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  • Author or Editor: Jorge Nieto x
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Abstract

Objective—To determine the nucleotide sequence of the equine intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) gene, its expression in various regions of the gastrointestinal tract, and the use of measuring I-FABP in horses with colic.

Animals—86 horses with colic.

Procedure—The mRNA sequence for the I-FABP gene was obtained by use of a rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends technique. Comparative I-FABP gene expression was quantitated by use of a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. Amounts of I-FABP in abdominal fluid and plasma were measured by use of an ELISA kit. Association between I-FABP concentrations and clinical variables was performed by nonparametric analysis, and associations of these variables with intestinal ischemia were determined by the Spearman correlation test.

Results—The nucleotide sequence had 87% identity with human I-FABP. The I-FABP gene was highly expressed in the small intestinal mucosa but had low expression in the colon. High concentrations of I-FABP in abdominal fluid correlated with an increase in protein concentrations in peritoneal fluid and nonsurvival, whereas plasma I-FABP concentrations correlated with the necessity for abdominal surgery. Clinical variables associated with intestinal ischemia included the color and protein content of abdominal fluid and serum creatine kinase activity.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance— Determination of I-FABP concentrations in abdominal fluid and plasma may be useful for predicting survival and the need for abdominal surgical intervention in horses with colic. Furthermore, serum creatine kinase activity and color and protein concentrations of abdominal fluid may be useful in the diagnosis of intestinal ischemia. (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:223–232)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To determine effect of leukocyte depletion on hematologic, morphologic, and metabolic variables of equine jejunum after induction of arterial lowflow ischemia and reperfusion by use of an extracorporeal circuit.

Animals—14 healthy adult horses.

Procedure—A segment of jejunum was surgically removed and maintained in an isolated circuit for 3 hours (control group), arterial flow was reduced to 20% of baseline for 40 minutes followed by 1 hour of reperfusion (low-flow group), or leukocyte depletion was filter-induced, and low-flow ischemia and reperfusion were conducted as in the low-flow control group (filter-treated group). Various metabolic, hemodynamic, and histomorphologic variables were evaluated, including effects of electrical field stimulation and L- N-nitro-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) on contractile activity.

Results—The extracorporeal circuit appeared to maintain the jejunum within physiologic limits for an extended period. Low-flow ischemia with reperfusion induced significant differences in various measurements, compared with control specimens. Significant differences were not detected between the low-flow and filter-treated groups. Myeloperoxidase activity was greater in the low-flow group than the control group, whereas a difference was not detected between control and filter-treated groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The extracorporeal circuit maintained intestine for 3 hours in a physiologic state and may be used for simulation of tissue injury. Leukocyte depletion generally did not attenuate the effects of low-flow ischemia and reperfusion on equine small intestine. ( Am J Vet Res 2001;62:87–96)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To develop a protocol to induce and maintain gastric ulceration in horses and to determine whether gastric ulceration affects physiologic indices of performance during high-speed treadmill exercise.

Animals—20 healthy Thoroughbreds.

Procedures—Each horse was acclimatized to treadmill exercise during a 2-week period. Subsequently, baseline data were collected (day 0) and each horse began an incrementally increasing exercise training program (days 1 through 56). Beginning on day 14, horses were administered omeprazole (4 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h until day 56) or no drug (10 horses/group) and underwent alternating 24-hour periods of feeding and feed withholding for 10 days to induce gastric ulceration. Extent of gastric ulceration was assessed weekly thereafter via gastroscopy. Physiologic indices of performance were measured at days 0 and 56. Gastric ulceration and exercise performance indices were compared within and between groups.

Results—In untreated horses, gastric ulcers were induced and maintained through day 56. Gastric ulcer formation was prevented in omeprazole-treated horses. There were significant interactions between time (pre- and post-training data) and treatment (nonulcer and ulcer groups) for mass-specific maximal O2 consumption (O2max/Mb) and mass-specific maximal CO2 production (CO2max/Mb). Post hoc analysis revealed a difference between groups for O2max/Mb at day 56. Within-group differences for O2max/Mb and CO2max/Mb were detected for omeprazole-treated horses, but not for the horses with ulcers.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In horses, gastric ulcers were induced and maintained by use of alternating periods of feeding and feed withholding in association with treadmill exercise (simulated racetrack training). Gastric ulcers adversely affected physiologic indices of performance in horses.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To assess gene expressions of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in oral, glandular gastric, and urinary bladder mucosae and determine the effect of oral administration of phenylbutazone on those gene expressions in horses.

Animals—12 healthy horses.

Procedures—Horses were allocated to receive phenylbutazone or placebo (6 horses/group); 1 placebo-treated horse with a cystic calculus was subsequently removed from the study, and those data were not analyzed. In each horse, the stomach and urinary bladder were evaluated for ulceration via endoscopy before and after experimental treatment. Oral, glandular gastric, and urinary bladder mucosa biopsy specimens were collected by use of a skin punch biopsy instrument (oral) or transendoscopically (stomach and bladder) before and after administration of phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) in corn syrup or placebo (corn syrup alone) for 7 days. Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 gene expressions were determined (via quantitative PCR techniques) in specimens collected before and after the 7-day treatment period and compared within and between groups. Prior to commencement of treatment, biopsy specimens from 7 horses were used to compare gene expressions among tissues.

Results—The cyclooxygenase-1 gene was expressed in all tissues collected. The cyclooxygenase-2 gene was expressed in the glandular gastric and bladder mucosae but not in the oral mucosa. Cyclooxygenase gene expressions were unaffected by phenylbutazone administration.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cyclooxygenase-2 was constitutively expressed in glandular gastric and bladder mucosae but not in the oral mucosa of healthy horses. Oral administration of phenylbutazone at the maximum recommended dosage daily for 7 days did not affect cyclooxygenase-1 or -2 gene expression.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To determine the effect of ranitidine on gastric emptying in horses.

Animals—11 adult horses.

Procedures—In vitro, isolated muscle strips from the pyloric antrum and duodenum of 5 horses were suspended in baths and attached to isometric force transducers. Once stable spontaneous contractions were observed, ranitidine or diluent was added at cumulative increasing concentrations. Isometric stress responses were compared. In vivo, 6 horses were assigned to a group in a prospective randomized crossover study design with a wash-out period of 2 weeks between trials. Ranitidine (2.2 mg/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution was administered IV, and 15 minutes later, acetaminophen (20 mg/kg), diluted in 400 mL of water, was administered via nasogastric tube to evaluate the liquid phase of gastric emptying. Serum acetaminophen concentration was measured at several time points for 3 hours by use of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Frequency of defecation was recorded during the 3 hours of the study.

Results—Ranitidine increased the contractile activity of the pyloric antrum smooth muscle at a concentration of 10−4 M. No significant effect of ranitidine on plasma kinetics of acetaminophen was identified. Frequency of defecation did not differ between groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ranitidine did increase gastric motility in vitro, but no effect on liquid phase gastric emptying was identified in healthy horses by use of the acetaminophen absorption model. Results do not support the use of ranitidine to promote gastric emptying.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To determine expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) genes 1 and 2 (also called prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases 1 and 2) and stability of housekeeping gene expression during low-flow ischemia and reperfusion in the jejunum of horses.

Animals—5 healthy adult horses.

Procedures—Horses were anesthetized, and two 30-cm segments of jejunum were surgically exteriorized. Blood flow was maintained at baseline (untreated) values in 1 (control) segment and was decreased to 20% of baseline (low-flow ischemia) for 75 minutes, followed by 75 minutes of reperfusion, in the other (experimental) segment. Biopsy samples were collected from experimental segments at baseline (T0), after 75 minutes of ischemia (T1), and after 75 minutes of reperfusion (T2); samples were collected from control segments at T0 and T2. Horses were euthanized 24 hours after induction of ischemia (T3), and additional samples were collected. Samples were evaluated histologically. Total RNA was extracted; expression of COX genes and stability of 8 housekeeping genes were determined via quantitative real-time PCR assays.

Results—COX-1 and COX-2 genes were constitutively expressed in baseline samples. Low-flow ischemia resulted in significant upregulation of COX-2 gene expression at each subsequent time point, compared with baseline values. The most stably expressed reference genes were β-actin and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase, whereas glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and β-2 microglobulin were the least stably expressed.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Low-flow ischemia resulted in upregulation of COX-2 gene expression in the jejunum of horses. Housekeeping genes traditionally used as internal standards may not be stable in this tissue during arterial low-flow ischemia and reperfusion.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if a difference in synovial amikacin concentrations exists in the radiocarpal joint (RCJ) following different durations of instillation of an IV regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) perfusate.

ANIMALS

7 healthy horses.

METHODS

Horses received 2 IVRLPs with 2 g amikacin diluted to 60 mL with 0.9% NaCl via the cephalic vein in a crossover study design with a wash-out period between procedures. Instillation of the perfusate was administered over a 1-minute (technique 1) and 5-minute (technique 5) period. Concentrations of amikacin within the RCJ were measured at time (T) 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after instillation of the perfusate. Systemic concentrations of amikacin were measured at T0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 29 minutes, and 1 minute after tourniquet removal (T31). Amikacin concentrations were determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay.

RESULTS

The median maximum concentration (CMAX) of amikacin within the RCJ for technique 1 was 338.4 µg/mL (range, 60 to 4,925 µg/mL), while the median CMAX for technique 5 was higher at 694.8 µg/mL (range, 169.2 to 3,410 µg/mL; P = .398). There was a higher amikacin blood concentration over time for technique 1 compared to technique 5 (P = .004).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Administration of perfusate at different rates did not significantly affect synovial concentration of amikacin within the RCJ when performing IVRLP. However, increased systemic leakage was noted when the perfusate was administered over 1 minute, which might affect synovial concentrations in a larger group of horses.

Open access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To investigate gene expression of the major proteolytic systems and growth regulators in skeletal muscle of horses with myopathy associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).

Animals—14 horses with PPID-associated myopathy and 7 healthy control horses.

Procedures—Horses with PPID and controls were age matched (15 to 28 years old). Muscle biopsy specimens were collected from both groups and processed for RNA and cDNA extraction. Validation of the most stable housekeeping genes for skeletal muscle was performed and used to compare gene expression of the following proteolytic systems: cysteine aspartate protease–dependent systems (caspases), lysosomal-dependent systems (cathepsins), non–lysosomal calcium protease–dependent systems (calpains), and ubiquitin-proteasome–dependent systems (ubiquitins). Gene expression of negative regulators of muscle growth (myostatin and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) was also determined.

Results—No significant difference between groups was detected in expression of the major proteolytic systems except for m-calpain, which was greater in horses with PPID. No differences in gene expression of myostatin and interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were detected between groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Greater expression of m-calpain may suggest that calpains play an important role in development of muscle atrophy in horses with PPID. However, because posttranslational events may alter protein activation, inactivation, and functions not studied here, other mechanisms of muscle atrophy cannot be excluded.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To determine effects of cisapride and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the jejunum of horses.

Sample Population—Jejunal muscle strips from 8 horses.

Procedure—Muscle strips were suspended in isolated muscle baths. Isometric stress responses to 5-HT and cisapride, with and without specific antagonists, were determined.

Results—Muscle strips incubated with atropine and tetrodotoxin responded to 5-HT and cisapride with an increase in contractile force. The 5-HT caused a concentration-dependent increase in contractile amplitude, with a maximum response (Emax) of 1,151 ± 214 g/cm2 and a molar concentration that induces contractile force equal to 50% of maximum response (EC50) of 0.028 ± 0.002 µM. Prior incubation with the 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin decreased the Emax (626 ± 147 g/cm2) and potency (EC50, 0.307 ± 0.105 µM) of 5-HT. Prior incubation with the 5-HT3 antagonist tropisetron decreased the efficacy (Emax, 894 ± 184 g/cm2) to 5-HT. Cisapride also caused a concentrationdependent increase in contractile amplitude, with an Emax of 331 ± 82 g/cm2 and an EC50 of 0.302 ± 0.122 µM. Prior incubation with ketanserin decreased the Emax (55 ± 17 g/cm2) and potency (EC50, 0.520 ± 0.274 µM) of cisapride.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Stimulatory effects of 5-HT and cisapride on circular smooth muscle of equine jejunum are mediated primarily through a noncholinergic effect. The effects of 5-HT are mediated, at least partially, by 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors, whereas the effects of cisapride are mediated primarily by 5-HT2 receptors. This may impact treatment of horses with postoperative ileus. (Am J Vet Res 2000;61:1561–1565)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate effects of erythromycin, lidocaine, and metoclopramide on smooth muscle of the pyloric antrum (PA), proximal portion of the duodenum (PD), and middle portion of the jejunum (MJ) of horses.

Sample Population—Strips of smooth muscle from 7 horses.

Procedure—Isolated muscle strips were suspended in a bath and attached to isometric force transducers. Once stable spontaneous contractions were observed, agents were added. Isometric stress responses were compared with the amplitude of spontaneous contractions.

Results—A single dose of erythromycin to the PA increased contractile amplitude (CA) for the longitudinal smooth muscle (mean ± SEM, 76 ± 16 g/cm2) but decreased CA for circular smooth muscle (–79 ± 23 g/cm2). The inhibitory effect was decreased by tetrodotoxin, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, and a vasoactive intestinal peptide antagonist. Erythromycin increased CA for the MJ, which was maximal at 10–4 M (171 ± 36 g/cm2). Lidocaine increased CA for the PD, which was maximal at 10–4M (60 ± 5 g/cm2). Metoclopramide increased the CA, which was maximal at 10–4 M for the PA (75 ± 26 g/cm2), PD (279 ± 33 g/cm2), and MJ (456 ± 59 g/cm2).

Conclusions—Regional differences in responses to erythromycin, lidocaine, and metoclopramide were evident in the gastrointestinal tract of horses. Metoclopramide increased CA in all tissues used, whereas erythromycin inhibited CA in circular smooth muscle but stimulated CA in longitudinal smooth muscle from the PA. Inhibition is caused by stimulation of inhibitory nerves and is mediated, in part, by nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide. (Am J Vet Res 2000;61:413–419)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research