Ecotoxinogenesis of Pithomyces chartarum

Facial eczema is a hepatogenous photosensitivity mycotoxicosis resulting from sporidesmin ingestion. The morphological characters of toxigenic strains of P. chartarum are reported and the effect of temperature on growth and mycotoxin production are studied. The temperature range for which there is an actual risk of toxin accumulation (20-25 degrees C) is much narrower than for an appreciable growth (5-30 degrees C).

[Chemonucleolysis of lumbar intervertebral disk herniation]

Chemonucleolysis is an advantageous alternative to surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation. To achieve the best results the indications must be strictly observed and the procedure itself must be technically perfect. In these circumstances a rapid, noninvasive and less expensive treatment of lumbar disc herniation is possible.

Liver enzyme changes in a guinea-pig model of facial eczema (sporidesmiotoxicosis)

Sporidesmin, a hepatotoxin from Pithomyces chartarum, is responsible for facial eczema in ruminants. In an attempt to clarify the biochemical processes supporting sporidesmin toxicity and response of the liver, haematology, plasma biochemistry and liver enzyme changes were monitored for 21 days in a model for facial eczema resulting from a single intraperitoneal injection of 2.8 mg/kg BW sporidesmin to guinea pigs. Most plasma disturbances were observed 8 days after administration and accounted for starvation, liver cytolysis, and cholestasis or liver enzyme induction. Alterations of hepatic enzyme activities were intense with a maximum increase on days 2 for alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and 8 for gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and a maximum decrease on day 21 for aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). Comparison of liver and plasma enzyme changes indicates that GGT was the most reliable and significant plasma indicator of sporidesmin-associated liver alterations. Moreover, this study points out the validity of the one-dose intoxicated guinea-pig model for research on sporidesmin biochemical toxicity and pathobiology of facial eczema.

Clinical biochemistry of sporidesmin natural intoxication (facial eczema) of sheep

The effects of facial eczema, i.e. intoxication by the mycotoxin sporidesmin, were investigated by extensive biochemical screening of serum in 100 controls (A), 31 clinically ill (B) and 219 apparently healthy (C) Manech ewes under field conditions. Dramatic increases of gamma-glutamyltransferase1), alkaline phosphatases, bilirubin, cholesterol, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, and lactate dehydrogenase confirmed the severity of liver damage in group B, but they were also observed in slightly more than 50% of group C animals. This demonstrated the true extent of the disease, which could be best assessed by the measurement of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase; but since this enzyme was still elevated one year later, it cannot be used as a reliable prognostic parameter.

Routine Hematology and Clinical Chemistry in Female Dogs with Benign and Malignant Mammary Tumors

Routine hematological and serum biochemical screening was done in 61 female dogs with benign mammary tumors and 51 female dogs with malignant mammary tumors. Most parameters were not significantly different from age-matched female controls; moreover, no significant difference could be observed between animals with benign and malignant tumors. It is concluded that routine hematology and biochemistry offer little diagnostic or prognostic benefit in female dogs with mammary tumors.

Percutaneous endoluminal angioplasty of post endarterectomy carotid stenoses

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the carotid artery was performed in four patients with recurrent stenosis following endarterectomy. Balloon catheter dilatation was successful in 3 of the 4 lesions. Post dilatation angiography demonstrated an increase in luminal diameter: there were no neurological complications with the procedure. PTA appears to be an effective method of treating recurrent stenosis following carotid endarterectomy.

Experimental fluorosis in sheep: alleviating effects of aluminum

Five groups of 4 sheep were given for 33 mo a daily oral dose of 0, 1.9 or 4.7 mg fluoride (F)/kg body weight with or without 13.5 mg aluminum (Al)/kg. In all treated animals the general health status was disturbed and osteo-dental symptoms appeared while F levels were increased in teeth, bones and organs. In sheep given the higher F dose, pathologic lesions were observed in kidney and liver. Most disturbances were dose-related and alleviated by simultaneous administration of aluminum sulfate, mainly for the lower F dose.

Experimental acute sodium fluoride poisoning in sheep: renal, hepatic, and metabolic effects

Sheep received a single intragastric dose of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mmol F-/kg. Mild signs occurred at 1.5 mmol F-/kg and the animals recovered 2 days later. With the 2.0 mmol F-/kg dose all animals showed dullness, anorexia, and mild diarrhea which decreased from the third day. Dose-related congestion of duodenum, liver, kidney, and lung was observed in all animals. For the two higher doses kidney degeneration and tubular necrosis were associated with glomerular inflammation. Serum fluoride had a dose-related increase and was still significantly elevated on Day 7 for sheep given doses higher than or equal to 1.0 mmol F-/kg. Serum calcium and glucose levels were significantly lowered for all doses on the first day and the decrease was dose-related. In sheep given 2.0 mmol F-/kg total proteins and sodium were significantly lowered, whereas potassium and urea were increased (p less than 0.05); alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were both lowered (p less than 0.01) on the first day and ALP was still lowered on Day 7. For the highest dose glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was increased on Days 1 and 7 and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was increased on Day 1 and lowered on Day 7. Diuresis was increased for the two higher doses in Day 3 or 4 following dosage. A dose-related increase of daily fluoride excretion occurred for all doses on Day 1 and fluoride excretion was still significantly elevated on Day 7 except for the lowest dose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of fluoride on animals and plants in the south Safi zone

Fluoride pollution caused by the factories processing natural phosphates 10 km south of Safi affects animals and plants. Fluoride concentrations are 4-10 times higher in contaminated plants than in plants from the non-polluted areas. Fluoride levels of 700 ppm, 280 ppm, 75 ppm, 25 ppm, and 1.6 ppm were found in grass, forage, straw, barley caryopses and drinking water, respectively. The ingestion of polluted plants and the inhalation of fluoride (as gases and dusts) induce a high daily intake in animals which show important signs and lesions of dental fluorosis. Serious toxicity signs were also observed in plants.

Variations in blood composition in dairy cows during pregnancy and after calving

The effects of pregnancy and of the onset of lactation on blood composition was studied in 21 Friesian cows. Among the 23 components studied only seven showed significant variations. Serum iron decreased at the end of pregnancy while creatinine increased throughout the last six months. There were decreases in blood glucose, cholesterol and alanine aminotransferase at the end of pregnancy. Triglycerides increased rapidly after drying-off and serum urea increased in the first month after calving.

A comparative anatomical CT study of the vascular and nervous structures of the cerebello-pontine angle

The arteries and veins of the cerebellopontine angle have been injected with a contrast medium permitting a precise anatomical reconnaissance of their topography and relations. These specimens have been explored by CT in order to define the opacified vessels and to differentiate them from the adjacent nervous tissue. Thus in CT it is possible to locate the cerebellar arteries, the petrous and medullo-pontine veins and the nerves of the cerebello-pontine angle. This study describes the normal appearance of the flocculus from the arteries and veins. Moreover it should contribute to the definition of the criteria of reliability of a CT diagnosis and its limits in the cerebello-pontine angle.

Transfer of gamma-glutamyltransferase from mother colostrum to newborn goat and foal

In goat and mare colostrum, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity is relatively low (mean values are, respectively, 900 and 350 U/l). In the serum of newborns before suckling, GGT is also low (less than or equal to 28 U/l in goats and less than or equal to U/l in foals); then in goats GGT is much increased on the 1st day (mean = 127 U/l), and it decreases during the following days. In foals, serum GGT slowly but regularly increases for the first 5 days, then decreases. Such differences can be attributed to intestinal protein absorption capabilities which are selective in newborn foals and unselective in goats. Therefore, serum GGT measurement can be a good test of colostrum intake in newborn goats, but not in foals.

Serum biochemical effects of fluoride on cattle in the Darmous area

The effects of chronic fluorosis on serum biochemical parameters of cattle in the Darmous area of Morocco were studied in 50 animals. Increases in potassium, urea, gamma-globulins, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase were observed, whereas calcium, total proteins and albumin were lowered. Such disturbances draw attention towards kidney, liver and mineral metabolism and have to be taken into account to improve the management of cattle herds in areas of chronic fluorosis.

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase in domestic animals

In domestic animals, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase is mainly in the kidneys, the pancreas and the intestine; its liver activity is relatively high in cows, horses, sheep and goats and very low in dogs, cats and birds. The use of plasma reference values can help to interpret the variations of serum GGT mainly in hepatobiliary diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and cholestatic disorders of dogs. Urinary GGT is a good test of kidney toxic damage.

Value of so called cholestasis markers in the dog: an experimental study

In experimental bile obstruction in dogs, the most sensitive change in blood plasma composition is the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity which occurs after eight hours. Maximum alkaline phosphatase activities (approximately 100 times normal values) occur between the fifth and the 14th day. The increase in activity is accompanied by smaller increases in gamma-glutamyl transferase activity, and total bilirubin concentration also increases to a smaller extent and less regularly. Cholestasis also induces an intense cytolysis which is demonstrated mainly by increases in glutamate dehydrogenase and alanine amino transferase activities which are more intense and lasting than those induced by 0.5 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride.

Early variations of blood plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase in newborn calves--a test of colostrum intake

Fourteen newborn calves had low gamma-glutamyl transferase catalytic activity concentration in blood plasma (10 to 31 U/liter). Colostrum intake induced a dramatic increase of plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase activity, which was maximal on the 1st or 2nd day (370 to 5000 U/liter) after birth; then plasma enzyme activity slowly decreased and was stable about 100 U/liter on the 20th day. In two calves given either boiled or synthetic milk, plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase activity was not higher than 25 U/liter. Gamma-glutamyl transferase activity of blood plasma in newborn calves is an easy and inexpensive test of colostrum intake.

[Gamma-glutamyl-transferase and alcohol (author's transl)]

In most human, chronic alcohol intake induces an intense increase of serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) ; this increase can be used to detect excessive alcohol drinkers, to evaluate daily consumption and to monitor therapy. The exact mechanism of increased serum GGT cannot yet be explained either by human or experimental animal biology : liver induction and/or decreased stability of the membranes of the hepatocytes.

Acute kidney disturbances by lead acetate in the rat

Four groups of 5 male and 5 female rats were dosed i.p. with 0, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.30 mmol Pb2+/kg as neutral acetate. A minimal kidney damage shown by an increased urinary GGt was only observed in males at the highest dose. In all animals and for all doses natriuria was significantly decreased on the first day (from the 4th hour). Such disturbances evoke mild tubular disturbances but glomerular disturbances may also be involved.

Protection against mercuric chloride nephrotoxicity by cold exposure in rats

The influence of cold exposure (+ 1 degree C for 24 h) was studied in rats dosed i.p. with 0, 2.5 or 5.0 mumol HgCl2/kg. Cold exposure of controls caused an increased diuresis and solute elimination, except sodium, with almost no variations in urine alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT). Proximal tubule brush border damage was demonstrated by a marked increase in ALP and GGT in HgCl2-dose animals at room temperature. Cold exposure protected against this kidney damage.