred cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) aged 11 to 362 days were analyzed by the discriminant analysis. All animals used had been bred and reared under uniform environmental conditions at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, N. I. H., Japan. The examination items were as follows: red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit value (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), white blood cell count (WBC), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity (GPT), total protein concentration (TP), albumin concentration (ALB), albumin-globulin ratio (A/G), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose concentration (GLU), total cholesterol concentration (TCHO), free cholesterol concentration (FCHO), triglyceride concentration (TG), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and calcium concentration (Ca). The animals were divided into four groups (A: Suckling infants, less than 176 days old. B, C, D: Weanlings and juveniles, 121 to 220 days old, 221 to 280 days old, and 281 to 362 days old, respectively). Discrimination was possible among these four groups on the basis of the Mahalanobis' generalized distance. Regarding the canonical discriminant analysis (discriminant analysis with reduction of dimensionality), discrimination was possible. The suckling infant group could be discriminated from the juvenile groups by the first canonical variate. Concerning the juvenile groups, age was highly correlated to the value of the second canonical variate.2+ Judging from an approximate relative eigenvector value for the second canonical variate, the effective discriminant variables were WBC, TP, ALB, A/G, FCHO, TG, and ALP. It can be concluded that these eight parameters are important and useful for monitoring the physiologicals conditions of growing juvenile monkeys.     

SPF级封闭群SD大鼠血清生化值及凝血酶原时间值的测定

目的建立SPF级（屏障系统）封闭群SD大鼠血液生化及凝血酶原时间正常参考值,为药物长期毒性试验研究者提供参考。方法采用全自动血液生化分析仪检测19周和31周大鼠血液生化值,采用紫外可见分光光度计检测K＋、Na＋、Cl-值和凝血酶原时间值。结果取得19周和31周龄SD大鼠血清生化值和凝血酶原平均值。CR、TG、TC生化指标受年龄及性别因素影响,CR、TG、TC随年龄增长而逐步升高。TBIL、CR、TG、TC、CK、TP、BUN、ALB、AST、K＋、ALP指标雌雄间差异显著（P＆lt;0.05）。结论在药物长期毒性试验中,同一周龄雌、雄SD大鼠K＋、Cl-、Na＋、凝血酶原时间值可合并统计;雌、雄SD大鼠血液生化指标不宜合并统计。在比对正常参考值时应考虑到性别与年龄的因素。     

Blood profiles for a wild population of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the southern Bahamas: size-specific and sex-specific relationships.

Blood biochemical profiles and packed cell volumes were determined for 100 juvenile green turtles, Chelonia mydas, from a wild population in the southern Bahamas. There was a significant correlation of body size to 13 of the 26 blood parameters measured. Only plasma uric acid and cholesterol were significantly different between male and female turtles. The relationship between total plasma proteins and plasma refractive index was significant. The equation for converting refractive index (Y) to total plasma proteins (X) is Y = 1.34 + 0.00217(X).     

Biochemical responses to fibropapilloma and captivity in the green turtle

Blood biochemical parameters were compared for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) with and without green turtle fibropapillomatosis (GTFP) from both captive and wild populations in Hawaii (USA) and from a captive population from California (USA), during the period between 1994 and 1996. Statistical analysis did not detect an influence of disease in any of the blood parameters for free-ranging turtles; however, captive turtles in Hawaii with GTFP had significantly higher levels of alkaline phosphatase and significantly lower levels of lactate compared to non-tumored captive turtles. Multivariate analysis found that biochemical profiles could be used to accurately predict if turtles were healthy or afflicted with GTFP. Discriminant function analysis correctly classified turtles as being with or without GTFP in 89% of cases, suggesting that diseased animals had a distinct signature of plasma biochemistries. Measurements of blood parameters identified numerous differences between captive and wild green turtles in Hawaii. Levels of corticosterone, lactate, triglyceride, glucose, and calcium were significantly higher in wild green turtles as compared to captive turtles, while uric acid levels were significantly lower in wild turtles as compared to captive turtles. Additionally, turtles from Sea World of California (San Diego, California, USA), which had been in captivity the longest, had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase and triglycerides as compared to nearly all other groups. Differences in diet, sampling methods, environmental conditions, and turtle size, help to interpret these results.     

几种不同食性鱼类部分血液生化指标的比较研究

采用7020型全自动生化分析仪,测定了黄鳝、鲤鱼、草鱼和鳙鱼血清中总蛋白（TP）、血糖（BG）、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、肌酐（creafinine）、尿素（Urea）、尿酸（UA）、磷（P）、钙（Ca）、铁（Fe）和镁（Mg）等11项生化指标,比较研究了这几种不同食性鱼类生化指标的差异.为期二周的饥饿试验,表明黄鳝和鲤鱼等在饥饿状态下生化指标的变化存在较大不同.     

人工饲养恒河猴麻醉与非麻醉状态下血液学、血液生化、血流变指标的测定与比较

目的测定人工饲养条件下48只健康恒河猴在非麻醉状态下及30只健康恒河猴在麻醉状态下的血液生化、血液常规、血液流变学指标,并分析两种状态下恒河猴血液生化、血液常规、血液流变值的差异及相互关系.方法应用全自动血液细胞分析仪和全自动血液生化分析仪,自动清洗旋转型粘度计测定及分析麻醉和非麻醉状态下健康恒河猴血液生化、血液常规、血液流变值.结果血液生化值麻醉组比非麻醉组明显低(P<0.01)的项目有GGT、AST、CREAT、TBIL、DBIL、P3+、TF;较明显低(P<0.05)的项目有ALT、ALP、LDH、HBDH;明显高(P<0.01)的项目有UA、Ca2+、CK-MB、ALB,较明显高(P<0.05)的项目有TPROT.血常规值麻醉组比非麻醉组明显低(P<0.01)的项目有RBC、Hct、MCV、MPV、RDW、NEUTRO,明显高(P<0.01)的项目有MCH、MCHC、PLT、LYM、MEDIAN.血液流变值麻醉组比非麻醉组明显低(P<0.01)的项目有全血低切粘度,全血中切粘度,全血高切粘度,血浆粘度,红细胞压积,还原低切,血沉K值,聚集指数;明显高(P<0.01)的项目有变形指数,电泳指数.结论本文测定并比较了人工饲养条件下健康恒河猴在麻醉和非麻醉状态下血液生化、血液常规、血液流变值,讨论分析了两组数值之间的差异和原因,了解应激反应和麻醉剂对动物生理方面的影响.     

Age-related changes in hematological and serum biochemical values in cats]

Nineteen hematological and serum biochemical values were analyzed for 91 healthy cats of both sexes (aged 1 to 48 months) that were bred and reared in our laboratory. Age-related changes were found for many parameters. Red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), Mean corpuscular constants, GPT, total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) initially were low but increased then stabilized. White blood cell counts (WBC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), inorganic phosphorus (Pi), total bilirubin (TBil), total cholesterol (TC), glucose (GLU), and triglyceride (TG) initially were high, but decreased then stabilized. No age-related changes were found for GOT, blood urea nitrogen, or calcium. Of the parameters that changed with age, the mean corpuscular constants, GPT, GLU, and TG became stabilized during the first 3 to 4 months of life, but others (RBC, Hb, Ht, TP, ALB) became stabilized after 9 to 11 months, during which period body weight reached a plateau. Some parameters (WBC, ALP, TG, Pi) showed change up to 18 months of age. These results suggest that cats 9 to 11 months old can be regarded as adults; but for some parameters, cats aged 18 months, or older, are better regarded as adults. Sex-related differences in the values for mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and WBC that were found after 11 months of age were higher in females. ALB was higher in males.     

归脾汤对大鼠心肌缺血的干预作用*

目的:观察归脾汤(GPT)对心肌缺血大鼠的保护作用。方法:将40只SD大鼠随机分为5组(n=8):空白对照组(Control),模型组(Model)、归脾汤低剂量组(Gpt 7.52 g/kg)、归脾汤高剂量组(Gpt 15.04 g/kg),阳性对照药曲美他嗪组(Trimetazidine,2 mg/kg)。应用饲喂高脂饮食联合注射异丙肾上腺素(ISO)的方法建立大鼠心肌缺血模型,灌胃给药15 d后,各组再次腹腔注射ISO 3 d,随后大鼠进行心电图检测,取材,检测血液中甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、肌酸激酶(CK)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和葡萄糖(GLU)的变化,HE及Masson染色观察心肌病理改变,Western blot检测心肌组织中CollagenⅠ和CollagenⅢ的蛋白表达。结果:与正常对照组相比,模型组大鼠心电图出现S-T段下移,血清TC、AST、CK、LDH和GLU水平显著升高(P＜0.05),心肌组织CollagenI和CollagenIII蛋白表达显著升高(P＜0.05),心肌受损严重。TG,HDL-C,LDL-C和ALT变化不显著(P＞0.05)。与模型组相比,归脾汤低、高剂量组和曲美他嗪能抑制心肌缺血大鼠心电图S-T段下移,降低血清中TC、AST、CK、LDH和GLU水平(P＜0.05),降低心肌组织CollagenⅢ的表达(P＜0.05),减轻心肌病理损伤程度,归脾汤高剂量组可显著降低CollagenⅠ的蛋白表达(P＜0.05)。结论:归脾汤具有改善心脏功能,减轻心肌缺血损伤的作用,尤以高剂量效果更为显著。     

Canonical discriminant analysis for hematological and serum biochemical changes during pregnancy period in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciurea)

Hematological and serum biochemical data obtained from non-pregnant, pregnant and post-partum squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciurea) were analyzed by canonical discriminant analysis (discriminant analysis with reduction of dimensionality). All animals were of wild origin and had been maintained under uniform environmental conditions at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, N.I.H., Japan. Months were standardized by the day of parturition. The calculated arithmetic means and standard deviations were listed for each item of measurement performed. Items detected statistically significant difference (p less than 0.01) between months were as follows: red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hematocrit value (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), white blood cell count (WBC), albumin concentration (ALB), blood urea nitrogen concentration (BUN), total cholesterol concentration (T-CHO), triglyceride concentration (TG), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and calcium concentration (Ca). Results of canonical discriminant analysis showed that the value of the first canonical variate (Z1) decreased from the early period of pregnancy to the middle period, and that the second canonical variate (Z2) decreased from the middle period of pregnancy to the end of pregnancy. The meaning of their changes were discussed.     

北京市老年人肝肾功能参数的参考值范围调查

目的:观察北京市60岁以上不同年龄段健康老年人肝肾功能检验项目水平的差异,建立各自的参考值范围。方法:随机挑选600例60岁以上的北京市健康老人,按照不同年龄段分为三组,空腹采血,采用Modular仪器及原装试剂测定血清ALT(丙氨酸氨基转移酶)、AST(天冬氨酸氨基转移酶)、TP(总蛋白)、ALB(白蛋白)、Bun(尿素氮)、Crea(肌酐)、UA(尿酸)水平,结果利用SPSS11.0进行统计分析,根据统计学结果,判断参考值范围,并比较不同组间水平的差异。同时随机选择371例健康青年,与老年组进行这些项目水平的比较。结果:统计学结果显示,AST、TP、UA组间无显著差异;ALT、ALB随年龄增加而下降;Bun、Crea随年龄增加而升高。结论:通过上述实验,对老年人群的ALT、AST、TP、ALB、Bun、Crea、UA等项目的参考区间进行初步分析,对现行参考区间的设定提供建议与参考。各实验室应建立自己的参考值范围。     

Discriminant analyses for pregnancy-related changes in hematological and serum biochemical values in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

Hematological and serum biochemical data obtained from 45 non-pregnant and 142 pregnant cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were analyzed by discriminant analyses. All animals used had been reared under uniform environmental conditions at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, N. I. H., Japan. The examination items were as follows: red blood cell count(RBC), hematocrit value(Ht), hemoglobin concentration(Hb), mean corpuscular volume(MCV), white blood cell count(WBC), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TCHO), free cholesterol (FCHO), triglyceride (TG), and albumin-globulin ratio (A/G). The pregnant animals were divided into four groups according to their gestation ages (Group I: 1-40 days; II: 41-80 days; III: 81-120 days; and IV: more than 121 days). During pregnancy period (Groups II, III and IV), significant decrease of TP, ALB, TCHO, FCHO and TG was observed. RBC, Ht and Hb decreased in the last of the four periods of pregnancy (Group IV). Discrimination was possible between each of these four pregnant groups and the non-pregnant group on the basis of the Mahalanobis' generalized distance. To clarify the relationship among groups, canonical discriminant analysis (discriminant analysis with reduction of dimensionality) was carried out. As a result, the non-pregnant group and the pregnant I group could be clearly discriminated from the other pregnant groups (II, III, and IV) by the first canonical variate. Judging from the relative eigenvector value of each variable for the first canonical variate, the effective discriminant variables were RBC, Ht, Hb, MCV, TP and A/G.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

亚热带气候环境下西藏小型猪部分血液生理生化指标的比较

目的比较研究西藏小型猪在亚热带气候环境下的部分血液生理生化指标。方法常规方法测定原代和F1代西藏小型猪血液的9项生理和9项生化指标,比较两代之间以及雌、雄之间的不同,并与其他实验动物及人类的同类指标进行对比分析。结果在生化指标中,原代雌雄之间AST差异显著;F1代雌雄之间TG、ALB有差异,BUN、CHOL有显著性差异。在生理指标中,原代雌、雄间无差异,F1代雌雄间MONO有显著性差异。结论西藏小型猪已经基本适应亚热带地区的环境。与其他实验动物相比西藏小型猪许多生理生化指标更接近人类,非常适合替代犬、猴用于生物医学研究。     

Midazolam as an adjunctive therapy for capture myopathy in Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica baueri) with prognostic indicators

Capture myopathy is a complication of capture and handling in many species of birds and mammals. Muscular necrosis leads to ataxia, paralysis, and pain, whereas metabolic disturbances can result in death. We conducted an opportunistic clinical trial on Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica baueri) that developed capture myopathy after a cannon-net capture in New Zealand in October 2008. We assessed the beneficial effects of midazolam, a benzodiazepine with the effects of anxiolysis, muscle relaxation, and sedation, in the adjunctive treatment of capture myopathy. Physical and biochemical parameters were analyzed retrospectively for their potential as indicators for survival until release. Birds (n=16) were treated with subcutaneous fluid therapy, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (meloxicam), gavage feeding, and sling therapy twice daily. The treatment group (n=8) was treated twice daily with intramuscular midazolam injections, 1.5 mg/kg. Surviving godwits were released over 1-9 days, with 6 of 8 treated birds (75%) surviving to release, compared with 3 of 8 controls (38%). Inability to counteract weight loss in captivity was the most significant problem for both groups. Lack of waterproofing and predation were contributing causes of death for at least two godwits after release. Birds treated with midazolam showed subjective benefits including improved tolerance of handling and sling therapy. Clinical parameters (change in body mass, packed cell volume [PCV], plasma creatine kinase [CK], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], total protein, and uric acid [UA] over time) were not statistically different between groups, although peak average values for CK, AST, and UA were lower in the treatment group. Decline in body mass (%), PCV, final plasma UA, and peak plasma CK were the most useful prognostic indicators. Midazolam shows potential as an ancillary treatment for capture myopathy in birds and is worthy of continued study and use.     

Influence of dietary culture material containing aflatoxin and T<Subscript>2</Subscript> toxin on certain serum biochemical constituents in Japanese quail

Forty newly hatched unsexed Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks were fed diets containing 3 ppm aflatoxin (AF) and 4 ppm T₂ toxin either singly and in combination for 35 days. Sera samples were collected from six birds in each group at the end of the trial to study the effect of certain serum biochemical parameters. Highly significant (P < 0.01) differences were observed for serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) between control and toxin treated groups. Toxin treated groups did not reveal any significant difference for serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. There was a reduction in the levels of serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, ALT and elevation of AST and GGT and variable ALP levels observed in toxin treated groups. Forms part of M.V.Sc. thesis of first author approved by the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600 051, India.     

Comparative study of perturbations of peripheral markers in different stressors in rats

Stress has been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of several diseases. In the present study, the effects of acute (AS), chronic (CS), and chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) were studied on the ulcer index, adrenal gland mass, and biochemical and hormonal changes in rats. The stress was provided in the form of immobilization-immobilization for 150 min, once only, and for 10 consecutive days in CS and CUS. In CUS, animals received variable unpredictable stressors. Immediately after stress, animals were decapitated, blood was collected, and plasma was separated for the estimation of plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, creatine kinase (CK), corticosterone, and insulin. The adrenal gland and stomach were also dissected for mass and ulcer scoring, respectively. AS significantly increased the ulcer index, plasma glucose, CK, corticosterone, and insulin. CS and CUS significantly increased the ulcer index, adrenal gland mass, and corticosterone. In CS, a significant decrease in plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels was found, but in CUS only cholesterol was decreased significantly. High CK activity and hyperglycemia maintain the energy demands of metabolism, and elevated corticosterone desensitizes the insulin receptor in AS. In CS and CUS, prolonged elevation of corticosterone shifts metabolism to utilization of lipids as a secondary substrate by gluconeogenesis. From our experiment, it is clear that AS causes maximum activation of energy metabolism, which becomes specific after habituation in prolonged CS. These biochemical manipulations in the body by using different types of stressors are good markers that can be of great use to understand, target, and manage stress-induced etiologies.