Use of ammonium chloride to prevent urolithiasis in sheep / [Utilização do cloreto de amônio na prevenção de urolitíase em ovinos]

Urolithiasis has a high incidence among confined sheep. It is multifactorial and may cause economic damage. Our aim was to determine the capacity of urinary acidification using ammonium chloride in sheep. Twenty-five 3-month-old male sheep were confined and randomly divided into three groups; the G200 and G500 groups received 200mg/kg/GW and 500mg/kg/GW of ammonium chloride daily for 56 consecutive days, respectively, whereas the CG group did not receive ammonium chloride. Sampling times and clinical evaluation were performed weekly, starting from the 14th day of confinement (M1 or immediately before administering ammonium chloride) until the 17th day (M9) of the feedlot. Hemogasometry, biochemical examination of serum urea and creatinine concentration and ultrasound evaluation of the urinary tract were performed. The urinalysis indicated a higher incidence of ammonium magnesium phosphate crystals at the beginning of the study, showing a migration to urate crystal formation, mainly in the G500 group because of urinary acidification. No hemogasometric, serum biochemistry, ruminal fluid, or ultrasonographic changes were observed. Urinary acidification was achieved and maintained after M7 during the administration of ammonium chloride in the G500 group, but not in the other study groups.(AU)

A urolitíase apresenta alta incidência em ovinos confinados, etiologia multifatorial, e pode causar prejuízo econômico. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a capacidade da acidificação urinária mediante o uso de cloreto de amônio em ovinos. Foram utilizados 25 ovinos de três meses de idade, confinados e divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos: grupo CG (controle) não recebeu cloreto de amônio; grupo G200 (200mg/kg/PV) recebeu cloreto de amônio por 56 dias consecutivos; grupo G500 (500mg/kg/PV) recebeu cloreto de amônio por 56 dias consecutivos, administrados diariamente por via oral. Os momentos (M) de colheita de amostras e de avaliação clínica foram realizados com intervalo de sete dias, sendo M1 (imediatamente antes do cloreto de amônio), M2 (sete dias após) até M9, totalizando 70 dias de confinamento. Foram realizadas hemogasometria, concentração sérica de ureia e creatinina e avaliação ultrassonográfica do trato urinário. Na urinálise, houve uma maior incidência de cristais de fosfato amônio magnesiano no início do estudo, com migração para formação de cristais de urato, principalmente no G500, devido à acidificação urinária. Não houve alterações hemogasométricas, na bioquímica sérica, no líquido ruminal, ou alterações ultrassonográficas. A acidificação urinária foi obtida e mantida a partir do M7 durante a administração do cloreto de amônio no grupo G500, não ocorrendo nos outros grupos de estudo.(AU)

Avaliação clínica, laboratorial e anatomopatológica do sistema urinário de ovinos confinados com ou sem suplementação de cloreto de amônio / Clinical, laboratory and anatomopathological evaluation of the urinary system of feedlot sheep with or without ammonium chloride supplementation

A acidificação urinária com cloreto de amônio (CA) é um método preventivo eficiente em urolitíase obstrutiva em ovinos. Os objetivos deste estudo com ovinos confinados, que receberam dieta concentrada com elevado teor proteico, foram: verificar o efeito da dieta sobre a formação de urólitos e o desenvolvimento da doença; analisar as características macroscópicas e histopatológicas do sistema urinário; relacionar os achados clínicos, laboratoriais e necroscópicos com a presença de urólitos. Utilizaram-se 60 ovinos machos: grupo CA (n=40), 400 mg/kg CA/dia, tratados via oral, por 42 dias consecutivos; grupo-controle (n=20), não tratado. Determinaram-se sete momentos de colheita de amostras com intervalos de sete dias, no total de 56 dias de confinamento. Encontraram-se microcálculos na pelve renal em cinco animais de ambos os grupos. As lesões renais microscópicas mais relevantes foram congestão vascular e necrose tubular. Concluiu-se que a dieta rica em concentrado provocou lesão renal em ambos os grupos, embora sem alterar a função renal, o que foi comprovado em testes pela ureia e creatinina séricas. O cloreto de amônio fornecido ao grupo CA não impediu a calculogênese, mas reduziu sua prevalência em relação ao grupo-controle. Os ovinos do grupo-controle tiveram maior comprometimento renal, pela alta incidência de cristalúria e pela necrose tubular, induzidas pelo consumo da dieta rica em grãos.

The urinary acidification with ammonium chloride (AC) is an efficient preventive method for urolithiasis in sheep. The objectives of this study with feedlot sheep receiving concentrated diet with high protein content were (1) to verify the effect of diet on urolith formation and development of the disease, (2) to analyze the macroscopic and histopathological characteristics of the urinary system, and (3) to relate the clinical, laboratory and necropsy findings with the presence of uroliths. Sixty male sheep were used: AC group (n=40), 400mg/kg AC/day, orally treated for 42 consecutive days, and control group (n=20), untreated. Seven times were determined for sampling with a seven-day interval, totaling 56 days of feedlot. Small uroliths were found in the renal pelvis of five sheep in both groups. The most relevant microscopic renal lesions were vascular congestion and tubular necrosis. It was concluded that the highly concentrated diet caused renal injury in both groups, without changing the renal function, what was proven by laboratory tests of urea and creatinine. Ammonium chloride provided to the CA group did not prevent urolith formation, but reduced its prevalence in comparison with the control group. Sheep of the control group had increased kidney damage, which resulted in higher incidence of crystalluria and tubular necrosis induced by the consumption of a diet rich in grains.

Alterações ultrassonográficas renais e vesicais de ovinos confinados e suplementados com cloreto de amônio / Renal and bladder ultrasound changes in feedlot sheep and supplemented with ammonium chloride

A incidência da urolitíase obstrutiva em ovinos é elevada, principalmente em machos confinados, tanto para produção de carne, quanto reprodutores de alto valor genético. A acidificação urinária é um dos métodos para prevenção desta enfermidade e pode ser realizada de forma eficaz com a suplementação de cloreto de amônio (CA) na dieta. Utilizaram-se 100 ovinos, machos não castrados, mestiços (Ile de France X White Dorper), confinados, com idade aproximada de três meses. Constituíram-se três grupos experimentais: Grupo 21CA (n=40) que recebeu 400mg/kg/PV de cloreto de amônio/animal/dia, por 21 dias consecutivos; Grupo 42CA (n=40) que foi suplementado com 400mg/kg/PV de cloreto de amônio/animal/dia, por 42 dias consecutivos; Grupo controle (n=20), que não recebeu CA. A alimentação consistiu de ração total, composta por 15% de feno triturado e 85% de concentrado, água e sal mineral ad libitum. Após 14 dias de adaptação à alimentação e ao ambiente, os Momentos (M) de avaliação clínica, colheita de sangue e exame ultrassonográfico foram realizados com intervalo de sete dias, sendo M0 (imediatamente antes do início do tratamento com cloreto de amônio), M1 (sete dias após), M2 (14 dias após), M3 (21 dias após o início do tratamento e suspensão do cloreto de amônio em Grupo 21CA), M4 (28 dias após), M5 (35 dias após) e M6 (42 dias após), totalizando 56 dias de confinamento. As dosagens de ureia e creatinina não evidenciaram alteração na função renal, embora a ureia estivesse acima dos valores de referência para espécie ovina. Observaram-se imagens ultrassonográficas compatíveis com cálculos vesicais e dilatação de pelve renal. No Grupo 21CA, 15% (6/40) dos animais apresentaram cálculos vesicais; no Grupo 42CA, 5% (2/40); e no Grupo controle, 20% (4/20) dos cordeiros. Visibilizaram-se também imagens sugestivas de sedimentos e cristais em 31% (31/100) dos animais examinados. A ultrassonografia permitiu a visibilização de alterações renais e vesicais, porém não relacionados ao quadro clínico de urolitíase obstrutiva, revelando-se como um exame complementar de grande relevância para o diagnóstico precoce de alterações no sistema urinário de ovinos.(AU)

The incidence of obstructive urolithiasis in sheep is high, especially in feedlot males, both for meat production, or the breeder of high genetic value. The urinary acidification is one of the methods for preventing this disease and can be performed efficiently with supplementation of ammonium chloride (AC) in the diet. It was used 100 male lambs, in a feedlot, crossbred (Ile de France X White Dorper), aged approximately three months. It was constituted three groups: Group 21AC (n=40) that received 400mg/kg/PV of ammonium chloride/animal/day for 21 consecutive days, the time of discontinuation of the urinary acidifiers (M3) and continued clinical follow until the end of the experiment (M6); Group 42AC (n=40), that received 400mg/kg/PV of ammonium chloride/animal/day for 42 consecutive days, Group control (n=20), that did not receive ammonium chloride throughout the experimental period. The feed consisted of total dry matter, composed of 15% ground hay and 85% concentrate, water and mineral salts ad libitum. After 14 days of adaptation to food and the environment, the moments (M) for clinical evaluation, and blood collection ultrasound examinations were performed with an interval of seven days, and M0 (immediately before the beginning of the treatment with ammonium chloride), M1 (seven days), M2 (14 days after), M3 (21 days after initiation of treatment and suspension of ammonium chloride in Group 21CA), M4 (28 days), M5 (35 days), and M6 (42 days), amounting to 56 days of feedlot. The serum urea and creatinine showed no change in renal function, although the urea was above the reference values for sheep. There were compatible ultrasound images with bladder stones and dilatation of the renal pelvis. In Group 21AC, 15% (6/40) of the animals had bladder stones; in Group 42AC 5% (2/40); and in Group control, 20% (4/20) of the lambs. It was visualized suggestive images of sediment and crystals in 31% (31/100) of examined animals. Ultrasonography allowed visualization of kidney and bladder abnormalities, which were not related to clinical symptoms of obstructive urolithiasis, appearing as an examination complement of great importance for the early detection of changes in the urinary system of sheep.(AU)

Efeito da suplementação de cloreto de amônio sobre os equilíbrios eletrolítico e ácido-básico e o pH urinário de ovinos confinados / Effect of supplementation of ammonium chloride on electrolyte and acid-base balances and urinary pH of feedlot sheep

A incidência da urolitíase obstrutiva em ovinos é elevada, principalmente em machos confinados, tanto para produção de carne, quanto reprodutores de alto valor genético. A acidificação urinária é um dos métodos para prevenção desta enfermidade e pode ser realizada de forma eficaz com a suplementação de cloreto de amônio na dieta, que pode propiciar a instalação de acidose metabólica. A hemogasometria avalia o equilíbrio ácido-básico sanguíneo de forma prática e fácil. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se o efeito do cloreto de amônio sobre o equilíbrio ácido-básico e eletrolítico de ovinos em confinamento para quantificar a acidose metabólica desenvolvida. Utilizaram-se 100 ovinos, machos, confinados, com idade aproximada de três meses. Constituíram-se três grupos experimentais: Grupo I (n=40), recebeu 400mg/kg/PV de cloreto de amônio/animal/dia por 21 dias consecutivos, momento da interrupção da administração do acidificante urinário (M3) e continuidade do acompanhamento clinico até o final do experimento (M6); Grupo II (n=40), 400mg/kg/PV de cloreto de amônio/animal/dia por 42 dias consecutivos; Grupo III (n=20), não recebeu cloreto de amônio durante todo o período do experimento. Os Momentos (M) de colheita de amostras e avaliação clínica foram estabelecidos com intervalo de sete dias, sendo M0 (imediatamente antes do início do tratamento com cloreto de amônio), M1 (sete dias após), M2, M3, M4, M5 e M6, totalizando 56 dias de confinamento. A alimentação consistiu de ração total, composta por 15% de feno triturado e 85% de concentrado, água e sal mineral ad libitum. Após adaptação de 15 dias à dieta de confinamento, colheram-se de todos os animais amostras de urina para mensuração do pH, e sangue venoso para hemogasometria, nos diferentes momentos...

The incidence of obstructive urolithiasis in sheep is high, especially in feedlot males, both for meat production, or the breeder of high genetic value. The urinary acidification is one way to prevent this disease and can be performed effectively supplementation with ammonium chloride in the diet, which may facilitate the installation of metabolic acidosis. The blood gas analysis evaluates the acid-base balance of blood in a practical and easy way. In this study, it was evaluated the effect of ammonium chloride on acid-base and electrolyte in feedlot sheep blood gas analysis to determine the occurrence of metabolic acidosis. It was used 100 male lambs, in a feedlot, aged approximately three months. It was constituted three groups: Group I (n=40) that received 400mg/kg/PV of ammonium chloride/animal/day for 21 consecutive days, the time of discontinuation of the urinary acidifiers (M3) and continued clinical follow until the end of the experiment (M6); Group II (n=40), that received 400mg/kg/PV of ammonium chloride/animal/day for 42 consecutive days, Group III (n=20), that did not receive ammonium chloride throughout the experimental period. The moments (M) of samples and clinical assessment were established on seven days of interval, M0 (immediately before the beginning of the treatment with ammonium chloride), M1 (seven days after), M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6, totalizing 56 days of feedlot. The feed consisted of a total mixed ration consisting of 15% of ground hay and 85 % of concentrate, water and mineral salt ad libitum. After 15 days of adaptation to the diet of feedlot, urine samples for measurement of pH, and venous blood for blood gas analysis were collected from all animals at different moments. The urinary acidification was maintained as was the administration of ammonium chloride in GI and GII. The values of Na+ and K+ remained within the normal range for the species...

Efficacy and safety of Ascoril expectorant and other cough formula in the treatment of cough management in paediatric and adult patients--a randomised double-blind comparative trial.

The present study was undertaken to study the comparative safety and efficacy of two cough formulas viz, Ascoril expectorant and other cough formula in the management of cough associated with respiratory disorders. Fifty patients having cough associated with various respiratory disorders like bronchitis and upper or lower respiratory tract infections were randomly divided into 2 equal groups and were treated with one of the two cough formulas viz, Ascoril cough formula and other cough formula in double-blind manner over a period of 15 days. The evaluation of improvement was carried out by a rating scale using three clinical parameters--cough, sputum and breathlessness. The physicians were asked to rate the effectiveness of the therapy and patients were asked to rate the acceptability of therapy using pre-defined operational criteria. It was observed that the improvement and symptom relief was almost immediate, quicker and better in the group receiving Ascoril as compared to other group. On effectiveness parameter, 96% of the physicians rated Ascoril as having either 'very high effectiveness or high effectiveness' as opposed to only 34% of the physicians who rated other cough formula as having 'high' or 'very high effectiveness'. While on parameter of acceptability, 96% of the patients rated acceptability of Ascoril as 'high' or 'good' as opposed to only 24% of the patients who rated other cough formula 'high' or 'good'. The findings of this study suggests that Ascoril cough formula has better efficacy as well as better patient acceptability. Thus, Ascoril cough formula is superior to other cough formula in management of cough associated with respiratory disorders.

Urinary net charge in hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.

OBJECTIVE: (i) To examine the usefulness of urinary net charge (UNa + UK - UCl) in the evaluation of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis secondary to diarrhea, distal RTA and proximal RTA and (ii) To characterize the type of distal RTA on the basis of the underlying defect. SETTING: Pediatrics division of a tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS: Thirty four children with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis secondary to diarrhea (n = 16), distal RTA (n = 11) and proximal RTA (n = 7). Ten normal children with ammonium chloride induced acidosis were also studied. METHODS: All subjects underwent urine collection of 30-60 minutes duration for measurement of Na, K, Cl, pH and pCO2. The measurements were also made on the blood samples collected at the midpoint of urine collection. The urinary net charge was calculated by subtracting Cl values from the sum of the Na and K. RESULTS: Patients with proximal and distal RTA had a positive urine net charge. Patients with diarrhea and ammonium chloride induced acidosis showed negative urine net charge. Patients with diarrhea with extremely low urine sodium levels showed an inappropriately high urine pH despite persistent metabolic acidosis. All patients with distal RTA were found to have a secretory type of defect. CONCLUSION: Measurement of urine net charge is helpful in the initial evaluation of a patient with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.