Blood Biochemical Changes Research Articles

Serial Physiological Changes During Pregnancy

0224 Only a few studies have examined the mechanisms and time sequence of changes in blood biochemistry at rest and during exercise in early human pregnancy. This information is urgently needed to provide guidelines to safely prescribe and monitor physical activity throughout pregnancy. PURPOSE: To accurately describe the time sequence of changes in plasma osmolality, electrolytes, and proteins at rest and during exercise in healthy pregnant women. METHODS: Serial testing was conducted on healthy, moderately-active women (n = 11) between the 7th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. Subjects were studied at rest and during steady state cycling at a work rate corresponding to approximately 60% of aerobic working capacity. Measurements included plasma proteins, electrolytes, the strong ion difference ([SID]), and osmolality. Changes between the 7th and 20th week of gestation were analyzed using a mixed model linear regression procedure. Comparisons were also made with pre-conceptual data from the same subjects and with measurements in late gestation from earlier studies from this laboratory (J Appl Physiol 88: 149, 2000; MSSE 34: S119, 2002). RESULTS: Pregnancy-induced reductions in plasma osmolality, electrolyte concentrations and [SID] occurred within the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. Plasma albumin concentration was reduced by 7 weeks gestation, and continued to decrease gradually between 7 and 20 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the hypothesis that primary changes in plasma osmolality, electrolytes, and [SID] are essentially complete by the 7th week. Conversely, changes in maternal blood volume (as reflected by reductions in plasma albumin concentration) continue until late gestation. In accordance with Jenning's hypothesis (Can J Physiol Pharm 10:815, 1998) reductions in plasma osmolality and [SID] may contribute to the establishment of respiratory alkalosis in early pregnancy. Supported by the Ontario Thoracic Society, OTS Block Term Grant Funding and NSERC.

Alcohol beverages and biochemical changes in blood.

Coronary atherosclerosis is the major cause of death in western civilization: one of every three in men as well as in women. It was shown that diets supplemented with moderate quantities of alcoholic beverages could lead to positive biochemical changes in blood of the consumers, which are regarded widely as indicators of improved prevention of atherosclerosis. This review summarizes the recent epidemiological, experimental and clinical investigations concerning mainly the plasma biochemical changes in lipid levels, anticoagulant and antioxidant activities.

A double‐blind placebo controlled study of tamsulosin in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia in an Indian population

Objective: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common disorder in ageing males worldwide affecting one out of four males over 50 years of age. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate safety and efficacy of tamsulosin in its medical management.Methods: A total of 72 patients were enrolled; 38 patients given tamsulosin and 34 in the placebo group were enrolled. The mean age group was 61 years. Patients with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of> 10, maximum flow rate < 13 mL/s and average flow rate < 6 mL/s with post residual urine volume (PRUV) > 100 mL and prostate‐specific antigen < 4 ng/mL, were given 0.4 mg of tamsulosin/placebo daily on a randomized double‐blind controlled study for 2 months. Patients with renal or hepatic failure, carcinoma prostate, stricture urethra, neurogenic bladder were excluded. All patients were followed up at the end of the second, fourth and eighth week.Results: There were three dropouts leaving 69 patients for evaluation. Improvement in the IPSS score was significantly greater with tamsulosin compared with the placebo. Similarly there was significant improvement in uroflowrate with tamsulosin compared to the placebo. The PRUV decreased by 38.8% with tamsulosin compared with the placebo. No significant change in blood biochemistry was noted between the two groups excepting for blood pressure, which showed a fall with tamsulosin compared to placebo. Adverse reaction was noted in five patients (7%), but none were withdrawn from the study.Conclusions: Our study confirms tamsulosin as a very effective and safe drug in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia patients not having absolute indication for surgery with excellent patient compliance.

LIPIDS PROFILE AND FATTY ACIDS PATTERN IN THE PREGNANT RABBITS

Twenty mature pregnant New Zealand rabbit were used to clarify the blood biochemical changes in lipids and fatty acid profile during pregnancy. Blood samples were obtained 0,10,20 and 30 days following pregnancy. Sera were collected and stored frozen at –20°C until determination of total lipid, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, phospholipids, HDL-C, LDL-C and fatty acids pattern. The obtained results revealed that the serum total lipid, triacylglycerol, cholesterol and phospholipids showed a significant decrease till parturition time reaches. Both HDL-C & LDL-C were also significantly decreased along the period of pregnancy and finally there’s some fatty acids patterns as laurate, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, exhibited a significant increase through the pregnancy period where the myristate showed non-significant change and the arachidonic acid showed a highly significant increase throughout the pregnancy period.

EFFECTS OF STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE EXERCISE ON CALCIUM- REGULATING HORMONES BETWEEN DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Physical activity has been shown to maintain bone mineral density (BMD) through the effects of mechanical loading on bone metabolism. However, the effects of exercise on the calcium-regulating hormones and other metabolic variables are not known. PURPOSE To compare the effects of strength and endurance exercise on blood pH, total serum calcium, ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) between males with different level of physical activity. METHODS The experimental group consisted of 9 physically active males (runners) and the control group consisted of 10 males who had not exercised regularly for the past year. Subjects were asked to perform both strength (eccentric action) and endurance exercises (VO2 peak). The blood pH, total serum calcium, ionized calcium, PTH and CT were measured before and after exercise. A two-way ANCOVA was used for data analysis. RESULTS (1) When the control group did anaerobic exercise, the free ionized calcium increased significantly (p < .05). (2) Mode and intensity of physical activities have no significant effects on the body's calcium regulating hormones. (3) The level of physical activity plays a major role in increasing bone density. High levels of physical activity plus strength exercises can have an additive effect on bone density. CONCLUSION Regular high intensity exercise will help increase bone density. Strength exercises can maintain bone density not only through mechanical loading, but also through blood pH and biochemical changes in free ionized calcium, which can positively affect bone density.

Rumen impaction in sheep with indigestible foreign bodies in the semi-arid region of Nigeria

Rumen impaction in sheep with indigestible foreign bodies (IFB) was studied in Maiduguri, a town in the semi-arid region of Nigeria. Twenty-seven refuse dumps around the town were visited by 405 sheep consisting of Yankasa (40.3%), Uda (26.4%) and cross (33.3%) breeds. Rumen IFB were found in 19.3% of the 540 sheep slaughtered at the Maiduguri abattoir. A greater proportion of Yankasa (25.3%) had rumen IFB than Uda (14.5%) and cross (14.6%) breeds. More females (28.3%) were affected than males (8.5%). The IFB were polythene/cellophane materials, ropes, dry seeds, caked sand, metallic objects, paper, fiber and hair balls. The polythene/cellophane materials occurred in 81.6% of the sheep. The other types of IFB occurred in 7.4–47.1% of the sheep, usually impacted with or without polythene/cellophane. Clinical rumen IFB impaction was characterized by emaciation, abdominal distension and asymmetry, lack of feces in the rectum, foamy salivation, recumbency and inappetence. Hyperglycaemia, alkalosis, hyponatraemia, hypochloridaemia, hypocalcaemia, hypoproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia occurred in some of the clinical cases. It was concluded that the rumen impaction with IFB was related to the sheep scavenging on refuse dumps and that the blood biochemical changes, along with the clinical signs, might be of some diagnostic assistance.

Changes in blood biochemistry in mice during development of experimental depression.

Biochemical parameters of the plasma were studied in mice at different stages of the development of depression-like states in males after social defeats in 10 and 20 intermale confrontations (T10 and T20 victims, respectively). Glucose and cholesterol levels were increased in T10 victims in comparison with intact animals. In T20 victims the increase in glucose level was paralleled by an increase in total protein. T20 victims differed from T10 victims by lower catalase activity.

Fluid volume measurements in normal subjects to disclose body hydration during acute bed rest.

Measuring intercompartmental, blood and urinary biochemical parameters during acute bed rest (ABR) and rigorous bed rest (RBR) the aim of this work was to disclose if ABR or RBR could influence significantly more and significantly faster the body hydration level in normal subjects. Studies conducted during pre-bed rest (BR) period of 3-days and during 7-days period of ABR and RBR. Thirty normal male individuals 24.6 +/- 5.7 years of age were chosen as subjects. They were divided into three groups: unrestricted active control subjects (UACS), acute bed rested subjects (ABRS) and rigorous bed rested subjects (RBRS). Acute bed rested subjects confined abruptly to RBR, while they did not have any prior knowledge of the exact date and time when they would be subjected to RBR. RBRS were submitted to RBR in a predetermined date and time known to them right from the start of the study. UACS were not subjected to any form of BR. Fluid loss, urinary and plasma sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+), plasma osmolality, whole blood hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb), and total plasma protein level increased significantly (p < 0.05), while urinary osmolality, extracellular volume (ECV), plasma volume (PV), red cell volume (RCV), blood volume (BV), interstitial volume (IV) and fluid consumption decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in ABRS and RBRS compared with their pre-BR values and their control (UACS). However, the measured variables changed significantly (p < 0.05) more and significantly faster in ABRS than RBRS. Conversely, whole blood Hct and Hb levels, fluid consumption and fluid loss, urinary and plasma osmolality, urinary and plasma electrolytes, plasma protein, ECV, PV, RCV, BV and IV levels were not change in UACS compared with their pre-BR values. Significantly greater and significantly faster intercompartmental, blood and urinary biochemical changes were observed in ABRS than RBRS. Body hydration was affected significantly more and significantly faster in ABR than RBR. It was concluded, the more abruptly normal activity is restricted the smaller the body hydration in bed rested subject is, and probably in patients who are abruptly confined to RBR.

Contraceptive efficacy and tolerability with a novel combined contraceptive vaginal ring, NuvaRing

ABSTRACTNuvaRing is a novel combined contraceptive vaginal ring that releases 15 μg of ethinylestradiol and 120 μg etonogestrel per day. Each ring is used for one cycle, comprising 3 weeks continuous use of the ring followed by a 1-week ring-free period. The contraceptive efficacy and safety of NuvaRing have been studied in a 1-year, open study conducted in 1145 women. Six pregnancies occurred in 12 109 cycles of exposure, giving a Pearl index of 0.65 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.24–1.41). However, three of the six women violated the NuvaRing regimen in the cycle of conception. Compliance with the prescribed regimen was high, with criteria being fulfilled in 90.8% of cycles. During the 1 year of the study, 41% of the women did not experience any adverse events. The most frequently reported treatment-related adverse events were headache (6.6%), leukorrhea (5.3%) and vaginitis (5.0%). There was a low incidence of estrogen-related adverse events such as nausea (2.8%) and breast tenderness (1.9%). A total of 173 women (15.1%) discontinued due to an adverse event, with device-related events (comprising ring expulsion, foreign body sensation or coital problems) being the most commonly reported (2.6%). There were no clinically relevant changes in blood biochemistry, hematology, blood pressure, heart rate, body weight, physical examination or cervical cytology. In conclusion, NuvaRing is an effective contraceptive that is well tolerated, has a good safety profile and is not associated with unwanted effects on the cervix.

Caecal Fermentation, Blood Biochemical Profile and Histopathological Changes in Broiler Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Seed Kernel Cake

Caecal Fermentation, Blood Biochemical Profile and Histopathological Changes in Broiler Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Seed Kernel Cake

Efficacy of a single dose of oral antibiotic given within two hours of birth in preventing watery mouth disease and illthrift in colostrum-deficient lambs

An antibiotic with a product licence limited to the treatment and control of infectious bacterial enteritis associated with Escherichia coli in piglets was tested for its ability to control watery...

The influence of energy intake on some blood biochemical parameters in Scottish Blackface sheep infected with Trypanosomacongolense

The intensity of parasitaemia, degree of anaemia, live body weight gains and blood biochemical changes were measured in two groups of Scottish Blackface sheep infected experimentally with Trypanosoma congolense and allowed either a high (9.9 MJ metabolisable energy (ME) per day) or a low (6.1 MJ ME per day) energy intake. It was observed that infected animals on the low energy intake had a longer mean prepatent period, but following patency they developed more severe anaemia and greater growth retardation than those on the high energy intake. Both infected groups exhibited significant reductions in serum total lipids, phospholipids, plasma cholesterol and albumin. However, these changes were more severe in the animals on the low energy intake than in those on the high energy intake. It was concluded that adequate energy nutrition enhances the ability of infected animals to withstand the adverse effects of infection by promoting body weight gains and moderating the severity of the pathophysiological changes associated with ovine trypanosomosis.

Experimental hypocalcemia induced by hemodialysis in goats.

To evaluate whether hemodialysis with a dialysate containing no calcium (Ca-free HD) can induce hypocalcemia and restore the clinical signs and blood biochemical changes in naturally occurred hypocalcemic disorder in ruminants, the clinical signs and the changes in plasma electrolytes and minerals concentrations were observed in goats during 6-hr hemodialysis. The four goats received hemodialysis with the dialysate containing calcium (Ca HD), and 10 days later they had Ca-free HD. The plasma ionized Ca (Ca++) and total Ca (TCa) concentrations were not affected by Ca HD, whereas the levels significantly decreased during whole period of Ca-free HD. The Ca++ and TCa concentrations were 0.69+/-0.06 mmol/l and 5.9+/-0.3 mg/dl at 6 hr of Ca-free HD, respectively. The clinical signs observed during Ca-free HD seemed to resemble to those in naturally occurred hypocalcemic cases that were reported previously. Therefore, Ca-free HD was suggested to be one of the possible methods to induce experimental hypocalcemia in ruminants.

The influence of alcohol-containing and alcohol-free beverages on lipid levels and lipid peroxides in serum of rats

It is an established fact that moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages leads to some positive biochemical changes in blood that are widely regarded as indicators of improved prevention of atherosclerosis. However, at present, there are different opinions regarding the biologically active compounds of alcoholic beverages that bring about these changes. This experiment was conducted on 60 male Wistar rats, which were divided into five groups, each of which contained 12 rats: four experimental groups (EG1, EG2, EG3, EG4) and one control group (CG). During 4 weeks, all groups of rats were fed basal diet (BD) supplemented with dry red wine (EG1), beer (EG2), lyophilized dry red wine (EG3), or lyophilized beer (EG4). The rats of the CG were fed BD only. The rats of EG1 and EG2 were fed BD supplemented daily with 2.0 mL of wine and 6.0 mL of beer, respectively. The rats of EG3 and EG4 were fed BD supplemented daily with lyophilized wine and lyophilized beer at a concentration corresponding to an intake of 2.0 mL of original wine and 6.0 mL of original beer, respectively. Before and after completion of the trial, a wide range of laboratory tests including lipids and lipid peroxides were performed. The results of this investigation reveal that both original and lyophilized wine and beer exercise statistically significant beneficial lipidemic and antioxidant effects by reducing total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipid peroxides ( P < 0.05 for all) and by elevating the high density lipoprotein cholesterol:TC ratio. There were no statistically significant differences in the results between groups fed BD supplemented with original wine and beer versus groups fed BD supplemented with lyophilized wine and beer. Therefore, it can be concluded that the biologically active compound of these beverages is their dry matter containing inter alia polyphenols in relatively high concentrations.

Use of an autologous vein graft and stent in the repair of common bile defects: an experimental study.

We investigated the effectiveness of using an autologous vein graft and stent in the repair of large defects of the common bile duct (CBD) in a canine model. A 3-cm segment of the vena cephalica antibrachii and a 2-cm segment of the CBD were removed from eight healthy mongrel dogs with normal blood biochemistry levels. A stent was passed through the vein segment, and one end was introduced into the proximal end of the CBD while the other end was introduced into the distal end. The venous graft was then sutured to the CBD. A liver biopsy was taken for histopathological examination during laparotomy and relaparotomy. Blood samples were obtained on postoperative days 7, 14, and 20 for biochemical examination. The defect was effectively repaired by the autologous vein graft and stent in 7 dogs, after the exclusion of 1 dog that died of hemorrhage 3 days after the operation. No change in blood biochemistry was observed postoperatively, and no histopathological change in the liver was found in the preoperative or postoperative periods. These findings indicate that the use of an autologous vein graft and stent to repair CBD injuries may be a feasible and alternative method of treatment.

Possible Markers for Postmortem Drug Redistribution

The possibility that postmortem biochemical changes in blood might parallel drug redistribution and thus serve as markers was explored in a detailed case study. Eighteen blood and 14 tissue and fluid samples were taken at autopsy 16 h after the death of a 34-year-old female from amitriptyline overdose. Ranges of drug concentrations in blood were amitriptyline 1.8 to 20.2 micrograms/mL, nortriptyline 0.6 to 7.3 micrograms/mL, levels were lowest in femoral vein and highest in pulmonary vein blood. Corresponding levels of 17 amino acids showed markedly different patterns of site-to-site variability. There was a strong positive correlation between individual amino acid and drug concentrations in pulmonary blood samples (n = 5), particularly for glycine, leucine, methionine, serine, and valine. In blood samples from the great veins and right heart (n = 10), the correlation was less strong (r = 0.6 to 0.7). Methionine showed a strong positive correlation in pulmonary samples (r = 0.93), and negative correlation in great veing samples (r = -0.68). Lactic acid showed a strong negative correlation in pulmonary samples (r = -0.93) but a positive correlation in great vein samples (r = 0.71). Alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glucose, and bilirubin had a weak positive correlation with drug levels in great vein samples but not pulmonary samples. The results suggest that hepatic enzymes are relatively poor markers for postmortem hepatic drug shifts but that amino acids, particularly methionine, may be useful markers for pulmonary drug shifts.

Efficacy of Oral and Intravenous Artesunate in Male Tanzanian Adults with Plasmodium falciparum Malaria and in Vitro Susceptibility to Artemisinin, Chloroquine, and Mefloquine

The clinical efficacy of oral and intravenous (iv) artesunate was compared in an open randomized trial in 50 male adult patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Kibaha, Tanzania. Oral artesunate treatment was started with 2 x 50 mg initially followed by 50 mg 12 hr later and then 50 mg twice a day for four days (total dose = 550 mg or 9.6 mg/kg). Intravenous artesunate administration began with 2 x 0.8 mg/kg initially followed by 0.8 mg/kg 12 hr later and then 0.8 mg/kg twice a day for four days (total dose = 8.8 mg/kg). The mean +/- SD parasite clearance times (PCTs) were nearly identical at 23.4 +/- 5.9 hr and 24.2 +/- 7.2 hr after oral and iv administration, respectively. Mean +/- SD fever subsidence times (FSTs) were also similar at 18.7 +/- 8.3 hr and 21.0 +/- 4.8 hr, respectively. All patients remained negative for P. falciparum for at least 14 days. Recrudescence/reinfection occurred between days 21 and 28 in five of 25 patients (20%) after oral treatment and in four of 25 patients (16%) after iv treatment. The mean erythrocyte count and hemoglobin concentration were slightly reduced after iv treatment but remained in the normal range. Otherwise, there was no change in blood biochemistry, hematology, and electrocardiograms monitored prior to and during the last dose. It is concluded that treatment with oral and iv artesunate was equally efficacious and well tolerated. A 24-hr in vitro susceptibility test of P. falciparum to artemisinin, chloroquine, and mefloquine was performed in samples from all patients. The three compounds exhibited 100% inhibition with the exception of three isolates, which showed chloroquine resistance. Parameter estimates of a sigmoid Emax model (drug concentration at which 50% of the growth inhibition occurs [EC50]), the sigmoidicity factor s and EC95 fitted to the growth inhibition data differed between compounds and isolates, indicating different sensitivity of P. falciparum isolates. There was no correlation between artemisinin and mefloquine EC50 values, while artemisinin and chloroquine EC50 values showed weak correlation (r2 = 0.223, P = 0.006). There was no correlation between parameters describing clinical outcome (the PCT, the time needed for reduction of the parasite density to 50% and 95% of the initial parasitemia, and the FST) and those describing in vitro susceptibility.

The influence of energy intake on the pathophysiology of Trypanosoma congolense infection in Scottish Blackface sheep

The intensity of parasitaemia, degree of anaemia, live body weight gains and blood biochemical changes were measured in two groups of Scottish Blackface sheep infected experimentally with Trypanosoma congolense and allowed either a high (9.9 MJ metabolisable energy (ME) day −1) or a low (6.1 MJ ME day −1) energy intake. It was observed that infected animals on the low energy intake had a longer mean prepatent period, but following patency they developed more severe anaemia and greater growth retardation than those on the high energy intake. Both infected groups exhibited significant reductions in serum total lipids, phospholipids, plasma cholesterol and albumin. However, these changes were more severe in the animals on the low energy intake than in those on the high energy intake. It was concluded that adequate energy nutrition enhances the ability of infected animals to withstand the adverse effects of infection, by promoting body weight gains and moderating the severity of the pathophysiological changes associated with ovine trypanosomosis.

Studies on the pathogenesis of bovine ephemeral fever IV: A comparison with the inflammatory events in milk fever of cattle

The study of ephemeral fever in cattle has defined a range of haematological and biochemical changes in blood which are characteristic of an inflammatory response. One of the clinical signs of ephemeral fever, a temporary paralysis reversible by treatment with calcium borogluconate, is similar to that in milk fever (parturient paresis), a disease of multiparous dairy cows. Three separate groups of cows were studied. Four multiparous cows were observed and sampled repeatedly during calving, three similar cows and one cow calving for the first time in a dairy herd were sampled daily before and after calving; and, in other dairy herds, seven cows with milk fever were sampled during illness. One of the cows under repeated observation during calving developed milk fever. The results showed that all the inflammatory indicators in blood were present in the multiparous cows at calving and that these were essentially similar to those established in ephemeral fever. The similarities in the four cows sampled repeatedly during the periparturient period were: a rectal temperature rise of 1 to 1.2°C; rise in circulating neutrophils to peaks between 5700 and 11200 l −6; disappearance of eosinophils for 1 day; hypocalcaemia (plasma Ca < 2.0 mM l −1); fall of plasma zinc to low levels immediately after calving (plasma Zn < 500 μg l −1); fall of inorganic phosphate (plasma P < 0.9 mM l −1); rises in copper (plasma Cu > 1000 μg l −1) and plasma fibrin to > 8.75 g l −1. Plasma glucose peaked at calving between 5.7 and 8.9 mM l −1 then fell to levels ranging between 3.4 and 3.8 mM l −1. Plasma iron rose in one cow to 1220 μg l −1, was unchanged in one cow and fell in the other two to 440 and 860 μg l −1 respectively. The three multiparous cows which were sampled daily and calved normally showed similar haematological, macro and micromineral changes and fibrin response as did the seven milk fever cases. In the periparturient period, milk fever cows differed from multiparous cows calving normally, in degree but not in kind, of inflammatory response. It is postulated that an inflammatory event occurs in the periparturient period of multiparous cows which partially accounts for the falls in plasma calcium. This can precipitate a paralysis and other hypocalcaemic signs similar to that seen in acute ephemeral fever.

Hyperventilation in normal subjects. A clinical, gas-analytic and EMG study

Clinical (paresthesiae and Trousseau's sign), EMG, blood biochemical (lactic acid and total Ca 2+) and gas-analytic (pH, PCO 2, Poll HCO 3) changes were studied during and after 5 min voluntary hyperventilation (HV) in 15 normal subjects. Paresthesiae and spontaneous motor activity were common manifestations (87% and 67% respectively) in our test. They were significantly related only to changes in pH, PCO 2 and PO 2, with paresthesiae arising earlier and at milder gas-analytic changes than motor activity. Paresthesiae and motor activity induced by HV cannot be used as reliable indicators of pathology. Their presence simply reflects the degree of the blood gas-analytic changes (pH, PCO 2 and PO 2) which therefore should be carefully monitored before drawing any conclusion from an HV test.