Reduction of stool bacterial counts and prevention of diarrhea using an oral homeopathic product in newborn lambs.

Lamb farming is generally a secondary activity for farmers, and many breeding systems suffer from management failures that impair production. One reason for decline in performance is enteritis, usually affecting newborn lambs. Enteritis can be fatal, especially in dairy herds. Generally, lambs are fed sucrose or unprocessed milk from sheep or cow that is heated and fed to animals two or three times a day in baby bottles. However, on most farms, milk temperature differs among feeds, as often the process of alteration among diet adaptations is deficient, contributing to enteritis and consequent diarrhea. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to verify the administration of the homeopathic product (Dia 100®) in newborn and bottle-fed lambs, in order to prevent or minimize the occurrence of diarrhea. We studied 60 lambs, divided into two groups with ten repetitions each (n = 30) and during the nursing period (1-45 days of life). Animals in the treated group received the homeopathic product (36 g) orally divided into three doses (1, 7 and 14 days of life). We measured weight gain, mortality, bacterial counts (Escherichia coli and total coliforms) in feces, hematological analysis (leukocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocytes) and biochemical analyses (glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, globulin, urea and total protein) at four time-points. There were no differences in weight gain between groups (P > 0.05); however, there was a higher mortality rate in the control group (13%) than in the treated group (6%). E. coli counts were significantly higher in the stools of control group lambs on days 15 and 45 of the experiment (P < 0.05). Total leukocyte counts were greater in treated animals due to greater numbers of lymphocytes on day 15 of the experiment (P < 0.05). In the treated group, we found higher serum levels of total protein, urea (day 15), globulin and triglycerides (days 15 and 30). In the period of administration of the homeopathic product, there was substantial and significant reduction of cases of diarrhea (up to day 14); however, after this period, there were no difference between groups. Based on these results, we concluded that the homeopathic product had moderate efficacy in terms of control of diarrhea. The treated lambs made better use of nutrients, contributing to the development of their immune responses.

Homeopathic treatment as an alternative prophylactic to minimize bacterial infection and prevent neonatal diarrhea in calves.

Bovine neonatal diarrhea is common due low immunity in newborn calves, poor management (or absence) of sanitary barriers, and other factors. Newborn calves with diarrhea in the first days of life suffer failure to thrive and may die if left untreated. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prophylactic administration of a homeopathic product (Dia 100®) can control bovine neonatal diarrhea in calves born on a farm with substantial sanitary challenges. We counted total bacteria and protozoan parasites in fecal samples. We measured serum glucose, total protein, globulin, albumin, cholesterol and triglycerides on days 1, 7 and 14 of life. Twenty newborn calves were maintained in individual stalls, and were divided in two groups: ten untreated animals (control) and ten animals treated with Dia 100®. Fecal consistency was evaluated daily. We diagnosed diarrhea in five animals in the treated group, and in all animals from the control group. Infections with Escherichia coli and Giardia duodenalis were identified as the responsible organisms. The E. coli count was low in the treatment group on day 7 of life compared with the control group. Antibiotics were given to eight animals in the control group, and to two animals in the treatment group. On day of life 7, serum levels of total protein and globulins were higher in the control group, but were lower on day 14. Serum levels of glucose and triglycerides were greater in treated animals on days 7 and 14, suggesting that the homeopathic product contributes to improvement of intestinal health and absorption and nutrients. We conclude that Dia 100® controls diarrhea with 50% of efficacy, and reduces antibiotic utilization.

Homeopathy as replacement to antibiotics in the case of Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets.

BACKGROUND: The use of antibiotics in the livestock sector is increasing to such an extent that it threatens negative consequences for human health, animal health and the environment. Homeopathy might be an alternative to antibiotics. It has therefore been tested in a randomised placebo-controlled trial to prevent Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets. METHOD: On a commercial pig farm 52 sows of different parities, in their last month of gestation, were treated twice a week with either the homeopathic agent Coli 30K or placebo. The 525 piglets born from these sows were scored for occurrence and duration of diarrhoea. RESULTS: Piglets of the homeopathic treated group had significantly less E. coli diarrhoea than piglets in the placebo group (P<.0001). Especially piglets from first parity sows gave a good response to treatment with Coli 30K. The diarrhoea seemed to be less severe in the homeopathically treated litters, there was less transmission and duration appeared shorter.

[Protective effect of musk extract on rat's cerebral cortical neurons with inflammatory injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of musk extract (ME) and its possible mechanism on rat's cerebral cortical neurons with inflammatory injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Neurons and astrocytes from newborn rat cerebral cortex were cultured in vitro respectively, and the astrocyte conditioned medium (ACM), obtained by treating astrocytes with 10 mg/L LPS and different concentrations of ME for 24 h, was added in the culture fluid of neurons. The survival rate and apoptotic rate of neurons were measured by MTT method and AO/EB stain; and the changes of inflammatory factors in the ACM were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: The survival rate (%) of neurons treated by ACM with ME in concentrations of 18 mg/L, 36 mg/L, 72 mg/L and 144 mg/L was 52.55 +/- 3.52, 55.77 +/- 2.36, 64.89 +/- 3.45 and 73.67 +/- 1.80, respectively, significantly higher than that in the model neurons (43.62 +/- 4. 51, P < 0.05), while the apoptotic rate (%) in them, 68.11 +/- 2.16, 44.27 +/- 3.68, 32.56 +/- 2.14 and 21.89 +/- 2.46, respectively, was significantly lower than that in model neurons (71.33 +/- 3.25, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Level of IL-6 was decreasing along with the raising of ME concentration in the ACM, showing a concentration-dependent state. CONCLUSION: ME shows apparent protective effect on neurons against inflammatory injury, especially in a high concentration (144 mg/L), which may be associated with the reduction of IL-6 secreted by astrocytes.

A randomized controlled trial of homeopathic treatment of weaned piglets in a commercial swine herd.

AIM: To evaluate the zootechnic performance and occurrence of diarrhea in piglets in the week post-weaning comparing supplementation with sucrose saline which contained or did not contain added homeopathic medicine. METHOD: Animals were randomly divided into three groups of 24 piglets each. The control group did not receive any treatment. Another group received sucrose saline, and the third group received sucrose saline with homeopathic medicine added, in the period of zero to seven days post-weaning. The homeopathic treatment consisted of Echinacea angustifolia, Avena sativa, Ignatia amara, Calcarea carbonica, all 6cH. Piglets were weighed daily for weight gain or loss, and observed for diarrhea and feed intake. RESULTS: Animals receiving sucrose saline alone and sucrose saline with homeopathy had less weight loss than control (p=0.017, p=0.0001 respectively). There was no statistical difference in relation to overall incidence of diarrhea or food consumption. These data suggest that the supplementation with sucrose saline with added homeopathic medicine in the first seven days post-weaning may be an useful option to reduce weight loss in weaned piglets.

[Kidney-jing deficiency reduces the fertility of male mice and their male offspring].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of kidney-jing deficiency on the fertility of male mice and their male offspring. METHODS: Thirty 6-week-old Kunming male mice and 300 female ones were randomly allocated to a blank control group, a model group and a kidney-tonifying group. The model and the kidney-tonifying groups were stressed by fear plus excessive sex to establish a kidney-jing deficiency model, and meanwhile the latter were given concentrated solution of Kidney-tonifying Recipe intragastrically at the dose of 0.16 ml/10 g. The control and the model groups were treated with physiological saline at the same dose for 21 days. Then all the male mice were mated with the healthy estrous females for 5 days. The sperm density and motility of each group of the male mice were examined, and their fertility was assessed by comparison of the pregnancy rate and the number of baby mice at each birth among their female mates. And the sperm density and motility of the male offspring were detected at 6 weeks. RESULTS: The average number of baby mice at each birth in the model group was (7.00 +/- 1.73), significantly smaller than those in the control (9.43 +/- 1.27) and the kidney-tonifying group (8.80 +/- 1.10) (P < 0.05). The sperm density and motility of the model mice were (9.70 +/- 1.15) x 10(6) / ml and (66.72 +/- 10. 12) %, lower than those of the control ([14.08 +/- 1.15 x 10(6)/ ml and [81.75 +/- 3.56] %), and the kidney-tonifying group ([12.20 +/- 1.55] x 10(6)/ ml and [78.55 +/- 4.38] %) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the latter two groups (P > 0.05). The sperm density and motility of the offspring of the model mice were (10.10 +/- 1.79) x 10(6)/ ml and (71.86 +/- 7.48) %, lower than those of the control ([15.30 +/- 1.83] x 10(6)/ ml and [79.86 +/- 5.68] %), and the kidney-tonifying group ([14.20 +/- 2.21] x 10(6)/ ml and [81.92 +/- 2.51] %) (P < 0.05), with no significant difference between the latter two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fear plus excessive sex could reduce the fertility of male mice and even that of their male offspring. And kidney-tonifying therapy could counteract this effect.

Demonstration of progesterone receptors in rat Schwann cells.

We have recently shown that progesterone promotes myelin formation in peripheral nerves of rodents. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of progesterone receptors (PR) in primary cultures of rat Schwann cells, the glial cells of the PNS, prepared from sciatic nerves of 4-5 days old rats. After 3 weeks of culture, the presence of PR was measured by whole cell assay after incubating living cells for 1 h at 37 degrees C with [3H]-Organon 2058 as a ligand, and about 5000 specific binding sites per cell were found. In contrast to the PR of rat glial cells from the central nervous system (CNS), which is induced by estrogens, treatment of Schwann cells with estradiol did not increase the PR-binding, even after exposure of cells to high doses of estrogen under various culture conditions. Progesterone receptors were also visualized in Schwann cells by indirect immunofluorescence staining with a monoclonal anti-PR antibody. Again, treatment of the cells with estradiol did not increase the immunofluorescence staining of the PR. Specific PR binding was also measured in sciatic nerves of adult female rats. Cytosol was prepared and labeled with [3H]-Organon 2058 for 15 h at 2 degrees C. After treatment with dextran-coated charcoal, specific ligand binding was about 30 fmol/mg cytosolic protein. When castrated adult female rats were treated with estradiol (20 micrograms EB/day for 3 days), no PR-induction was observed in the cytosol of sciatic nerves. In contrast, PR-binding sites in cytosols prepared from pituitary gland and uteri of the same animals were significantly increased by the estrogen.

Open channel and competitive block of nicotinic receptors by pancuronium and atracurium.

Mouse myotubes were used to investigate effects of the nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs pancuronium and atracurium on embryonic-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels. Experiments were performed using patch-clamp techniques in combination with devices for ultra-fast solution exchange at outside--out patches. Application of 0.1 mM acetylcholine resulted in a fast current transient. When the peak amplitude was achieved, the current decayed monoexponentially due to desensitization. After application of drugs (pancuronium or atracurium), two different mechanisms of block were observed: (1) open channel block of embryonic-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels after coapplication of blocker and acetylcholine, characterized by decrease of the time constant of current decay; (2) competitive block of embryonic-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels by pancuronium or atracurium after preincubation of outside-out patches with the respective blocker. Different affinities of pancuronium (K(B) approximately 0.01 microM) and atracurium (K(B) approximately 1 microM) to embryonic-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels were observed.

Differential effects of pancuronium bromide on cardiopulmonary function in the neonatal lamb.

The effect of pancuronium bromide (Panc Br) on resting cardiopulmonary function and cardiopulmonary responses to intravenous injection of acetylcholine (Ach) and histamine (H) was evaluated in neonatal lambs. The animals were mechanically ventilated and managed to maintain physiologic gas exchange and acid-base conditions. A proximal segment of the cervical trachea was bypassed; the developed pressure response of this segment (P cervical trach) was used as a direct indication of airway smooth muscle contraction and bronchoconstriction. Pulmonary resistance (Rp) and functional residual capacity were determined. The change in Rp from resting values was used as a functional indicator of central and peripheral airway bronchoconstriction. Cardiovascular function and responses were evaluated from changes in mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Following Panc Br, there was a significant reduction in Ach-induced P cervical trach (-50 +/- 9.2% SE) and Rp (-46 +/- 2.4% SE). In contrast, Panc Br did not significantly change Ach-induced bradycardia and hypotension, cardiopulmonary responses to H, and resting cardiopulmonary function. The differential effects of Panc Br on cardiopulmonary function appear to be related to regional differences between cardiovascular and airway smooth muscle muscarinic receptors in the neonate. The results of this study elucidate a mechanism which may explain previously reported variability in the effect of Panc Br on neonatal cardiopulmonary function. Furthermore, the Panc Br-related attenuation of airway smooth muscle responses suggests that this form of neuromuscular blockade affects the regulation of airway tone and may influence the susceptibility of the neonate to airway deformation consequent to mechanical ventilation.

Effects of neonatal cerebral ventricular injection of ACTH 4-9 and subsequent adult injections on learning in male and female albino rats.

An investigation of permanent developmental effects of a potent, long acting ACTH/MSH 4-10 analogue (Organon 2766) on adult passive avoidance performance and of subsequent peripheral adult injections of the same substance on visual (black and white) discrimination learning and reversal in a Thompson-Bryant box was conducted. A subproblem analysis of visual and position preferences during reversal was performed. No differences in passive avoidance performance or in original discrimination learning were obtained. Both infant and adult treatments enhanced reversal learning and visual orientation (proportion of responese to the previously positive stimulus). Infant treatment suppressed position orientation in males and enhanced position orientation in females. These effects were interpreted as indicating that ACTH-like peptides enhance attention to the relevant stimulus by a direct effect on the brain.

Anesthesia blocks nonshivering thermogenesis in the neonatal rabbit.

Nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) is a normal physiological response of the neonate to cold exposure, characterized by increased blood flow to metabolically active brown fat stores. It is standard practice during neonatal surgery to warm the ambient environment in order to avoid consuming vital energy stores. While NST has been well-studied in the neonate, the response during anesthesia and paralysis has not been fully characterized. Rabbit pups (aged 1 to 7 days) were randomized into several groups. The experimental groups consisted of animals mechanically ventilated and administered either metocurine, pancuronium, curare, fentanyl, nitrous oxide (N2O), or halothane. The controls were spontaneously breathing animals. Oxygen consumption (VO2), an index of metabolic activity, was measured at thermoneutrality (39 degrees C) and after cold exposure (25 degrees C). Control and metocurine animals had a significant increase in VO2 in response to cold exposure. The increase in VO2 was not noted in animals that received curare, pancuronium, fentanyl, N2O, or halothane. To test the effect of anesthetic withdrawal during cold exposure on VO2, additional series of animals were studied. One group received continuous halothane throughout the period of cold exposure; the other had cessation of the halothane during cold exposure. Both groups were rewarmed subsequently. The animals that had withdrawal of halothane during cold exposure had a marked and significant increase in VO2 compared with the control group (continuous halothane). VO2 returned to near-baseline levels upon rewarming. The authors conclude that many commonly used anesthetic and paralyzing agents inhibit the thermogenic response to cold exposure. However, cessation of anesthesia (halothane) in a cold environment results in a marked increase in metabolic activity.

[Recovery effect of cardiomyopeptidin fractions and fraction addition on cardiac muscle cells in rats damaged by adriamycin].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recovery effect of cardiomyopeptidin fractions and fraction addition on the cardiac muscle cells in rats damaged by adriamycin. METHODS: Observing the activity of the succinic dehydrogenase which is at mitochondrion in the cells damaged by adriamycin with MTT. RESULTS: Five fractions have all promoted the activating effect of the enzyme, the action of PI being higher than the others. Fraction addition has also promoted the activating effect of the enzyme, but without additive effect. CONCLUSION: The recovery effect of cardimyopeptidin depends on the interplay among the fractions.

[A comparison of chemical composition and bioactivity of polypeptides from velvet antlers of Cervus nippon Temminck and Cervus elaphus Linnaeus].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the chemical composition and bioactivity of polypeptides(PPs) isolated from velvet antlers of sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck) and red deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus). METHOD: The two kind of polypeptides were isolated from the above mentioned velvet antlers with same technology. The chemical composition was determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Stimulant activity of cells proliferation was measured by [3H] TdR incorporation into DNA. RESULT: The graphs of SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS of velvet antler polypeptides (VAPPs) from Chinese and New zealand red deer were very similar, but there were obvious difference in respect of graph between sika deer and red deer. VAPPs 25-50 mg.L-1 showed marked proliferation-promoting activity for rabbit costed chondrocytes, either sika deer or red deer. However, the activity of sika deer VAPPs 12.5 mg.L-1 for epidermal cells was weaker than that of red deer (12.5 mg.L-1). CONCLUSION: The chemical property and bioactivity of VAPPs from sika deer and red deer are significantly different.

Histopathological changes of renal tissue following sodium fluoride administration in two consecutive generations of mice. Correlation with the urinary elimination of fluoride.

The present study was designed to investigate the toxic effects (evaluated as histopathological changes) of sodium fluoride on the kidney in two consecutive generations of NMRI mice. An attempt to correlate the toxicity with the urinary elimination of fluoride has been made, as urinary fluoride excretion has been widely used as an indicator of fluoride intake and exposure. Six mixed (males and females) animal groups have been constituted by dividing the populations of mice derived from pregnant females (named "mothers" 0.5 mg sodium fluoride) treated with 0.5 mg sodium fluoride by daily gavage and pregnant females (named "mothers" 0.25 mg sodium fluoride) treated with 0.25 mg sodium fluoride by daily gavage; three types of sodium fluoride treatments were administrated: homeopathic, allopathic-homeopathic and allopathic. When the animals reached the adulthood, by randomization, they were selected in pairs for giving birth to the second generation of mice. No treatments were administrated to the second generation of mice; thus, the urinary elimination of fluoride in the second generation is attributed to exposure at sodium fluoride before birth. The administration of sodium fluoride to the first generation (F1) is realized until the mice reached the adulthood. For the first generation, the urine was collected at three times, every three weeks: at the age of four weeks, seven weeks and 11 weeks; single sampling urine, at the age of four weeks, has been conducted for the second generation. The urine samples have been analyzed using the ion selective electrode method for fluoride. For the histopathological examination, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation; the kidneys were collected in a 10% formalin solution. The preparation of samples for optical microscopy was realized with Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. The results indicate that the elimination of fluoride was similar (at the second evaluation, at 7-week-old of the first generation) for the both generations of mice. Histopathological observation of the kidney has revealed granular dystrophy of the renal tubules, necrosis of the endothelial cells and of the mesangial cells of renal glomerulus. The study indicates that different sodium fluoride treatments produce some pathological aspects of the kidneys and influence the urinary elimination of fluoride in two consecutive generations of mice. For the higher doses, the pathological changes of the kidney are more important, and the urinary elimination of fluoride is higher, especially for the allopathic doses.

Effect of antler extract on corticosteroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Deer antler, traditionally used as a tonic and valuable drug in oriental medicine, has been considered to possess bone-strengthening activity and effectively used in bone diseases therapy. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to investigate therapeutic effect of antler extract on avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) induced by corticosteroids in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were intragluteally injected with dexamethasone at 50mg/kg twice per week for 6 weeks to induce ANFH. Then the rats were treated with antler extract by oral gavage at 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800 mg/kg once per day for 60 days. The concentration of hydroxyproline and hexosamine in serum was measured and the ultrastructure of femoral head was examined. In vitro, effect of the drug-containing serum of antler extract on proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts were investigated by MIT assay, ALP activity assay and cell cycle analysis. RESULTS: After treatment with antler extract, the degree of necrosis induced by dexamethasone was significantly reduced, hydroxyproline was significantly decreased, and hexosamine and the ratio of hexosamine/hydroxyproline were significantly increased. The drug-containing serum of antler extract promotes osteoblastic proliferation through regulation of cell cycle progression. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that antler extract has a positive curative effect on ANFH by promoting osteoblastic proliferation.

Pancuronium does not alter the hemodynamic status of piglets after normoxia or hypoxia.

Pancuronium is a neuromuscular blocking agent commonly used to eliminate agitation in sick newborn infants requiring mechanical ventilation. Experimental data supporting this method of intervention are controversial, and hemodynamic studies in newborn infants report conflicting results. This study was designed to determine the hemodynamic effects of pancuronium administered under conditions of normoxia, hypoxia, and preexposure to hypoxia in neonatal piglets with normal lungs. After baseline hemodynamic and blood gas measurements were obtained, pancuronium was administered in two i.v. bolus injections of 0.1 mg/kg. Tidal volume and minute ventilation were maintained constant during the experimental procedure by adjusting ventilator settings. Twenty min after pancuronium, no changes from baseline values were found in arterial blood gases, heart rate, cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, central venous pressure, or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in any of the three conditions studied. In conclusion, pancuronium administered during normoxia, hypoxia, or after preexposure to hypoxia while controlled ventilation is maintained does not alter systemic or pulmonary hemodynamic status of the newborn piglet.

Retinal, choroidal and total ocular blood flow response to hypercarbia during spontaneous breathing and mechanical ventilation.

The effect of hypercarbia on ocular blood flow was studied in the newborn piglet with the isotope-labeled microsphere method. Blood flow measurements were made during spontaneous breathing and during paralyzation (pancuronium) and mechanical ventilation. Retinal blood flow increased from 0.40 +/- 0.07 (mean +/- SEM) ml/min/g at baseline levels to 0.91 +/- 0.17 ml/min/g at a PaCO2 level of 11.0 kPa during spontaneous ventilation. A similar response was observed during paralyzation and mechanical ventilation (0.89 +/- 0.15 ml/min/g at a PaCO2 of 11.1 kPa). For choroidal blood flow, however, the increase caused by hypercarbia during spontaneous ventilation (16.14 +/- 3.69 to 29.15 +/- 3.22 ml/min/g) was significantly reduced when the animals were paralyzed and mechanically ventilated (15.99 +/- 2.99 to 23.51 +/- 3.41 ml/min/g). Since choroidal blood flow accounts for 60-80% of oxygen delivery to the retina, paralyzation and mechanical ventilation may significantly reduce oxygen delivery to the retina during hypercarbia.