Amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis in lactating rats fed on a liquid diet.

1. Amino acid metabolism was studied in control virgin rats, lactating rats and virgin rats protein-pair-fed with the lactating rats (high-protein virgin rats). 2. Urinary excretion of nitrogen and urea was higher in lactating than in control virgin rats, and in high-protein virgin rats it was higher than in lactating rats. 3. The activities of urea-cycle enzymes (units/g) were higher in high-protein virgin than in lactating rats, except for arginase. In lactating rats the activities of carbamoyl-phosphate synthase, ornithine carbamoyltransferase and argininosuccinate synthase were lower than in control virgin rats. When the liver size is considered, the activities in lactating rats were similar to those in high-protein virgin rats, except for arginase. 4. N-Acetylglutamate content was higher in high-protein virgin rats than in the other two groups. 5. The rate of urea synthesis from precursors by isolated hepatocytes was higher in high-protein virgin rats than in the other two groups. 6. The flooding-dose method (L-[4-3H]phenylalanine) for measuring protein synthesis was used. The absolute synthesis rates of mammary gland, liver and small-intestinal mucosa were higher in lactating rats than in the other two groups, and in high-protein virgin rats than in control virgin rats 7. These results show that the increased needs for amino acids during lactation are met by hyperphagia and by a nitrogen-sparing mechanism.     

三种老年痴呆动物模型行为学比较

目的老年大鼠、基底前脑损伤大鼠及注射东莨菪碱大鼠常作为老年性痴呆的动物模型,本研究对这三种模型的行为表现进行比较研究。方法采用水迷宫及旷场分析法对这三种模型及青年对照和假手术对照进行了研究。结果老年大鼠、基底前脑损伤大鼠和注射东莨菪碱大鼠的学习记忆能力显著减弱,老年大鼠对新环境的紧张程度增强;基底前脑损伤大鼠和注射东莨菪碱大鼠的空间认知能力显著下降;注射东莨菪碱大鼠的兴奋性异常增强,（Ｐ＜００５）。结论基底前脑损伤动物的行为表现最符合老年痴呆患者的早期临床症状。     

先天性白内障大鼠血液生化及血液流变学分析

目的：测定先天性白内障大鼠血液常规、生化正常值及血液流变学变化。方法采用XS-800i血常规分析仪和OLYMPUS AV2700生化自动分析仪对185～211 g大鼠共计90只进行血液常规和生化检测及用SA-6600自动血流变测试仪对血液进行流变学的测定。结果血像检测结果是白内障与正常对照同性比较无差异显著性（P ＞0.05）;小眼白内障与正常对照同性比较红细胞宽度（RDW）间差异显著（P ＜0.01或 P ＜0.05）。血生化检测结果是白内障大鼠与正常对照组同性间比较白蛋白（ALB）差异显著（P ＜0.01或P ＜0.05）雌性与对照组比较尿素（Ure）差异显著（P ＜0.01）,小眼白内障雌性与正常对照比较肌酐（Cr）差异非常显著（P ＜0.01）。白内障、小眼白内障大鼠的红细胞是雄性的低于雌性（P ＜0.05,P ＜0.01）而血小板是雄性的高于雌性（P ＜0.01）,肌酐是雄性低于雌性P ＜0.01）,正常组雄雌间无差异;血液流变学各组间无差异显著性。结论白内障大鼠与正常组大鼠间某些血常规及生化指标有一定的差异,该数据为该鼠在这领域的使用提供参考。     

Progression of vascular and neural dysfunction in sciatic nerves of Zucker diabetic fatty and Zucker rats

We have examined the progression of vascular and neural deficits in Zucker rats, Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) diabetic rats, and age-matched lean ZDF rats from 8 to 40 wk of age. Both the ZDF diabetic and Zucker rats were glucose intolerant at 8 wk of age. The Zucker rats did not become hyperglycemic but were hyperinsulinemic through 32 wk of age. All ZDF diabetic rats became hyperglycemic by 8 wk of age. Through their life span, serum free fatty acids and triglycerides levels were significantly higher in Zucker and ZDF diabetic rats compared with age-matched lean ZDF rats. After 24 and 28 wk of age, endoneurial blood flow was significantly decreased in ZDF diabetic and Zucker rats. Motor nerve conduction velocity was significantly decreased after 12-14 wk of age in ZDF diabetic rats and at 32 wk of age in Zucker rats. ACh-mediated vascular relaxation of epineurial arterioles of the sciatic nerve was impaired after 8-10 wk of age in ZDF diabetic rats and after approximately 16 wk of age in Zucker rats. In contrast, vascular relaxation mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide was impaired significantly after 28 wk of age in ZDF diabetic rats but not impaired in Zucker rats up to 40 wk of age. Markers of oxidative stress were differentially elevated in ZDF diabetic rats and Zucker rats. These data indicate that vascular and neural dysfunction develops in both Zucker and ZDF diabetic rats but at different rates, which may be the result of hyperglycemia.     

Effects of thyroid state and fasting on the concentrations of CoA and malonyl-CoA in rat liver

Liver CoA is markedly higher in hyperthyroid rats as compared to hypothyroid rats, and in fasted rats as compared to fed rats. In hyperthyroid rats the CoA is increased mainly in the cytosol, while in fasted rats the increase is mainly in the mitochondria. Malonyl-CoA is markedly higher in hypothyroid rats than in euthyroid and hyperthyroid rats. With fasting, malonyl-CoA drops 80-85% in all thyroid states. These findings are discussed in relation to the regulation of fatty acid oxidation in the liver.     

Habitat use by three rat species (

The relative abundance of ship rats (Rattus rattus), Norway rats (R. norvegicus), and Pacific rats (R. exulans), was measured in four vegetation types on Stewart Island/Rakiura, over six consecutive seasons. Ship rats were found in all four vegetation types and dominated in podocarp-broadleaf forest and riparian shrubland. Norway rats were most common in subalpine shrubland and Pacific rats dominated in manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) shrubland. Analysis of micro-habitat affinities for the three species showed that ship rats were habitat generalists. Norway rats were associated with plants of damp sites. Pacific rats showed a significant positive relationship with increasing amounts of the ground cover wire rush, (Empodisma minus). Reasons for the observed habitat use on Stewart Island could include physiological adaptation to cold and wet conditions in Norway rats; the avoidance of predation or inter-specific competition by Pacific rats; and possibly preference for more structurally complex vegetation types by ship rats.     

COX-2-Derived Prostanoids and Oxidative Stress Additionally Reduce Endothelium-Mediated Relaxation in Old Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Endothelial dysfunction in resistance arteries alters end organ perfusion in type 2 diabetes. Superoxides and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) derivatives have been shown separately to alter endothelium-mediated relaxation in aging and diabetes but their role in the alteration of vascular tone in old diabetic subjects is not clear, especially in resistance arteries. Consequently, we investigated the role of superoxide and COX-2-derivatives on endothelium-dependent relaxation in 3 and 12 month-old Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and lean (LZ) rats. Mesenteric resistance arteries were isolated and vascular tone was investigated using wire-myography. Endothelium (acetylcholine)-dependent relaxation was lower in ZDF than in LZ rats (60 versus 84% maximal relaxation in young rats and 41 versus 69% in old rats). Blocking NO production with L-NAME was less efficient in old than in young rats. L-NAME had no effect in old ZDF rats although eNOS expression level in old ZDF rats was similar to that in old LZ rats. Superoxide level and NADPH-oxidase subunits (p67phox and gp91phox) expression level were greater in ZDF than in LZ rats and were further increased by aging in ZDF rats. In young ZDF rats reducing superoxide level with tempol restored acetylcholine-dependent relaxation to the level of LZ rats. In old ZDF rats tempol improved acetylcholine-dependent relaxation without increasing it to the level of LZ rats. COX-2 (immunolabelling and Western-blot) was present in arteries of ZDF rats and absent in LZ rats. In old ZDF rats arterial COX-2 level was higher than in young ZDF rats. COX-2 blockade with NS398 restored in part acetylcholine-dependent relaxation in arteries of old ZDF rats and the combination of tempol and NS398 fully restored relaxation in control (LZ rats) level. Accordingly, superoxide production and COX-2 derivatives together reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation in old ZDF rats whereas superoxides alone attenuated relaxation in young ZDF or old LZ rats.     

Pharmacological responses to acute morphine administration in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effect of acute administration of morphine on analgesia, hyperthermia, hypothermia and catalepsy was determined in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. A greater analgesic and hyperthermic response to morphine was observed in SH rats than in WKY rats. A dose of morphine (50 mg/kg ip) which produced hypothermia in WKY rats produced pronounced hyperthermia in SH rats. The cataleptic response to morphine was lower in SH rats. The cataleptic response to morphine was lower in SH rats than in WKY rats. The brain and plasma levels of morphine in SH rats were significantly lower as compared to the WKY rats at any dose of morphine used but the ratio of brain to plasma did not differ. It is concluded that SH rats exhibit altered sensitivity to morphine in comparison with their normotensive counterparts.     

Effects of vasopressin replacement during food-restriction stress

The effects of subcutaneous injections of vasopressin in vasopressin-deficient (Brattleboro or DI) rats were observed during nonstress (habituation) and stress (food-restriction) conditions as compared to other rats. Four groups of animals were employed: 1) Long-Evans (LE) rats that were food restricted with no injections (normal control animals), 2) DI rats that were food restricted with no injections, 3) DI rats injected with vasopressin, and 4) DI rats injected with peanut oil (vehicle). The parameters studied were: body weight, food intake, water intake, and gastric ulcer formation. With respect to body weight, water intake, and ulcer formation, two sets of animals emerged. The vasopressin-injected DI rats resembled the LE control rats, whereas the peanut oil-injected DI rats were similar to the DI rats with no injections. The former set of animals showed a higher body weight, reduced water intake, and fewer gastric ulcers than the latter set of animals. Thus the vasopressin-injected DI rats and the LE control rats could cope with the stress of food restriction, but the peanut oil-injected DI rats and the DI rats with no injections could not.     

Ethanol intake and 3H-serotonin uptake I: A study in Fawn-Hooded rats

Ethanol intake and synaptosomal 3H-serotonin uptake were studied in male Fawn-Hooded and Sprague-Dawley rats. Fawn-Hooded rats consumed more alcohol and more water than Sprague-Dawley rats. Plasma alcohol levels of Sprague-Dawley rats were not detectable but were about 5 mg/dl in Fawn-Hooded rats. Ethanol intake increased the Vmax of serotonin uptake in Fawn-Hooded rats in hippocampus and cortex, but not in thalamus. In Fawn-Hooded rats, serotonin uptake (Vmax) was higher than in Sprague-Dawley rats cortex. Ethanol intake reduced the Vmax of serotonin uptake in Fawn-Hooded rats in hippocampus and cortex. In cortex, the carrier affinity for serotonin was increased in alcoholized Fawn-Hooded rats. These results indicate that synaptosomal 3H-serotonin uptake is affected by ethanol intake. In Fawn-Hooded rats, high ethanol consumption is associated with high serotonin uptake. In rats presenting high serotonin uptake, alcoholisation reduces 3H-serotonin internalisation in synaptosomes, indicating a specific sensitivity to alcohol intake of serotonin uptake system.     

HFJ和Wistar大鼠脂肪肝及胰岛素抵抗动物模型的比较

目的建立近交系HFJ大鼠和封闭群Wistar大鼠脂肪肝胰岛素抵抗动物模型及比较其生物学特性。方法雄性HFJ大鼠和Wistar大鼠,分别随机分为模型组和正常组,模型组喂养高脂饮食,正常组喂养普通饮食,两组脂肪分别占摄入能量的44.2%和19.2%,共饲养12周。每周称体质量,测定血糖、甘油三酯、胆固醇、ALT、AST、HDLC、LDLC和血胰岛素水平。实验期末处死动物摘取肝脏并称质量,计算肝指数;鼠肝脏用10%甲醛固定,石蜡包埋切片,HE染色,光镜下评估肝脂肪变性和炎症活动情况。结果镜下可见,HFJ和Wistar大鼠模型组肝细胞均呈现弥漫性脂肪变性,小叶内可见炎症细胞浸润,HFJ比Wistar脂肪变性较重,对照组肝脏均未见异常。两种动物的模型组ALT、AST、肝指数、HOMA-IR指数均显著高于其正常组,HFJ和Wistar种系间各指标的差异无显著性;HFJ大鼠模型组体重和正常组体重具有显著性差异(P<0.01),而Wistar大鼠模型组体重与正常组体重间无显著差异(P>0.05);HFJ大鼠TG和TC含量均显著高于Wistar大鼠。结论通过高脂饮食喂养成功建立了HFJ大鼠和Wistar大鼠脂肪肝与胰岛素抵抗疾病动物模型,与Wistar大鼠比较,HFJ大鼠具有自发性高血脂特征,造模更易成功,可为胰岛素抵抗和脂肪肝的发病机制研究、防治高血脂药物筛选提供一种新的实验动物。     

Influence of an estrone-desulfating intestinal flora on the enterohepatic circulation of estrone-sulfate in rats

The fecal and urinary excretion of orally administered [4-14C]estrone-3-sulfate was studied in germfree (GF) rats, conventional (CV) rats and gnotobiotic rats selectively associated with estrone-desulfating and/or cecal-volume reducing microorganisms. The time required to excrete 50% of the total label recovered (t 1/2) was 22 h in CV rats vs 32 h in GF rats. Gnotobiotic rats selectively associated with a cecal volume-reducing flora (CRF rats) excreted the label even faster (t 1/2 = 13 h) than CV rats. Association of GF rats as well as CRF rats with estrone-desulfating microorganisms (termed S1 + S2 + R9 rats and CRF + S1 + S2 + R9 rats, respectively) led to a slower excretion of labeled products (t 1/2 = 38 h in S1 + S2 + R9 rats and t 1/2 = 27 h in CFR + S1 + S2 + R9 rats). Intestinal microbial desulfation also increased the relative part of the urinary excretion from 4% in GF rats to 8% in S1 + S2 + R9 rats and from 3% in CRF rats to 9% in CFR + S1 + S2 + R9 rats. We conclude that intestinal microbial desulfation enhances the enterohepatic circulation of orally administered estrone-3-sulfate.     

慢性常压缺氧和缺氧伴CO_2潴留大鼠红细胞变形能力与能量代谢的研究

本工作研究了慢性常压缺氧和缺氧伴ＣＯ＿２潴留肺动脉高压大鼠红细胞变形能力和红细胞内ＡＴＰ含量的变化。结果表明,慢性常压缺氧和缺氧伴ＣＯ＿２潴留大鼠不同切应力下的红细胞变形指数和红细胞内ＡＴＰ含量均明显低于其对照组,且该两组红细胞内ＡＴＰ含量与不同切应力下的红细胞变形指数呈显著正相关。提示慢性缺氧和伴ＣＯ＿２潴留大鼠红细胞内ＡＴＰ含量降低可能是导致红细胞变形能力降低的诸因素之一,后者又可导致和加重肺动脉高压的形成。     

两种骨丢失动物模型骨质,甲状旁腺激素和降钙素的变化比较

本文观察了模拟失重１４天、２１天大鼠和卵巢切除（ＯＶＸ）３０天、６０天大鼠第６胸椎（Ｔ６）、第３腰椎（Ｌ３）和股骨干骨量、骨生物力学特性,血ＰＴＨ和ＣＴ变化特点。实验结果显示,悬吊１４天大鼠Ｔ６和Ｌ３矿盐密度显著增加,２１天Ｔ６矿盐密度显著增加,但Ｌ３矿盐密度显著降低。ＯＶＸ大鼠Ｔ６矿盐密度无变化,但Ｌ３矿盐密度显著降低。悬吊１４天、２１天大鼠股骨干近侧１／３段矿盐含量显著降低,ＯＶＸ６０天大鼠股骨干近侧１／３段矿盐含量显著降低。悬吊大鼠骨力学特性降低较ＯＶＸ大鼠严重。悬吊大鼠血ＰＴＨ无变化,但ＣＴ显著增加,ＯＶＸ大鼠ＰＴＨ、ＣＴ显著降低。实验结果提示,模拟失重大鼠有骨矿盐再分布现象发生,ＯＶＸ大鼠无此现象。悬吊模拟失重大鼠骨质量的降低较ＯＶＸ大鼠严重。在两个动物模型中,皮质骨和松质骨均受影响。     

MIJ和HFJ近交系大鼠心电图表现

目的 测定近交系MIJ、HFJ大鼠心电图,并与Wistar大鼠比较分析,观察MIJ和HFJ大鼠心电图表现.方法 大鼠麻醉后,仰卧位固定于大鼠固定板上,用短针电极刺入皮下2～3 mm位置,麻醉5 min后,用福田青岛FX-102B心电图机做心电图,并对心电图进行分析.结果 三种大鼠均为窦性心律,心律齐整,雄性HFJ、MIJ心率均高于同性别Wistar.HFJ和MIJ品系、性别间心率差异均无显著性.HFJ和MIJ心电轴与Wistar相同,主要在0°～90°间.三种大鼠的P波方向及QRS波群基本相同,但各波振幅和各波时限,在不同品系和性别之间存在较明显的差异.结论 近交系MIJ和HFJ大鼠各有其独特的心电图表现.     

Molecular basis of renal handling of calcium in response to thyroid hormone status of rat

We investigated the effect of thyroid hormone status on renal handing of Ca2+. Further, like kinetics of Ca2+ transport across brush-border membrane (BBM) and basolateral membrane (BLM) of renal epithelial cells was carried out. FE(Ca) was decreased in hyperthyroid (Hyper-T) rats and increased in hypothyroid (Hypo-T) rats as compared to euthyroid (Eu-T) rats. Ca2+ uptake into renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) was increased in Hyper-T rats and decreased in Hypo-T rats as compared to Eu-T rats. K(m) was lower in Hyper-T rats and higher in Hypo-T rats as compared to Eu-T rats whereas, V(max) remained unaltered. The transition temperature for calcium uptake varied inversely with the thyroid hormone status. Renal BBM of Hyper-T rats showed decreased anisotropy and polarisation of DPH as compared to EU-T rats whereas these values were increased in Hypo-T rats. Thus, the altered BBM fluidity appears to modulate Ca2+ transport across BBM. Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity of renal cells was increased in Hyper-T and decreased in Hypo-T rats as compared to Eu-T rats. V(max) for Na+/Ca2+ exchange was increased in Hyper-T rats and deceased in Hypo-T rats as compared to Eu-T rats, whereas, [Na+](0.5) was similar in all three groups. The c-AMP levels of renal cortex of Hyper-T rats was increased and that of Hypo-T rats decreased as compared to Eu-T rats. Thus, thyroid hormones increased Ca2+ reabsorption in the kidney of rat. Thyroid hormone-mediated modulation of BBM fluidity appears to stimulate Ca2+ uptake into renal BBMV. Thyroid hormones possibly activated the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger through cAMP-dependent pathway.     

Atorvastatin reduces the plasma lipids and oxidative stress but did not reverse the inhibition of prostacyclin generation by aortas in streptozotocin diabetic rats

The effect of atorvastatin (Lipitor) on diabetes-induced changes in plasma lipids, oxidative stress and the ability of aortic tissues to generate prostacyclin was studied in streptozotocin diabetic rats. In diabetic rats, plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and serum glucose significantly increased compared to nondiabetic rats. Atorvastatin administration to diabetic rats did not affect hyperglycemia but significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides compared to diabetic rats. The oxidative stress markers urinary isoprostane, liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and plasma protein carbonyl content significantly increased in diabetic rats compared to nondiabetic rats. Atorvastatin admnistration to diabetic rats significantly reduced oxidative stress levels compared to diabetic rats, but urinary isoprostane and liver TBARS remained significantly higher than nondiabetic rats. Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) generation by aortic tissues significantly decreased in diabetic rats compared to nondiabetic rats. Atorvastatin administration to diabetic rats did not reverse that inhibition. These results were discussed in the light of the possible effects of hyperglycemia and statins on NAD(P)H-oxidase and cyclooxygenase-2 activities and the genetic difference between rats and other mammals regarding the level of vascular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.     

Gender-specific effects of thyroid hormones on cardiopulmonary function in SHHF rats.

Spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rats develop hypertension and heart failure. We hypothesized that induction of hyperthyroidism should accelerate development of heart failure in male SHHF rats. Male and female SHHF rats received diets containing desiccated thyroid glands (DTG) or a control diet for 8 wk. Male and female Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as normotensive controls. DTG treatment reduced body weight in male, but not female, SHHF rats but increased body temperature and heart weight-to-body weight ratio in both genders. In DTG-treated male SHHF rats, serum triiodothyronine levels doubled relative to SHHF controls, whereas O2 consumption increased in DTG-treated SHHF rats. Frequency of breathing in air increased in DTG-treated female rats, and ventilation increased in DTG-treated male rats. Ventilatory equivalents exhibited gender differences in SHHF rats, were decreased in both genders by DTG treatment, and reached levels similar to those of Wistar-Kyoto rats. DTG increased heart rate, right ventricular pressure, and contractility in both genders and increased left ventricular pressure in SHHF male rats. These results refute our hypothesis and suggest that cardiopulmonary function of SHHF male rats may be improved by DTG treatment.     

Evolutionary aspects of variant types of rat mitochondrial DNA'S.

Mitochondrial DNA's (mtDNAs) were prepared from various kinds of individual Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus, and from three types of individual black rats, Rattus rattus, (Asian type, Ceylon type, and Oceanian type). Intra- and interspecies divergence of their mtDNA sequences were calculated based on changes in restriction endonuclease cleavage sites. The extent of intraspecies divergence of black rats (about 8%) is much larger than that of Norway rats (1%) and the mtDNA of Asian-type black rats resembles the mtDNA of Norway rats more closely than it resembles the mtDNA of other types of black rats. These results strongly suggest that during the course of intraspecies differentiation of black rats, probably long after the separation of the three types of black rats, some Asian-type black rats were isolated sexually and formed a new species, Norway rats. On the basis of our observations we propose a hypothetical process to explain the evolution of animal mtDNA.