Kazuhisa Furuhama

The Measurement of Gastric Emptying in Conscious Rats by Monitoring Serial Changes in Serum Acetaminophen Level.

A method for evaluation of gastric emptying via monitoring serial serum levels of acetaminophen (APAP) as an indicator, without involving animal sacrifice, has been developed in conscious rats. We administered orally suspended test meals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 mL/rat each, containing 20 mg APAP. The animals were repeatedly bleed at 15, 30, 45, 60, or 90 min after APAP treatment. Serum APAP level was determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography. As a result, a 2-mL meal was found optimal to attain continuous levels of APAP in serum. The APAP method showed a close correlation (r = 0.77) with the phenol red method, a standard procedure for quantitative detection of gastric emptying entailing rat sacrifice. The blood loss (approximately 2 mL) resulting from the APAP method did not significantly modify the rate of gastric emptying. In addition, data was presented to substantiate the validity of the APAP method in demonstrating enhancement and inhibition of gastric emptying using cisapride and cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK), respectively. These results suggest that the APAP method is easy, versatile, and reliable, and requires only a minimal number of animals for the evaluation of sequential changes in gastric emptying.

Calculation of glomerular filtration rate in conscious rats by the use of a bolus injection of iodixanol and a single blood sample.

INTRODUCTION To establish a simple and convenient procedure for the determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in conscious rats, we developed a single-blood-sample method, in contrast to the conventional three-sample method, using a bolus injection of the nonionic contrast medium iodixanol. METHODS Iodixanol was intravenously administered at 1500 mg I/kg to healthy or renal-impaired rats, and blood was collected 60, 120, and 180 min later. Serum iodixanol concentrations were measured by HPLC, and serum urea nitrogen (UN) and creatinine concentrations were determined as renal function tests. RESULTS In rats subjected to 1/2 and 3/4 nephrectomies, GFR values decreased significantly without and with increases in serum UN and creatinine concentrations, respectively. In rats treated subcutaneously with gentamicin sulfate (GM) at 80 mg/kg/day or puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) at 15 mg/kg/day for 10 consecutive days, the GFR values decreased or showed a tendency to decrease before increases in serum UN and creatinine concentrations. Accordingly, when the GFR decreased to more than 60% of the basal value, serum UN or creatinine concentrations became elevated. The GFR values obtained from the three-sample method were closely correlated (r=0.83) with those calculated from the estimated distribution volume (V) and serum iodixanol concentration 120 min after iodixanol injection in the single-blood-sample method in which serum iodixanol concentrations ranged between 20 and 250 microg I/mL. DISCUSSION These results suggest that the single-blood-sample method with a bolus injection of iodixanol, allowing for the repeated use of the same animals, is an expedient procedure without ensuring accurate urine collection.

A novel technique of ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block in calves.

An interventional ultrasound technique to increase the safety of surgical treatment of the calf forelimb was tested. First, the brachial plexus was evaluated using ultrasonography and then 2% lidocaine was injected under ultrasound guidance. Ultrasonically, the brachial plexus appeared as multiple hypoechoic areas surrounded by a hyperechoic rim or a hyperechoic structure characterised by multiple discontinuous lines. It was located between the omotransverse muscle and axillary artery and vein. The sensitive effect in the forelimb was seen mainly in the area supplied by the musculocutaneous nerve, indicating successful blockage in the nerve plexus. Out of the eight forelimbs, the motor effect was observed in seven forelimbs. These results suggest the clinical feasibility of ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block in bovine medicine, although further studies are needed to examine various approaches, including the sites of needle insertion and the appropriate volume and dosage of anaesthetic.

Response of plasma bone markers to a single intramuscular administration of calcitriol in dairy cows

To elucidate the effects of an exogenous calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)) on plasma bone markers, the formation item osteocalcin (OC), undercarboxylated OC (ucOC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and the resorption parameter tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRAP5b) and hydroxyproline (HYP) were measured in conjunction with plasma calcitriol and calcium (Ca) concentrations in dairy cows receiving calcitriol or its vehicle according to a 2×2 crossover design. Calcitriol (0.5 μg/kg, i.m.) increased significantly its plasma level during 6 h to day 2 and plasma Ca concentration during 12 h to day 7 compared to the vehicle. Also, plasma OC and ucOC started to rise from day 3 and 1, respectively, and remained elevated until day 7. No change in plasma BALP, TRAP5b or HYP associated with calcitriol treatment was noted. These results demonstrate that exogenous calcitriol stimulates osteoblasts to biosynthesise OC, a determinant of the bone formation in cows.

Possible role of cysteine-S-conjugate β-lyase in species differences in cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

To better understand species differences in cisplatin nephrotoxicity, we focused on renal cysteine-S-conjugate β-lyase (C-S lyase), which may play a crucial role in the metabolism of platinum (Pt)-cysteine conjugates. Aminooxyacetic acid hemihydrochloride (AOAA), an inhibitor of C-S lyase, reduced renal injuries due to cisplatin in rats, suggesting involvement of C-S lyase. On day 5 following a bolus cisplatin injection, three species showed in vivo nephrotoxic potentials in the order of rats>mice=rabbits (the highest to lowest), based on body surface. The levels of renal Pt residue at the nephrotoxic dose were in order of rabbits>rats>mice. Meanwhile, the activity of endogenous (basal) mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (AST), one of the C-S lyases, in the renal cortex of naive animals was rats>mice=rabbits. In a qualitative Western blot analysis, expression of mitochondrial C-S lyase in the kidney was observed at approximately 37kDa in all five species used. In in vitro studies, the cytotoxicity of cisplatin was dependent on the expression level of C-S lyase mRNA in the respective renal cells. These results demonstrate that species differences in cisplatin nephrotoxicity are attributable to an interaction of renal Pt transition with C-S lyase activity.

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in rabbits by a single-sample method using iodixanol

To estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in conscious rabbits, a single-sample method using the non-ionic contrast medium iodixanol was compared with a three-sample method using the standard agent inulin. Iodixanol and inulin were co-administered intravenously to male New Zealand White rabbits at 60 mg I/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and blood was collected 30, 60, 90 and 120 min later. Serum iodixanol and inulin concentrations were separately determined by high performance liquid chromatography and colorimetry, respectively. Serum urea nitrogen (UN) and creatinine concentrations were also determined. Based on the data from healthy and cisplatin-treated rabbits, the GFR estimated by iodixanol was well consistent with that by inulin. Further, when the GFR decreased to more than 60% of the reference value, serum creatinine concentrations became elevated. However, serum UN concentrations exhibited wide fluctuations, presumably due to a difference in renal handlings. The single-sample method using iodixanol was considered to be an expedient tool in both clinical and research settings, because the stress due to a multi-sample method was reduced.

Case Report of Rat True Hermaphroditism: Colocalization of Oocytes and Granulosa and Sertoli Cells in the Germinal Cord

We describe a case of rat hermaphroditism with bilateral ovotestes. In a 7-week-old apparently male Sprague—Dawley rat, both testes were relatively small, and the right testis with a faint protrusion was somewhat round and small as compared with the left testis. Microscopically, the testes contained ovarian tissues within their tunica albugineas in conjunction with spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules. As bilateral changes, oocytes surrounded by granulosa-like cells were present in the seminiferous tubule-like germinal cord. Granulosa-like and Sertoli-like cells were layered together on the basal lamina, and theca interna-like cells were occasionally observed around the basal lamina. As unilateral changes, cystic dilatation of the germinal cords with eosinophilic fluid was seen in the lumen, and the theca interna-like cells appeared to be vacuolated. Immunohistochemically, the granulosa-like and Sertoli-like cells showed positive reactions for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and vimentin, respectively. Theca interna-like cells reacted positively to both 3β-HSD and cytochrome P-450 17α -hydroxylase. Ultrastructurally, the granulosa, Sertoli, and theca interna cells were also identified in the ovarian tissue. From these morphological characteristics, the male rat with bilateral ovotestes was diagnosed as true hermaphroditism.

Glomerular filtration rate in Holstein dairy cows estimated from a single blood sample using iodixanol

The isotonic, nonionic, contrast medium iodixanol, as a test substance, was compared with the conventional glomerular filtration rate (GFR) tracer inulin to establish a simplified procedure for estimating the GFR in Holstein dairy cows. First, inulin and iodixanol were coadministered as a bolus intravenous injection to clinically healthy cows at 30 mg/kg and 10mg of I/kg of body weight, respectively, followed by blood collection for multisample strategies. Serum iodixanol and inulin concentrations were separately determined by using HPLC and colorimetry, respectively, and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations in sera were measured. In the multisample method, the GFR values estimated by iodixanol were consistent with those estimated by inulin. No effects of body weight, age, or parity on GFR estimates were noted with either protocol used. No difference was observed between the GFR values obtained from nonlactating and lactating cows, suggesting that no transfer of iodixanol to milk occurred. An equation for calculating the GFR in the single-sample method was derived from the injected dose, sampling time, serum concentration, and estimated volume of distribution based on data from the multisample method in clinically healthy cows and cows with reduced renal function. The GFR values estimated by the single-sample method were in good agreement with those calculated by using the multisample method. These results demonstrate that the single-sample method using iodixanol can be applied as an alternative procedure for screening GFR in dairy cows.

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in calves using the contrast medium iodixanol.

To develop a simple procedure for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in calves, a three-sample method using iodixanol was first compared to that using the standard agent inulin. Iodixanol and inulin were co-administered intravenously to calves at 40 mg I/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and blood was collected 30, 60, 120, and 180 min later. Serum iodixanol and inulin concentrations were separately determined by high performance liquid chromatography and colorimetry. Serum urea nitrogen (UN) and creatinine concentrations were also measured. GFR estimated by iodixanol was consistent with that using inulin in clinically healthy calves. Based on GFR estimations in healthy calves and those renal-loaded with iodixanol, it was found that the serum creatinine concentrations became elevated when GFR decreased to 60% of the reference value. In contrast, serum UN concentrations fluctuated widely, presumably due to extra-renal factors. When GFR was estimated using the three-sample method and compared with the single-blood-sample method, 62/69 (90%) of samples tested were within the agreement plots. The results demonstrated that the single-blood-sample method using iodixanol may be useful in monitoring GFR in calves.

DQ-2511, Having an Antiulcer Action, Elicits Vasodilation through an Increase in Cyclic GMP Contents in Rat Arteries

It has been reported that 3-(([2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl)methyl)amino-N-methylbenz amide (DQ-2511: ecabapide) effectively increases gastric mucosal blood flow in rats, suggesting that this property may contribute to the antiulcer activity. To clarify the mechanisms underlying the increase in gastric mucosal blood flow, we investigated the dilator response of rat isolated thoracic aorta, mesenteric artery and celiac artery smooth muscle preparations to DQ-2511. This compound prevented noradrenaline-induced contraction in both the presence and absence of endothelium in the arterial specimen, and it (0.01-1 mM) inhibited these contractions induced by noradrenaline in all tissues in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect of DQ-2511 was most evident in the celiac artery. The dilator response to DQ-2511 (0.1 mM) was abolished after pretreatment with methylene blue (3 microM), a guanylate cyclase inhibitor. Under the same conditions, methylene blue inhibited the dilator response to acetylcholine (1 microM), but not that to papaverine (10 microM). Furthermore, when DQ-2511 (0.01-1 mM) was incubated with the arterial preparations, this compound increased cyclic GMP content in segments in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that the vasodilation induced by DQ-2511 is independent of the endothelium and is related to the augmentation of intracellular cyclic GMP content, which may consequently contribute to the increased gastric mucosal blood flow.