Blood Urea Nitrogen Values Research Articles

Effect of paddy straw plus nonforage fiber sources based complete rations with different levels of neutral detergent fiber on hemato-biochemical and mineral profile of lactating dairy cows.

Aim:This study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding paddy straw plus nonforage fiber sources based complete rations with different levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) on hemato-biochemical and mineral parameters of lactating dairy cows.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted for 6 months in 18 lactating dairy cows, divided into three groups of six each, by feeding them on paddy straw plus nonforage fiber sources based complete rations containing different levels of NDF, in two phases of 3 months (90 days) each, being the early and mid lactation phases, respectively. Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric complete rations, T1, T2 and T3 with 25%, 30% and 35% NDF, respectively, were fed to the experimental animals. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and the end of each of the two phases to estimate the different hematological, plasma protein, and mineral parameters to know the overall health status of the animals and standard methods were followed to analyze the samples.Results:There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in various hematological parameters such as hemoglobin, glucose, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in blood; plasma protein parameters such as total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin: globulin ratio and mineral parameters such as plasma calcium and phosphorus levels at the beginning and end of Phase I (1st day and 90th day) and Phase II (91st day and 180th day) as well as between the three dietary treatments, with all the values being in the normal range for lactating dairy cows. Even though nonsignificant (p>0.05), the BUN values of animals fed on ration T1, both at the beginning and end of Phase I, were higher than that of animals fed on rations T2 and T3 because the diet T1 with lowest NDF and the highest soluble carbohydrate content underwent rapid fermentation in the rumen, produced more energy, which was utilized by the rumen microbes to degrade the protein in the feed to ammonia, the excess ammonia being transported to the liver and excreted through the blood resulting in a higher BUN content.Conclusion:Feeding of paddy straw plus nonforage fiber sources based complete rations with different levels of NDF had no effect on hemato-biochemical and mineral profile as well as overall health status of lactating dairy cows. However, the higher, BUN values found in cows fed on diet T1 with 25% NDF as compared to those fed on T2 and T3 with 30% and 35% NDF, respectively, indicate more wastage of protein in T1 as compared to T2 and T3, in early lactation.

Clinical and Laboratory Parameters Associated with Acute Kidney Injury in Viper Envenomed Cases

Viper species are distributed allover Egypt. Venomous bites by Viperidae snakes are associated with local and systemic manifestations and may be exacerbated by the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). THE AIM of the study was to assess acute renal injury in cases of envenomations by locally prevalent vipers as regards incidence, clinical and laboratory parameters and final outcome. METHODS: The current study was conducted on all patients, of both sex, admitted in Poison Control Center of Ain Shams University hospitals following envenomation by Viperidae snakes during 2014, 2015, and 2016. Diagnosis was based on history of snake bite with suggestive clinical data. Recorded data included patient characteristics (age, gender, delay time), vital data (heart rate, blood pressure), presence of local signs, bleeding manifestations, laboratory parameters (INR, platelet count, hemoglobin level, BUN and serum creatinine), number of antivenom vials used , duration of hospital stay and survival. Cases were sub-grouped to group I with AKI and group II without AKI. RESULTS: A total of 120 cases of venomous bites by Viperidae snakes were recorded during the study period with mortality of 4.2%. Cases were predominantly males with mean age of 35 +/-14.7years. A subset of 5.8% cases developed AKI which statistically was related to older age, longer delay time, increased incidence of bleeding manifestations and tachycardia, higher values of INR, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen, lower platelet count, higher number of used antivenom vials and longer duration of hospital stay. Gender, hypotension, presence of local manifestations and hemoglobin level were insignificant among AKI. Mortality among AKI cases was statistically linked to old age, prolonged delay time, increased incidence of bleeding manifestations, higher INR values, low platelet count and low hemoglobin level and increased number of used antivenom vials and duration of hospital stay. The incidence of tachycardia, hypotension and local manifestations, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were not statistically different among non- survivors. CONCLUSION: Acute renal injury may complicate the course of viper envenomations. Venom hemotoxicity is related to morbidity and mortality especially with older age and longer time between bite to antivenom therapy.

Protein based flushing related blood urea nitrogen effects on ovarian response, embryo recovery and embryo quality in superovulated ewes

The present study is the first report that evaluates effects of nutritional effects of flushing with differing diet crude protein ratios on blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, related some reproductive parameters and embryo quality in ewe. During mating season, before synchronization protocol ewes were fed on alfalfa hay and additive concentrate feeding as flushing. Intra vaginal FGA containing sponges applied for 12 days for the purpose of synchronization and pFSH was administered by 8 declining doses for the purpose of superovulation.Uterus was flushed in the morning of the seventh day of mating and embryos were collected surgically. Collected embryos were qualified according to IETS criterion. There is no dependency found between BUN values measured at different days and at different diet crude protein concentrations. An increase in uterine pH levels due to increasing protein amounts was observed but this increase was not significant among groups. Ovarian function was evaluated by ovarian responses (CL + large follicle) showed difference between groups (p < 0.05) and the lowest protein intake group gave highest ovarian response. In addition, embryo recovery rates revealed difference between groups (p < 0.05) and it was observed that the lowest ovarian response group showed the highest rates of embryo recovery. It is concluded that, in some Anatolian native sheep breeds, the application of diet flushing with different crude protein concentrates influence ovarian responses and embryo recovery rates but has no effect on BUN levels; uterus physiology or embryonic quality.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rhubarb anthraquinones extract in normal and disease rats

BackgroundAnthraquinones extract from Rheum palmatum L. (rhubarb) including rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, physcion and sennoside A, has been widely used in China to treat various diseases. ObjectiveThis study was designed to explore the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of rhubarb anthraquinones extract in diabetic nephropathy and acute liver injury rats. MethodsThe diabetic nephropathy and acute liver injury rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin (STZ) and carbon tetrachloride (CCL4), respectively. The rats were treated with different doses of rhubarb anthraquinones extract (37.5, 75 and 150mg/kg) as administration groups. For pharmacokinetics, the drug concentrations of rhubarb anthraquinones consisting of rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, physcion and sennoside A were determined. For pharmacodynamics, the anti-diabetic nephropathy and hepatoprotective effects were assessed under different dosage regimens. ResultsThe rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol were considered as pharmacokinetic markers at three doses of rhubarb anthraquinones extract. In diabetic nephropathy rats, no obvious pharmacokinetic change of the four ingredients was observed compared with control rats. However, the plasma exposures of the four ingredients increased in acute liver injury rats compared with control rats. The serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urine protein (UP) values in diabetic nephropathy rats decreased compared with those in the model group, which suggested that rhubarb anthraquinones extract displayed certain therapeutic and preventive effects against the diabetic nephropathy. However, rhubarb anthraquinones extract cannot ameliorate the CCL4-induced liver injury under the three different dosage regimens. ConclusionThere was no significant pharmacokinetic difference after a single oral administration of rhubarb anthraquinones extract between control and diabetic nephropathy rats. However, apparent pharmacokinetic differences were observed between control and liver injury rats. Also, rhubarb anthraquinones extract had beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy rats, while no marked effect on liver injury rats under the same dosage regimens.

Renal Function Outcomes of High-risk Neuroblastoma Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy

To analyze the renal function outcomes in patients undergoing radiation therapy for neuroblastoma. The clinical metrics of renal function were analyzed in patients undergoing radiation therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma from 2000 to 2015. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine values before radiation therapy were compared with last available follow-up values and analyzed with the clinical circumstances, including follow-up length, age at primary irradiation, nephrectomy, and radiation technique. The creatinine clearance was estimated using the Shull method. With a median follow-up period of 3.5years, none of the 266 patients studied developed a chronic renal insufficiency. For all patients, the creatinine level increased from 0.44 to 0.51mg/dL and the BUN increased from 10.53 to 15.52mg/dL. Three patients required antihypertensive medication. The patients who underwent intensity modulated radiation therapy did not experience increased creatinine levels during the follow-up period; however, they had a reduced median follow-up length compared with patients treated with anteroposterior/posteroanterior beams (4.7 vs 3.3years). A longer follow-up length was associated with an increased creatinine level. The preradiation therapy creatinine level increased with patient age, similar to that of the last follow-up creatinine level, suggesting that the changes in creatinine could likely be explained by physiologic increases associated with aging rather than radiation-induced renal damage. The creatinine clearance did not decrease in any circumstance. The present cohort had excellent renal outcomes after radiation therapy for neuroblastoma. No patient developed chronic renal insufficiency, and the small increases in BUN and creatinine we observed correlated, as expected, with increases in patient age. The results of the present study revealed a possible advantage for intensity modulated radiation therapy in preserving renal function; however, the follow-up length is a recognized confounding variable. The kidneys are vital structures to consider when planning radiation therapy for neuroblastoma patients, and we have found encouraging evidence that modern techniques to spare them in the setting of multiple treatment-related insults have been successful.

Evaluation of various feeding programmes on growth performance, carcass and meat qualities of Thai indigenous crossbred chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various feeding programmes on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and the meat qualities of Thai indigenous crossbred (50%) Korat chickens to obtain suitable feeding programmes. A total of 480 one-day-old mixed-sex Korat chickens were randomly allotted to four treatments, namely FP1, FP2, FP3 and FP4, with four replicates for each treatment (30 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Chickens in FP1 were fed diets with 21, 19, 17 and 15% crude protein (CP) in periods of 0–3, 3–6, 6–9 and 9–13 weeks old, respectively. Chickens in FP2 were fed diets with 21, 19, 17 and 15% CP in periods of 0–3, 3–5, 5–7 and 7–13 weeks old, respectively. Chickens in FP3 were fed diets with 21, 19, 17, 15 and 14% CP in periods of 0–2, 2–5, 5–8, 8–10 and 10–13 weeks old, respectively. Chickens in FP4 were fed diets with 21, 19, 17, 15 and 14% CP in periods of 0–2, 2–4, 4–6, 6–8 and 8–13 weeks old, respectively. At 13 weeks old, the results showed that Korat chickens fed with FP4 had a higher feed intake, but poorer feed conversion rate (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and energy efficiency ratio (EER) values than the FP1, FP2 and FP3 treatments. However, the values for bodyweight gain and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) did not differ among treatments. None of the parameters for carcass traits, meat characteristics, and meat qualities revealed differences among treatments, except for the protein content in the thigh meat of chickens fed with FP4, which had a lower value than that of the other treatments. In conclusion, FP3 represented the most beneficial results for reducing feed costs without affecting growth performance, carcass traits, nutrient composition of meat, and meat characteristics of chickens.Keywords: carcass trait, growth, indegenous crossbred chicken, meat yield, protein level

Season, sex and age variation in the haematology and body condition of geometric tortoises Psammobates geometricus

Body condition and haematological indices provide powerful information when assessing wildlife health. Reference intervals for these indices can facilitate wildlife management, and would benefit initiatives to save the Critically Endangered geometric tortoise (Psammobates geometricus). We collected data from 126 geometric tortoises to establish baseline values reflecting variation over four seasons (spring 2000 to winter 2001) and among three groups (female, male and juvenile). We measured body condition index (BCI; mass to shell volume), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), plasma chloride, packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cell count (RBC), and used PCV, Hb and RBC to calculate erythrocyte indices. BCI correlated poorly with haematological measures but had a strong inverse relationship with BUN. BCI did not vary among groups, but all groups had low condition indices in autumn, the end of the dry season. High BUN and chloride values in autumn indicate dehydration, particularly in males. Males had the highest PCV, Hb and RBC values, especially during summer and autumn when they moved long distances, likely pursuing mates. Female and juvenile indices were similar, except that female Hb was higher than juvenile Hb, possibly to meet female energy needs associated with their large size and reproductive metabolism. Low Hb levels in winter coincided with low temperatures and reduced movements. Our results illustrate how intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the physiology of geometric tortoises and provide reference intervals to monitor their health.

Clinical Utility of Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin(NGAL) as an Early Marker of Acute Kidney Injury in Asphyxiated Neonates

Introduction: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common devastating problem in the NICU. Since the kidney is the second most affected organ in asphyxiated neonates (after the brain), a marker to determine kidney injury becomes important. Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) determines acute kidney injury even before Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) or serum creatinine values rise. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical utility of NGAL as an early marker of acute kidney injury in asphyxiated neonates.Materials and Methods: This was a cohort study performed at a Level III NICU at JSS Hospital, Mysore, Karnataka, India over a period of two years. The study was conducted on30 term asphyxiated neonates and 30 term control neonates. Serum NGAL was measured within 6 hours after birth in an asphyxiated neonate using fluorescence immunoassay.Results: A highly significant increase in serum NGAL in cases group with a median of 323ng/ml as compared to control group with median of 64ng/ml was observed. Of the 30 asphyxiated neonates, 23 were positive for NGAL, and of these 3 had AKI.A cutoff value of 155 ng/ml for Serum NGAL could detect AKI in asphyxiated neonates with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 23%.Conclusion: NGAL is raised in Asphyxiated neonates both with and without kidney injury. Therefore, it is not a specific marker for acute kidney injury in asphyxiated neonates. J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2016;36(2):121-125.

Combination effects of milk feeding methods and starter crude protein concentration: Evaluation on performance and health of Holstein male calves

The aim of this study was to examine whether the increasing crude protein (CP) content of starter feed together with the different milk feeding procedure would improve performance, and health responses in dairy calves. Two milk feeding procedures [step-down (STEP) or conventional (CON)] and two levels of starter crude protein (20 or 24% of starter DM) were combined in 2×2 factorial arrangements. Forty Holstein male calves were included in four following experimental treatments (10 calves per treatment): (1) conventional milk feeding with 20% CP starter (C20); (2) conventional milk feeding with 24% CP starter (C24); (3) step-down milk feeding with 20% CP starter (D20); (4) step-down milk feeding with 24% CP starter (D24). For the conventional method, calves (n=20) received 5.5L/d milk until day 56 of the study, and then they were fed 2L/d milk from day 56 to 59 of the study. For the step-down method, calves (n=20) received 7L/d milk until day 35, and 4L/d milk from day 35 to 49 of the study followed by feeding 2L/d milk from day 50 to 59 of the study. The total amount of milk consumed with both milk feeding procedures (STEP and CON) was similar, during milk feeding period (311L±3). Calves in all groups were weaned on day 60 and they were followed up until day 74 of the study. Starter dry matter intake, body weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency, and structural growth were not affected by experimental treatments. On d 35 and d 74 of the experiment, rumen fluid samples were collected with a stomach tube 4h after morning feeding and were analyzed for volatile fatty acid (VFA) by gas chromatography. Rumen pH and molar concentration of ammonia-N were higher in STEP method during milk feeding period, while calves consuming 24% CP starter had a higher molar concentration of ammonia-N on d 74 (P<0.05). Calves fed starter containing 24% CP had less rumen butyrate and valerate molar concentration on d 35 and 74, respectively (P<0.01). There were interactions between milk feeding and CP concentration of starter for days with scours (P<0.05). Calves fed D20 have greater pre-weaning fecal score and overall scour days than other treatments. Blood samples were taken on d 35 and d 74 of study for metabolites assessing and −7 and +1 d of weaning for evaluating hematological parameters. There was no effect of milk feeding procedure or CP level on lymphocyte levels; however, there was a significant CP x milk feeding procedure interaction at d 61. No treatment effects were observed on red blood cell (RBC) count, glucose, total protein, albumin, and hemoglobin concentration, but highest values of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were found with the 24% CP starter diets on d 74 (P<0.05). In conclusion, increasing starter CP concentration in both milk feeding procedures had no effects on calf performance, structural growth or health.

Renal and Hepatic Functions after A Week of Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation during In Vitro Fertilization Cycles.

One the main aspects of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle is to avoid any possible systemic damage on women undergoing a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). The aim of this work is to evaluate renal and hepatic function blood tests in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during IVF cycles. We performed a prospective cohort analysis. All patients re- ceived a long stimulation protocol with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues by daily administration, since the twenty-first day of the previous ovarian cycle followed by COH with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The daily dose of exogenous gonadotropins for every single patient was modified according to her follicular growth. The oocytes were retrieved during the oocyte pick up and fertilized by standard procedures of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The blood samples to evaluate renal and hepatic functions were taken at the 7th day of ovarian stimulation. We enrolled 426 women aged between 19 and 44 years, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 24.68 Kg/m2. The mean value of blood urea nitrogen was 14 ± 3.16 mg/ dl, creatinine: 1 ± 0.45 mg/dl, uric acid: 4 ± 1.95 mg/dl, total proteins: 7 ± 3.93 mg/dl, aspartate aminotransferase: 18 ± 6.29 mU/ml, alanine aminotransferase: 19 ± 10.41 mU/ ml, alkaline phosphatase: 81 ± 45.25 mU/ml, total bilirubin 1 ± 0.35 mg/dL. All of the results were considered as a normal range following the Medical Council of Canada. Our data suggest that, unlike ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), COH patients did not show any alteration to renal and hepatic functions.

English

The biochemistry and histopathology of intraperitoneally administered potassium permanganate was investigated in Clarias gariepinus. Acute toxicity of the KMnO4 was determined by intraperitoneally injecting the fish with 0.0, 1.5, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 mg/kg. The 96 h lethal concentration (LC50) value obtained from the intraperitoneal injection of the juveniles of C. gariepinus with KMnO&shy;4 was 2.001 mg/kg KMnO4 at 95% confidence limit.&nbsp; Liver and kidney were excised at the end of each interval of exposure of 0 to 15 days and blood samples were obtained at the end of the exposure period from the caudal ablation and were used for the assay of creatinine, urea and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The mean creatinine and BUN values differed significantly at P&lt;0.05 when compared with the mean values of the control group at the same time. The KMnO4 caused histopathological changes and distortions in the histoarchitecture of the kidney (such as necrotic tubules, cystic spaces, and destruction of renal tubules) and the liver (such as disintegration of hepatic chords, enlargement of the sinusoids, and liver steatosis) of the fish. The potassium permanganate widely used in controlling external fungal, bacterial and protozoan infections of fish should not be indiscriminately used. Key words: Potassium permanganate, histopathology, biochemical, Clarias gariepinus.

Hypocalcemia development in patients operated for primary hyperparathyroidism: Can it be predicted preoperatively?

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) is a common endocrine disease, and its most effective treatment is surgery. Postoperative hypocalcemia is a morbidity of parathyroid surgeries, and it may extend hospitalization durations. The purpose of this study is to determine the predictive factors related to the development of hypocalcemia and hungry bone syndrome (HBS) in patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for PHP. Laboratory data comprising parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphate, 25-OHD, albumin, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of the patients were recorded preoperatively, on the 1st and 4th days postoperatively, and in the 6th postoperative month, and their neck ultrasound (US) and bone densitometry data were also recorded. Hypocalcemia was seen in 63 patients (38.4%) on the 1st day after parathyroidectomy. Ten patients (6.1%) had permanent hypocalcemia in the 6th month after surgery. Out of the patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for PHP, 22 (13.4%) had HBS. The incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia was higher in patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for PHP, who had parathyroid hyperplasia, and who had osteoporosis. Preoperative PTH, ALP, and BUN values were higher in those patients who developed HBS. Furthermore, HBS was more common in patients who had osteoporosis, who had parathyroid hyperplasia, and who underwent thyroidectomy simultaneously with parathyroidectomy. As a result, patients who have the risk factors for development of hypocalcemia and HBS should be monitored more attentively during the perioperative period.

The Protective Effect of Short-term Infusion Regimens with Sodium Bicarbonate and Theophylline against Contrast Induced Nephropathy in Rats

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common condition associated with serious adverse outcomes. It may be preventable because its risk factors are well characterized and the timing of renal insult is commonly known in advance.The optimal strategy to prevent contrast nephropathy has not been established. The AIM of this study is to compare the efficacy of short-term infusion regimens of sodium bicarbonate, theophylline and the combination of both for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in rats. METHODS: This work was conducted on seventy adult male albino rats. They were classified into seven groups. Group I: control group; Group II: received 1 mL intravenous bicarbonate (8.4%); Group III: received 15 mL/kg intra-peritoneal theophylline; Group IV: received 6mL/kg intravenous urografin; Group V: intravenous bicarbonate three hours before urografin; Group VI: intra-peritoneal theophylline one hour before urografin; Group VII: bicarbonate three hours and theophylline one hour before urografin injection. Baseline blood samples were collected and analyzed for biochemical parameters then after waiting 48 hours for the development of contrast nephropathythe rats were sacrificed and biochemical parameters were re-examined:serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine clearance andfractional excretion of sodium (FENa+). Light microscopic examination for the kidneys sections was done. RESULTS: after 48 hours water deprivation, highly significant decrease in mean body weight was found in all groups when compared with the baseline mean values.On comparing baseline with the after experiment parameters mean values within each group, there was significant increase in the mean values of serum creatinine and BUN and significant decrease in the creatinine clearance and fractional excretion of sodium percentage in groups group IV, group V and group VI; while, group VII showed insignificant difference between baseline and after experiment in all the studied parameters. Comparing after experiment parameters between group IV and control group showed a highly significant increase in the mean values of serum creatinine, BUN and significant decrease in the creatinine clearance and fractional excretion of sodium percentage. Furthermore, group V and group VI showed marked amelioration of all after experimental parameters but it still shows significant difference when compared with the control group. Group VII showed insignificant difference in all parameters when compared with the control group. Histopathological examination of the examined specimens from group IV showed severe damage consisting of tubular necrosis and protein cast, tubule dilatation, intra-tubular obstruction by protein casts. The examined kidney specimens from group V and group VI showed mild damage while the percentage of pathological changes were significantly decreased when compared with group IV. Sections from group VII showed marked improvement of all changes. CONCLUSION: urografin injection resulted in marked nephrotoxicity manifested biochemically and histopathologically. Pre-treatment with sodium bicarbonate or theophylline partially ameliorated the CIN. While, combined administration of sodium bicarbonate and theophylline before urografin injection showed marked improvement of renal function and histopathological examination in rats.

Kidney and Liver Injuries After Major Burns in Rats Are Prevented by Resolvin D2.

Innate immune dysfunction after major burn injuries increases the susceptibility to organ failure. Lipid mediators of inflammation resolution, e.g., resolvin D2, have been shown recently to restore neutrophil functionality and reduce mortality rate in a rat model of major burn injury. However, the physiological mechanisms responsible for the benefic activity of resolvin D2 are not well understood. Prospective randomized animal investigation. Academic research setting. Wistar male rats. Animals were subjected to a full-thickness burn of 30% total body surface area. Two hours after burn, 25 ng/kg resolvin D2 was administered IV and repeated every day, for 8 days. At day 10 post burn, 2 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide was administered IV, and the presence of renal and hepatic injuries was evaluated at day 11 post burn by histology, immunohistochemistry, and relevant blood chemistry. In untreated animals, we found significant tissue damage in the kidneys and liver, consistent with acute tubular necrosis and multifocal necrosis, and changes in blood chemistry, reflecting the deterioration of renal and hepatic functions. We detected less tissue damage and significantly lower values of blood urea nitrogen (26.4 ± 2.1 vs 36.0 ± 9.3 mg/dL; p ≤ 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (266.5 ± 295.2 vs 861.8 ± 813.7 U/L; p ≤ 0.01), and total bilirubin (0.13 ± 0.05 vs 0.30 ± 0.14 mg/dL; p ≤ 0.01) in resolvin D2-treated rats than in untreated animals. The mean blood pressure of all animals was above 65 mm Hg, indicating adequate tissue perfusion throughout the experiments. We measured significantly larger amounts of chromatin in the circulation of untreated than of resolvin D2-treated rats (575.1 ± 331.0 vs 264.1 ± 122.4 ng/mL; p ≤ 0.05) and identified neutrophil extracellular traps in kidney and liver tissues from untreated rats, consistent with the tissue damage. Pathologic changes in kidney and liver tissues in a rat model of major burn and endotoxin insults are ameliorated by resolvin D2.

What clinical factors are associated with mortality in septicemic melioidosis? A report from an endemic area.

Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, has high mortality, particularly in its septicemic form. Data on the factors associated with mortality from melioidosis are still limited. All patients (≥ 15 years of age) who were positive for melioidosis by blood culture in the year 2009 were enrolled. The study was conducted at Khon Kaen Hospital, Thailand. Patients were divided into two groups: surviving and deceased. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with death by three models: clinical, laboratory, and combined. There were 97 patients who had blood cultures positive for melioidosis. The mortality rate was 54.17% (52 patients). The clinical presentation model found one significant factor associated with mortality from septicemic melioidosis: pulmonary presentation. Two factors were statistically significant for death as determined by the laboratory model: white blood cell count (WBC) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value. For the combined model, three significant factors were associated with death: pulmonary presentation, WBC, and BUN. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of the three factors were 10.739 (3.300-34.953), 0.930 (0.877-0.985), and 1.057 (1.028-1.087), respectively. Three clinical factors associated with mortality in septicemic melioidosis were pulmonary presentation, white blood cell count, and blood urea nitrogen level. Physicians should be aware of high mortality if septicemic melioidosis patients have these clinical features. Aggressive treatment may be needed.

Zomepirac Acyl Glucuronide Is Responsible for Zomepirac-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Mice.

Glucuronidation, an important phase II metabolic route, is generally considered to be a detoxification pathway. However, acyl glucuronides (AGs) have been implicated in the toxicity of carboxylic acid drugs due to their electrophilic reactivity. Zomepirac (ZP) was withdrawn from the market because of adverse effects such as renal toxicity. Although ZP is mainly metabolized to acyl glucuronide (ZP-AG) by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, the role of ZP-AG in renal toxicity is unknown. In this study, we established a ZP-induced kidney injury mouse model by pretreatment with tri-o-tolyl phosphate (TOTP), a nonselective esterase inhibitor, and l-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO), a glutathione synthesis inhibitor. The role of ZP-AG in renal toxicity was investigated using this model. The model showed significant increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CRE), but not alanine aminotransferase. The ZP-AG concentrations were elevated by cotreatment with TOTP in the plasma and liver and especially in the kidney. The ZP-AG concentrations in the kidney correlated with values for BUN and CRE. Upon histopathological examination, vacuoles and infiltration of mononuclear cells were observed in the model mouse. In addition to immune-related responses, oxidative stress markers, such as the glutathione/disulfide glutathione ratio and malondialdehyde levels, were different in the mouse model. The suppression of ZP-induced kidney injury by tempol, an antioxidant agent, suggested the involvement of oxidative stress in ZP-induced kidney injury. This is the first study to demonstrate that AG accumulation in the kidney by TOTP and BSO treatment could explain renal toxicity and to show the in vivo toxicological potential of AGs.

Sex‐dependent expression of cytoprotective elements in the kidney in response to a hepatotoxic dose of acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose can cause liver and kidney necrosis. Male mice are known to be more susceptible to APAP hepatotoxicity than females, suggesting that gender‐related genotypic traits play a role in APAP toxicity. Gender‐related differences in susceptibility to APAP nephrotoxicity in mice are also well documented and attributed to differential renal expression of CYP2E1. Recent studies in our laboratory investigated the role of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), the efflux transporter multidrug resistance‐associated protein 4 (Mrp4), and the drug metabolizing enzyme flavin‐containing mono‐oxygenase 3 (Fmo3) in sex‐dependent susceptibility to APAP‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice. However, the expression and potential role of Nrf2, Fmo3, and Mrp4 in the responsiveness of male and female mouse kidneys to toxic doses of APAP has not been investigated. In the current study, we examined gene expression and protein levels of Nrf2, Mrp4, and Fmo3 in the kidneys of APAP (400 mg/kg) and vehicle treated male and female mice. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured to assess liver and renal damage. Confirmation of tissue damage was made by histopathological analysis. Immunoblots and qRT‐PCR analysis revealed that basal renal Fmo3 gene and protein expression is significantly greater in male than female mice, while Mrp4 expression is higher in females. No differences in basal Nrf2 gene and protein expression were observed among genders. High plasma ALT values and histopathological analysis indicated the presence of hepatotoxicity in both males and females receiving APAP. Renal damage was not evident, as BUN values were within the normal range for both genders and the kidney histology was normal. In response to APAP treatment, no changes in renal expression of Mrp4 or Fmo3 were observed in either gender, consistent with the absence of renal pathology. However, renal Nrf2 gene and protein expression decreased significantly in female mice after APAP dosing. In conclusion, this study documents for the first time the difference in basal renal expression levels of Nrf2 and Fmo3 in male and female mice. Further studies will investigate the expression and regulation of these genes at doses of APAP resulting in renal oxidative stress and toxicity and their potential involvement in the sex‐dependent responses to APAP induced renal damage.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NSF and NIH

Haematological and serum biochemistry profile of the juvenile wild African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse – 1840) in Nsukka, South-Eastern Nigeria – a preliminary investigation

ABSTRACTThe study evaluated the haematological and serum biochemistry profile of juvenile wild African giant rat and determined the influence of sex on the haematological and serum biochemistry parameters. These evaluations were carried out on 18 juvenile wild African giant rats of either sex, in Nsukka, south-eastern Nigeria, within the months of March–May 2014. Standard procedures were carried out in all the haematological and serum biochemical determinations. The overall mean with the minimum and maximum values for some of the hemato-biochemical parameters were as follows: packed cell volume – 34.87 ± 0.76 % (31.00 – 39.00); red blood cell count – 9.33 ± 0.66 x 106/µl (6.26 – 13.40); hemoglobin concentration – 10.27 ± 0.22 g/dl (9.26 – 12.63); total leukocyte count - 7.74 ± 0.14 x 103/µl (7.00 – 9.05); aspartate aminotransferase – 76.15 ± 6.68 IU/L (54.58 – 128.54); alanine aminotransferase – 18.09 ± 1.61 IU/L(11.91 – 25.49); alkaline phosphatase – 102.08 ± 2.43 IU/L (83.18 – 111.82); total proteins – 4.70 ± 0.10 g/dl (4.03 – 5.18). The females had significantly higher (p < .05) serum ALT, blood urea nitrogen and albumin values than males. The present study has presented preliminary information on the range of haematological and serum biochemistry parameters which may be useful to biomedical researchers and veterinary clinicians.

Effect of genotype and lactation on milk urea nitrogen, blood urea nitrogen and milk composition of dairy cows

This study was aimed to evaluate milk urea nitrogen (MUN) of cows considering variations in dietary nutrition, genetic quality and lactation yield which will be helpful to develop practical feeding guidelines for dairy cows based on MUN. A total of forty dairy cows consisting 20 native and 20 crossbred milking cows were selected in Sonaimuri, Noakhali in winter season to know the daily feed availability to cows. Feed, milk and blood samples were collected and analyzed. The dry matter intake of the local and crossbred cows were 2.58 and 2.74 (g/100 kg live weight respectively) and they did not show statistical variation (p&lt;0.05). Metabolizable energy (ME) and protein intake showed significantly higher values in crossbred (85 MJ/day and 815 g/day) compared to local (40 MJ/day and 395 g/day) cows in winter season (p&gt;0.05). Live weight, body condition score and milk yield and MUN varied significantly between genotypes although blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value did not differ significantly. Strong correlation between lactose and protein percentage was observed in both the lactations in local cows. Milk minerals are negatively correlated with protein, SnF and minerals in first lactation whereas moderate to strong relation was observed in second lactation with those parameters. Milk constituents didn’t show any difference between local &amp; crossbred cows. Strong correlation between milk protein and lactose with SnF were observed in both local and crossbred cows in first lactation stage. BUN value showed a moderate correlation between milk yields of local cows. The results revealed that genotype and lactation have no effect on BUN although MUN value showed significant difference between local and crossbred cows.Bangladesh J. of Livestock Res. 19(1-2): 74-84, Jan-Dec 2012

Preventive and Protective Effect of Nishamalaki in STZ Induced Diabetic Complications in Wistar Rats.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease of vital health importance because of the complications associated with it. Clinical trials and animal studies have demonstrated the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of Nishamalaki. Present study was planned to evaluate the protective potential of Nishamalaki on diabetic complication in rats. To study the Nephro-protective effect and to assess the protective potential on retinal changes of Nishamalaki in diabetic wistar rats. Diabetes induced with 60 mg/kg of Streptozotocin and 110 mg/kg Nicotinamide IP. Nishamalaki, a combination of Curcuma longa and Emblica officinalis administered orally with honey. Rats divided into six groups, control and diabetic rats with blood glucose above 250 mg/dl were divided into 5 groups. After 8 weeks test animals were treated with Nishamalaki, Enalapril and control with saline for 30 days. Biochemical parameters measured like Serum BSL, BUN and Creatinine and rats were observed for development of cataract. Rats sacrificed and kidney samples were taken to examine histopathological changes. Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinine values were significantly (p<0.01) reduced in Nishamalaki group than control group. Nishamalaki showed the protective effect on kidney pathology as seen on histopathology by near normal glomerular and tubular structures. Control group showed shrunken glomerulus and tubular vacuolations. In Nishamalaki group immature sub capsular cataract with mild lenticular opacity were seen compared to the mature cataract with significant lenticular opacity and corneal vascularisation in control group. Nishamalaki showed protective effect on development of Nephrotoxicity and it has also delayed the progression of cataract in rats.