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Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition modulates postoperative scarring after experimental glaucoma filtration surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine whether postoperative application of a broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, GM6001 (ilomastat), reduces scarring after glaucoma filtration surgery. METHODS: In a randomized, prospective, masked-observer study, 40 New Zealand White rabbits underwent modified glaucoma filtration surgery. The animals were randomly allocated to receive postoperative subconjunctival injections of either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or 100 microM ilomastat for 10 days. The animals were killed on days 7, 14, 21, and 30. Clinical characteristics, which included bleb morphology and intraocular pressure, were recorded. Tissue sections were immunohistochemically stained for alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) and extracellular matrix components in the two groups. RESULTS: Surgical outcome was significantly prolonged in the ilomastat-treated group compared with the vehicle-treated group (P < 0.001). At day 30, all the blebs had survived except two in the ilomastat-treated group, whereas no blebs survived to day 30 with vehicle treatment (n = 11). The intraocular pressure remained significantly lower throughout the course of the experiment in the ilomastat group compared with the vehicle group (P < 0.0017). Histologically, less scar tissue was observed at the sclerostomy site with inhibition of MMP, compared with vehicle treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented suggest that the healing response after surgery can be modulated by inhibiting the effects of MMPs. Inhibition of MMP significantly improved surgical outcome by reducing the amount of scar tissue produced. By targeting the actions of these proteolytic enzymes, a more controlled and physiological method of modulating scarring may be achieved.

Actins↗

Effect of chlortetracycline in a trace mineral salt mix on fertility traits in beef cattle females in Florida.

The study objective was to determine the effect of chlortetracycline in an ad libitum trace-mineralized salt mix given to heifers before and(or) during bull exposure on the proportion pregnant and the time to conception in a fixed breeding period. Heifers (n = 768), 13 to 15 mo of age, were individually identified, immunized (Leptospira, Campylobacter fetus), examined (body condition score, vaginal lesion score, BW), and randomly allocated within 2 x 2 factorial blocks of treatments where trace mineral salt with and without chlortetracycline medication was provided in similar but nonadjacent pastures either before and(or) during bull exposure. The chlortetracycline feeding period was about 30 d for each. In the 2 d immediately before bull exposure, heifers were examined (body condition score, vaginal lesion score, reproductive tract evaluation) and reallocated to treatment pastures. Pregnancy was determined by per rectal palpation at 45 d following bull removal. Mineral intake was below that expected for heifer groups and, as a result, chlortetracycline intake was estimated at less than one-third of that targeted. Many heifers were not cycling reproductively at the onset of bull exposure (n = 456, 60.3%, based on a reproductive tract score < 3). Despite these limitations, heifers receiving chlortetracycline treatment before breeding had a pregnancy percentage of 65% (chlortetracycline before and during breeding 67% and chlortetracycline before breeding 61.8%) compared to those receiving no treatment before breeding (53%, P < 0.03; no chlortetracycline before or during breeding 60.4% and chlortetracycline during breeding 47.4%). Heifers receiving chlortetracycline treatment before breeding were 57% more likely to become pregnant than those not treated before breeding. Change in vaginal lesion score was associated with the proportion pregnant, but neither body condition score nor average daily gain were.

Animal Husbandry↗

A longitudinal field trial of the effect of biotin on lameness in dairy cows.

A longitudinal prospective intervention study investigated the effect of biotin supplementation on the incidence (new cases per day) of visible lameness in milking cows and heifers on five commercial farms in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. The trial lasted from June 1997 to April 1999. Each farm participated in the trial for 18 mo. Within each herd the cows were randomly allocated to either receive a supplement of 20 mg of biotin per day or not. All cows were run as one herd on each farm. When a lame cow was identified, the farmer called one of six veterinarians to examine and treat the affected animal; findings were recorded on a standard form. A veterinarian also carried out a bimonthly locomotion assessment to ensure that all lame cows were diagnosed. There were a total of 900 cows, 1120 cow years, in the trial. The overall incidence rate of lameness (per 100 cows per year) was 68.9, with a range of 31.6 to 111.5 per farm. The incidence rates of the four most frequently reported causes of lameness were sole ulcer, 13.8; white line separation, 12.7; digital dermatitis, 12.0; and interdigital necrobacillosis, 7.1 per 100 cows per year. There was a significant difference in the incidence rate of these four lesions between supplemented and unsupplemented cows on two of the five farms, with a significant decrease in lameness in the cows supplemented with biotin. When all the farms were pooled, the risk of lameness caused by white line separation in cattle supplemented with biotin was approximately halved (Cox proportional hazard survival analysis hazard ratio = 0.57).

Animals↗

Ultrasonically guided transvaginal oocyte recovery from calves treated with or without GnRH.

We investigated the effect of GnRH given after gonadotropin stimulation on follicle growth and oocyte quality in young calves in a transvaginal oocyte recovery program. A 60 mg MPA pessary was inserted into each of nineteen 5-mo-old Friesian calves for 7 d; on Day 5 they received 140 mg, s.c. FSH (Folltropin) and 200 IU, i.m. PMSG and on Day 8 ten of the calves received 40 micrograms, i.m. GnRH (Fertagyl). Follicles were measured and aspirated on Day 9 using an ultrasound unit with a 6 MHz transvaginal probe (Toshiba). Oocytes from individual calves were recovered, graded and cultured in maturation media for 2 h (+GnRH group) or 22 h (-GnRH group), then fertilized and cultured for 6 d in SOF containing 0.8% BSA and amino acids. Oocyte viability (Class A,B or C) and embryo morphology were recorded. This procedure was repeated on the 19 calves plus 5 others 1 m.o. later, after random allocation to their respective groups. Approximately 70% of the calves responded to gonadotropin stimulation (> 2 follicles over 5 mm in diameter). Calves receiving GnRH tended to have both a higher number of follicles > 2 mm in diameter (27.1 vs 18.7) and of aspirated follicles (22.0 vs 14.1); however, there was a large variability between individuals (0 to 83 follicles and 0 to 73 aspirated). The total number of oocytes collected (10.8 vs 10.9) was not affected by GnRH treatment, probably due to the poor recovery rates in the highly stimulated calves from the +GnRH group, but GnRH did improve the proportion of viable oocytes (6.5 vs 4.1) due to a lower number of Class E oocytes (1.4 vs 4.5; P < 0.05). In the GnRH group, 40% of the viable oocytes had matured at the time of collection versus 0% in the group not treated with GnRH. The necessity of different culture runs between times and treatments prevented any meaningful comparison between groups for embryo development. Following the transfer of 19 morula/blastocyst-stage embryos to recipients, 3 pregnancies were detected by ultrasound examination on Day 60, with 1 oocyte originating from the +GnRH group and 2 from the -GnRH group.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Sub-clinical parasitism in spring-born, beef suckler calves: epidemiology and impact on growth performance during the first grazing season.

Sub-clinical parasitism in spring-born single suckled beef calves was investigated from the middle of their first grazing season until weaning or housing later the same year. The study was conducted on four beef suckler herds in southern England over a 3-year period and involved a total of 334 spring-born beef suckler calves and their dams. The animals were grazed extensively on pastures naturally infected with nematode larvae. At the start of each period of observation, faecal samples were taken from calves and cows and subjected to routine worm egg counts; calves were re-sampled at the end of the grazing season. In July in each year and at each location the calves were ranked by initial weight within sex, paired according to rank and randomly allocated to either an untreated control group or a group in which the calves were each treated with an ivermectin sustained-release (SR) bolus. The calves in both trial groups, and their dams, were grazed together until weaning or housing. The calves were weighed at the initial allocation and at the end of the study. The adult cows were not treated with any anthelmintic during the study. The faecal nematode egg counts (FECs) conducted in July showed that the suckler cows were excreting worm eggs at low concentrations: range 0-100 eggs per gram (epg), with one individual count of 500epg, 88% of the cows sampled had counts of <50epg. Similarly, the counts from the calf samples were fairly low in July: range 0-250epg, 73% of the calves sampled had counts of <50epg. By the end of the grazing season, the faecal samples from the untreated control calves showed higher values: range 0-650epg, with only 58% having an epg of <50. The average rate of daily liveweight gain in the untreated heifer calves was 0.79kg per day, the corresponding figure for the heifer calves treated with the ivermectin SR bolus in mid-summer was 0.88kg per day; the difference of 90g per day was significantly different (P=0.0118). The average rate of daily liveweight gain in the untreated bull calves was 0.91kg per day, the corresponding figure for the bull calves treated with the ivermectin SR bolus in mid-summer was 1.01kg per day; the difference was significantly different (P=0.0169).

Animals↗

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition and calcium antagonism attenuate streptozotocin-diabetes-associated mesenteric vascular hypertrophy independently of their hypotensive action.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relative roles of angiotensin II, bradykinin, and calcium-dependent pathways in the genesis of mesenteric vascular hypertrophy in experimental diabetes. DESIGN: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to these treatments for 24 weeks: no treatment; ramipril at a hypotensive dose; ramipril plus the bradykinin type 2 receptor blocker icatibant; icatibant alone; ramipril at a low dose; the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, valsartan; the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, lacidipine; and the nondihydropyridine calcium antagonist mibefradil. METHODS: Systolic blood pressure was serially measured every 4 weeks by tail-cuff plethysmography. We assessed the vascular architecture in sections of mesenteric arteries obtained after in-vivo perfusion, which were stained with an antibody to alpha-smooth muscle actin. RESULTS: Both blood pressure and the mesenteric arterial wall: lumen ratio were reduced by administration of ramipril, at the high dose, either alone or in combination with icatibant, and also by valsartan. Treatment either with the low dose of ramipril or with the calcium antagonists lacidipine and mibefradil was associated with a decrease in the wall : lumen ratio of the mesenteric arteries without influencing blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that blockade both of angiotensin II-dependent and of calcium-dependent pathways attenuates mesenteric vascular hypertrophy in experimental diabetes. Furthermore, the antitrophic effects of these antihypertensive agents may be independent of their hypotensive effects.

Actins↗

Wheat middlings in high-concentrate diets: feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibilities, passage rates, and ruminal metabolism in finishing steers.

We conducted two experiments to determine the feeding value and effects on diet digestibilities, passage rates, and ruminal metabolism of wheat middlings (WM) fed as a replacement for either the concentrate or roughage components of finishing diets of steers. In Exp. 1, 120 medium-framed steers were blocked by weight and randomly allocated to one of six treatments of high-concentrate diets: control (0%); 5, 10, or 15% pelleted WM replacing dry-rolled corn (DRC); and 5 or 10% pelleted WM replacing chopped alfalfa hay (ALF) components of the diet. Increasing WM replacement of DRC increased DMI (P < .01) and feed:gain ratio (FG; P < .05) linearly. A 9.2% increase in daily DMI and 10.1% increase in FG were observed at 15% of WM. Daily gain and final weight of the steers were not influenced by WM replacement of DRC. The WM replacement of ALF decreased (P < .01) daily DMI linearly, but it had no effect on ADG, final weight, or FG. In Exp. 2, six medium-framed steers, fitted with ruminal cannulas, were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design with the same treatments as described in Exp. 1. Dry matter, OM, and starch digestibilities decreased (P < .01) by increasing replacement of DRC with WM, and replacing ALF increased DM and OM digestibilities linearly (P < .01). Wheat middlings could replace only up to 5% of DRC without reducing feed conversion efficiency and diet digestibilities, but complete (100%) or partial (50%) replacement of ALF increased digestibilities of DRC finishing diets.

Animal Feed↗

Influence of estrus on somatic cell count in dairy goats.

The effect of estrus on the somatic cell count (SCC) of goat's milk was examined by inducing estrus in 24 of 48 seasonally anestrus, lactating dairy goats. Goats were blocked by infection status and ranked on SCC from three preceding herd tests and randomly allocated (within block) to the following three treatment groups: a) "Short," in which an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device was inserted for 12 d plus equine chorionic gonadotropin and dinoprost tromethamine 2 d before device removal (n = 12), b) "Long," in which an intravaginal progesterone-releasing was inserted for 17 d plus equine chorionic gonadotropin on the day of device removal (n = 12), or c) "Control," in which the goats were left as untreated controls (n = 24). Bacteriological status of each gland of each goat was determined before and after synchronization (d -23 and +13) and SCC and milk volumes were determined on d -2, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, and 25, where d 0 was the day of intravaginal device removal. Goats in the Short group were in estrus before those of the Long group, who were, in turn, in estrus before the Control group. The log10 and log10 absolute SCC (SCC cells/ml x volume) were higher in the Short than in the Control group on d 1, 2, 3, and 4, whereas those of the Long group were higher than those of the Control group on d 2 and 4. These data indicate that estrus resulted in an increase in SCC, and that the increase in SCC was independent of the decline in milk volume at estrus.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

A novel biodegradable PCL film for tendon reconstruction: Achilles tendon defect model in rats.

This study aims to investigate applicability of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) biodegradable films for repair of gaps in Achilles tendons in a rat model, also comparing surgical repair versus no repair approaches. PCL was synthesized with tailor-made properties, then, PCL films were prepared by solvent casting. Seventy-five outbred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: (i) sham operated (skin incision only); (ii) no repair (complete division of the Achilles tendon and plantaris tendon without repair); (iii) Achilles repair (with a modified Kessler type suture); and (iv) plasty of Achilles tendon defects with the biodegradable PCL films, and (v) animals subjected to 1 cm mid-substance defect with no repair. Functional performance was determined from the measurements of hindpaw prints utilizing the Achilles functional index. The animals were killed 8 weeks after surgery and histological and biomechanical evaluations were made. All groups subjected to Achilles tendon division had a significant functional impairment that gradually improved so that by day 28 there were no functional impairments in any group whereas animals with a defect remained impaired. The magnitude of the biomechanical and morphological changes at postoperative 8 weeks were similar for no repair group (conservative), Achilles repair group and tendonplasty group (biodegradable PCL film group). The initial rate of functional recovery was significantly different for primary suture, Achilles repair group and PCL film group (p>0.01). But, at the 28th day, functional recovery was quite similar to the other groups. In summary, our results suggest that the PCL film can be an alternative biomaterial for tendon replacement.

Absorbable Implants↗

Tissue concentrations of clindamycin after multiple oral doses in normal cats.

Eighteen normal cats were randomly allocated into two blocks with three treatment groups and dosed orally with clindamycin aqueous solution for 10 days at a dosage rate of 5.5 mg/kg twice daily (Group 1), 11 mg/kg twice daily (Group 2), or 22 mg/kg once daily (Group 3). At the end of dosing, all cats were killed and tissues were taken for clindamycin concentration analysis. Clindamycin was extracted from tissues using solid-phase extraction columns followed by microbiological assay of clindamycin using a cylinder plate assay using M. luteus. Recovery from each tissue was determined by inoculating known concentrations of clindamycin into drug-naive tissues and comparing the observed concentration from the expected concentration. Confirmation that the bioassay detected clindamycin and not N-desmethylclindamycin, its active metabolite, was done using gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry. Concentrations were highest in the lung, with tissue:serum ratios greater than 3 in all groups. Concentrations were higher in Group 3 than Group 1 (P less than 0.05). Only liver concentrations in Group 3 were statistically higher than in Group 2, although all tissues except bone marrow and CSF had numerically higher concentrations in Group 3 than Group 2. The tissue:serum ratio was greater than 1 in all tissues studied except bone, cerebrospinal fluid, brain, and skeletal muscle.

Administration, Oral↗

Azathioprine alone is bone sparing and does not alter cyclosporin A-induced osteopenia in the rat.

The immunosuppressant agent cyclosporin A (CsA) induces a high turnover osteopenic state, while the effect on bone of the antimetabolite azathioprine, a drug often used in conjunction with CsA in transplant patients, is less clear. This study was therefore designed to investigate the outcome of azathioprine administration, with reference to CsA, on bone mineral metabolism using the rat model. Four groups of 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (12 per group) were randomly allocated to receive by daily gavage for a 28-day period: (1) no treatment (control group); (2) azathioprine 1.5 mg/kg bw; (3) CsA 15 mg/kg bw; and (4) a combination of azathioprine and CsA, as described above. Rats were weighed and blood assayed serially for osteocalcin, ionized calcium, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2VitD), and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Tibiae were removed following sacrifice on day 28 after double calcein labeling for histomorphometric analysis. Immunosuppressant groups were compared with nontreated control. We confirmed our previous findings that CsA induces a state of high turnover bone loss which is accompanied by a diminished gain in body weight (p < 0.01) and elevated serum osteocalcin (p < 0.001) and 1,25(OH)2VitD levels (p < 0.001). Azathioprine treatment alone did not alter ionized calcium, 1,25(OH)2VitD, or PTH levels. However, there was biochemical evidence of impaired osteoblastic activity as seen by decreased osteocalcin values on days 14 and 28 (p < 0.001). Azathioprine caused no loss of bone volume nor any deviation from the norm in mineral apposition rate, bone formation rate, or longitudinal bone growth. All three treatment groups showed an increased recruitment of osteoclasts to the bone surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Comparative effects of four legume species on plasma lipids and faecal steroid excretion in hypercholesterolaemic pigs.

The effect of four species of legume seeds on plasma cholesterol levels and faecal steroid excretion was studied in pigs. Thirty-six growing boars were randomly allocated in groups of six to six diets which they ate continuously for 42 d. The diets fed were: 1, a semi-purified (SP; control group 1) diet; 2, SP + 10 g cholesterol/kg (control group 2); 3, 4, 5, 6, SP + cooked legumes (70:30, w/w; respectively baked beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), peas (Pisum sativum), lentils (Lens culinaris Medik.), butter beans (Phaseolus lunatus)) + 10 g cholesterol/kg. Fasting blood samples were taken on days 0, 14, 28, and 42 for the determination of total plasma cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Between days 7 and 11 and days 28 and 32 complete 5 d faecal collections were made for the measurement of neutral, acidic and conjugated steroids. After 42 d total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels were raised significantly in all groups, but to different extents. In comparison with control group 2, diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia was significantly inhibited in the groups consuming baked beans, peas and butter beans, although HDL-cholesterol levels were maintained. Faecal steroid excretion by the legume groups was not significantly different from that of control group 2. The results suggest that the mechanism for the hypocholesterolaemic effect does not involve increased hepatic bile acid synthesis and thereby increased cholesterol clearance via the intestinal route.

Animals↗

[Anti-depressive effect of Baisong tablets on the chronic mild unpredicted stress depression in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Baisong tablets on the nerve-biochemistry and neuroendocrine of chronic mild unpredicted stress depression in rats. METHODS: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups: a normal control (NC), a model control (MC), a fluoxetine control (FC) and a Baisong tablet treatment group (BST). All rats except the control group were singly housed and exposed to an unpredicted sequence of mild stressor. The levels of serotonin (5-HT), glutamate (Glu) and gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA) of the hippocampus were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The concentration of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (CORT) in the plasma of the rats were detected by radio-immunity. The CRHmRNA expressions in the hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex were semiquantified by RT-PCR method. The differences of BDNF and TrkB protein expression in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal and dentate gyrus granule cells layers of hippocampus were investigated with immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS: In comparison with NC group, the levels of 5-HT, and GABA of the hippocampus in MC rats reduced significantly (P<0.01), and the concentration of CRH, ACTH, and CORT of the plasma and the level of Glu of the hippocampus and CRH mRNA expression in the brain increased significantly. Fluoxetine or Baisong could significantly regulate the abnormal changes of all the above. CONCLUSION: Chronic mild unpredicted stress can affect neuroendoerine and cause depression, and Baisong tablet has antagonism against it.

Animals↗

Analysis of the healing response to gutta-percha and Diaket when used as root-end filling materials in periradicular surgery.

AIM: To analyse the healing response to gutta-percha and Diaket when used as root-end filling materials in periradicular surgery. METHODOLOGY: Periradicular surgery was completed using the mandibular second, third and fourth premolar teeth from nine male mongrel dogs. The six roots on one side of the mouth were randomly allocated to one of the following groups: group A: a resected root end and a burnished gutta-percha root filling; group B: cavities were prepared to a depth of 4.0 mm, using ultrasonic root-end preparation and filled with Diaket. The response was evaluated histologically at 55 (nine specimens) and 150 (three specimens) days post operatively. RESULTS: The data for the 55-day period was analysed statistically using Wilcoxon's Signed Ranks test. No statistical analysis was carried out on the 150-day group due to the small number of specimens. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. No statistical significance was observed in the healing response between Diaket and gutta-percha in the following categories at 55 days: inflammatory response, angiogenesis, root-end resorption, and cementum deposition. Statistically significant differences were observed in the healing categories: bone apposition (P < 0.05) and periodontal ligament formation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: At both time intervals, Diaket had a better healing response that was characterized by hard tissue formation adjacent to the root-end filling material bordered by occasional multinucleated giant cells. The nature of both the hard tissue formation and the adjacent cells, however, remains undetermined. Diaket displayed the best healing of either material used in this study.

Animals↗

Factors involved in the neuronal death during postischemic reperfusion: experimental study in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the main pathogenic factors in the development of neuronal death during normothermic reperfusion in rabbits. METHODS: Ninety-six New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated into two groups: group I served as non-ischemic controls; group II served as postischemic normothermic reperfusion models. Complete cerebral ischemia was induced by the four-vessel model for 30 minutes. After ischemia, rabbits in group II were further divided into three subgroups according to the duration of reperfusion: subgroup A, 30 minutes; subgroup B, 180 minutes and subgroup C, 360 minutes. Twenty-eight biochemical parameters in the brain were measured, and neuronal changes were observed by histomorphological assessment. Neurons of 12 regions were differentiated into four types: type A (normal), type B (mildly damaged), type C (severely damaged) and type D (necrotic). Bivariate correlate analysis between the levels of biochemical parameters and the percentages of each type of neurons was carried out. RESULTS: The main parameters involved in the progressive decrement of type A neurons were VIP, beta-EP, PGI2, T3, T4 and Na+, K(+)-ATPase; in the increment of type B were beta-EP and TXB2; in the increment of type C were GLU and TXB2/PGI2 respectively; in the stepwise increment of percentages of type D neurons were T4, Na+, K(+)-ATPase, GLU, T3 and VIP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The main factors involved in the development of neuronal death during postischemic normothermic reperfusion in rabbits include hypermetabolism, deactivation of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, release of excitatory amino acids and disorder of neuropeptides.

Animals↗

[Effect of nylestriol on bone remodeling in ovariectomized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effects of nylestriol on microarchitecture and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression in tibial bone in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: 30 female rats were randomly allocated into 3 groups: sham, OVX and nylestriol-treated group. Nylestriol-treated group were ovariectomized, then fed with nylestriol for 3 months and the bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in lumbar vertebra by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. After sacrifice of the animal, bone histomorphometric parameters were measured to study the changes in bone microarchitecture, and RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of IL-6 mRNA in bone tissue. RESULTS: BMD was significantly reduced, while IL-6 mRNA level elevated in the OVX group compared with the sham group. Static histomorphometric data showed that the trabecular bone volume, mean trabecular plate thickness and density were reduced while the mean trabecular plate space elevated remarkably in the OVX group in comparison with that in the sham group. As for dynamic parameters, trabecular osteoid surface, tetracyclin labeled surface and bone turnover rate were increased while osteoid maturation rate decreased significantly in the OVX group compared with the sham group. BMD, IL-6 mRNA expression and bone histomorphometric parameters were improved in nylestriol-treated rats. CONCLUSION: Nylestriol plays an important role in maintaining bone volume and improving bone microarchitecture by markedly inhibiting bone turnover and bone resorption, which might be to some degree attributed to reduced IL-6 expression.

Animals↗

[Effects of purified VLDL injection on experimental hyperlipidaemia].

Forty-two neonate NZW rabbits were randomly allocated to two experimental groups (II and III) and a control group (I). Groups II and III were intraperitoneally injected with purified VLDL 0.5mg and 1.0mg, respectively within 12 hours after their birth, and then were repeated with same doses twice on the 7th and 15th day, respectively. From the 18th day of their life, all the rabbits were fed with high cholesterol forage to establish atherosclerosis models. Serum levels of TG, TCh, and HDL-C were determined in the 17th, 30th, and 40th week of their life. Serum levels of TG in Groups II and III were much lower than those in Group I in the 17th week. Serum levels of TG and ratio of LDL-C to HDL-C were significantly lower and of HDL-C much higher in Groups II and III than those in Group I in the 30th week. The results determined in the 40th week were the same as above, and serum levels of TCh in Groups II and III were significantly lower than those in Group I. There Were no significant differences in serum levels of LDL-C and TCh among the three groups. The results suggested peritoneal injection of purified VLDL into rabbits in their earliest stage of life had effects on the formation of hyperlipidaemia, and could Prevent them from atherosclerosis. Its mechanism was briefly discussed in the paper.

Animals↗

A fluid filtration and clearing technique to assess microleakage associated with three dentine bonding systems.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this in vitro study were to (a) measure fluid flow through teeth restored with one of three dentine bonding systems and a resin composite restoration; (b) measure the distribution of a silver tracer through the same teeth, and make a comparison with fluid flow; and (c) investigate the effect of thermocycling on both measurement types. METHODS: Coronal segments of 30 premolars, randomly allocated to three equal groups, were assessed by fluid filtration. Each group was restored with a resin composite restoration in conjunction with Fuji Bond LC (FBLC), Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus (SMP+) or Prime&Bond 2.1 (P&B2.1). Fluid filtration rates were measured in the intact crown and then after cavity preparation, conditioning, dentine bonding, restoration and at 2 and 24 h, 1 week and 1 month following restoration. Six specimens from each group were thermocycled at 1 week. After final filtration measurements the specimens were perfused with silver nitrate and cleared before scoring tracer penetration. RESULTS: No significant differences (P > 0.05) in fluid filtration rates were found amongst the different bonding systems or at any restoration stage. Thermocycling was not associated with any significant (P > 0.05) increase in fluid filtration. Final fluid filtration and tracer distribution showed a weak and not statistically significant correlation (P > 0.05). The penetration of silver stain indicated a failure of the restorations to seal the cavity and demonstrated a possible pathway by which in vivo post-operative sensitivity could occur. CONCLUSIONS: Although not statistically significant, conditioning of the cavity increased the dentinal permeability but this effect was variable. Thermocycling had no statistically significant effect on microleakage.

Analysis of Variance↗