Plasma Aspartate Aminotransferase Concentrations Research Articles

Response of broiler breeder pullets when fed hydrolyzed whole yeast from placement to 22 wk of age

The study examined the effects of feeding broiler breeder pullets hydrolyzed whole yeast (HY) from hatch to 22 wk of age (WOA). A total of 524-day-old Ross 708 pullets were placed in floor pens (∼24 birds/pen) for the starter (0-4 WOA) and grower (5-18 WOA) phases, then transferred to the egg production facility and redistributed to ∼20 birds/pen for the prelay phase (19-22 WOA). Two diets were allocated to pens (0-18 WOA; n = 11) and (19-22 WOA; n-12). The diets were a control corn and soybean meal diet formulated to meet specifications and control plus 0.05% HY (HY). Birds had ad libitum access to feed in the first week and daily feed allocation based on pen BW from 2 WOA. Birds had free access to water throughout the trial. Body weight (BW) and uniformity (BW CV) were monitored. Boosters for infectious bronchitis and New Castle disease vaccines were administered at 18 WOA, and samples of pullets bled for antibody titer 5-day later. One pullet/pen was randomly selected, weighed, bled for plasma biochemistry, and necropsied for organ weights, ceca digesta for short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and leg bones morphometry. In the starter and grower phases, birds fed HY were lighter and gained less (P < 0.05) than control birds. However, there were no diet effects (P > 0.05) on growth, the BW prelay phase, or BW uniformity throughout the trial. There were no (P > 0.05) diet effects on breast, gastrointestinal, liver and bursa weights, serum antibody titers, plasma biochemistry, SCFA and bone attributes. However, pullets fed HY had heavier (P = 0.047) spleen and tended to have lower (P = 0.080) plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) relative to control pullets. In conclusion, the parameters assessed showed no negative consequences of feeding HY to broiler breeder pullets. However, effects on the spleen and plasma AST may indicate modest modulation of immunity and metabolism. The impact of the provision of HY during broiler breeder pullet phase on reproductive performance and chick quality should be investigated.

Risk prediction model for distinguishing Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteremia based on age and cytokine levels: A retrospective study.

Severe infection often results in bacteremia, which significantly increases mortality rate. Different therapeutic strategies are employed depending on whether the blood-borne infection is Gram-negative (G-) or Gram-positive (G+). However, there is no risk prediction model for assessing whether bacteremia patients are infected with G- or G+ pathogens. To establish a clinical prediction model to distinguish G- from G+ infection. A total of 130 patients with positive blood culture admitted to a single intensive care unit were recruited, and Th1 and Th2 cytokine concentrations, routine blood test results, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein concentrations, liver and kidney function test results and coagulation function were compared between G+ and G- groups. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was employed to optimize the selection of predictive variables by running cyclic coordinate descent and K-fold cross-validation (K = 10). The predictive variables selected by LASSO regression analysis were then included in multivariate logistic regression analysis to establish a prediction model. A nomogram was also constructed based on the prediction model. Calibration chart, receiver operating characteristic curve and decision curve analysis were adopted for validating the prediction model. Age, plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentration and plasma aspartate aminotransferase concentration were identified from 57 measured variables as potential factors distinguishing G+ from G- infection by LASSO regression analysis. Inclusion of these three variables in a multivariate logistic regression model identified age and IL-6 as significant predictors. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, age and IL-6 yielded an area under the curve of 0.761 and distinguished G+ from G- infection with specificity of 0.756 and sensitivity of 0.692. Serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels were upregulated by more than 10-fold from baseline in the G- bacteremia group but by less than ten-fold in the G+ bacteremia group. The calibration curve of the model and Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated good model fit (P > 0.05). When the decision curve analysis curve indicated a risk threshold probability between 0% and 68%, a nomogram could be applied in clinical settings. A simple prediction model distinguishing G- from G+ bacteremia can be constructed based on reciprocal association with age and IL-6 level.

Stress responses in the chemistry and mRNA abundance of the peripheral blood in the American alligator.

To monitor physiological and toxicological conditions in an endangered species, noninvasive to minimally invasive sampling methods are needed. We analyzed peripheral blood cells to determine if we could monitor some physiological responses of the American alligator following capture stress. Juvenile American alligators were restrained for 16 h to examine the stress response in plasma and blood cells. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were increased by restraint as were plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), uric acid, and glucose; a sexually dimorphic response was seen in AST and CK concentrations. The lapse time of restraint was associated with altered messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) in red blood cells and JUN proto-oncogene in both white and red blood cells. A two-way cluster analysis revealed that two major clusters of factors were associated with the responses seen: (a) mRNA levels of GCR and heat-shock proteins in both blood cells were associated with plasma corticosterone concentration, whereas (b) androgen receptors and JUN mRNA levels in both blood cells were associated with cloacal temperature and body composition. Blood cells appear to be an excellent source to examine the cellular stress response to steroid hormone signals in mRNA levels. We propose that this approach, using blood cells, could provide essential insights into the molecular responses associated with stress in reptiles as well as many other nontraditional model species, including endangered species.

Supplementation with fat-coated rumen-protected glucose during the transition period enhances milk production and influences blood biochemical parameters of liver function and inflammation in dairy cows

Supplementation of rumen-protected glucose (RPG) may be a useful dietary strategy to improve energy balance in transition dairy cows. The present study was performed to investigate whether supplementation with RPG could improve milk production and reduce inflammation or infection during the transition period in cows. Twelve Holstein cows (age, 4–5 yrs; bodyweight, 515 ± 42 kg; milk yield, 16.1 ± 3.7 kg/d)in late gestation were allotted to one of 2 treatments. The treatments were a basal diet plus 200 g/d of RPG (450 g/kg of glucose, 450 g/kg of coating fat and 100 g/kg of water) or a basal diet plus 90 g/d of coating fat (CON). Treatments were applied from 1 wk before to 2 wk after calving. Animal performance data were recorded, and the overall tract apparent digestibility of prepartum or postpartum cows was determined. Blood was sampled on d −4, 0, 7, and 14 to examine the plasma biochemical parameters and proinflammatory cytokines. The RPG supplementation increased the milk yield, but did not change the dry matter intake. Compared with cows in the CON group, the plasma total protein concentration was lower in the RPG group. Cows in the RPG group had greater plasma albumin concentrations but lower globulin and interleukin-8 concentrations during the transition period. The RPG supplementation tended to increase the plasma alanine aminotransferase concentration but did not change the plasma aspartate aminotransferase concentration. Dietary RPG supplementation increased the non-esterified fatty acid concentration and tended to decrease the plasma glucose concentration. In conclusion, these results indicate that supplementation with 200 g RPG per day improves milk production and reduces inflammatory markers but might have compromised the liver function of the transition cows in this study.

Effect of dietary nitrogen level and source on mRNA expression of urea transporters in the rumen epithelium of fattening bulls

ABSTRACTThis paper aims to study the effect of the dietary treatments on mRNA expression of urea transporter B (UT-B) and some aquaporins (AQP) in rumen epithelium of Italian Simmental young bulls. Eighty animals allocated to 16 pens were fed from about 500 to 650 kg body weight with four experimental diets, which resulted from the combination of two crude protein levels (125 and 110 g/kg dry matter, diets M and L, respectively) and two nitrogen sources (soybean meal (SBM) or SBM partly replaced by an isonitrogenous mixture of corn and urea; diets −U and +U, respectively). At slaughtering samples of blood and rumen epithelium were collected from six bulls for each diet. Blood samples were analysed for haematological parameters and quantitative PCR was carried out on the mRNA extracted from the rumen epithelium samples. The bulls fed diets M had lower plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase than those receiving diets L (78.9 vs. 88.3 U/l, p = 0.04). Plasma urea was higher (p = 0.03) for diets M and lower for diets +U (2.0 vs. 2.5 and 1.73 vs. 2.00 mmol/l, respectively, in M and L diets, p = 0.04). The effect of dietary treatments on rumen UT expression were limited to AQP3, which was down regulated (p = 0.01) in diets +U. Finally, a high positive correlation (R2 = 0.871) between the expressions of AQP7 and AQP10 was found. In conclusion, the AQP3 appears very responsive to dietary treatments and therefore it is a candidate to be further studied in rumen metabolism experiments. The close relationship between mRNA expression of AQP7 and AQP10 indicates a similar function of these two proteins.

The relationship between liver-kidney impairment and viral load after nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus infection in embryonic chickens

To examine the relationship of impairments of the liver and kidney with viral load after nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (NIBV) infection in embryonic chickens, 120 specific-pathogen-free Leghorn embryonated chicken eggs were randomly divided into two groups (infected and control), with three replicates per group and 20 eggs in each replicate. The eggs in the infected and control groups were challenged with 0.2 mL of 105.5 ELD50 NIBV and sterile saline solution, respectively. The embryonic chickens’ plasma and liver and kidney tissues were collected at 1, 3, and 5 days post-inoculation (dpi), the liver and kidney functional parameters were quantified, and the tissue viral loads were determined with real-time PCR. The results showed that plasma potassium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus levels were increased. The infected group exhibited significantly higher plasma uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels than the control group at 3 dpi. The plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were significantly increased in the infected group. The total protein, albumin, and globulin levels in the infected group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The liver-kidney viral load in the infected group peaked at 3 dpi, at which time the kidney viral load was significantly higher than that of the liver. Our results indicated that NIBV infection caused liver and kidney damage in the embryonic chickens, and the results also demonstrated that the liver and kidney damage was strongly related to the tissue viral load following NIBV infection in embryonic chickens.

Effects of clay after an aflatoxin challenge on aflatoxin clearance, milk production, and metabolism of Holstein cows

Oral supplementation of clay to dairy cattle has been reported to reduce toxicity of aflatoxin (AF) in contaminated feed. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 3 concentrations of dietary clay supplementation in response to an AF challenge. Ten multiparous rumen-cannulated Holstein cows [body weight (mean ± SD) = 669 ± 20 kg and 146 ± 69 d in milk], were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments in a randomized replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design balanced to measure carryover effects. Periods (21 d) were divided in an adaptation phase (d 1 to 14) and a measurement phase (d 15 to 21). From d 15 to 17, cows received an AF challenge. The challenge consisted of 100 μg of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)/kg of dietary dry matter intake (DMI). The material was fitted into 10-mL gelatin capsules and administered into the rumen through a rumen-cannula based on the average DMI obtained on d 12 to 14. Treatments were no clay plus an AF challenge (POS); 3 different concentrations of clay (0.5, 1, or 2% of dietary DMI) plus an AF challenge; and a control consisting of no clay and no AF challenge (C). Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Two contrasts, CONT1 (POS vs. C) and CONT2 (POS vs. the average of 0.5, 1, and 2% clay), were compared along with the linear and quadratic treatment effects (POS, 0.5%, 1%, 2%). Cows supplemented with clay had lower AF excretion in milk as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1; 0.5% = 20.83 μg/d, 1% = 22.82 μg/d, and 2% = 16.51 μg/d) and AF transfer from rumen fluid to milk (AFM1; 0.5% = 1.01%, 1% = 0.98%, and 2% = 0.74%) compared with cows in POS (AFM1 = 27.81 μg/d and AF transfer = 1.37%, CONT2). Similarly, concentrations of AFM1 in milk (0.5% = 0.35 μg/kg, 1% = 0.30 μg/kg, 2% = 0.25 μg/kg), AFB1 in feces (0.5% = 1.79 μg/g, 1% = 1.52 μg/kg, 2% = 1.48 μg/kg), and AFB1 in rumen fluid (0.5% = 0.05 μg/kg, 1% = 0.02 μg/kg, 2% = 0.02 μg/kg) were reduced in cows fed clay compared with POS (0.43 μg/kg, 2.78 μg/kg, and 0.10 μg/kg, respectively, CONT2). Cows supplemented with clay tended to have lower 3.5% fat-corrected milk [0.5% = 38.2 kg, 1% = 39.3 kg, 2% = 38.4 kg, standard error of the mean (SEM) = 1.8] than cows in POS (41.3 kg; SEM = 1.8; CONT2). Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration tended to be lower for cows fed clay in the diet (0.5% = 2.16 U/mL, 1% = 1.90 U/mL, 2% = 2.3 U/mL; SEM = 0.3) than for cows in POS (2.72 U/mL; CONT2). Additionally, when cows were exposed to AF without clay in the diet, plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) decreased from 84.23 (C) to 79.17 (POS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) decreased from 91.02 (C) to 75.81 (POS). In conclusion, oral supplementation of clay reduced the transfer of AF from the rumen to milk and feces.

In vivo behavior of MIL-100 nanoparticles at early times after intravenous administration

Metal-organic frameworks have shown interesting features for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and imaging agents. The benchmarked mesoporous iron(III) trimesate MIL-100 MOF nanocarrier combines progressive release of high drug cargoes with absence of visible in vivo toxicity. Although in a previous study pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of MIL-100 nanoparticles were evaluated in the long term (from 24h to 1 month), the crucial times for drug targeting and delivery applications are shorter (up to 24h). Thus, this work aims to study the blood circulating profile and organ accumulation of MIL-100 nanocarrier at early times after administration. For this purpose, after intravenous administration to rats, both constitutive components of MIL-100 (trimesate and iron) were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography and a spectrophotometric method, respectively. The pharmacokinetic profile suggested that the nanoparticles act as a depot in the blood stream during the first hours before being cleared. Accumulation took mainly place in the liver and, in some extent, in the spleen. Nevertheless, histological studies demonstrated the absence of morphological alterations due to the presence of the particles in these organs. Liver function was however slightly altered as reflected by the increased plasma aspartate aminotransferase concentrations. Finally trimesate was progressively eliminated in urine.

Effects of pretransport handling stress on physiological and behavioral response of ostriches

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) production is a relatively young industry and there has been little research on ostrich welfare during pretransport handling and the transportation process. A heavy body with a high center of gravity makes ostriches’ handling and transportation problems different from other livestock. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the pretransport holding time duration on ostrich behavior and physiological responses. A second objective was to identify and validate behavioral indicator(s) that could be used to identify stressed birds during pretransport handling. Prior to shipping, twenty-four 2.5-yr-old ostriches were moved into a holding pen. Birds were then individually restrained, hooded, and walked from the holding pen (approximately 12 min/bird) to a sampling pen (visually isolated from the holding pen) where they were weighed and a 10-mL blood sample obtained. A second blood sample was taken from each bird after a 1,100-km transportation. Blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of blood metabolites, enzymes, corticosterone, and white blood cell and differential counts. Behavioral responses and physical damages of ostriches were also recorded before and after transport. Results indicated that birds that spent longer time in the pretransport holding pen had higher pretransport plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, sodium, and packed cell volume. Immobile sitting behavior, observed in 5 out of the last 11 birds handled, was positively correlated with higher pretransport handling stress, higher posttransport aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase, and glucose concentrations, and transport losses. Knowledge of pretransport handling impacts on ostrich stress and availability of behavioral indicators (e.g., immobile sitting response) could be used to improve handing processes, thereby decreasing potential weight loss, injury, and mortality.

English

The impact of methanolic root extract of Cnestis ferruginea on blood and some biochemical profiles was studied in male albino rats. Rats were treated with daily oral administration of the extract (500 mg kg-1 bw) and its pure fractions for 5, 30 and 60 days. Haematological indices and plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not adversely affected by the extract after 5 days of treatment. However, there were significant reductions (P < 0.05) in red blood cell (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV) after 60 days of treatment with C. ferruginea. Haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were not affected while mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were increased (P < 0.01) after 60 days of treatment. Lymphocyte count was higher after 30 days of treatment while the white blood cell counts were not affected by prolonged treatment with the extract and its pure fractions. Plasma levels of ALT increased (P < 0.01) while those of AST was not affected after 60 days of treatment. There was a significant restoration of these parameters after withdrawal from treatments. The results suggest that prolonged administration of crude root extract of C. ferruginea may induce anaemia. Key words: Cnestis ferruginea, blood indices, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), rat.

The responsiveness of subclinical endometritis to a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug in pasture-grazed dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine if the inflammation associated with subclinical endometritis (SCE) is a part of the mechanism by which reproductive performance is reduced in cows with this disease. If it is, reducing inflammation associated with SCE with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) should reduce the severity [as measured by average polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) percentage] of uterine pathology and improve reproductive performance. It was also investigated whether the NSAID treatment reduced metabolic indicators of systemic inflammation previously reported to be altered in cows with SCE. Holstein-Friesian and Friesian-Jersey cross dairy cows (n=213) were paired by calving date and d-14 uterine PMN percentage and randomly assigned to 3 injections at intervals of 3 d of an NSAID (1.4 mg of carprofen/kg; n=104) between 21 and 31 d postpartum or left as untreated controls (n=109). Cows with ≥14% PMN (upper quartile of PMN percentage) in the cytological sample collected at d 14 postpartum were defined as having SCE. The average d-14 PMN percentage was low (9.9%) and a high self-cure rate of SCE (>90%) at d 42 was observed. Treatment with an NSAID reduced plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and increased pregnancy rate in SCE cows. However, no effect of the NSAID treatment was observed on PMN percentage at d 42, postpartum anovulatory interval, or milk production. Compared with cows without SCE, cows with SCE had lower plasma albumin concentration, albumin:globulin ratio, and body condition score, but higher nonesterified fatty acids on the day of calving. These results indicate that cows with SCE are experiencing a physiological dysfunction, including lower body condition, liver dysfunction, and greater metabolic challenge during the periparturient period. Further research is required to determine the effect of NSAID on SCE and to evaluate the influence of timing of drug application on treatment effectiveness.

Modulation of immune response by interleukin-10 in systemic Corynebacterium kutscheri infection in mice

Interleukin (IL)-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that modulates sepsis by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production and chemokine expression. In this study, IL-10-deficient and wild-type (WT) mice were infected with Corynebacterium kutscheri to determine if the absence of IL-10 altered the protective immunity and pathogenesis. After infection, IL-10 knockout (KO) mice had a higher survival rate than WT mice. The decrease of body weight and the increased weight of organs such as liver and spleen were greater in WT mice. Bacterial counts were significantly increased after inoculation in WT mice over those in IL-10 KO mice. WT mice had more granulomatous inflammation and coagulative necrosis in the liver and spleen, lymphocyte depletion in lymphoid follicles, and apoptosis of immune cells in the spleen. WT mice had significantly higher plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Furthermore, more upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-4 in the plasma, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, keratinocyte-derived chemokine, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and interferon-inducible protein 10 mRNA in the spleen were observed in WT mice after inoculation. These results suggest that the lack of IL-10 contributes to an increase in the systemic clearance of C. kutscheri, and that IL-10 plays a detrimental role in controlling systemic C. kutscheri infection.

Chronic Low-grade Inflammation and Haematological, Circulatory, Metabolic, and Hepatic Abnormalities in Childhood Obesity

Background: Little is known as to the associations between childhood obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation, circulatory, hepatic, metabolic and haematological abnormalities. Design: Case-control study. Methods: A total of 1,871 boys and 1,810 girls were measured anthropometric data, haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count (WBCC), platelet count, blood pressure, plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The subjects were classified into three body mass index categories depending on the international standard definition for child overweight and obesity. Results: Systolic blood pressure, serum levels of aminotransferases, TG and HDL-cholesterol, WBCC, and platelet counts were related with BMI in both boys and girls. Obese girls had high risks of having relatively high levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), ALT, TG, WBCC, platelet count, and relatively low level of HDL-cholesterol. Obese boys had high risks of having relatively high levels of SBP, diastolic blood pressure, AST, ALT, TG, WBCC, Hb concentration, platelet count, and relatively low level of HDL-cholesterol. Conclusions: Childhood obesity is related with chronic inflammation, as well as circulatory, hepatic, metabolic and haematological abnormalities.

Influence of lactation on some plasma biochemical parameters in N'dama and white Fulani cows

Plasma samples obtained from thirty-three non-pregnant non-lactating and lactating N`Dama and White Fulani cows at Oyo, Nigeria, were analysed to determine the influence of lactation on some biochemical parameters between and within breeds. The plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase(AP) gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (y-GT), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin-globulin ratio (A:G), sodium(Na), potassium(K) sodium-potassium ratio (Na:K), chloride(Cl), bicarbonate(HCO3), calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (PO4), triglycerides and cholesterol showed no significant differences(P&gt;0.05) within and between the two breeds of cattle. The plasma levels of total protein and globulins did not differ significantly within breed but differed significantly (P&lt;0.05) between the non-lactating White Fulani and the two N'dama groups. The relationships between plasma concentrations of albumin and globulin as well as between albumin and total protein were positive, albeit non-significantly, in all groups of the two breeds of cattle while those of globulins and total protein were very significant (P&lt;.001) and positive in the White Fulani and non-lactating N'dama groups. Lactation appears to have had a pronounced effect on the plasma concentrations of total protein and globulins of the White Fulani cows than the N'dama cows. It also may have altered the relationship between plasma total protein and globulins in N'dama cows. Keywords: Lactation, White Fulani, N'dama, plasma, Biochemical parameters.

Physiology, Behavior, and Survival of Angled and Air‐Exposed Largemouth Bass

AbstractCatch‐and‐release practices are common in recreational fisheries, yet little is known about the behavior, physiology, and ultimate fate of released fish. We used a combination of radiotelemetry (external attachment) and nonlethal blood sampling (i.e., the blood concentrations of lactate and glucose and plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Na+, K+, and Cl−) to assess the relationship between the prerelease physiological status and postrelease behavior and mortality of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. The experiments were conducted at two temperatures: approximately 15°C and 21°C. Immediately after capture by standard angling techniques, largemouth bass were exposed to air for 0 to 15 min to assess the consequences of air exposure at two moderate water temperatures. Fish exposed to air for long periods (approximately 10 min or more) had significantly higher concentrations of blood glucose 30 min after air exposure and took significantly longer to regain equilibrium than fish exposed for shorter periods (approximately 3 min or less). The responses of other physiological indicators were inconsistent. Interestingly, at lower water temperatures, males had greater initial concentrations of glucose and AST than females, revealing the importance of sexual differences in the response to angling stress. The fish exposed to air for longer durations tended to exhibit behavioral impairments and remained close to the release site longer than those exposed for short periods. Despite exposure to air for lengthy periods, no postrelease mortality was observed during the 5‐d monitoring period. Although the two water temperatures that we used were moderate for this species, a number of sublethal differences (e.g., physiological disturbances and behavioral impairments) were evident in the longer‐air‐exposure treatment group, highlighting the need to minimize air exposure during catch‐and‐release angling to maintain the welfare of angled fish.

Protective Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning against Liver Injury after Major Hepatectomy Using the Intermittent Pringle Maneuver in Swine

Objective: To investigate whether ischemic preconditioning (IP) protects the liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R-I) after major hepatectomy through intermittent hepatic pedicle clamping (IC) in a swine liver resection model. Background: Although many studies have reported a protective effect of IP against continuous hepatic ischemia, it has not been elucidated whether IP protects the liver against I/R-I after hepatectomy using IC. This is the first study to evaluate the effect of IP in a swine major hepatectomy model using IC. Methods: Pigs (n = 12) were divided into 2 groups (IP or non-IP). In the IP group, livers were subjected to IP (10 min ischemia and 10 min reperfusion) before liver resection using IC (15 min ischemia and 5 min reperfusion). A left hemihepatectomy was then performed using IC in both groups. Hemodynamic changes and plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, lactic acid and hyaluronic acid were measured at 60, 120 and 180 min after hepatectomy. Apoptosis (TUNEL staining and electron microscopy), plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and NO₂^–/NO₃^– were evaluated for 180 min after hepatectomy. Results: There were no significant differences in body weight, blood loss, resected liver weight, Pringle time or hemodynamic changes between the 2 groups. IP significantly reduced plasma aspartate aminotransferase levels for 180 min after hepatectomy (IP: 135.8 ± 13.5 vs. non-IP: 199 ± 16.8 IU/l; p = 0.018). In the non-IP group, apoptotic changes in sinusoidal endothelial cells were observed with increased plasma TNF-α levels. IP protected liver injury from increase in plasma TNF-α (p = 0.042). Significantly fewer apoptotic cells were seen in the IP than in the non-IP group (p = 0.002). Plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase, lactic acid and NO₂^–/NO₃^– in the IP group tended to be lower than those in the non-IP group. Conclusions: IP prior to hepatectomy with IC resulted in less hepatic injury and apoptotic cell death than in livers not subjected to IP. IP with IC has the potential to improve the clinical postoperative course of patients undergoing hepatectomy.

Effects of thrombin inhibition with melagatran on renal hemodynamics and function and liver integrity during early endotoxemia

Sepsis is associated with an activation of the coagulation system and multiorgan failure. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of selective thrombin inhibition with melagatran on renal hemodynamics and function, and liver integrity, during early endotoxemia. Endotoxemia was induced in thiobutabarbital-anesthetized rats by an intravenous bolus dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 6 mg/kg). Sham-Saline, LPS-Saline, and LPS-Melagatran study groups received isotonic saline or melagatran immediately before (0.75 micromol/kg iv) and continuously during (0.75 micromol.kg(-1).h(-1) iv) 4.5 h of endotoxemia. Kidney function, renal blood flow (RBF), and intrarenal cortical and outer medullary perfusion (OMLDF) measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry were analyzed throughout. Markers of liver injury and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured in plasma after 4.5 h of endotoxemia. In addition, liver histology and gene expression were examined. Melagatran treatment prevented the decline in OMLDF observed in the LPS-Saline group (P < 0.05, LPS-Melagatran vs. LPS-Saline). However, melagatran did not ameliorate reductions in mean arterial pressure, RBF, renal cortical perfusion, and glomerular filtration rate or attenuate tubular dysfunctions during endotoxemia. Melagatran reduced the elevated plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (-34 +/- 11%, P < 0.05), alanine aminotransferase (-21 +/- 7%, P < 0.05), bilirubin (-44 +/- 9%, P < 0.05), and TNF-alpha (-32 +/- 14%, P < 0.05) in endotoxemia. Melagatran did not diminish histological abnormalities in the liver or the elevated hepatic gene expression of TNF-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in endotoxemic rats. In summary, thrombin inhibition with melagatran preserved renal OMLDF, attenuated liver dysfunction, and reduced plasma TNF-alpha levels during early endotoxemia.

The Effect of Enflurane, Isoflurane and Propofol on Hepatic Function in Tympanomastoidectomy

Background: Isoflurane and propofol are known to have a low potential for hepatotoxicity. However, no study has compared the effects on hepatic function after of enflurane, isoflurane or propofol in tympanomatoidectomy. Anesthetic techniques should permit the maintenance of low blood pressure during operation for a bloodless surgical field. Because of a long operation time and low blood pressure, the liver may be damaged. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of isoflurane and propofol on liver function by comparing them with enflurane in patients who had been received tympanomatoidectomy. Methods: Eighty-seven patients with normal liver function were studied following tympanomastiodectomy. The patients were randomly assigned to Group E (n = 28), who received enflurane, Group I (n = 30), who received isoflurane or Group P (n = 29), who received propofol. The plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured on the day before the operation, and 1, 2 and 3 days after the operation. Results: one and two days after the operation, all groups showed a significant increase in AST (P ＜ 0.05), but this recovered to the baseline level at 3 days postoperatively, and there was no difference among the three groups. ALT and ALP were not changed until 3 days postoperatively in all groups, and there were no difference between the three groups. Conclusions: We conclude that there are no significant difference in terms of postoperative hepatic function after tympanomatoidectomy between the three groups.

Lipopolysaccharide andd-galactosamine-induced hepatic injury is mediated by TNF-α and not by Fas ligand

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and Fas ligand (FasL) are trimeric proteins that induce apoptosis through similar caspase-dependent pathways. Hepatocytes are particularly sensitive to inflammation-induced programmed cell death, although the contribution of TNF-alpha and/or FasL to this injury response is still unclear. Here, we report that D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in C57BL/6 mice is associated with increased hepatic expression of both TNF-alpha and FasL mRNA. Pretreatment of mice with a TNF-binding protein improved survival, reduced plasma aspartate aminotransferase concentrations, and attenuated the apoptotic liver injury, as determined histologically and by in situ 3' OH end labeling of fragmented nuclear DNA. In contrast, pretreatment of mice with a murine-soluble Fas fusion protein (Fasfp) had only minimal effect on survival, and apoptotic liver injury was either unaffected or exacerbated depending on the dose of Fasfp employed. Similarly, mice with a spontaneous mutation in FasL (B6Smn.C3H-Fasl(gld) derived from C57BL/6) were equally sensitive to D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced shock. We conclude that the shock and apoptotic liver injury after D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide treatment are due primarily to TNF-alpha release, whereas increased FasL expression appears to contribute little to the mortality and hepatic injury.

Relationship between expression of hepatic metallothionein and sublethal stress in channel catfish following acute exposure to copper sulphate

Copper sulphate is frequently used as a general biocide in the aquacultural industry. The acute effects of copper sulphate on sublethal endpoints of stress and tissue damage in channel catfish have not been explored previously. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a therapeutically relevant dose of copper sulphate on plasma cortisol, hepatic metallothionein (MT) expression, hepatic copper content and plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Exposure of prespawn juvenile catfish to 1.7 mg/l as copper sulphate (326±9.4 μg/l copper; 175–180 mg/l CaCO 3; pH 7.45) led to time-dependent increases in hepatic MT expression, hepatic copper content as well as plasma cortisol concentrations. Exposure to a 1 h confinement stress led to a redistribution of copper to the liver but no significant increases in hepatic MT or plasma cortisol after 23 h. Neither stress nor copper exposure caused liver damage as measured by AST. The parallel expression of hepatic MT with plasma cortisol and hepatic copper residues suggests that MT may serve as a useful indicator of acute stress and acute exposure to copper sulphate in channel catfish.