Mean Blood Urea Nitrogen Levels Research Articles

THE EFFECT OF GIVING NATURAL GUARD ESSENTIAL OIL IN DRINKING WATER ON BLOOD UREA NITROGEN LEVELS, CREATININE, AND AMINOTRANSFERASE IN BROILERS

To increase growth and feed efficiency, we can use feed additives through feed or drinking water, one of which is the use of essential oils. NATURALGUARD is a mixture of natural oils, namely pine oil (Pinus sp.), lavender (Lavandula sp.), and eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus sp.) which contains active compounds as immunomodulators, antibacterials, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiviral. This study aims to determine the level of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) in broilers after being given NATURALGUARD via drinking water. This study used a completely randomized design with a total sample of 24 broiler CP-707 strain, with four treatments and six replications. The treatment applied was P0 as a control without giving NATURALGUARD, P1 P2, and P3 were given NATURALGUARD at doses of 1, 2, and 4 g/L respectively, adlibitum for 30 days. At the end of the study, 3 mL of blood sample was taken via the pectoral vein aseptically, and then a blood serum examination was carried out. The research results showed that the highest mean BUN level was at P0 (8.9 mg/dL) and the lowest was at P1 (5.2 mg/dL), the highest creatinine was at P3 (1.08 mg/dL) and the lowest was at P0 and P1 (1, 0 mg/dL), AST was highest at P0 (273 µ/L) and lowest at P2 (220 µ/L), and ALT was highest at P0 (7.5 µ/L) and lowest at P3 (5.48 µ/ L). Statistical results showed no significant differences in BUN, creatinine, AST, and ALT levels in all treatment groups. It was concluded that NATURALGUARD as feed additive at doses of 1, 2, and 4 g/L via drinking water is safe to be used in broilers.

The relationship between blood urea nitrogen levels and metabolic, biochemical, and histopathologic findings of nondiabetic, nonhypertensive patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known as the most common cause of chronic liver disease. It is accepted that the leading cause of death in patients with NAFLD is from coronary events. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was used as a prognostic indicator for cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate the relationship between BUN levels and metabolic, biochemical, and histopathologic findings of nondiabetic patients with NAFLD. A total of 195 male patients with biopsy proven NAFLD and 82 healthy controls with normal liver and renal function tests and normal abdominal ultrasonography were enrolled in the study. BUN levels were reviewed retrospectively. The mean BUN levels of patients and controls were 13.07 (11.3-15.41) and 13.31 (10.97-15.87) mg/dL respectively. Patients were grouped as simple steatosis (n = 33, 16.9%), borderline nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (n = 64, 32.8%), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (n = 98, 50.3%), and the BUN levels of the histologic subgroups were 13.14 ± 2.89, 14.34 ± 3.04, and 13.71 ± 3.21 mg/dL, respectively. We could not find any differences between the patient group and control group with respect to BUN levels. Our findings showed that there was no relationship between BUN levels and metabolic, biochemical, and histopathologic findings of patients with NAFLD. Further investigations, including in patients with late stages of NAFLD, are required.

A novel alternative for renal replacement therapy: 2-year successful colonic dialysis via a Malone antegrade continent enema stoma

This study is a case report of home-based colonic dialysis (CD) for treating end-stage renal disease in a 20-year-old woman. She had a history of Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE) for treating neuropathic bowel at the age of 11 years. The patient refused any type of renal replacement therapy. However, she agreed to CD through the MACE stoma by changing the colonic irrigation solution to the peritoneal dialysis solution. The patient was discharged with a plasma creatinine (Cr) level of 1.7 mg/dL and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 8 mg/dL. She has continued CD on a regular basis at home. The patient's serum Cr and BUN has remained in the steady low state during 24 months of follow-up (mean Cr level = 2.8 mg/dL and mean BUN level = 10.7 mg/dL).

Effect of the Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor Zaprinast on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

The cardiac and renal protective effects of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors against ischemia-reperfusion injury have recently been demonstrated in animal studies. We evaluated the effect of pretreatment with the PDE-5 inhibitor zaprinast on warm renal ischemia in a rat model. Female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent concomitant right nephrectomy and left renal hilar occlusion for 30 minutes. Twelve animals were equally divided into three groups: Group 1 received no pharmacologic pretreatment, group 2 was pretreated with zaprinast 10 mg/kg, and group 3 was pretreated with zaprinast 20 mg/kg. Zaprinast was dissolved in 25% dimethyl sulfoxide and given as a single intraperitoneal injection 30 minutes before surgery. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, histopathology, and TUNEL staining for apoptosis were assessed 24 hours postoperatively. The mean creatinine level for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 0.73 mg/dL, 0.55 mg/dL, and 0.38 mg/dL, respectively. These values were not statistically different (P=0.099). The mean BUN levels of 35.8 mg/dL for group 1, 27.3 mg/dL for group 2, and 23.3 mg/dL for group 3 were also statistically similar (P=0.278). There were no objective differences in histopathologic evaluation or TUNEL staining between the groups. This study did not demonstrate a beneficial effect of zaprinast pretreatment on renal parameters after warm ischemic injury.

High-Dose Selenium for the Mitigation of Radiation Injury: A Pilot Study in a Rat Model

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in an animal model the safety and efficacy of dietary supplementation with high doses of selenium for the mitigation of the type of radiation injury that might be sustained during a nuclear accident or an act of radiological terrorism. Age-matched male rats were exposed to 10 Gy (single dose) of total-body irradiation (TBI) followed by a syngeneic bone marrow transplant, then randomized to standard drinking water or drinking water supplemented with sodium selenite or seleno-l-methionine. At 21 weeks after TBI, most rats on standard drinking water had severe renal failure with a mean blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 124 +/- 29 mg/dl (geometric mean +/- SE) whereas rats on selenium-supplemented drinking water (100 microg/day) had a mean BUN level of 67 +/- 12 mg/dl. The mitigating effect of selenium was confirmed by histopathological analyses. None of the animals on high-dose selenium showed signs of selenium toxicity. Our results suggest that dietary supplementation with high-dose selenium may provide a safe, effective and practical way to mitigate radiation injury to kidneys.

Prospective assessment of cardiovascular events in patients with partial and advanced interatrial conduction delay: A preliminary observation

Introduction Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) have been investigated with partial interatrial block (IAB; P wave > or = 110 ms) but not with advanced IAB. Methods Twenty-four advanced IAB and 34 partial IAB patients were followed for 24 months for MACE, change in renal function and death. Results Three patients with advanced IAB had myocardial infarction compared to none with partial IAB ( p = 0.03). However, overall MACE was not significantly different between groups with an overall low event rate. There was also no difference between change in mean blood urea nitrogen levels and calculated glomerular filtration rates over time. Conclusion In a preliminary 24-month period, when compared to patients with partial IAB, those with the uncommon, advanced form of IAB do not appear to be overly at increased risk for MACE. However, larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these results in order to appraise other cardiovascular risk factors.

Reimplantation of the ureter after unilateral ureteral obstruction provides a model that allows functional evaluation

Experimental unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is widely used to study renal fibrosis; however, renal injury can only be scored semiobjectively by histology. We sought to improve the UUO model by reimplanting the obstructed ureter followed by removal of the contralateral kidney, thus allowing longitudinal measurements of renal function. Mice underwent UUO for different lengths of time before ureteral reimplantation and contralateral nephrectomy. Measurement of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) allows objective evaluation of residual renal function. Seven weeks after reimplantation and contralateral nephrectomy, mean BUN levels were increased with longer duration of UUO. Interstitial expansion, fibrosis, and T-cell and macrophage infiltration were similar in kidneys harvested after 10 days of UUO or following 10 weeks of ureter reimplantation, suggesting that the inflammatory process persisted despite relief of obstruction. Urinary protein excretion after reimplantation was significantly increased compared to control animals. Our study shows that functional assessment of the formerly obstructed kidney can be made after reimplantation and may provide a useful model to test therapeutic strategies for reversing renal fibrosis and preserving or restoring renal function.

Does Blood Urea Nitrogen Level Predict Severity and High-Risk Endoscopic Lesions in Patients with Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a serious medical condition requiring prompt resuscitation and early endoscopic therapy in those with high-risk endoscopic lesions (HRLs). There are little or no data correlating sole blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level with the severity of nonvariceal UGIB or the presence of HRLs in the adult population. To determine if the BUN level on presentation correlates with parameters of severity of UGIB (need for blood transfusion or intensive care unit [ICU] admission) or to the subsequent finding of HRL, and in so doing identify patients who will require early endoscopic intervention. The Canadian Registry of patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding undergoing Endoscopy was used to identify patients enrolled from the McGill University Health Centre (Montreal, Quebec) who presented with or developed acute nonvariceal UGIB while admitted. All comparisons were performed using Student's t test or Wilcoxon's signed rank test, as appropriate. Logistic regression modelling using a stepwise method was performed to identify independent predictors of severe nonvariceal UGIB and HRL. Two hundred nine patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 67+/-18 years and 59.8% were male. The mean BUN level was 13.4+/-9.4 mmol/L. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the BUN level was a significant predictor of ICU admission (BUN 14.7+/-10.4 mmol/L versus 12.0+/-8.0 mmol/L, P=0.035). However, when adjusted for systolic blood pressure, BUN level became a weaker predictor of ICU admission, just failing to achieve statistical significance (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.06; P=0.08). Univariate analysis also demonstrated that BUN level was not a statistically significant predictor of blood transfusion requirement (BUN 14.1+/-10.6 mmol/L versus 13.6+/-8.6 mmol/L, P=0.508), nor of HRL (BUN 14.2+/-10.7 mmol/L versus 12.9+/-8.6 mmol/L, P=0.605). In patients with nonvariceal UGIB, the BUN level at initial presentation is a weak predictor of the severity of UGIB as defined by ICU admission, but is not helpful in identifying patients with a HRL.

High tumor necrosis factor serum level is associated with increased survival in patients with abdominal septic shock: A prospective study in 59 patients

In several studies including patients with septic shock of various origins, high serum cytokine levels have been reported to correlate with poor outcome. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the prognostic value of cytokine serum levels in a group of patients with perioperative septic shock of digestive origin. From January 1992 to December 1994, 59 patients were evaluated (mean age, 68 +/- 15 years). From the first day of septic shock to day 7, blood was drawn every day to measure the conventional biologic parameters (white blood cell count, platelet count, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen level, serum electrolytes level, pH, blood gases, serum lactate level, coagulation parameters, liver function tests) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1, and interleukin-6. No difference was observed between the 26 survivors and the 33 nonsurvivors with regard to age, gender, and cause of sepsis. On admission, mean platelet count was significantly higher in the survivors than in the nonsurvivors (260 +/- 142 versus 177 +/- 122 10(9)/L; p = 0.01). Mean blood urea nitrogen level was significantly lower in the survivors than in the nonsurvivors (9.6 +/- 9 versus 12 +/- 7 mmol/L; p = 0.04). No difference was observed between survivors and nonsurvivors for the other conventional biologic parameters and for serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 levels. Mean serum TNF level tended to be higher in survivors than in nonsurvivors (565 +/- 1325 versus 94 +/- 69 pg/ml; not significant). In the group survivor 9 (35%) of 26 patients had a serum TNF level greater than 200 pg/ml versus 2 (6%) of 33 patients in the nonsurvivor group (p < 0.02). Survival was noted in 6 (100%) of 6 patients who had both a serum TNF level greater than 200 pg/ml and a platelet count greater than 100.10(9)/L versus 1 (11%) of 9 in patients with neither of these criteria (p < 0.01). In our patients with abdominal septic shock, high serum TNF levels were associated with increased survival. The high serum level of TNF may reflect the efficacy of peritoneal inflammatory response against abdominal sepsis. Although this possibility must be further explored, a score combining the serum TNF level and platelet count could be helpful for the prognostic assessment of patients with abdominal septic shock.

Influence of enalapril on experimental cyclosporin A nephrotoxicity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if enalapril could be administered with cyclosporin A (CyA) to reduce its nephrotoxicity. Sixty rats were divided into five groups: group I, Control group; group II, rat treated with oral enalapril; group III, rats treated with CyA: group IV, rats treated with CyA and enalapril; group V, rats treated with enalapril before the CyA therapy. At the end of the therapy mean serum creatinine concentrations were not statistically different between the groups (P > 0.05), in groups treated with CyA there were no statistically significant differences between mean CyA levels (P > 0.05), and mean blood urea nitrogen levels of the groups treated with CyA were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) compared with groups not treated with CyA. Morphologically acute CyA nephrotoxicity was evaluated by the following features: (1) tubular vacuolization, (2) tubular necrosis, (3) tubular microcalcification, and (4) peritubular capillary congestion. These lesions were scored semiquantitatively on a scale from 0 to 4+. The most common tubular pathology was tubular vacuolization, which was more severe in groups III and IV. Tubular necrosis was most severe in group III. In conclusion, enalapril seems to suppress the severest form of CyA nephrotoxicity, namely tubular necrosis, if administered prior to CyA treatment.

Myoblast transfer of human erythropoietin gene in a mouse model of renal failure.

Anemia is an invariable consequence of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) and recombinant erythropoietin has dramatically improved the quality of life of patients with ESRF. As an alternative approach, we developed a myoblast gene transfer system for the systemic delivery of human erythropoietin (EPO). We recently reported that transplantation of 4 x 10(7) cells of a C2 myoblast cell clone that stably secretes high level of functional human EPO, increased hematocrit from 44.6 +/- 3.0 to 71.2 +/- 7.9(%) in 2 wk, and the increase was sustained for at least 12 wk in nude mice. A renal failure model was created by a two-step nephrectomy in nude mice, and myoblasts were transplanted 3 wk after the second nephrectomy, when mean blood urea nitrogen level had increased from 26.3 +/- 6.1 to 85.4 +/- 24.0 (mg/dl) and the hematocrit had decreased from 45.2 +/- 2.7 to 33.9 +/- 3.7(%). After transplantation, the hematocrit markedly increased to 68.6 +/- 4.2(%) 2 wk, and to 68.5 +/- 4.0(%) 7 wk after the transplantation. Serum human EPO concentration determined by ELISA indicated a persistent steady EPO production from the transplanted muscle cells 8 wk after the transplantation. The fate of transplanted myoblasts in uremic mice was monitored by transplanting the EPO-secreting clone which had also been transduced with BAG retrovirus bearing the beta-galactosidase gene. 8 wk later, X-gal positive myofibers were detected in the entire transplanted area. The results demonstrate that myoblasts can be transplanted in uremic mice, and that myoblast gene transfer can achieve sufficient and sustained delivery of functionally active EPO to correct anemia associated with renal failure in mice.

Normal ranges of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels in the community-dwelling elderly subjects aged 70 years or over--correlation between age and renal function

To estimate normal ranges of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) levels in the aged, we measured BUN and Cr levels in 332 cases of apparent-healthy elderly subjects (male, 152; female, 180) aged 70 years or more. We measured the variables also in 315 cases of sex-matched young control subjects (male, 139; female, 176). This study was a part of the Kahoku Longitudinal Aging Study (KLAS) that aims to reveal the comprehensive functions in the aged. We calculated the mean and the standard deviation (SD) in each group, and excluded subjects with values beyond twice the SD-line. We defined the normal range as range within the single SD-line of the remainder. The estimated normal range of BUN was 14-23 mg/dl both in male and female elderly subjects, and that of Cr was 0.9-1.3 mg/dl in male and was 0.7-1.1 mg/dl in female. The mean BUN level in the elderly subjects was significantly higher than that in the control young subjects. The mean Cr level in the elderly subjects was slightly higher than that in the control subjects. Significant positive correlation was found between BUN levels and age in male elderly subjects. Although Cr levels did not correlate with age in elderly subjects, Cr levels divided by body surface area significantly correlated with age. We concluded that the normal range of BUN and Cr levels differed between young and elderly subjects, and that the decline in renal function correlated with age after the seventh decade.

Epidermal growth factor accelerates renal tissue repair in a model of gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen for renal tubular cells that possess specific high-affinity binding sites for this polypeptide. However, actual function of EGF within the kidney remains to be elucidated. We evaluated the effect of exogenous EGF administration on the rate of tubular regeneration in an experimental model of gentamicin (GT) nephrotoxicity. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, and a miniosmotic pump filled with mouse EGF or saline was implanted subcutaneously. Twenty-four hours later, GT (40 mg.kg-1 x 12 h-1 ip) was given for 4 and 8 days. Groups of treated animals and controls were killed either the day after cessation of treatment (days 5 and 9) or 4 and 8 days after the end of 8-day GT administration (days 12 and 16). Cortical GT levels of groups killed at days 5, 9, 12, and 16 were similar in animals infused with saline or EGF. Serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in GT-treated animals infused with EGF or saline and killed at days 9 and 12 compared with saline-treated animals infused with EGF or saline alone (P < 0.01). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) also increased as a result of GT administration. However, in animals receiving GT and EGF and killed at day 16, mean BUN level was significantly lower (P < 0.01) compared with rats dosed with GT alone. In treated rats, the extent of tubular regeneration, evaluated by the rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation into renal cortical DNA or by the frequency of S-phase cells (histoautoradiography), was increased in a dose- and time-dependent fashion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of cis-platinum nephrotoxicity by diethyldithiocarbamate rescue in a rat model.

The nephrotoxic effects of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (NSC-119875) administered to male F344 rats at the median lethal dose (LD50; 7.5 mg/kg) were inhibited by treatment with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (500 or 750 mg/kg) between 1 and 4 hr after cis-platinum administration. Those animals receiving cis-platinum alone had mean serum blood urea nitrogen levels of 234 mg/dl at the time of maximal toxicity (day 5); kidney sections revealed large areas of degeneration and necrosis. When dithiocarbamate rescue was carried out after cis-platinum treatment, mean blood urea nitrogen levels were in the range 56-95 mg/dl; kidney sections were grossly normal with a barely discernible band of degeneration at the corticomedullary junction. Gastrointestinal toxicity was observed in greater than 95% of the cis-platinum-treated rats but was totally absent in those receiving subsequent rescue treatment. A significant decrease in weight loss was also observed in the dithiocarbamate-rescued rats. Based on the chemistry of platinum-sulfur interactions and the observed time-dependence of the rescue treatment, it is suggested that dithiocarbamate exerts its effects via competitive chelation and removal of platinum coordinated to protein-bound sulfhydryl groups of the kidney tubule cells.