Adverse effects associated with high-dose acetylsalicylic acid and sodium salicylate treatment in broilers

1. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and sodium salicylate (SS) are considered safe for poultry and often used in avian medicine. However, information on tolerance and specific side effects of these drugs in birds is lacking. 2. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 14 d administration of high doses (200 or 400 mg/kg) of either ASA or SS on body weight gain, blood biochemistry, white and red blood cell counts and pathology in broilers. In addition, minimal plasma salicylate concentrations were determined on the 1st, 5th, 10th and 14th d of treatment. 3. The results showed that the dose of 400 mg/kg of either ASA or SS decreased weight gain and induced gizzard ulceration. Kidney to body weight ratio was increased in a dose-dependent manner, but serum concentrations of creatinine and uric acid were not affected. A time-dependent decrease in the minimal plasma salicylate concentration was evident.

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol, thiamphenicol, and chloramphenicol in turkeys

The pharmacokinetics of florfenicol (FF), thiamphenicol (TP) and chloramphenicol (CP) after single intravenous (i.v.) or oral (p.o.) administration was studied in an independent cross-over study in broiler turkeys. All the fenicol antibiotics were administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg b.w. and their concentrations in plasma samples were assayed using the same validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by a noncompartmental method. The kinetic profiles of the compounds were compared with the results of the structure-activity relationship. According to the proposed mathematical description, no differences in plasma clearance values for the studied antibiotics were observed. The mean residence time values of FF, TF, and CP after i.v. injection were 3.37+/-0.63, 2.43+/-0.29, and 2.12+/-0.21 h, respectively. The mean values of Varea for FF (1.39+/-0.31 L/kg) and TP (1.31+/-0.19 L/kg) were similar, but significantly different from that of CP (1.04+/-0.12 L/kg). The bioavailabilities of FF, TP, and CP after oral administration were 82%, 69%, and 45%, respectively. Differences in the bioavailability values of the compared fenicol antibiotics correspond to the ratio of the apolar/polar surface areas of their particles.

[Foreign body in the right frontal lobe of the brain as a result of right eyeball and right eye-socket trauma--case report]

We report a case of a 44 year old man, who was admitted to our hospital because of right eyeball and right eye-socket due to a piece of diamond circular saw. Right eyeball was sutured. CT--examination showed a metallic foreign body in the right frontal lobe of brain. Metallic foreign body, which damaged the right eyeball, caused upper restriction of right eye-socket ceiling and stuck in a frontal lobe of the brain was removed.

[Disorders of the bone density in the chest x-ray examination in the course of myelosclerosis]

The authors report a rare case of myelosclerosis diagnosed during hospital stay in internal Department on account of hepatosplenomegaly and anaemia. The case of patient described by authors was diagnosed on the ground of examination and executed additional investigations: morphology, peripheral blood picture, chest radiography, scintiscan of skeleton.

Effects of lysozyme dimer on humoral response to sheep erythrocytes in non-treated and cyclophosphamide-immunosuppressed mice

The effects of lysozyme dimer on humoral response to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and restoration of the response impaired by a single cyclophosphamide dose (200 mg/kg) were tested on mice. The effect of lysozyme dimer on the humoral response to SRBC in non-treated with cyclophosphamide mice was determined in relation to doses (0.2, 2, 20 or 200 micrograms/kg) and the time of the drug administration with respect to the antigen before or after SRBC immunization. Moreover, the effect of lysozyme dimer on the humoral response in cyclophosphamide-treated mice was studied depending on the dose applied and time of exposure to the drug in relation to SRBC. It has been found that lysozyme dimer potentiates the humoral response to SRBC in mice, resulting in an increased number of splenocytes producing haemolytic antibodies (PFC) and the total and 2-mercaptoethanol resistant level of anti-SRBC antibodies. A single exposure to lysozyme dimer gave the strongest stimulating action on SRBC when the doses of 2 or 20 micrograms/kg were administered 2 h prior to the antigen. The potentiating effect of the drug was reduced when it was administered 24 h before the antigen and also when single doses were as high as 200 micrograms/kg and as low as 2 micrograms/kg. Exposure to four doses of lysozyme dimer at 24 h intervals was more activating than a single injection. A strong potentiating effect on the specific response to SRBC was noted after four injections of lysozyme dimer at doses from 0.2 to 20 micrograms/kg. The effect of the drug did not depend on the time of exposure to the antigen. It has also been found that lysozyme dimer significantly reduces the suppressive effect of a high cyclophosphamide dose (200 mg/kg) on the humoral response of SRBC-immunized mice. The protective action of lysozyme dimer was dose- and time-dependent. The strongest protection was observed after three doses of 20 micrograms/kg administered prior to pharmacological immunosuppression. Reduction in the dose to 2 micrograms/kg and shorter treatment resulted in reduced protective effects. We have also found that the protective action of three doses of lysozyme dimer (2 or 20 micrograms/kg each) administered between cyclophosphamide injection and the antigen, or after antigen administration is weaker than such a treatment prior to cyclophosphamide immunosuppression.

Modulation of secondary antibody response in SRBC-immunized mice by lysozyme dimer

The effect of lysozyme dimer (20 micrograms/kg) injected i.p. once or four times to sheep erythrocytes-immunized mice on the secondary humoral response was studied with respect to the time of exposure to the drug in relation to priming and challenge. It has been found that lysozyme dimer potentiates secondary humoral response to SRBC; as a result, the number of splenocytes producing hemolytic anti-SRBC antibodies (PFC) and anti-SRBC hemagglutinin titers, especially 2-mercaptoethanol resistant increases provided that the drug is administered after the challenge. Lysozyme dimer (both a single dose and four times' exposure to the drug) administered after priming does not affect secondary humoral response of SRBC-immunized mice.

Effect of mechlorethamine on SRBC-induced secondary antibody response in mice

The effect of low-dose mechlorethamine (5 micrograms/kg) on secondary humoral response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), depending on time of exposure to the drug in relation to priming and challenge was studied in Balb/c mice. It was found that mechlorethamine in a dose of 5 micrograms/kg stimulated primary humoral response to SRBC resulting in the increased number of the plaque forming cells (PFC) and hemagglutinin titre (19S + 7S). However, this effect waned 10 days after immunization. On the other hand, the same mechlorethamine dose potentiated secondary humoral response to SRBC and increased the number of PFC and anti-SRBC hemagglutinin titres (notably 7S), which was due to the challenging antigenic stimulus. In each immunization, mechlorethamine administration prolonged the potentiating effect of the drug on anti-SRBC hemagglutinin titre. When mechlorethamine was administered to the mice only after priming, the number of PFC increased, but anti-SRBC hemagglutinin titre (7S) remained unchanged. This was likely due to the fact that mechlorethamine administered after priming increases the number of long-lived lymphocytes B, which in turn affect secondary humoral response.

Effects of levamisole, DTC and low-dose mechlorethamine on humoral response of SRBC-immunized rabbits exposed to cold stress

The experiments were carried out on normothermal rabbits and rabbits exposed to cold stress (hypothermia). The animals of the latter group were submerged in ice-water for 20 s and then placed in a freezer at -15 degrees C for 8 min until their body temperature dropped by 3 degrees C. Both the normothermal and hypothermal rabbits were immunized i.p. with 3 ml of 10% sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Levamisole (2 mg/kg), DTC (sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, 20 mg/kg) or mechlorethamine (mustine; 5 micrograms/kg) were injected i.v. three times at 24-h intervals. The number of PFC, total (19S + 7S) and 2-mercapthoethanol resistant (7S) serum haemagglutination titres were determined. It was found that, in normothermal rabbits, all three agents potentiated the number of plaque-forming cells (PFC); the impact of DTC was the strongest, while the weakest influence was observed for mechlorethamine. Furthermore, DTC increased anti-SRBC haemagglutinin titre, whereas mechlorethamine did not. Levamisole, on the other hand, reduced total serum haemagglutinin titre. Cold stress reduced humoral response to SRBC, which was reflected in the decreased number of PFC and serum haemagglutination titres (19S + 7S and 7S). Each agent showed a different way of action. Pretreatment with DTC prevented the immunosuppression caused by cold stress, while levamisole and mechlorethamine only reduced the immunosuppressive effect.

Stimulatory effect of low doses of mechlorethamine on humoral response of ovalbumin-immunized rabbits--comparison with levamisole

The effect of low doses of mechlorethamine (1-10 micrograms/kg) and levamisole (2.5 mg/kg) on humoral response of rabbits immunized twice with ovalbumin (0.1 mg/kg) was compared. It was shown that mechlorethamine given in a dose of 5 or 10 micrograms/kg potentiates the increase in the level of serum anti-ovalbumin hemagglutinins; this increase is induced both after the first and the second (after 14 days) antigen administration. Levamisole acted similarly but with much lower efficiency.

Responses of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the cold stress: effects of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs

The cold stress induced in rabbits by lowering their body temperature by 3 degrees C resulted in neutrophilia and a decrease in number of phagocytes and phagocytized bacteria. The stress did not affect the number of lymphocytes and the ability of forming E rosettes by T lymphocytes, but depressed the formation of EAC rosettes by B lymphocytes. This inhibition of neutrophil activity was antagonized completely by acetylsalicylic acid, and substantially by mefenamic acid and indomethacin administered, in doses inhibiting pyrogen-induced fever, either 2.5 h before or 1.5 h after the hypothermia. The drugs did not antagonize the depression of the ability of formation of EAC rosettes.

The dose-dependent influence of mechloretamine on the response to sheep erythrocytes in mice. Comparison of immunostimulating properties of mechloretamine with levamisole

The effect of the following doses of mechloretamine: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 micrograms/kg on the immunological response in mice immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was investigated. The number of plaque forming cells (PFC) to SRBC, the serum hemagglutinins level and the number of lymphocytes forming E or EAC-rosettes were determined. Depending on mechloretamine dose the following effects on the tested parameters were obtained: (i) only stimulating--1 and 5 micrograms/kg, (ii) stimulating or suppressive according to the test--10-100 micrograms/kg, (iii) only suppressive--250 and 500 micrograms/kg. Mechloretamine (5 micrograms/kg) induced the increase in PFC in comparison with levamisole (2 mg/kg). The difference between the action of mechloretamine and levamisole used in immunostimulating doses on the increased anti-SRBC antibodies or on the E-rosette forming lymphocytes was revealed.

The effect of exogenous glucocorticoids on blood adrenaline and noradrenaline during catecholaminemia induced by splanchnic nerve stimulation

The effect of hydrocortisone (1 mg/kg) on the blood plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels was investigated in rabbits, dogs and cats during electrical stimulation (100 Hz at 80 V for 30 s) of adrenopetal segment of the splanchnic nerve. The administration of hydrocortisone increased the adrenaline retention in the circulation, which caused a significant elevation of its level in the blood plasma. In the experiments carried out on rabbits no significant difference between the effect of the same doses of corticosterone and hydrocortisone (1 mg/kg) on adrenaline level changes in the blood plasma were found.

Pyrogenic fever and blood plasma glucocorticoids after nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs

Rabbits were injected with the lipopolysaccharide from E. coli (LPS) and received orally nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): acetylsalicylic acid, indomethacin, mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, aminophenazone, metamizole sodium, and phenylbutazone. These NSAIDs exerted antipyretic action without inhibiting the increase in the level of plasma glucocorticoids induced by LPS. This finding indicates the lack of correlation between the pyrogenic action of bacterial pyrogen and pyrogenic increase in the plasma glucocorticoid level. The investigated NSAIDs when given alone to normothermic rabbits differently affected the plasma glucocorticoid level: acetylsalicylic acid, indomethacin and ibuprofen depressed the plasma level of these hormones, mefenamic acid and phenylbutazone elevated it, and aminophenazone and metamizole sodium did not alter it significantly.

The influence of copper-dextran complex (C-79), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and bacterial pyrogen on stabilization of rabbit erythrocyte membrane

We investigated the effect of copper-dextran complex (C-79), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), mefenamic acid (MEFA) and indomethacin (IND), alone or combined with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on osmotic fragility of rabbit erythrocytes. It has been found that LPS in combination with ASA, MEFA, and IND did not change the stabilizing effect of the antipyretics on rabbit erythrocyte membrane. C-79 in doses of 0.4-0.8 mg Cu/kg iv stabilized the erythrocyte membrane for several hours. In lower doses, the compound produced a weak stabilizing effect, and an opposite effect was induced by a dose of 1.6 mg Cu/kg. After administration of C-79 and LPS in combination, the duration of LPS-induced fever was shortened and the erythrocyte stabilization by C-79 was weaker. A combination of ASA with C-79 depressed the body temperature in normothermic animals, while the stabilizing effect of both compounds on the erythrocyte membrane was non-additive.

Changes in blood level of catecholamines during arterial blood pressure rise induced with sciatic nerve stimulation

In experiments on rabbits and dogs it was demonstrated that electrical stimulation of the centripetal fibres of the cut sciatic nerve causing a rise of the arterial blood pressure produced a significant increase in the plasma levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline. This effect was not observed in animals with sympathetic system blockade caused by administration of reserpine. These observations indicate that pressure increase after sciatic nerve stimulation is due to stimulation of the adrenergic system.

Plasma catecholamines and 11-hydroxycorticosteroids during interaction between hexamethonium and noradrenaline

Intravenous infusion of noradrenaline leads to much higher elevation of concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline in the rabbit plasma in the presence than in the absence of hexamethonium. This effect is related to stimulation of the hypophyseal-adrenal axis, as adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy prevents it. The stimulation of the system takes place without involvement of circulatory reflexes. The 11-hydroxycorticosteroid levels in plasma increase also under the influence of the interaction in hypophysectomized animals, but this does not affect the level of noradrenaline. The causes of this phenomenon are discussed in the light of data on inhibitory effect of steroids on the extraneuronal uptake of catecholamines.

Changes of plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids and catecholamines levels during noradrenalinaemia and adrenalinaemia in non-anaesthetized sheep

In experiments on non-anaesthetized sheep it was found that after noradrenaline (NA) administration the plasma level of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids (11-OHCS) increased, similarly as the level of endogenous adrenaline (A). During noradrenalinaemia the rise in the plasma concentration of these hormones depended on the dose of NA. It was demonstrated that the released 11-OHCS retained the injected NA in the circulation. Similar changes occurred during adrenalinaemia. In the paper the connection is discussed between inhibition of the extraneuronal uptake of plasma catecholamines and their exchange for the stored endoneural catecholamines.

The effect of organic nitrites and nitrates on glycogenolytic activity in the heart and skeletal muscle

Organic nitrites (sodium nitrite, amyl nitrite) and nitrates (nitroglycerin, pentaerythritol, nitromannite) affect similarly phosphorolytic, amylolytic and total glycogenolytic activities in the heart and skeletal muscle. The action of these drugs on glycogen metabolism is due to liberation of adrenaline and concurrent inhibition of its effect on enzymatic activities. The drugs antagonize the stimulatory action of adrenaline on phospholytic activity and inhibitory action on amylolytic activity.

Endogenous catecholamines during noradrenaline and adrenaline hypertension

Intravenous infusion of noradrenaline (NA) (30 micrograms/kg) results in reflectory increase of adrenaline (A), this has been established by spectrofluorometrical assay of the difference in the plasma catecholamine level during noradrenalinemia with and without elimination of circulatory reflexes. Analogically, intravenous infusion of A brings about reflectory increase of NA level. In the presence of hexamethonium a substantial amount of injected NA remains in the blood. After adrenalectomy the uptake of injected catecholamines is greatly enhanced.