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Biomedical subjects

Melissa R Mazan

Publications and source records attributed to Melissa R Mazan.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Restrained whole body plethysmography for measure of strain-specific and allergen-induced airway responsiveness in conscious mice.

The mouse is the most extensively studied animal species in respiratory research, yet the technologies available to assess airway function in conscious mice are not universally accepted. We hypothesized that whole body plethysmography employing noninvasive restraint (RWBP) could be used to quantify specific airway resistance (sRaw-RWBP) and airway responsiveness in conscious mice. Methacholine responses were compared using sRaw-RWBP vs. airway resistance by the forced oscillation technique (Raw-FOT) in groups of C57, A/J, and BALB/c mice. sRaw-RWBP was also compared with sRaw derived from double chamber plethysmography (sRaw-DCP) in BALB/c. Finally, airway responsiveness following allergen challenge in BALB/c was measured using RWBP. sRaw-RWBP in C57, A/J, and BALB/c mice was 0.51 +/- 0.03, 0.68 +/- 0.03, and 0.63 +/- 0.05 cm/s, respectively. sRaw derived from Raw-FOT and functional residual capacity (Raw*functional residual capacity) was 0.095 cm/s, approximately one-fifth of sRaw-RWBP in C57 mice. The intra- and interanimal coefficients of variations were similar between sRaw-RWBP (6.8 and 20.1%) and Raw-FOT (3.4 and 20.1%, respectively). The order of airway responsiveness employing sRaw-RWBP was AJ > BALBc > C57 and for Raw-FOT was AJ > BALB/c = C57. There was no difference between the airway responsiveness assessed by RWBP vs. DCP; however, baseline sRaw-RWBP was significantly lower than sRaw-DCP. Allergen challenge caused a progressive decrease in the provocative concentration of methacholine that increased sRaw to 175% postsaline values based on sRaw-RWBP. In conclusion, the technique of RWBP was rapid, reproducible, and easy to perform. Airway responsiveness measured using RWBP, DCP, and FOT was equivalent. Allergen responses could be followed longitudinally, which may provide greater insight into the pathogenesis of chronic airway disease.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Pulmonary function tests fail to predict exercise intolerance in sheep with emphysema.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine ventilatory parameters, gas exchange, and exercise tolerance in sheep undergoing cardiopulmonary exercise testing and pulmonary function testing at baseline and after induction of emphysema using nebulized papain, to improve our understanding of the contributions of parenchymal emphysema with minimal airway disease to exertional dysfunction in mild-to-moderate emphysema. METHODS: Static lung physiology (total lung capacity, residual volume, static elastance, and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide) and lung (ZL) input impedance were measured, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed in 12 sheep before and after induction of emphysema. Papain treatment was delivered over a 12-wk period, as a single dose per week, to induce mild-to-moderate emphysema without airway disease. Static and dynamic lung physiology, as well as CPET, were then repeated. RESULTS: At the emphysema time point (EMPH), all animals were asymptomatic for emphysema at rest. There was a 60% increase in residual volume and a 57% decrease in static elastance, accompanied by a 36% reduction in diffusing capacity. Airway resistance was consistently, mildly increased, resulting in an increased expiratory time constant for all sheep at EMPH. There were no significant differences at EMPH versus baseline for any measured physiological variables during CPET (VO2peak, VCO2peak, RER, anaerobic threshold, O2 pulse, tidal volume, peak flow, peak VE/VO2, or peak VE). CONCLUSION: There is notable conservation of exercise capacity in sheep with mild-to-moderate parenchymal emphysema; this is not predicted by pulmonary function tests. In the absence of significant airway narrowing, mild-to-moderate emphysema is unlikely to result in airflow limitation.

Animals↗

Hemolysis and Heinz body formation associated with ingestion of red maple leaves in two alpacas.

Two adult female alpacas were evaluated for acute onset of weakness, pale mucous membranes, and signs of depression of unknown etiology. Both alpacas had intravascular hemolysis, anemia, and Heinz body formation and had been fed wilted red maple leaves. Clinical signs developed several days after ingestion of the leaves. No other toxin exposure was reported, and no parasites were detected. Dietary copper and nitrate-nitrite concentrations were evaluated and determined to be within reference limits. Both alpacas continued to become profoundly anemic with continued hemolysis. This necessitated blood transfusion as a life-saving intervention; however, prior to whole blood being available, transfusion with bovine hemoglobin glutamer was necessary. Both alpacas recovered without complications.

Acer↗

Energetic cost of breathing, body composition, and pulmonary function in horses with recurrent airway obstruction.

This study was conducted to determine whether horses with naturally occurring, severe chronic recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) 1). have a greater resting energy expenditure (REE) than control horses, 2). suffer body mass depletion, and 3). have significantly decreased REE after bronchodilation and, therefore, also 4). whether increased work of breathing contributes to the cachexia seen in some horses with RAO. Six RAO horses and six control horses underwent indirect calorimetric measures of REE and pulmonary function testing using the esophageal balloon-pneumotachograph method before and after treatment with ipratropium bromide, a parasympatholytic bronchodilator agent, at 4-h intervals for a 24-h period. Body condition scoring was performed, and an estimate of fat mass was determined via B-mode ultrasonography. O(2) and CO(2) fractions, respiratory airflow, respiratory rate, and pleural pressure changes were recorded, and O(2) consumption, CO(2) production, REE, pulmonary resistance, dynamic elastance, and tidal volume were calculated. In addition, we performed lung function testing and calorimetry both before and after sedation in two control horses. RAO horses had significantly lower body condition scores (2.8 +/- 1.0 vs. 6.4 +/- 1.2) and significantly greater O(2) consumption than controls (4.93 +/- 1.30 vs. 2.93 +/- 0.70 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)). After bronchodilation, there was no significant difference in O(2) consumption between RAO horses and controls, although there remained evidence of residual airway obstruction. There was a strong correlation between O(2) consumption and indexes of airway obstruction. Xylazine sedation was not associated with changes in pulmonary function but did result in markedly decreased REE in controls.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Evaluation of head-out constant volume body plethysmography for measurement of specific airway resistance in conscious, sedated sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a modified whole body plethysmograph in awake sheep. ANIMALS: 10 healthy adult sheep. PROCEDURE: Concurrent measurements of specific airway resistance (sR(aw)) and pulmonary resistance (R(L)) were obtained using a novel noninvasive head-out constant-volume plethysmograph and esophageal balloon-pneumotachography, respectively. All data were collected before and after external resistive loading with 1 and 5.6 cm H2O/L/s. Functional residual capacity (FRC) was measured by helium dilution for computation of airway resistance (R(aw)) preloading (R(aw) = sR(aw)/FRC). RESULTS: The sR(aw) and R(L) were closely correlated in 10 adult sheep. Additionally, sR(aw), and R(L) accurately reflected the magnitude of added resistance. The mean FRC was 52 mL/kg and used to calculate R(aw). At baseline, the values for R(aw) were significantly correlated with sR(aw) and R(L). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Precise measurements of sR(aw) and R(aw) at baseline and sR(aw) after external resistive loading were obtained by use of this novel noninvasive plethysmographic technology. This method should have application to veterinary patients or animals used in research in which noninvasive rapid or serial measurements of sR(aw) in the conscious state are required.

Airway Resistance↗

Effect of aerosolized albuterol sulfate on resting energy expenditure determined by use of open-flow indirect calorimetry in horses with recurrent airway obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of sedation on stability of resistance of the respiratory system (RRS) and measures of resting energy expenditure (REE) by use of open-flow indirect calorimetry (IC) and treatment with aerosolized albuterol on REE in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). ANIMALS: 9 clinically normal horses and 8 horses with RAO. PROCEDURE: In phase 1, RRS was measured by using forced oscillometry (FOT) in 5 clinically normal horses before and after sedation with xylazine. In phase 2, REE was measured in 4 clinically normal horses between 20 and 25 minutes and again 35 to 40 minutes after sedation with xylazine. In phase 3, IC was performed between 20 and 25 minutes and FOT was performed between 30 and 35 minutes after xylazine administration in 8 horses with RAO; after administration of 450 microg of albuterol, IC and FOT were repeated. RESULTS: In phase 1, RRS values were significantly lower 5 and 10 minutes after sedation. In phase 2, diminishing sedation did not significantly affect REE. In phase 3, there was a significant decrease in mean RRS (1.15 +/- 0.25 vs 0.84 +/- 0.14 cm H20/L/s) and REE (30.68 +/- 17.89 vs 27.46 = 16.54 kcal/kg/d) after albuterol administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: FOT and IC are useful in obtaining repeatable measurements of RRS and REE, respectively, in sedated horses. Concurrent bronchodilation and decreased REE after albuterol administration suggest that increased work of breathing as a result of airway obstruction may contribute to increased energy demands in horses with RAO.

Aerosols↗