Comparison of renal biomarkers with glomerular filtration rate in susceptibility to the detection of gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury in dogs.

Fourteen renal biomarkers were compared with measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) in beagle dogs given gentamicin (40 mg/kg/day by subcutaneous injection) for 7 consecutive days. Serum and urinary biomarkers were measured before administration of gentamicin and then on days 4 and 8 after starting administration. GFR was derived by use of a simplified equation. Increased urinary cystatin C and decreased GFR occurred from day 4 and were detected before increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations and changes in other urinary parameters. The closest correlation was between urinary cystatin C and GFR. At termination, microscopical examination revealed extensive necrosis of proximal tubular epithelium with hyaline casts in the kidney of treated dogs. These data indicate that urinary cystatin C is the most sensitive index of kidney injury and GFR reflects the kidney functional mass.

Technical note: Use of a simplified equation for estimating glomerular filtration rate in beef cattle.

This study was performed to clarify whether a formula (Holstein equation) based on a single blood sample and the isotonic, nonionic, iodine contrast medium iodixanol in Holstein dairy cows can apply to the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for beef cattle. To verify the application of iodixanol in beef cattle, instead of the standard tracer inulin, both agents were coadministered as a bolus intravenous injection to identical animals at doses of 10 mg of I/kg of BW and 30 mg/kg. Blood was collected 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after the injection, and the GFR was determined by the conventional multisample strategies. The GFR values from iodixanol were well consistent with those from inulin, and no effects of BW, age, or parity on GFR estimates were noted. However, the GFR in cattle weighing less than 300 kg, aged<1 yr old, largely fluctuated, presumably due to the rapid ruminal growth and dynamic changes in renal function at young adult ages. Using clinically healthy cattle and those with renal failure, the GFR values estimated from the Holstein equation were in good agreement with those by the multisample method using iodixanol (r=0.89, P=0.01). The results indicate that the simplified Holstein equation using iodixanol can be used for estimating the GFR of beef cattle in the same dose regimen as Holstein dairy cows, and provides a practical and ethical alternative.

Glomerular filtration rate in Holstein dairy cows estimated from a single blood sample using iodixanol.

The isotonic, nonionic, contrast medium iodixanol, as a test substance, was compared with the conventional glomerular filtration rate (GFR) tracer inulin to establish a simplified procedure for estimating the GFR in Holstein dairy cows. First, inulin and iodixanol were coadministered as a bolus intravenous injection to clinically healthy cows at 30 mg/kg and 10mg of I/kg of body weight, respectively, followed by blood collection for multisample strategies. Serum iodixanol and inulin concentrations were separately determined by using HPLC and colorimetry, respectively, and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations in sera were measured. In the multisample method, the GFR values estimated by iodixanol were consistent with those estimated by inulin. No effects of body weight, age, or parity on GFR estimates were noted with either protocol used. No difference was observed between the GFR values obtained from nonlactating and lactating cows, suggesting that no transfer of iodixanol to milk occurred. An equation for calculating the GFR in the single-sample method was derived from the injected dose, sampling time, serum concentration, and estimated volume of distribution based on data from the multisample method in clinically healthy cows and cows with reduced renal function. The GFR values estimated by the single-sample method were in good agreement with those calculated by using the multisample method. These results demonstrate that the single-sample method using iodixanol can be applied as an alternative procedure for screening GFR in dairy cows.

A single-blood-sample method using inulin for estimating feline glomerular filtration rate.

BACKGROUND: Application of a multisample method using inulin to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in cats is cumbersome. OBJECTIVES: To establish a simplified procedure to estimate GFR in cats, a single-blood-sample method using inulin was compared with a conventional 3-sample method. ANIMALS: Nine cats including 6 clinically healthy cats and 3 cats with spontaneous chronic kidney disease. METHODS: Retrospective study. Inulin was administered as an intravenous bolus at 50 mg/kg to cats, and blood was collected at 60, 90, and 120 minutes later for the 3-sample method. Serum inulin concentrations were colorimetrically determined by an autoanalyzer method. The GFR in the single-blood-sample method was calculated from the dose injected, serum concentration, sampling time, and estimated volume of distribution on the basis of the data of the 3-sample method. RESULTS: An excellent correlation was observed (r = 0.99, P = .0001) between GFR values estimated by the single-blood-sample and 3-sample methods. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The single-blood-sample method using inulin provides a practicable and ethical alternative for estimating glomerular filtration rate in cats.

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in rabbits by a single-sample method using iodixanol.

To estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in conscious rabbits, a single-sample method using the non-ionic contrast medium iodixanol was compared with a three-sample method using the standard agent inulin. Iodixanol and inulin were co-administered intravenously to male New Zealand White rabbits at 60 mg I/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and blood was collected 30, 60, 90 and 120 min later. Serum iodixanol and inulin concentrations were separately determined by high performance liquid chromatography and colorimetry, respectively. Serum urea nitrogen (UN) and creatinine concentrations were also determined. Based on the data from healthy and cisplatin-treated rabbits, the GFR estimated by iodixanol was well consistent with that by inulin. Further, when the GFR decreased to more than 60% of the reference value, serum creatinine concentrations became elevated. However, serum UN concentrations exhibited wide fluctuations, presumably due to a difference in renal handlings. The single-sample method using iodixanol was considered to be an expedient tool in both clinical and research settings, because the stress due to a multi-sample method was reduced.

Effects of cortisol secreted via a 12-h infusion of adrenocorticotropic hormone on mineral homeostasis and bone metabolism in ovariectomized cows.

To evaluate the effects of endogenously secreted cortisol on mineral homeostasis and bone metabolism in cows, 4 ovariectomized Holstein cows were infused for 12 h with either an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) solution (0.5 mg/2 L isotonic NaCl solution per cow) or isotonic NaCl solution in a 2×2 crossover design. ACTH infusion stimulated cortisol secretion and increased plasma cortisol concentrations for 18 h (P<0.001), leading to an elevated plasma glucose concentration until 36 h (P<0.001). Plasma calcium and magnesium concentrations in ACTH-infused cows fluctuated within normal ranges, whereas hypophosphatemia was observed unequivocally. The biochemical bone resorption markers tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b and hydroxyproline decreased following ACTH infusion (P<0.001 and P=0.003, respectively). Similarly, the bone formation marker, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, decreased continuously until 72 h after the ACTH infusion (P<0.001). These results demonstrate that increased secretion of cortisol via a 12-h ACTH infusion disrupted homeostasis of inorganic phosphate and suppressed bone metabolism in ovariectomized cows without involving gonadal steroid hormones.

Early pathophysiologic feature of arthropathy in juvenile dogs induced by ofloxacin, a quinolone antimicrobial agent.

Arthropathy in dogs induced by ofloxacin, a quinolone antimicrobial agent, was pathophysiologically investigated. In the in vivo studies, ofloxacin was administered orally once or twice at 20 mg/kg/day to male juvenile (3-month-old, n=3) or adult (36-month-old, n=2) dogs, and the humeral and femoral heads were examined pathologically. Unlike adult dogs, fluid-filled vesicles were macroscopically observed on the articular surfaces of one juvenile dog 24 hours after a single treatment with ofloxacin. These lesions were seen in all juvenile dogs by twice dosing. Microscopically, fissures or cavity formations in the middle zone of the articular cartilage were noted only in juvenile dogs. Furthermore, the cartilage matrix from the abnormal area to the articular surface showed a decreased safranin-O staining intensity, suggesting proteoglycan depletion. Ultrastructurally, chondrocytes in the middle zone of juvenile dogs displayed dilatation of the cisternae in the rough endoplasmic reticulum as an initial hallmark. In the in vitro studies, chondrocytes isolated from the articular cartilage of naive juvenile dogs were exposed to ofloxacin at 6.3-100 microg/ml for 24 hours. Although no changes were noted in the deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, protein synthesis, or proteoglycan release at concentrations of up to 100 microg/ml, the proteoglycan synthesis was evidently decreased in a dose-dependent manner from 12.5 microg/ml. The results obtained suggest that the inhibitory action of ofloxacin on proteoglycan syntheses in the chondrocytes may largely contribute to the early morphologic features in the articular cartilage of the juvenile dog.

Effect of long-term treatment with trandolapril on Hsp72 and Hsp73 induction of the failing heart following myocardial infarction.

1. The effect of long-term treatment of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) following acute myocardial infarction with trandolapril, an angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, on heat shock-induced Hsp72 and Hsp73 production was examined. 2. Acute myocardial infarction was induced by coronary artery ligation (CAL). The animals with CAL showed symptoms of CHF at the 8th week after the operation. The hearts isolated from animals with CAL at the 2nd and 8th week after surgery were subjected to hyperthermia at 42 degrees C for 15 min followed by 6-h perfusion (hyperthermia/6-h perfusion). 3. In the hearts isolated from the animals at the 2nd week, an approximate 20% decline in the rate pressure product (RPP) was seen after hyperthermia/6-h perfusion, which was similar to that in non-operated controls. In contrast, a significant reduction in the RPP after hyperthermia/6-h perfusion was seen in the hearts of rats with CHF. These hearts did not increase Hsp72 and Hsp73 production after hyperthermia. The decline in RPP was associated with failure in the production of myocardial Hsp72 and Hsp73. 4. When rats with CAL were treated with 3 mg kg(-1) day(-1) trandolapril from the 2nd to 8th week after the operation, the decline in RPP of the failing heart after hyperthermia was similar to that of the sham-operated rats. The induction of myocardial Hsp72 and Hsp73 production of the coronary artery-ligated rats after hyperthermia was reversed by treatment with trandolapril. 5. These findings suggest that the preserved ability to induce Hsp72 and Hsp73 production in the heart with CAL by trandolapril treatment may be attributed to the increased tolerance against heat stress-induced deterioration of myocardial contractile function.

Differential response of mast cells separated from various organs and basophils of dogs to the fluoroquinolone antimicrobial levofloxacin.

Histamine releases induced by the fluoroquinolone antimicrobial levofloxacin (LVFX) were investigated using mast cells separated from various organs and peripheral basophils of dogs, being the most susceptible species to quinolone derivatives, in both in vivo and in vitro systems. An intravenous infusion of LVFX at 30 mg/kg over a 30-min period produced endogenous histamine release from 5 min, and a maximum at 30 min, in which the plasma LVFX concentration was approximately 50 microM. A close correlation (r = 0.87, n = 20) between histamine and LVFX concentrations in plasma during the infusion was observed. In the in vitro study, LVFX at 30 microM or more caused histamine release from mast cells separated from the liver and skin, but not from the gastric mucosa, lung, and peripheral basophils. More exactly, the liver mast cells were most susceptible to LVFX among the organs tested. On the other hand, compound 48/80, a prototype histamine liberator, elicited the histamine release from the liver or skin mast cells at 10 microg/ml, and the calcium ionophore A23187 at 1 microM exhibited the histamine release from the mast cells derived from all organs examined. Histochemical analysis revealed that the liver and skin mast cells had positive reaction for both alcian blue and safranin staining, but the gastric mucosa and lung mast cells were only positive for alcian blue staining, indicating that LVFX preferably activated the connective tissue-type mast cells rather than the mucosal-type mast cells. The degranulation of the liver and skin mast cells brought about by either LVFX or compound 48/80, unlike the calcium ionophore A23187, was blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin, suggesting the involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. The results obtained from the canine experiments strongly suggest that LVFX induces histamine release from the connective tissue-type mast cells distributed mainly in the liver, somewhat in the cutaneous tissue, through the activation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins.

Morphological classification of dental lesions induced by various antitumor drugs in mice.

To characterize and compare maxillary incisor lesions caused by various antitumor drugs, male BALB/c mice were given a single intravenous injection of an estimated 10% lethal dose (LD10)) of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), adriamycin (ADR), mitomycin C (MMC), vinblastine sulfate (VBL). taxotere (TXR), irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11), DX-8951f, or cisplatin (CDDP). After 3, 5, 10, 15, and 60 days, the animals were sacrificed, and the maxillary incisors were examined microscopically. The dental lesions observed were classified into 4 different types on the basis of their morphological features. The lesion due to 5-FU was characterized by focal defects in the dentin, and this injury was reversible (transient dentin injury). ADR- or MMC-induced lesions were defined by abnormal structure of the apical aspect of the tooth and irregular odontogenesis, lasting for a long period (persistent apical injury). Treatment with VBL or TXR showed irregular enamel formation and abnormal dentinogenesis. Their targets were considered to be both immature and mature odontogenic cells (diffuse dental injury). Exposure to CPT-11, DX-8951f, or CDDP elicited minor reductions in a few precursor cells in the epithelial sheath on day 3, but no prominent dental abnormalities were seen thereafter (nontoxic injury). In conclusion, antitumor drugs can cause a variety of dental lesions that vary temporally and spatially, making histopathological examination of the maxillary incisor an important component of the safety assessment process for novel antitumor drugs.

Protective effect of heat shock protein 72 on contractile function of perfused failing heart.

The contribution of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) to the protection of cardiac function was examined in rats with chronic heat failure (CHF) following coronary artery ligation (CAL). The CAL animals revealed functional deterioration without low cardiac output 2 wk after CAL and with low cardiac output 8 wk after CAL, suggesting that CHF had developed by 8 wk after CAL. The hearts isolated from animals 2 and 8 wk after CAL (2-wk CAL heart and 8-wk CAL heart, respectively) were subjected to hyperthermia (at 42 degrees C) for 15 min, followed by 6-h perfusion (hyperthermia/6-h perfusion). The 2-wk CAL heart showed a 19.0 +/- 3.9% decline in the rate- pressure product (RPP) after hyperthermia/6-h perfusion, similar to the nonoperated control (19.8 +/- 2.9% decline). The production of myocardial HSP72 increased in the 2-wk CAL heart in response to hyperthermia (412.7 +/- 29.5% of each prehyperthermia value). The 8-wk CAL heart showed a reduction in the RPP (45.2 +/- 4.3% decline) after hyperthermia/6-h perfusion, associated with blunting of the production of HSP72 (68.9 +/- 22.6% increase, respectively). The results suggest that functional deterioration of the isolated failing heart may be attributed to a reduction in the production of myocardial HSP72.

Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the heterogeneous prostate-like glands (paraurethral gland) seen in female Brown-Norway rats.

Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the prostate-like glands (paraurethral gland) seen spontaneously in female Brown-Norway (BN) rats were investigated by gross, and light and electron microscopic examination. At 9- to 10-weeks-old, the paraurethral gland was detected in 50 out of 52 female animals examined (96.2%), and it was observed as single or paired structures located ventrolaterally in the urethra just caudal to neck of the urinary bladder. Microscopically, the glandular acini consisted of flat to cuboidal secretory epithelium surrounded by the smooth muscle. The glands displayed modest secreting activity, and a few secreting materials were observed in the acinar lumens. The main peripheral ducts were located in the urethral wall, and drained into the urethra on both sides. Ultrastructurally, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), numerous mitochondria and lysosomes, and secretory granules in the apical portion of the epithelial cells were noted, and basal cells were also observed. These gland epithelial cells showed positive reactions when stained for androgen receptor (AR), prostate specific antigen (PSA), or prostate specific acid phosphatase (PSAP). The nature of this paraurethral gland resembled that of the prostate gland in male rats. Thus, the paraurethral glands seen in the females were considered homologous to the prostate gland in males.

Pituicytoma: primary astrocytic tumor of the pars nervosa in aging Fischer 344 rats.

We describe 2 cases of a relatively rare tumor diagnosed as pituicytoma in the pars nervosa of rat pituitary. This tumor was spontaneously noted in one 110-week-old female and one 109-week-old male Fischer 344 (F344)/DuCrj rats during 2-year carcinogenicity studies. Although no gross abnormality of the pituitary was detected in the female rat, whitish discoloration and enlargement of the pituitary were observed in the male. Histopathologically, neoplastic cells in both animals possessed pale eosinophilic, often abundant irregular cytoplasm with nuclei of variable size. The tumor cells were arranged in the spindle or sheet cell pattern with indistinct cell boundaries and showed compression or invading proliferation of surrounding tissues. Prominent pleomorphism of the cells was noted in the tumor in the female rat, and mitotic figures were detected in several portions of the tumor in the male rat. Small-sized cells having scanty cytoplasm with deeply staining nuclei seen in the mass were suspected to be microglia. Moreover, isolated single native pars distalis cells were distributed throughout the tumor masses. Immunohistochemically, cytoplasmic foot process of the tumor cells showed a positive immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein. On the basis of morphologic characteristics and glial fibrillary acidic protein staining, this tumor is consistent with astrocytoma.

Mechanism of histamine release induced by levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent.

The present study was designed to clarify the mechanism of histamine release caused by levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, using rat peritoneal mast cells. Levofloxacin induced a concentration-dependent histamine secretion from 300 microg/ml without lactate dehydrogenase leakage, and the release was rapidly completed within 30 s. This action was dependent on temperature, energy, pH and intracellular Ca(2+), similarly to the effect of compound 48/80, a basic compound. Unlike that with the calcium ionophore A23187, histamine secretion due to levofloxacin or compound 48/80 was prevented by pretreatment with either pertussis toxin or benzalkonium chloride, a selective inhibitor of G proteins of G(i) subtypes. Moreover, the histamine release elicited by levofloxacin or compound 48/80 was suppressed by hydrolysis of sialic acid residues on the cell surface brought about by neuraminidase. These results demonstrate that the mechanism by which levofloxacin exerts histamine release may be closely linked to activation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins.

Toxic characteristics of the synthetic lipid A derivative DT-5461 in rats and monkeys.

We compared lethal toxicity and potential for splenomegaly and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) of the lipid A derivative DT-5461 with those of compound 506 (C506) and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These agents were given intravenously, by either bolus intravenous injection (2 ml/min) or drip infusion (3 ml/4 h), into the tail vein of rats under various regimens. In naive rats, the lethal dose after bolus intravenous injection was clearly higher than that after drip infusion for C506 and LPS, but not for DT-5461. In partially hepatectomized or D-galactosamine-treated rats, a marked enhancement of the lethality was observed for all agents relative to that in naive rats. Splenomegaly was commonly seen in all surviving rats after treatment, and histopathological examination revealed lymphoid hyperplasia in the B-cell area of the white pulp zone and lympho-reticular cell proliferation of the red pulp zone. When administered intravenously by drip infusion to rats pretreated with 0.4 M lactic acid, both C506 and LPS provoked DIC. This was manifested by a decrease in platelet counts, prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and an increase in fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), with hepatocellular necrosis and glomercular fibrin thrombus formation. In contrast, DT-5461 showed no such toxic events with the same protocol. In14-day intravenous toxicity studies of DT-5461, rats were more susceptible to hepatocellular necrosis and splenomegaly than squirrel monkeys. These results demonstrate that DT-5461 is a promising compound, with antitumor activity dissociated from its toxic potential.

Application of in vitro methods using peripheral whole blood to selecting highly susceptible individuals among common squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) to bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

The present study was designed to elucidate whether the individual susceptibility of common squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can be predicted by in vitro testing batteries performed in advance. Of the in vitro tests, the blastogenic response (n = 11) to LPS was determined by a micro-blood culture technique, and the production (n = 6) of cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) released into the culture medium was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosolvent assay (ELISA). In the blastogenic assay, four out of 11 animals showed an increase in the uptake of [3H]thymidine in a concentration-dependent manner (LPS-positive reaction), while seven remaining animals did not show any response to LPS (LPS-negative reaction). Among the cytokines employed, an elevation in TNF-alpha production was noted in three out of six animals employed without affecting IL-1beta and IL-6 productions. After the completion of in vitro examinations, LPS was administered subcutaneously at 0.3 mg/kg to these animals (n = 11) for 14 consecutive days. The six monkeys including either four animals showing a LPS-positive reaction or three animals having an increase in TNF-alpha production exhibited moribund conditions from days 3 to 12, and five remaining monkeys including five animals showing a LPS-negative reaction or three animals having a decrease in TNF-alpha production survived. The extrapolation rate from the in vitro data to the in vivo results was over 80% (9/11) and 100% (6/6) in the blastogenic assay and TNF-alpha production, respectively. These results demonstrate that the in vitro methods can be available to selection of LPS-sensitive squirrel monkeys in advance.

Application of hepatic tolerance tests to the functional reserve assessment in rat models of fatty liver.

The present study was designed to define whether maximal removal rate of indocyanine green (ICG Rmax), plasma cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response to exogenous glucagon (peak to basal ratio of cAMP level: P/B cAMP) and plasma half-life of galactose (t1/2 galactose) can measure the hepatic functional reserve of fatty liver prepared in rats fed choline-deficient (9 weeks), 2% cholesterol (2 weeks) or 0.25% DL-ethionine (2 weeks) diet. Although changes in cholesterol and phospholipid values in serum during feeding periods differed among the models, histopathologic examinations in the liver of almost all animals revealed intermediate to severe fatty liver with or without fibrosis at each termination. ICG Rmax and P/B cAMP were significantly decreased in rats fed choline-deficient or DL-ethionine diet, implying reductions in hepatic functional mass and disturbances in hepatic cAMP production. Meanwhile, t1/2 galactose showed no change in any of the models, suggesting that glucose metabolisms in the models used may be preserved. These findings demonstrate that ICG Rmax and P/B cAMP can apply to measurement of hepatic surviving reserve of fatty liver with fibrosis.

Pharmacokinetic disposition and arthropathic potential of oral ofloxacin in dogs.

We examined the relation between the pharmacokinetic disposition and arthropathic potential of ofloxacin, a new quinolone antibacterial agent, using both male immature (3-month-old) and mature (18-month-old) beagles. Ofloxacin was orally administered to these dogs at 20 mg/kg once daily for 8 consecutive days, and the animals were killed 2 h after the last treatment. Serum ofloxacin concentrations were repeatedly measured on days 1 and 7 by use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. In addition, on day 8, the drug concentrations in the joint synovial fluid and humeral and femoral condyles were measured. Clinico-pathological tests of blood and serum or histopathological examination of bone specimens were also performed. Arthropathy was macroscopically observed in the cartilage surface of all immature dogs, but not in mature dogs. There were, however, no noticeable differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between the two age groups of dogs or between single and 7-day treatments. In contrast to the occurrence of arthropathic lesions, the synovial fluid and condylar drug concentrations in immature dogs was equal to or lower than those in mature dogs, suggesting that the pharmacokinetic disposition of ofloxacin may not be essential for cartilage lesions.

Invasive pituitary tumors in female F344 rats induced by estradiol dipropionate.

To clarify the histopathological progression of invasive tumors in the pituitary pars distalis due to estrogen, female Fischer 344 (F344) rats were treated subcutaneously with 5 mg/animal of estradiol dipropionate (ED) once every 2 wk for 13 wk. The animals were killed serially at 2-wk intervals during the investigation. The pituitaries with surrounding tissues were examined light microscopically. At week 7, pituitary cells showed proliferation and atypia with formation of blood-filled spaces. Lesions with these characteristics were diagnosed as adenomas. At week 9 or later, neoplastic cells exhibited extensive proliferation and infiltration into the surrounding tissues, suggesting development of carcinoma. Both proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index, markers of cell proliferation, were significantly increased in animals with adenoma or carcinoma. To detect sequential changes in pituitary weight, its signal intensity was periodically monitored in identical rats by using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The estimated pituitary weights revealed by MR imaging were comparable to the tumor weights obtained from rats at scheduled sacrifices. These results indicate that ED possesses the potential to cause carcinoma in rat pituitary and MR imaging is an effective tool for estimating the pituitary weight.