Behavioral and cardiopulmonary effects of dexmedetomidine-midazolam and dexmedetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the behavior and some cardiopulmonary variables of dexmedetomidine-midazolam or dexmedetomidine-midazolam-butor-phanol in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes). STUDY DESIGN: Blinded, randomized design. ANIMALS: Sixteen adult silver foxes, aged 7-9 months, weighting 6.0-9.2 kg. METHODS: Animals were randomly assigned to dexmedetomidine (50 µg kg-1) and midazolam (0.45 mg kg-1) (group DM) or to dexmedetomidine (30 µg kg-1), midazolam (0.45 mg kg-1) and butorphanol (0.25 mg kg-1) (group DMB), administered intramuscularly. Pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (fR), noninvasive arterial pressures, oxygen saturation (SpO2), rectal temperature (T) and behavioral scores (posture, sedation, antinociception, jaw relaxation and auditory response) were measured at 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes after injection. Time from drug injection to recumbency with no response to stimuli (IT) and time from administration of atipamezole (0.2 mg kg-1) to standing with coordination (RT) were recorded. The occurrences of adverse events were recorded. Data were analyzed by two-tailed unpaired t-tests and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Significant differences were accepted at p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for IT or RT. Arterial pressures were higher in DMB at each time point except at 5 minutes. PR was lower in DM at each time point except at 10 and 60 minutes. No significant difference was found between the groups for fR, SpO2 and T. The behavioral scores were significantly lower (lower quality immobilization) in DMB at 5,10 and 60 minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IT and RT were not different between the groups. Both protocols provided immobilization for 30-40 minutes with excellent muscle relaxation and analgesia adequate for clinical examinations and some simple surgical procedures.

Comparison of the effects of propofol and emulsified isoflurane alone or combined with dexmedetomidine on induction of anesthesia in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the respective effects of propofol and emulsified isoflurane administered alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine on the quality of induction of anesthesia, physiological variables and recovery in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, experimental trial. ANIMALS: Thirty-six adult mixed-breed dogs. METHODS: Animals were randomly assigned to one of four induction protocols: propofol alone (group P); emulsified isoflurane alone (group EI); both propofol and dexmedetomidine (group PD), or both emulsified isoflurane and dexmedetomidine (group EID). Pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (fR ), non-invasive arterial blood pressure and arterial blood gases were measured at baseline, before induction, immediately after intubation (time 0), and at 5 minute intervals until the dog began to swallow and the trachea was extubated. The quality of induction and recovery, and degree of ataxia were scored by a single investigator unaware of group assignment. The durations of anesthesia and recovery, and the incidence of adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: There were no clinically significant differences among the groups in induction quality. Systolic arterial pressure was lower in EID compared with P at 5 minutes. PR and fR were lower in PD and EID compared with P after induction. The PaCO2 at 5 minutes was higher than at baseline in group P. Ataxia score was lower in EID than in P. Time from induction to extubation and time from extubation to sternal recumbency were lower in EID compared with PD. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There were no clinically significant differences among the groups in induction quality. In PD and EID, but not in P, PR and fR were decreased after induction. The EID combination resulted in smooth and rapid induction and recovery and thus may be useful clinically for induction of anesthesia.

Two novel dammarane-type compounds from the leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium L.

Two new dammarane-type compounds were isolated from the leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium L. The new compounds were named as pseudo-ginsenoside RT6 (1) and pseudoginsengenin R1 (2). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by the combined analysis of NMR and HR-ESI-MS as (20S,24R)-6-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-dammar-3-one-20,24-epoxy-6α,12ß,25-triol (1) and (20S,24R)-dammar-3-one-20,24-epoxy-6α,12ß,25-triol (2).

[Effect of pathogenic dampness on changes of cytokines of rats with different gradients of evil-cold invading Fei].

OBJECTIVE: To research the influence of pathogenic dampness on changes of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interluekin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), etc. in the lung of rats with different gradients of evil-cold invading Fei. Methods One hundred and four Wistar rats of SPF grade were randomized depending on the digital table into 13 groups, 8 in each group: the normal temperature group, the 6 evil-cold invasive groups (ECG1-6) and the 6 cold-dampness invasive groups (CDG1-6). Rats in the ECG and CDG groups were exposed to cold or cold-dampness to different gradients, for subgroups 1 to 6, -10 degrees C, 0 degrees C, 10 degrees C, 20-10 degrees C, 20-0 degrees C and 20 - -10 degrees C was applied respectively for 2 h, then fed at room temperature to observe their general condition. Rats were sacrificed 4 days later and their lung tissue was taken out for determination of the contents of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IFN-gamma and IL-4 in lung tissue homogenate. Results Compared with the corresponding ECG groups, the contents of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-4 were higher (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), content of IFN-gamma and IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio were significantly lower in the CDG groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Pathogenic dampness could aggravate the injury of Fei caused by the pathogenic cold to induce the change of inflammation related cytokines to a certain extent, and the unbalance of Th1/Th2 immune response in organism could be worsened as well.

[Variabilities of the impacts of cold pathogen and cold-dampness pathogen on fractalkine mRNA expression in lung tissues of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the variabilities of the effects of cold pathogen and cold-dampness pathogen on the fractalkine (FKN) mRNA expression in lung tissues of rats. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal temperature group, cold pathogen group and cold-dampness pathogen group. There were 8 rats in each group. Rats in normal temperature group were bred at (20+/-2)degrees centigrade and under normal humidity (50%-55%) for 2 h. Rats in cold pathogen group were bred at -10 degrees centigrade and under normal humidity (50%-55%) for 2 h, and the rats in cold-dampness pathogen group were bred at -10 degrees centigrade and under high humidity (90%-100%) for 2 h. Rats in the three groups were bred in thermostats under the corresponding conditions on the first day of experiment, and then the rats in different groups were all bred at normal temperature. Lung specimens in 3 groups were gathered four days later. The behavior and the pathological changes in the lung tissues of rats in different groups were observed. The content of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in lung homogenate was detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. Expression of FKN mRNA in lung homogenate was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The lung tissues of rats in both cold pathogen group and cold-dampness pathogen group had various degrees of pathological changes. Compared with normal temperature group, the content of IL-6 and TNF-alpha was increased obviously in lung homogenate of rats in both cold pathogen group and cold-dampness pathogen group (P<0.01). The content of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in lung homogenate of rats in cold-dampness pathogen group was obviously higher than that in cold pathogen group (P<0.01). The RT-PCR results showed a low expression of FKN mRNA in lung tissues of rats in normal temperature group. If the injured lung tissues were aggravated, the expression of FKN mRNA in the lung tissues was elevated. Compared with normal temperature group, FKN mRNA expressions in both cold pathogen group and cold-dampness pathogen group were increased obviously (P<0.01). FKN mRNA expression in lung homogenate of rats in cold-dampness pathogen group was also obviously higher than that in cold pathogen group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Cold pathogen can induce lung injury and up-regulate the FKN mRNA expression in lung tissue. Dampness pathogen can up-regulate the FKN mRNA expression through aggravating the injury of lung tissues caused by cold pathogen. FKN has a close relationship with the lung injury.

[Effects of pathogenic wind-dampness on lung tissue cytokines in rats with syndrome due to pathogenic cold invading lung].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of wind and dampness pathogens on cytokines in the lung tissue of rats with cold syndrome due to different gradient cold pathogens. METHODS: One hundred and four Wistar rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into 13 groups: normal temperature group, six cold pathogen groups and six cold plus wind-dampness pathogen (wind of grade 5 and 90%-100% relative humidity) groups. The cold pathogens were constant low temperature (including 10 degrees C, 0 degree C, -10 degrees C) and temperature change (including 20 to 10 degrees C, 20 to 0 degrees C, and 20 to -10 degrees C). The rats in different groups were kept in a temperature-controlled box under the corresponding condition for 2 hours on the first day of experiment. Then, the rats were all raised in normal temperature for 4 days and the rats' behaviors were observed. The contents of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6(IL-6) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in lung homogenate were measured by radioimmunoassay and the content of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In comparison with cold pathogen groups, contents of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-4 were obviously increased in lung homogenate of rats in cold plus wind-dampness pathogen groups (P<0.01), and the content of IFN-gamma and IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio were obviously decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Wind-dampness pathogen can seriously aggravate the injury to lung tissue caused by cold pathogen, and the unbalance of Th(1)/Th(2) in lung homogenate of rats.

A new epimer of ocotillol from stems and leaves of American ginseng.

A new minor C-3 epimer of ocotillol, named 3α-ocotillol (1), was isolated along with ocotillol (2) from the stems and leaves of American ginseng for the first time. The structure of the new sapogenin was elucidated as (20S, 24R)-dammar-20,24-epoxy-3α,6α,12ß,25-tetraol by the combination analysis of NMR and mass spectrometry. The complete signal assignments of the two compounds were carried out by means of 2D NMR spectral analysis.