Effect of maternal supplementation with seaweed powder on immune status of liver and lymphoid organs of piglets.

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of maternal supplementation with seaweed powder (SWP) on the immune status of piglets. Sows were supplementary fed SWP from 85-days of gestation until delactation. Forty-days old piglets were euthanized and lymphocyte subsets were analyzed. The results showed a significantly higher relative population of CD4+CD8+ T cells in the thymus, lymph node, tonsil (P<0.05), peripheral blood mononuclear cells, spleen and liver (P<0.01) of piglets derived from treated sows. A higher relative population of CD8+ T cells was also observed in the liver and spleen (P<0.05) of the piglets. The data suggested the enhancing effects of maternal supplementation with SWP on immune status of piglets.

[Case of intracranial hypotension responsive to oral prednisolone].

A 31-year-old female patient with headache and nausea was admitted to our hospital, although there were no apparent neurological abnormalities except headache. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was 40 mmH2O on the first lumbar puncture and CT showed some fluid in the left maxillary sinus. She gradually developed orthostatic headache despite antibiotics, hydration and analgesics. MRI showed diffuse meningeal thickening and enhancement. CSF pressure was 0 mmH2O on the second lumbar puncture and RI cisternography demonstrated early excretion to the kidneys. She was diagnosed with intracranial hypotension due to CSF leakage. An autologous 10ml blood patch on the lumbar epidural space did not relieve the orthostatic headache. However, headache disappeared one day after oral intake of 40mg prednisolone. During the next three months, oral prednisolone was tapered off. Three months after the onset of the illness, MRI did not show either meningeal thickening or enhancement. We concluded that oral prednisolone was effective in a case of intracranial hypotension.