Gastrointestinal effects following acupuncture at Pericardium-6 and Stomach-36 in healthy dogs: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify changes in gastric and intestinal emptying times in the conscious dog following gastrointestinal acupoint stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomised, blinded crossover study, six dogs were fed 30×1.5 mm barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres and underwent: (1) no acupuncture (Control); (2) stimulation of target points PC6 and ST36 (Target) and (3) stimulation of non-target points LU7 and BL55 (Sham). Abdominal radiographs were assessed immediately after feeding the spheres and every hour for 12 hours and their number in the stomach and large intestines was counted. RESULTS: The number of barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres found distal to the stomach was less in the Target group compared to the Control and Sham groups between hours 2 and 4, but no differences between groups were seen for the remainder of the treatment period. The number of spheres found within the colon/rectum was less in the Target group compared to the Control and Sham groups between hours 4 and 6, and compared to the Sham group only at hour 7 but no differences between groups were seen after hour 8. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Acupuncture targeted at the gastrointestinal tract of dogs was associated briefly with slowed gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit time. This foundational study lays the groundwork for additional studies of acupuncture effects associated with altered physiologic states.

Vitamin Supplementation at the Time of Immunization with a Cold-Adapted Influenza Virus Vaccine Corrects Poor Mucosal Antibody Responses in Mice Deficient for Vitamins A and D.

Vitamin A and D deficiencies and insufficiencies are prevalent worldwide in developed and developing countries. Vitamin metabolites are functionally intertwined in that they are high-affinity ligands for related receptors of the nuclear receptor superfamily. The effects of vitamin A deficiencies (VAD) on antibody responses to respiratory virus vaccines have already been demonstrated. Of particular concern was the reduction in IgA, a first line of defense against pathogens in the respiratory tract. Here, we describe the individual and combined effects of vitamin A and D deficiencies in mice immunized with an attenuated influenza virus vaccine. Relative to VAD, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) had a limited effect, but double deficiencies for vitamins A and D (VAD+VDD) further reduced antibody responses in the respiratory tract. The administration of supplemental vitamins A and D to VAD+VDD mice at the time of vaccination restored responses in a dose-dependent manner. Results suggest that vitamin supplementation programs may be beneficial in a clinical setting to promote healthy immune responses to respiratory virus vaccines in vitamin-deficient individuals.

Oral retinyl palmitate or retinoic acid corrects mucosal IgA responses toward an intranasal influenza virus vaccine in vitamin A deficient mice.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases. Recent pre-clinical studies have revealed that VAD impairs mucosal IgA-producing antibody forming cell (AFC) responses toward a paramyxovirus vaccine in the upper respiratory tract (URT), thus impeding a first line of defense at the pathogen's point-of-entry. The studies described here tested the hypothesis that VAD may also impair immune responses after FluMist vaccinations. Results show that (i) IgA-producing antibody forming cells (AFCs) are significantly reduced following FluMist vaccination in VAD mice, and (ii) oral doses of either retinyl palmitate or retinoic acid administered on days 0, 3, and 7 relative to vaccination rescue the response. Data encourage the conduct of clinical studies to determine if there are FluMist vaccine weaknesses in human VAD populations and to test corrective supplementation strategies. Improvements in vaccine efficacy may ultimately reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by influenza virus worldwide.

Intravascular haemolysis and renal impairment after blood transfusion in two patients on long-term 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C.

In a multicentre trial of adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric adenocarcinoma, a number of patients developed chronic haemolysis and renal failure following long-term treatment with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C. This was exacerbated by blood transfusion, leading to an acute intravascular haemolytic state accompanied by rapid decline in renal function. One patient investigated extensively was treated with antiplatelet drugs, steroids, and fresh frozen plasma without success. At necropsy this patient and another had renal changes typical of the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome and no evidence of tumour recurrence. Long-term treatment with this drug combination is potentially dangerous, and routine monitoring of renal function is recommended.