A crosstalk between 'osteocyte lacunal-canalicular system' and metabolism.

Considering the importance, bone physiology has long been studied to understand what systematic and cellular impact its cells and functions have. Exploring more questions is a substantially solid way to improve the understanding of bone physiological functions in/out sides. In adult bone, osteocytes (Ots) form about 95% of bone cells and live the longest lifespan inside their mineralized surroundings. Ots are the endocrine cells and originate from blood vessel's endothelial cells. In this work, we discussed the vital role of the "Ots". To determine the association between osteocytes' network with metabolic parameters in healthy mice, the experiments were performed on ten (10) adult C57BL6 male mice. Fasting blood and bone samples were collected weekly from mice for measurement of metabolic parameters and bone morphology. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a 2D fine morphology of the bone which indicates a strong functional interconnection with bone nano/micro, and macro components of the organs. The long-branched canaliculi look like neurocytes in structure. The morphology and quantitative measurements of the osteocyte lacunal-canalicular system showed its wide spectrum spatial resolution of the positive and negative relationship within this system or metabolite parameters, confirming a strong cross connection between osteocyte lacunal-canalicular system and metabolism. We believe that the findings of this study can deliver a strategy about the potential roles of metabolic relation among osteocytes, insulin, and lipid in management of bone and metabolic diseases.

Coagulation profile and platelet parameters of the Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica): comparison with humans and camels.

During March 2009, we evaluated the hemostatic profile and platelet indices of 18 Arabian sand gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa marica) and compared the results with those from humans and camels (Camelus dromedarius). Gazelles and camels had shorter activated partial thromboplastin times, lower proconvertin and higher antihemophilic factor coagulation activity, and plasma fibrinogen levels than humans. Prothrombin time was longer in sand gazelles and shorter in camels than it was in humans. Plasma thromboplastin component, Stuart factor, and plasma thromboplastin antecedent were similar in gazelles, humans, and camels, whereas the platelet count of the sand gazelle was significantly higher than it was for camels and humans.

Effect of endotoxin administration in pregnant camels.

Intravenous administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin at a dose of 0.05 µg/kg bodyweight to pregnant camels resulted in abortion. The injection of endotoxin caused significant increases in the plasma concentration of 13,14-dihydro-15-prostaglandin F2α, the metabolite of prostaglandin F2α (PG F2α) and cortisol and a significant decrease in the concentration of progesterone. It is suggested that endotoxin caused abortion in camels was a consequence of endotoxin induced PG F2α secretion resulting in luteal regression and decreased progesterone concentration.

Pharmacokinetics of progesterone in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarim).

The effect of ovariectomy or administration of progesterone (P4) on the disposition kinetics of P4 was determined in dromedary camels. The disappearance of P4 from peripheral circulation of the camel following ovariectomy or after a single intravenous (I.V.) injection of 1 mg kg(-1) body weight followed a bioexponential curve. Both curves were parallel indicating that the disappearance of injected P4 behaved similarly to endogenous P4. The mean (+/- SD) half-life calculated from the slower component of this decline, was 26.0 +/- 2.0 min after I.V. injection of P4 and 28.0 +/- 2.1 min after ovariectomy. The apparent volume of distribution (1370 ml kg(-1)) exceeded total body water suggesting extensive tissue penetration.

In vitro effects of some steroidal hormones on the replication of avian pneumovirus.

The effects of testosterone, oestradiol, progesterone and cortisone on the in vitro replication of avian pneumovirus in tracheal organ cultures (TOC) were investigated. Samples of cell-associated and cell-free virus from TOC, grown in medium containing these hormones, were taken at selected intervals. Progesterone and cortisone caused a slight increase in cell-associated virus. Testosterone and oestradiol caused a slight delay and decrease in virus replication when compared with the controls. All groups shared the same time interval to reach peak cell-free virus titre, 96 h post inoculation. In comparison with the controls, only a small drop (0.25-0.50 log10) in the peak of virus titre was observed in the hormone treated groups.

Effects of low doses of oestradiol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the immune response of broiler chicks.

Administration of either 1 microgram kg-1 BW oestradiol 17 beta (E2), 0.1 mg kg-1 BW testosterone (T) or 0.2 mg kg-1 BW dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in feed to broiler chicks for 50 days caused increased serum concentration of the hormones compared to the control birds that were given no drugs. E2 and T but not DHT resulted in a significant decrease of the total number of leukocytes, lymphocytes and the weight of bursa of Fabricious. The hormones significantly reduced the macrophage phagocytic activity compared to controls. It is suggested that prolonged administration of low doses of E2 and T but not DHT to chicken may induce immunosuppressant effect.

Uterine activity after induction of hypocalcaemia in the ovariectomized camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in three parous, non-pregnant camels. Intrauterine and intraabdominal pressure changes were recorded using balloon-tipped catheters. Uterine contractions were induced and maintained in the ovariectomized camels by daily intramuscular injections of 5 mg oestradiol benzoate throughout the experimental period. The frequency of uterine contractions varied from 6 to 9 per minute, whereas the amplitude varied from 2 to 3 kPa in all the animals. Inducing hypocalcaemia to a level of 0.5 mmol/L by Na2EDTA reduced the amplitude of the contractions to below 1 kPa (p < 0.001). The frequency of the contractions was not affected.

Effect of antibacterial growth promoters on the immune system of broiler chicks.

Administration of either 0.001 g/kg ampicillin (A), 0.05 g/kg oxytetracycline (O) or 0.05 g/kg sulphadimidine (S) in feed to broiler chicks for 50 days caused an increased serum concentration of the drug compared to the control birds that were given no drugs. O and S but not A resulted in a significant decrease of the total number of leukocytes, lymphocytes and the size of bursa of Fabricius and thymus but not spleen or body weight. The antibacterials significantly reduced the macrophage phagocytic activity compared to controls. It is suggested that the prolonged administration of O and S to chickens may induce an immunosuppressant effect.

Delayed luteolysis and suppression of testosterone secretion after recombinant ovine interferon treatment in goats (Capra hircus).

Oxytocin at a dose of 100 iu injected s.c. daily into goats (Capra hircus) between day 3 and day 6 of the oestrous cycle caused a significant increase in testosterone secretion and luteolysis compared with saline-treated animals. Intrauterine administration of recombinant ovine interferon tau (80, 160 or 320 micrograms day-1) between days 12 and 18 of the oestrous cycle, or concomitantly (80 micrograms day-1) with oxytocin between day 3 and day 7, delayed luteolysis and blocked the increased release of testosterone. It is suggested that recombinant ovine interferon tau can act as an antiluteolytic agent in goats.

Uterine activity after ovariectomy in the camel (Camelus dromedarius): effect of exogenous administration of oestrogen and progesterone.

During oestrous cycles of the camel, spontaneous uterine contractions were correlated significantly with plasma oestradiol-17 beta concentration. Ovariectomy in the camel resulted in a decreased plasma concentration of oestradiol-17 beta (< 15 pg ml-1) and progesterone (< 0.1 ng ml-1) and caused complete cessation of uterine activity. Daily administration of oestradiol benzoate (5 mg, intramuscularly) increased the plasma concentration of oestradiol-17 beta (> 45 pg ml-1) and increased the frequency and amplitude of uterine activity. Coadministration of progesterone (100 mg, intramuscularly) increased the plasma concentration of progesterone (> 4 ng ml-1) and increased the frequency but not amplitude of uterine activity. It is suggested that uterine activity in the camel is correlated with the circulating levels of oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone.

The effects of fascioliasis on the activities of some drug-metabolizing enzymes in desert sheep liver.

Desert sheep experimentally or naturally infected with Fasciola gigantica were used to study the influence of infection on the activities of some drug-metabolizing enzymes found in the liver. The enzymes investigated were aminopyrine N-demethylase, aniline 4-hydroxylase and UDP-glucuronyltransferase. The experimental infection was confirmed histologically by detection of Fasciola eggs in faeces and by measuring the activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in plasma during the course of the disease. Liver specimens from naturally infected sheep were obtained from the slaughter house. The activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline 4-hydroxylase were significantly decreased in sheep either naturally infected or during the acute stage of experimental fascioliasis (killed 5 weeks post-infection). The activity of UDP-glucuronyltransferase was decreased in naturally infected sheep and those killed 9 or 13 weeks post-experimental infection.

Inhibition of luteal function by oxytocin antagonist in goats (Capra hircus).

Early corpus luteum development in nonpregnant and pregnant goats was characterized by a steady increase in peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone and a high release of prostacyclin (PGI-2) but low release of prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF-2 alpha). Jugular administration of oxytocin antagonist (OXA) (0.2 microgram/kg/day) on the day of oestrus and for 3 days thereafter to cyclic and mated goats, significantly (P less than 0.001) inhibited progesterone and prostaglandin secretion and reduced conception rate. Co-administration of PGI-2 (200 micrograms/day) with OXA resulted in a steady increase of progesterone and establishment of pregnancy, but co-administration of PGF-2 alpha (175 micrograms/day) with OXA had no effect. It is suggested that oxytocin is required for early development of the corpus luteum and such effects may be mediated via PGI-2 production.

Studies on the infundibular cysts of the uterine tube in camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Two hundred eighteen genital tracts of slaughtered female camels were collected and examined. Infundibular cysts were observed in 35 tracts (16%); these were either unilateral (22 cases) or bilateral (13 cases) all containing fluids of different consistencies. The morphological and histological structures of the cysts were recorded. The bacteriological investigation and physicochemical analysis of cyst contents were carried out. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from 68.5% of cases. Rectal palpation and ultrasound technique were compared for the diagnosis of the cysts antemortem.

Effect of oxytocin on plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy in the goat.

The effect of subcutaneous oxytocin on plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha (PGFM) was examined in the goat at various periods during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. 100 i.u. oxytocin was administered daily for 4 day, the dose being divided and given at 0900 and 2100 h; PGFM concentrations were assessed after the first treatment of each day. On days 3-6 (oestrus, day 0) PGFM concentrations increased significantly (P less than 0.001) within 15 minutes and both non-pregnant and mated goats exhibited oestrus behaviour by day 7. Significant (P less than 0.01) increases in PGFM were also produced on days 7-10, in both non-pregnant and pregnant goats, but the responses diminished from day 7 to day 10; only one goat (non-pregnant) came into oestrus. There was a marked difference in response between groups, however, during days 12-15. In non-pregnant goats significant (P less than 0.05) increases in PGFM were detected on days 13-15, but in pregnant animals oxytocin was without effect. Similarly, oxytocin did not increase PGFM concentrations on days 17-20 of pregnancy. However, uterine responsiveness reappeared in pregnant goats with significant (P less than 0.01) increases in PGFM on days 24 and 25.

Pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine (sulfamethazine) in camels, sheep and goats.

The pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine were studied in male camels, sheep and goats. The two drugs were administered concomitantly. Following intravenous injection of antipyrine (25 mg/kg) and sulphadimidine (sulfamethazine) (100 mg/kg), the pharmacokinetics of the two drugs were adequately described by a one-compartment model. Antipyrine half-life in goats (2.58 h) was shorter than that in sheep (4.04 h) and camels (18.78 h). The plasma clearance was greatest in goats then sheep and then camels. For sulphadimidine, a significantly greater volume of distribution was observed in camels and the greatest plasma clearance and shortest half-life were reported in goats. Sulphadimidine half-life was 2.77 h in goats, 4.72 h in sheep and 7.36 h in camels. The present results suggest that goats have the fastest elimination of these drugs from the circulation, followed by sheep and then camels.

Oxytocin-induced biochemical changes in cervical mucus of the goat.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of oxytocin administration on plasma progesterone concentration and cervical mucus content of protein and acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in the goat. Oxytocin administered to goats (100 IU, S.C. daily) between Days 3 and 6 of estrous cycle induced estrus and resulted in a corresponding decrease in the levels of plasma progesterone, as well as in the contents of protein and in acid and alkaline phosphatase in the cervical mucus. Administration of indomethacin (10 mg/kg body weight, S.C.) inhibited oxytocin-induced estrus and changes in progesterone, protein and enzymes. It is suggested that oxytocin-induced changes are mediated via the production and release of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha).

The activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes in goats treated orally with the latex of Calotropis procera and the influence of dieldrin pretreatment.

The effects of oral administration of different doses of the latex of Calotropis procera on the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver, kidneys and duodenal mucosa of Nubian goats were investigated. Lesions and changes in total plasma protein concentration and in the activities of plasma sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were studied. The daily oral administration of the latex at dose rates of 0.4 and 0.8 ml per kg for 7 days resulted in a significant inhibition of the activity of aniline 4-hydroxylase. No signfiicant effects on the activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase and UDP-glucuronyltransferase were observed. A single oral dose of 1.2 or 1.6 ml per kg killed goats within 7 h and resulted in increased activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline 4-hydroxylase. UDP-glucuronyltransferase was found to be insensitive to tissue injury induced by the latex of C. procera. There were no pathological changes in goats given 10 mg per kg of dieldrin alone or in those pretreated with dieldrin and given the latex at a dose rate of 1.2 ml per kg 14 days later. Dieldrin pretreatment resulted in the induction of the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver, kidneys and duodenal mucosa and it may have protected goats from the lethal effects of the latex.

Investigation of the antispasmodic potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces.

Addition of an aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (2.5 ml/bath approximately 125 mg of starting crude material) inhibited the tone of various isolated muscle preparations (rabbit aortic strip, rhythmically contracting rat uterus, guinea-pig tracheal chain and rat diaphragm). Other muscles were stimulated (quiescent rat uterus and frog rectus abdominis). Intravenous injection of the extract to anaesthetized cats lowered the blood pressure in a dose-response manner. The inhibitory effects were resistant to a number of standard receptor blockers but the hypotensive influence was partially blocked by atropine and the tonic effects on rat uterus were partially reduced by hydrocortisone and indomethacin.

Activities of glutathione-S-transferase and ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase in tissues of camels, sheep, goats and rats.

1. The activities of the drug metabolizing enzymes ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase, glutathione-S-transferase, and protein concentrations were measured in vitro in the liver, kidney and duodenal mucosa of camels, sheep, goats and rats. 2. Enzyme activities were generally higher in the liver than in the kidney and duodenal mucosa in the four species studied. 3. The activities of ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase and glutathione-S-transferase in liver of male kids were about one third and half of that in adult male goats, respectively. In the kidney and duodenal mucosa of male kids, the activity of glutathione-S-transferase was about 70% and 53% of that in the mature male goat, respectively. In the latter tissues, however, there was no detectable activity of ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase. 4. In general, goats and sheep had similar activities of the two enzymes which were significantly higher than those found in camels and rats. 5. Some sex-related differences were noted in the activity of the two enzymes studied. Female sheep had significantly higher hepatic glutathione-S-transferase than the male: while the enzyme activity in the kidney and duodenal mucosa of male goats was significantly higher than in females. Male rats had higher hepatic ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase activity than females.