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Pancreatic development and adult diabetes.

Low birth weight is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes in later life. Maturity-onset diabetes of the young has been linked to genetic sequence abnormalities in transcription factors known to be involved in endocrine pancreatic development. These observations suggest that both the maternal environment and the fetal genome can influence the number and/or function of pancreatic beta cells in early life, and that this has life-long implications for postnatal diabetes. This article reviews the evidence that suggests that beta cells derive from a neogenic process within the pancreatic ductal epithelium, controlled by specific transcription factors and locally acting peptide growth factors. In rodents, many of the fetal phenotypes of beta cells are destroyed during neonatal life in a developmental apoptosis and are replaced by a second wave of neogenesis. This results in islets with insulin release characteristics suited to postnatal life. The timing and amplitude of these ontological events are altered by nutritional sufficiency, and this may be mediated by changes in pancreatic growth factor expression, particularly of the IGF axis. Because beta-cell plasticity after the perinatal period is limited, a dysfunctional programming of beta-cell ontogeny may present a long-term risk factor for glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes. This critical window of pancreatic development is likely to occur in third trimester of human development.

Adult↗

Dietary butyrate inhibits NMU-induced mammary cancer in rats.

Butyrate has been proposed as an antineoplastic agent, leading to the inhibition of tumorigenesis. The purpose of this study was to examine butyrate, supplied as tributyrin (Tbn) or as a natural component of anhydrous milk fat (AMF), on the development of nitrosomethylurea-induced mammary tumors in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Diets were 1) semipurified rodent diet (AIN-93) with high fat [20% sunflower seed oil (SSO), control], 2) SSO diet with Tbn added at 1%, 3) SSO diet with Tbn added at 3%, and 4) 19% AMF with 1% SSO diet, which contained butyrate equivalent to the 1% Tbn diet. These diets were fed ad libitum from weaning at 21 days of age, and at 24 days of age each rat was injected with nitrosomethylurea (50 mg/kg body wt i.p.). At any one period, there was a relative risk increase of 88% (p < 0.05) that rats in the SSO diet group would develop a mammary tumor compared with those in the AMF diet group. The addition of 1% and 3% Tbn to SSO diets reduced the tumor incidence by 20% and 52%, respectively, in comparison to SSO alone (p < 0.05). There was a linear inverse relationship between Tbn concentration and rats developing a tumor. From 89 days to the end of the experiment, rats fed the diet containing 3% Tbn showed a significantly lower multiplicity of palpable tumors (50% less at Day 118, p < 0.05) than SSO-fed rats. These results indicate that although the AMF diet was effective, particularly early in reducing mammary tumorigenesis, the 3% Tbn diet produced a sustained reduction of tumor multiplicity relative to the control (SSO) group. An inhibitory influence of butyrate on mammary tumorigenesis against a background of high polyunsaturated fat diet has been demonstrated in this animal model of breast cancer.

Alkylating Agents↗

Pituitary follistatin and activin gene expression, and the testicular regulation of FSH in the adult Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

In rats, FSHbeta gene expression and FSH secretion are increased and decreased, respectively, by pituitary activin and follistatin. Because little information is available on the paracrine control of FSH secretion in the primate, follistatin and activin/inhibin beta(B) messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were measured in pituitaries of adult male rhesus monkeys 6 weeks after castration or sham surgery (n = 5/group). Follistatin mRNA was determined by quantitative RT-PCR assay using oligonucleotide primers designed to span exons 3-5 of the human follistatin gene. Activin/inhibin beta(B) mRNA levels were measured by ribonuclease protection. Orchidectomy resulted in a 100-fold increase in plasma FSH concentrations and a 60-fold rise in those of LH. In castrated monkeys, levels of mRNA encoding FSHbeta, LHbeta, alpha- subunit, and GnRH receptor (GnRH-R) were increased 21-, 2.1-, 1.7-, and 1.7-fold, respectively (P < 0.01). Levels of pituitary follistatin and activin/inhibin beta(B) mRNAs, however, were similar in castrated and intact animals. These data suggest that the paracrine control of FSH secretion in the male differs substantially in primates and rodents. Specifically, the relatively greater postcastration rise in FSHbeta gene expression and FSH secretion in the adult male monkey may result because in this species pituitary follistatin gene expression does not increase after orchidectomy, as it does in the rat.

Activins↗

Randomized, double-blind trial of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in PD.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety, tolerability, and biological activity of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) administered by an implanted intracerebroventricular (ICV) catheter and access port in advanced PD. BACKGROUND: GDNF is a peptide that promotes survival of dopamine neurons. It improved 6-OHDA- or MPTP-induced behavioral deficits in rodents and monkeys. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, sequential cohort study compared the effects of monthly ICV administration of placebo and 25, 75, 150, 300, and 500 to 4,000 microg of GDNF in 50 subjects with PD for 8 months. An open-label study extended exposure up to an additional 20 months and maximum single doses of up to 4,000 microg in 16 subjects. Laboratory testing, adverse events (AE), and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scoring were obtained at 1- to 4-week intervals throughout the studies. RESULTS: Twelve subjects received placebo and seven or eight subjects were assigned to each of the other GDNF dose groups. "On" and "off" total and motor UPDRS scores were not improved by GDNF at any dose. Nausea, anorexia, and vomiting were common hours to several days after injections of GDNF. Weight loss occurred in the majority of subjects receiving 75 microg or larger doses of GDNF. Paresthesias, often described as electric shocks (Lhermitte sign), were common in GDNF-treated subjects, were not dose related, and resolved on discontinuation of GDNF. Asymptomatic hyponatremia occurred in over half of subjects receiving 75 microg or larger doses of GDNF; it was symptomatic in several subjects. The open-label extension study had similar AE and lack of therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: GDNF administered by ICV injection is biologically active as evidenced by the spectrum of AE encountered in this study. GDNF did not improve parkinsonism, possibly because GDNF did not reach the target tissues--putamen and substantia nigra.

Adult↗

Brain tumors in man and animals: report of a workshop.

This report summarizes the results of a workshop on brain tumors in man and animals. Animals, especially rodents are often used as surrogates for man to detect chemicals that have the potential to induce brain tumors in man. Therefore, the workshop was focused mainly on brain tumors in the F344 rat and B6C3F1 mouse because of the frequent use of these strains in long-term carcinogenesis studies. Over 100 brain tumors in F344 rats and more than 50 brain tumors in B6C3F1 mice were reviewed and compared to tumors found in man and domestic or companion animals. In the F344 rat, spontaneous brain tumors are uncommon, most are of glial origin, and the highly undifferentiated glioblastoma multiforme, a frequent tumor of man was not found. In the B6C3F1 mouse, brain tumors are exceedingly rare. Lipomas of the choroid plexus and meningiomas together account for more than 50% of the tumors found. Both rodent strains examined have low background rates and very little variability between control groups.

Animals↗

Effects of pyriproxyfen spray, powder, and oral bait treatments on the relative abundance of fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) in black-tailed prairie dog (Rodentia: Sciuridae) towns.

Separate black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus (Ord), towns on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado, were treated with technical pyriproxyfen (Nylar) using spray, powder, and oral bait carriers. Direct combing methods (1997 and 1998) and burrow flagging (1998) were used to estimate relative abundance of the plague vector Oropsylla hirsuta (Baker). Pyriproxyfen spray (0.05%) and powder (0.05%) did not significantly reduce (P > 0.05) O. hirsuta abundance. Pyriproxyfen bait, when applied every 4 wk at a concentration of 286 mg/50 g bait, significantly reduced (P < or = 0.05) O. hirsuta infesting prairie dogs, 4 mo after initial treatment. However, flea populations had recovered to pretreatment levels by the following summer (July 1999).

Animals↗

Growth hormone regulates leptin gene expression in bovine adipose tissue: correlation with adipose IGF-1 expression.

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is secreted from white adipocytes and regulates food intake and whole-body energy metabolism. In rodents and humans, leptin gene expression is under complex endocrine and metabolic control, and is strongly influenced by energy balance. Growth hormone (GH) has myriad effects on adipose tissue metabolism. The primary aim of this study was to determine the ability of GH to regulate leptin mRNA expression in bovine adipose tissue in vitro and in vivo. Incubation of subcutaneous adipose tissue explants for 24 h with GH alone had no effect on bovine leptin gene expression, whereas high concentrations of insulin or dexamethasone (DEX) potently stimulated bovine leptin mRNA abundance. GH, in combination with high concentrations of insulin, DEX, or both, attenuated the ability of insulin or DEX to stimulate leptin expression in vitro. These data indicate that GH can indirectly regulate leptin expression in vitro by altering the adipose tissue response to insulin or DEX. We extended these studies to examine the ability of GH to regulate leptin expression in vivo, using young castrate male cattle treated with no hormone (control) or GH (200 micrograms/kg body weight per day) for 3 days. GH increased plasma GH and insulin concentrations, but not those of cortisol or non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. GH treatment increased adipose tissue leptin and IGF-1 mRNA concentrations (n=9, P>0.001). In addition, leptin abundance was highly correlated with adipose tissue IGF-1 mRNA in GH-treated animals (P>0.001). The timing of GH-induced changes in leptin gene expression preceded measurable GH effects on adiposity.

Adipose Tissue↗

Update: interim guidance for minimizing risk for human lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection associated with pet rodents.

In May 2005, CDC received reports of illness in four solid-organ transplant recipients who were later determined to have been infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) from a common organ donor. Three of the four organ recipients died, 23-27 days after transplantation. This report updates information about the ongoing investigation and provides interim measures for reducing the risk for LCMV infection from pet rodents associated with this outbreak.

Animals↗

A 90-day vapor inhalation toxicity study of decalin.

A subchronic 90-day inhalation study was conducted to determine the toxic effects of decalin, a commonly used industrial solvent. Experimental groups consisting of male and female beagle dogs, male and female Fischer-344 rats, and female C57BL/6 mice were continuously exposed to decalin concentrations of 5 or 50 ppm. An unexposed control group was also maintained. All dogs and a portion of each rodent group were sacrificed and examined at exposure termination, while the remaining rodents were held for observation up to 21 months postexposure. No distinct exposure-related lesions were noted in dogs. Dog body weights, organ weights, and blood clinical pathology were also normal. At exposure termination hepatocellular cytoplasmic vacuolization was noted in female mice exposed to both concentrations. This liver tissue change was reversible and was not a significant finding in female mice examined during the 21-month postexposure observation period. In male rats, decalin exposure produced nephropathy characterized by hyaline droplets, necrosis, and intratubular casts. Accentuated tubular degeneration and medullary mineralization were noted in exposed rats held for long-term postexposure observation. There was no associated abnormal increase in mortality nor alterations in serum, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels. Female rats were free of decalin-induced renal damage. There was a slightly greater incidence of commonly occurring pituitary tumors in both mice and rats; however, the tumor incidence was not dose related. The results of this study suggest that the toxic effects of decalin are similar to those previously described for other hydrocarbon solvents and fuels.

Air Pollutants↗

Endocrine aspects of cannabinoid action in female subprimates: search for sites of action.

The search for a site of cannabinoid action in non-primate experimental animals has raised the possibility of drug action at each level of the female reproductive system. The early suggestion that THC may have a direct "estrogen-like" action on the uterus has not been substantiated by subsequent investigations indicating that THC does not interact with the estrogen cytoplasmic receptor. Since receptor recognition is a fundamental requirement for hormone action, it is unlikely that THC acts as an estrogen. The experiments suggesting such action should be repeated under conditions where the potential confounding effects of steroids secreted from non-gonadal sources are controlled. Direct ovarian effects of THC on the ovulatory process in the rodent as well as on steroid secretion from the cells of both the corpus luteum and the preovulatory follicle have been demonstrated. Whether these effects have significance with respect to physiological function remains a question, however, in view of the rather pronounced effects of cannabinoids on the secretion of those pituitary hormones regulating these ovarian events. Only additional investigation in vivo of the more subtle gonadal effects of THC treatment can clarify this issue. With respect to the pituitary hormones, there is clear evidence for the profound effects of cannabinoid exposure, of which the most pronounced may be those on the secretion of LH and prolactin. Effects on these reproductive hormones carry the threat of potential disturbance of the reproductive process, especially in the female where there is great dependence upon the appropriate cyclic changes in hormone levels. The full biologic impact of the pituitary effects of cannabinoids requires careful and thorough assessment. It can be concluded with reasonable confidence that THC alters the secretion of the pituitary reproductive hormones, and that of ACTH as well, through actions in the brain. While it would be reasonable to suggest that this site of action may reside in the MBH, the region of the hypothalamus most intimately associated with pituitary function, that does not seem to be the case for effects on prolactin and ACTH. Prevention of the expression of THC effects on these hormones by MBH deafferentation points to a more distant site for THC action. Some of the more likely possible sites for THC inhibition of prolactin secretion have been investigated, but direct evidence for their involvement was not forthcoming.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Viral cross contamination of rats maintained in a fabric-walled mass air flow system.

Rates for microbial cross transmission were measured in sentinel rats housed for 60 days in a fabric-walled mass air flow system. Naturally infected rats housed in the enclosure were the source of the infectious material. The cross transmission rates for rat coronaviruses, Kilham's rat virus, pneumonia virus of mice, Sendai virus, and Toolan's H-1 virus, were measured by positive seroconversion. The mass air flow system did not prevent, over a 60-day period, the transmission of the rat coronaviruses or Sendai virus between rats housed on separate racks maintained 81 cm apart. At 15 days, all sentinel rats had acquired two or more additional bacterial organisms, indicating rapid cage to cage cross transmission. It was concluded that rats from different sources with different microbial profiles should not be housed in this room at the same time.

Animal Husbandry↗

Animal analog of alcohol dependence.

A review of rodent analogs of alcohol tolerance and dependence is presented. Depending on the control exerted by the experimental subject, analogs presently available are of three general types: involuntary, semivoluntary, and voluntary. With the involuntary analogs, the experimenter has total control of the administration of ethanol; that is, the selected dose is administered at a preselected schedule and rate. The following methods are in this category; inhalation, oral intubation, intragastric or intravenous schedule infusions, and SERT (sustained ethanol release tubes) implants. With the semivoluntary analogs the animals ingest ethanol via either the daily liquid or food supply, at their own pace. With the voluntary analogs, animals self-select ethanol orally, or self-infuse it intravenously or intragastrically. The characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each method are discussed. No method is ideal, and none satisfies all the criteria of an animal analog of "alcoholism." Therefore, the method of choice should be that which is most adequate for the particular aims of a given experiment.

Administration, Oral↗

Morphometric analysis of axons myelinated during adult life in the mouse superior cervical ganglion.

In experimental studies addressing the regulation of myelin formation and maintenance by Schwann cells, the sympathetic nervous system of young adult rodents has served a key role as an essentially nonmyelinated yet modifiable control tissue. Nevertheless there is clear evidence of substantial myelination in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) of normal mice and rats of more advanced age. Against this background, interpretation of experimental outcomes in particular sympathetic tissues will require detailed quantitative control data taking account of animal age. To provide a baseline for future investigations on myelin remodelling, an ultrastructural morphometric study of myelinated fibres in the SCG was undertaken in 4 strains (QS, Balb/C, C57 and CBA) of adult male mice aged 32-72 wk. Numbers of myelinated fibres in SCG cross-sections varied substantially between individual animals, and the mean numbers for QS (132), Balb/C (165) and CBA (254) were significantly higher than that for C57 (32). Both axonal and fibre diameter were distributed unimodally (means for the 4 strains ranged from 2.3-2.4 microns and 3.2-3.6 microns respectively). Myelin spiral length was distributed unimodally and skewed to the right (range of means = 227-357 microns) and was significantly greater in QS mice as compared with the other 3 strains. While the mean g ratio (axonal diameter/fibre diameter) was significantly lower in QS mice than in the other 3 strains, the range for mean g ratio was 0.64-0.73, indicating that myelination had proceeded appropriately even though late in onset in this tissue. The index of circularity was high in all strains, both for axons (range of means = 0.80-0.88) and fibres (range of means = 0.84-0.89). The small axonal and fibre diameter and unimodal distribution are consistent with the characteristics of autonomic myelinated fibres and it is probable that most are postganglionic sympathetic fibres arising within the SCG. In terms of providing a sufficient population of myelinated fibres for future experimental studies, the QS, Balb/C and CBA strains would be preferable to C57 mice.

Animals↗

[Trypsinogen activation peptides in acute pancreatitis. Experimental data and clinical implications].

Trypsinogen activation peptides (TAP) can be found in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) as well as in different models of experimental AP. First experience has suggested that early elevation of TAP indicates development of necrotizing AP and that the amount of TAP correlates with the extent of acinar cell necrosis and mortality. It is however unknown whether TAP similarly assess severity of AP in the later course of the disease. The present study monitores TAP in plasma, urine and ascites during the initial development of pancreatic injury and correlates the amount of TAP and the extent of pancreatic necrosis over 48 h in a rodent model of AP. While there was no elevation of TAP in control animals or animals with edemantous AP, significant amounts of TAP im plasma were found as early as 30 min following induction of severe necrotizing AP. Serum amylase returned to normal values within 24 h, TAP maintained at high levels until the end of the 48 h observation period. During the first 24 h TAP paralleled the development of acinar cell necrosis, but decreased thereafter despite further progression of pancreatic injury. Our results provide further evidence suggesting that TAP initially precede morphological changes in AP. Early in the course of the disease TAP parallel development of pancreatic injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗

Effect of bisacodyl on the structure and function of rodent and human intestine.

The effect of bisacodyl on intestinal structure and function was investigated. Net water transport was measured under steady state conditions in vivo during single pass infusions of rodent and of human intestinal segments. Each segment served as its own control. Bisacodyl inhibited water absorption in rat jejunum, ileum, and colon. The degree of inhibition was linearly related to the logarithm of the bisacodyl concentration over the range of 0.05 to 2.0 mg per 100 ml. In human jejunal segments, bisacodyl, 1 mg per 100 ml, caused net water secretion. Bisacodyl, 5 mg every 6 hr, increased ileostomy output by 15% when it was fed to 5 patients with established ileostomies. By light microscopy, bisacodyl, 2 mg per 100 ml, erased cytoplasmic and nuclear detail within surface absorptive cells of rat intestine. By electron microscopy, the involved cells contained sparse and abnormal cytoplasmic organelles and nuclei which were deficient in chromatin. These results suggest that the laxative effect of bisacodyl is related to its ability to inhibit intestinal water absorption. Reduced absorption may be secondary to changes in surface absorptive cells.

Animals↗

Lovastatin has direct renal hemodynamic effects in a rodent model.

PURPOSE: Lovastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, has been shown to preserve renal function in models of chronic renal failure. We determined the effect of lovastatin on renal function and hemodynamics in normal nonpathologic kidneys in a rodent model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renal function was measured in anesthetized (Inactin) control rats (n = 13) and lovastatin-treated rats (15 mg./kg./day, 3 weeks, orally, n = 17). Renal blood flow was measured with an ultrasonic flowprobe, and glomerular filtration rate was measured by inulin clearance. The effect of lovastatin on pre- and postglomerular vessel diameters was also observed in a hydronephrotic kidney preparation by videomicroscopy. RESULTS: Lovastatin significantly increased (p < 0.05) renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate by 17% (3.4 +/- 0.2 ml./min./gram kidney weight (gKW) versus 2.9 +/- 0.2 ml./min./gKW) and 49% (0.67 +/- 0.04 ml./min./gKW versus 0.45 +/- 0.06 ml./min./gKW). The increase in renal blood flow was mediated by preglomerular vasodilation (expressed as percent increase from baseline diameter, n = 20), 25% in the interlobular artery and 20% in the afferent arteriole (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to its known lipid-lowering properties, lovastatin has a direct renal hemodynamic effect, increasing renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate in normal nonpathologic kidneys. Lovastatin's selective preglomerular vasodilation may account for the observed increase in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. Accordingly, this additional hemodynamic effect may be useful in preserving renal function in models of chronic renal failure.

Animals↗

[Leptospira interrogans in a canine population of Greater Buenos Aires: variables associated with seropositivity].

We determined the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in a suburban canine population for the purpose of analyzing the association between different individual and environmental variables and seropositivity for leptospirosis. The study, which was cross-sectional, was performed in July 1992 in a neighborhood of Greater Buenos Aires with approximately 9,500 inhabitants and a canine population of around 2,000 animals. We studied a random sample of 223 dogs and obtained a blood sample from each. Each animal's epidemiologic history was obtained by interviewing the housewife. Serologic measurements were performed by the microagglutination technique with the use of 10 different serotypes of Leptospira interrogans. Of the 223 dogs that were tested, 57% showed seropositivity; 82% of the positive sera coagglutinated with two or more serotypes. The most frequently detected serotypes were canicola and pyrogenes. Seroprevalence in females was less common than in males (P < 0.05) and in puppies less than 1 year old it was less common than in older animals (P < 0.01). Street behavior in the dog and the presence of stagnant water in front of the owner's dwelling were the most important of the risk factors examined. The associations between seropositivity on the one hand and contact with trash deposits, hunting behavior and the presence of rodents inside the dwelling on the other were not statistically significant. Different control measures are discussed.

Age Factors↗