Postpartum nutrition affects the insulin-like growth factor system in dominant follicles and plasma of anestrous beef cows.

Effects of nutrition on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding proteins (IGFBP), and insulin in plasma and dominant follicles were evaluated at day 72 and 56 (Exp. 1, n = 12 and Exp. 2, n = 28, respectively) postpartum in anovulatory primiparous beef cows. Cows were stratified based on body condition score at calving and randomly assigned to nutritional treatments: maintain (M), 2.27 kg of a 40 % CP supplement per day and ad libitum hay; or gain (G), ad libitum access to a 50 % concentrate diet and ad libitum hay. Blood samples were collected twice weekly starting 30 days postpartum. Ovarian follicles were evaluated using ultrasonography commencing 42 (Exp. 1) or 30 (Exp. 2) days postpartum. Body weight and condition score were greater (P < 0.05) for cows of G than M groups and postpartum interval to luteal function was longer for cows of the M than G group. Insulin and IGF-I concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) and plasma were greater (P < 0.05) for cows of the G than M group at follicular aspiration. Plasma and FF IGFBP4 and IGFBP5 concentrations were greater (P <  0.05) in Exp. 2, and IGFBP5 was greater in Exp. 1 for cows of the G than M group. Treatment did not affect FF steroid concentrations or granulosal cell CYP19A1, PAPPA, IGFBP4, and IGFBP5 mRNA abundance. These results indicate concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, IGFBP4, and IGFBP5 in FF and plasma are affected by nutritional intake and may be related to follicular function.

Ingesta de tomate reduce niveles de colesterol en ratas Wistar / Tomato intake lowers cholesterol levels in rats

Cardiovascular diseases are closely associated with lifestyle risk factors, some of them modifiable. Animal studies and clinical observations have suggested a relationship between serum total cholesterol and atherosclerosis. Studies have shown that levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were modified by the consumption of fresh tomato juice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of daily consumption of tomato mash on cholesterol and other biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. To carry out this research two groups of rats (n = 6 each one), were formed, one of which was supplemented with a mash diet tomato and the other was used for control. After 15 days of testing, the rats were sacrificed and plasma collected was used for biochemical determination of total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. The cholesterol level decreased in the study group (33,7+/-2,78 mg/dL) with respect to that of control group (58,6+/-10,6 mg/dL). This study showed an ipocholesterolemic effect of the tomato in rats. Future studies could examine this activity in dyslipidemic subjects.

Peripheral blood levels of thyroglobulin mRNA and serum thyroglobulin concentrations after radioiodine ablation of multinodular goiter with or without pre-treatment with recombinant human thyrotropin.

We investigated the effect of therapeutic doses of radioiodine (RAI) on peripheral serum messenger thyroglobulin RNA (Tg mRNA) and serum thyroglobulin (sTg) in patients with multinodular goiter (MNG) preceded or not by treatment with recombinant human TSH (rhTSH). Fourteen patients with large MNG (91-542 ml) received RAI (550-2960 MBq). Half of the patients received 0.45 mg of rhTSH prior to the treatment (RAI+rhTSH group) and half did not (RAI group). Patients' blood samples were collected before and 24, 48, and 72 h; 7 and 30 days; and 6, 9, and 12 months after RAI treatment. Serum Tg was measured by immunoradiometric assay, serum anti-Tg by radioimmunoassay, and quantification of circulating Tg mRNA was performed by real-time PCR. The shrinkage of MNG volume was documented by serial computed tomography (CT) scans before, 6 and 12 months after RAI. Peak Tg mRNA and sTg were reached earlier in the RAI+rhTSH group (24 h and 48 h) than in the RAI group (7 days). Both declined after the peak and the lowest levels were observed at 12 months. The mean reduction of the thyroid volume was 19.8% (RAI group) and 30.3% (RAI+rhTSH group) at 6 months (ns) and 32.8% RAI and 52.5% (RAI+rhTSH group) at 12 months (p<0.05). After RAI treatment there was a significant and positive correlation between goiter volume and sTg only in the RAI group (r=0.7; p=0.032). Serum anti-Tg had a transitory and relatively small elevation in 3 and 2 patients, respectively, in the RAI and RAI+rhTSH groups. We concluded that after RAI ablation of MNG there is a rapid release of Tg into the serum possibly from the colloid, which is followed by an elevation of serum Tg mRNA that may be due to an increased release of follicular cells into the blood stream. Both phenomena are enhanced by the use of rhTSH before RAI treatment as a consequence of a more effective and prolonged radiation exposure of the thyroid follicles.

Influence of nutrient intake and body fat on concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, thyroxine, and leptin in plasma of gestating beef cows.

Pregnant Angus x Hereford cows (n = 73) were used to determine the effects of amount of nutrient intake and BCS on concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, leptin, and thyroxine in plasma. At 2 to 4 mo of gestation, cows were blocked by BCS and assigned to one of four nutritional treatments: high (H = a 50% concentrate diet fed ad libitum in a drylot) or adequate native grass pastures and one of three amounts of a 40% CP supplement each day (M = moderate, 1.6 kg; L = low, 1.1 kg; or VL = very low, 0.5 kg; as-fed basis). After 110 d of treatment, all cows grazed dormant native grass pasture and received 1.6 kg/d of a 40% CP supplement. At 68, 109, and 123 d of treatment, cows were gathered, and plasma samples were collected by tail venipuncture (fed sample). After 18 h without feed and water, a second plasma sample was collected (fasted sample). At 109 d of treatment, BCS was greatest (P < 0.05) for H cows, similar for M and L cows, and least for VL cows. Concentrations of insulin and leptin were greater (P < 0.05) for H cows than for M and VL cows at 68 and 109 d, but similar for all groups at 123 d. Thyroxine in plasma was greatest (P < 0.05) for H cows at 68 d and similar for cows on all treatments at 123 d. Concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, and leptin in fed and fasted cows were positively correlated with BCS at 109 d. Body condition was predictive of concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, and leptin when cows had different nutrient intakes, but BCS accounted for less than 12% of the variation in plasma concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, and leptin when nutrient intake was the same for all cows. We conclude that amount of nutrient intake has a greater influence than body energy reserves on IGF-I, insulin, and leptin concentrations in the plasma of gestating beef cows.

Effect of pre- and post-partum feed supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of grazing primiparous Brahman cows.

This experiment studied the combined effect of pre- and post-calving feed supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of primiparous Brahman cows. The animals were 4 years old (420 kg live weight) and pregnant, and grazed rotationally on Stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) pastures. Supplementation was given before and after (T1, n = 15), only before (T2, n = 15) or only after (T3, n = 16) calving, and there was an unsupplemented control (T4, n = 16). The supplement (1.5 kg/animal per day, 13.4 MJ digestible energy/kg dry matter and 20% crude protein) was given for 45 days before and/or after calving. Changes in body weight and body condition score and the productive behaviour of the calves were similar (p > 0.05) among treatments. The concentration of urea in the plasma was low in the control group (T4) before and after calving. The animals in all the groups had a poor reproductive performance. The percentage of cows in oestrus was higher (p < 0.05) in T1 (73.3%) than in T3 (37.5%). The interval from calving to conception (148.7 +/- 53.7 days) and the pregnancy rate (48.5%) were similar (p > 0.05) among the treatments. The level of supplementation offered before and/or after calving did not improve the pregnancy rate.

Standard case management of pneumonia in hospitalized children in Uruguay, 1997 to 1998.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of the use of antimicrobial guidelines for the management of children with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. METHODS: Admittance and discharge criteria and algorithms for diagnosis and treatment were established. The decision to treat with antibiotics was based on radiologic findings in pneumonia with pulmonary consolidation and left to the attending physician's criteria in the remaining cases. The use of antibiotics was limited to penicillin and derivatives (ampicillin, amoxicillin) and macrolides. RESULTS: Of the 1163 children treated as bacterial pneumonia, hospitalized in public and private health facilities in Montevideo from September, 1997, through September, 1998, standard case management was applied in 1082 (93%). Age distribution was: <1 month, 1%; between 1 and 11 months, 29%; between 1 and 5 years, 50%; >5 years, 20%. Chest radiography showed evidence of pulmonary consolidation in 843 children (73%). Bacteria were detected in blood culture and/or pleural fluid of 57 children (5%). In 51 the identified microorganism was Streptococcus pneumoniae, susceptible to penicillin in 30, intermediate in 6 and resistant in 5 (maximum MIC, 4 microg/ml); in 10 cases etiologic diagnosis was made by antigen detection. Empyema was present in 62 children (5.3%); 38 (3.27%) required treatment in an intensive care unit; and 5 (0.4%) died. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with standard case management was highly satisfactory. Outcome of children treated with penicillin and derivatives was good, including children with empyema and pneumatocele and two patients with penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae. At the present time S. pneumoniae resistant to penicillin is not an important problem in children with pneumonia in Uruguay. Surveillance of identified microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility must continue.

Effect of glutamine on methotrexate efficacy and toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of oral glutamine (GLN) on the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate (MTX). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The use of high-dose chemotherapy regimens is limited by the severity of their toxicities. Oral GLN has been shown to decrease the gut toxicity seen with MTX treatment while enhancing its tumoricidal effect. METHODS AND RESULTS: Studies were done in laboratory rats and in breast cancer outpatients. Fischer 344 rats were randomized to 48 hours of prefeeding with GLN (1 g/kg/day) or an isonitrogenous amount of glycine. Rats were killed 24 hours after receiving a 20-mg/kg intraperitoneal dose of MTX. In the GLN group, there was a threefold increase in total MTX in the tumor as compared with the control group, and this increase was in both the diglutamated and pentaglutamated MTX. Inversely, there was a significant decrease in the total polyglutamated MTX in the gut in the GLN group. Given the results of this preclinical study, the authors performed a phase I trial. Nine patients diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer received GLN (0.5 g/kg/day) during MTX neoadjuvant therapy, escalating from doses of 40 mg/m2 to 100 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks, followed by a doxorubicin-based regimen. No toxicity of oral GLN was detected. No patient showed any sign of chemotherapy-related toxicity. One patient had a grade I mucositis. Except for one, all patients responded to the chemotherapy regimen. Median survival was 35 months. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that GLN supplementation is safe in its administration to the tumor-bearing host receiving MTX. By preferentially increasing tumor retention of MTX over that of normal host tissue, GLN may serve to increase the therapeutic window of this chemotherapeutic age.