Effects of dietary arginine supplementation during gestation and lactation on the performance of lactating primiparous sows and nursing piglets.

A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized block design was used to determine the effects of dietary Arg supplementation during gestation and lactation on the lactation performance of 38 first-parity sows. At 30 d of gestation, pregnant gilts were allotted based on BW to 1 of 2 diets supplemented with 1% L-Arg.HCl or 1.7% L-Ala (isonitrogenous control). After farrowing, sows were further allotted based on BW within previous gestation treatment groups to 1 of 2 lactation diets supplemented with 1% L-Arg.HCl or 1.7% L-Ala (isonitrogenous control). All gestation diets contained 3.1 Mcal/kg and 12.2% CP (as is) and were fed 2 kg/d in 2 equally sized meals, whereas all lactation diets contained 3.2 Mcal/kg and 18.6% CP (as is) and were fed ad libitum. Litter size was standardized to 10 piglets by cross-fostering within 24 h postfarrowing. On a weekly basis, BW and backfat (BF) thickness of sows, as well as piglet BW were measured, and blood and milk samples were obtained from the sows. Number of days from weaning to estrus and ADFI were also recorded. There were no differences in BW, BF thickness, ADFI, or days until return to estrus among treatment groups. There was no effect of the gestation diet or a gestation x lactation diet interaction on any parameter measured. On d 7 of lactation, plasma concentrations of Arg and insulin in sows, as well as concentrations of most AA in milk, were greater (P < 0.05) in response to Arg supplementation during lactation compared with the control. Weight gain of piglets from sows fed the Arg-supplemented diet during lactation was greater between d 0 and 7 (P < 0.01) and between d 0 and 21 (P < 0.05) of lactation compared with piglets from sows fed the control diet. Collectively, results from this study indicate the potential beneficial effects of dietary Arg supplementation in improving the lactation performance of first-parity sows.

Production of eleutherosides in in vitro regenerated embryos and plantlets of Eleutherococcus chiisanensis.

High frequency somatic embryogenesis of Eleutheorcoccus chiisanensis was achieved through suspension culture of embryogenic cells in hormone-free Murashige and Skoog liquid medium supplemented with 30 g sucrose l-1. Cotyledonary somatic embryos were germinated and converted into plantlets using 20 microM: gibberellic acid which were then grown in a 10 l airlift bioreactor. HPLC analysis revealed the accumulation of eleutheroside B, E and E1 in the embryos and plantlets. Thus mass production of embryos and plantlets of E. chiisanensis can be achieved in liquid cultures and the biomass produced may become an alternative source of eleutherosides.

Reduction of chronic ciclosporin nephrotoxicity by thromboxane synthase inhibition with OKY-046.

Ciclosporin A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressive agent which is extremely effective in controlling allograft rejection and in the treatment of autoimmune disease and nephrotic syndrome. Unfortunately, its use is limited by chronic, irreversible nephrotoxicity. Administration of CsA induces renal vasoconstriction, causing a reduction in renal blood flow. An alteration of the prostaglandin-thromboxane cascade may be involved in the vasoconstriction. We studied the role of thromboxane A2 in CsA nephrotoxicity and the ability of a thromboxane synthase inhibitor, OKY-046, to reduce the CsA nephrotoxicity. Daily administration of CsA 25 mg/kg for 28 days to Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in increased excretion of urinary thomboxane B2 (47.9+/-11.5 vs. 27.2+/-9.7 ng/24 h; p<0.05) and decreased creatinine clearance (0.25+/-0.07 vs. 0.43+/-0.17ml/min/100 g; p<0.01) as compared with administration of vehicle only. Histologically, large numbers of lysosomes in the tubular epithelium were characteristic. Coadministration of OKY-046 prevented both the rise in urinary thromboxane B2 excretion (40.0+/-11.8 ng/24 h) and the reduction in the creatinine clearance (0.44+/-0.11 ml/min/100 g). The severity of the histological changes was significantly diminished. Selective inhibition of thromboxane production with OKY-046 may be valuable in the attenuation of CsA nephrotoxicity.

The stimulated gracilis neosphincter for fecal incontinence: a new use for an old concept.

The stimulated gracilis neosphincter is a viable procedure in selected patients with fecal incontinence. The aim of this paper is to review the technique of this staged operative procedure and review the problems and complications. Stage 1 consists of the vascular "delay" of the gracilis muscle and the creation of a temporary stoma. Stage 2 consists of transposition of the muscle around the anus with implantation of the stimulator. Low-frequency electrical stimulation is applied to the muscle for 12 weeks, after which stage 3 (stoma closure) is undertaken. From March of 1993 to March of 1995, 14 patients (9 females and 5 males) with a mean age of 44 years (range 20 to 67 years) underwent the procedure. Two patients died within 1 year of the operation from unrelated causes. Two patients developed anal stenosis and required permanent stomas. Other complications noted during ascent of the learning curve included seroma, excoriation of the skin above the stimulator, transposition of the stimulator, premature battery discharge, wound infection, rupture of the gracilis tendon, fatigue during programming sessions, and electrode displacement or fibrosis from the nerve. However, 8 of the 10 eligible patients had stoma reversal; the manometric results showed an average mean squeeze pressure that increased from 43 mmHg prior to surgery to 151 mmHg after the operation (p < 0.01). Based on an objective functional questionnaire, 60 percent of the patients who could be evaluated reported improvement in continence, social interactions, and the quality of their life. In conclusion, despite a steep learning curve, the stimulated gracilis operation is a viable operation for selected patients with severe incontinence.