Role of potassium channels in the regulation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of potassium channels in the regulation of intracellular free calcium concentration ( [Ca²⁺]_i) of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in rats. METHODS: The fluorescence Ca²⁺ indicator Fura-2/AM was used to observe [Ca²⁺]_i of rat PASMCs in normal and chronic hypoxic condition. The influences of potassium channels on PASMCs proliferation were assessed by MTT assay. RESULTS: 1. In normoxic condition, [Ca²⁺]_i was (156.91±8.60) nmol/L, and in hypoxic condition, [Ca²⁺]_i was (294.01±16.81) nmol/L. 2. In normoxic condition, the voltage-dependent K⁺-channel antagonist 4-aminopyridine (4AP), but not the Ca²⁺-activated K⁺-channel antagonist tetraethylammonium (TEA) and the ATP-sensitive K⁺-channel antagonist glibenclamide (Glib) increased [Ca²⁺]_i. 3. In hypoxic condition, 4AP and TEA caused the rise in [Ca²⁺]_i , but Glib had no effect on [Ca²⁺]_i. 4. MTT assay showed that 4AP increased the value of absorbing light degree (A value) in normoxic and hypoxic condition (0.582±0.062,0.873±0.043,respectively, P＜0.01), TEA increased A value only in hypoxic condition, and Glib had no effect on the proliferation of PASMCs. CONCLUSIONS: K_V plays an important role in the regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i and proliferation of PASMCs. K_Ca serves as distinct responsive roles in the regulation of proliferation of PASMCs in hypoxic condition. K_ATP has no effect on [Ca²⁺]_i and proliferation of PASMCs in normoxic and hypoxic conditions.     

A comparative study between responses of isolated bovine and equine digital arteries to vasoactive mediators

Hemodynamic perturbations, partly resulting from abnormal vasoconstriction of digital vessels, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of bovine and equine laminitis. This study compared the responsiveness of isolated bovine (BDA) and equine (EDA) digital arteries to pharmacological agents that stimulate receptor systems involved in the regulation of normal vessel tone. The role of the endothelium and the short‐ and longer‐term effects of an experimentally induced endothelial damage were also evaluated. Species‐related differences were found in the vessel reactivity to all of the receptor agonists tested. In intact BDA, as compared to intact EDA, norepinephrine was a more effective vasoconstrictor, 5‐hydroxytryptamine a more effective but less potent vasoconstrictor, isoproterenol a less effective vasodilator and carbamylcholine a less potent vasodilator. In BDA, but not in EDA, the contractile responses to norepinephrine and 5‐hydroxytryptamine were enhanced immediately after endothelium removal. However, the contractile reactivity of denuded BDA returned to basal values following overnight incubation. The differences suggest species specificity for the pathophysiology of digital vasomotor tone and function in horses and cattle.     

Effects of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signal pathway on proliferation in hypoxic pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC); and to evaluate the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), iNOS, P-ERK1/2 protein expression in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) pathogenesis.METHODS: Cultured rat PASMC were divided into normoxic group; hypoxic group; hypoxia+ADM(adrenomedulin) group, hypoxia+L-NAME(iNOS inhibitor) group; hypoxia+PD98059 group. Proliferation was investigated by MTT and PCNA. Apoptosis was examined by flow-cytometry. Westen blotting was used to measure protein expression of HIF-1α, P-ERK1/2 and iNOS. RESULTS: (1) A value of 24 h-hypoxia was significantly higher than that in the normoxic group (P<0.01). In the hypoxia+PD98059 group, ADM was significantly lower than that in hypoxia group, whereas A value of the hypoxia+L-NAME was significantly higher than that in hypoxic group and normoxic group (P<0.01). (2) PCNA was positive in PASMC after 24 h hypoxia (P<0.01). PD98059, ADM inhibited the expression of PCNA significantly (P<0.01), whereas L-NAME increased the expression of PCNA significantly (P<0.01). (3) Apoptosis index was not significantly difference among the different groups (P>0.05). (4) HIF-1α, iNOS and P-ERK1/2 expression was poorly positive in normoxic group, positive after hypoxia for 4h (P<0.01), reaching its peak at 8 h hypoxia (P<0.01), HIF-1α, P-ERK1/2 expression declined after 24 h hypoxia. L-NAME promoted the expression of HIF-1α, PD98059 inhibited the expression of HIF-1α, iNOS and P-ERK1/2 partly. ADM inhibited the expression of HIF-1α partly, promoted the expression of iNOS. CONCLUSION: (1) Hypoxia stimulates the proliferation of PASMC, and has no obvious effects on the apoptosis of PASMC. (2) HIF-1 plays an importent role in the proliferation of hypoxic PASMC.     

阴外动脉灌注乳脂前体物对奶牛产奶量及乳腺内短链脂肪酸摄取规律的影响

本试验研究了阴外动脉灌注乳脂前体物对奶牛产奶量及乳腺内短链脂肪酸摄取规律的影响。选择8头健康荷斯坦奶牛分为2组,每组4头牛。采用2×2交叉试验设计,2组分别饲喂2种不同粗饲料[苜蓿(MF组)、玉米秸秆(CS组)]的饲粮,饲粮的精粗比为45∶55。试验分为2阶段,每阶段20 d,其中预试期14 d,载体灌注期3 d,乳脂前体物灌注期3 d。在载体灌注期,MF组与CS组均接受载体灌注,分别命名为MFC_1组和CSC组;在乳脂前体物灌注期,MF组继续接受载体灌注(MFC_2组),CS组灌注乳脂前体物(CSF组)。测定产奶量、干物质采食量及乳成分。采集尾动脉和乳静脉血浆测定短链脂肪酸浓度和脂肪酸比例。结果表明:1)在灌注乳脂前体物前,CSC组产奶量、4%乳脂校正乳产量、乳脂产量、乳蛋白产量和产乳脂效率显著低于MFC_1组(P0.05),CSC组尾动脉血浆中短链脂肪酸浓度及短链脂肪酸/长链脂肪酸有低于MFC_1组的趋势(0.05≤P0.10)。2)灌注乳脂前体物后,CSF组产乳脂效率和乳蛋白率显著高于CSC组(P0.05),CSF组产奶量、4%乳脂校正乳产量、乳脂率和乳蛋白率尽管在数值上仍然低于MFC_2组,但组间差异不显著(P0.05),而CSF组产乳脂效率显著高于MFC_2组(P0.05)。3)灌注乳脂前体物后,CSF组尾动脉血浆中乙酸、丙酸以及短链脂肪酸浓度显著高于CSC组(P0.05),且乙酸、丁酸及短链脂肪酸浓度显著高于MFC_2组(P0.05),短链脂肪酸/长链脂肪酸有低于MFC_2组的趋势(0.05≤P0.10)。4)除CSF组丁酸动静脉差有高于CSC组的趋势(0.05≤P0.10)外,CSC组与MFC_1组、CSC组与CSF组、CSF组与MFC_2组乳腺对乙酸、丙酸、丁酸、短链脂肪酸的摄取量、摄取率和动静脉差均无显著差异(P0.05)。结果提示,以玉米秸秆为粗饲料奶牛灌注乳脂前体物可显著增加奶牛的产奶量、乳脂率和乳脂产量,并达到与以苜蓿等为粗饲料相似的水平,且具有较高的产乳脂效率,但对乳腺内短链脂肪酸的摄取量和摄取率无显著的影响。     

Assessment of the accuracy of testicular dysfunction detection in male donkey (Equus asinus) with the aid of colour-spectral Doppler in relation to plasma testosterone and serum nitric oxide levels

This study aimed to determine the usefulness of colour and pulsed Doppler modes for the accurate diagnosis of donkeys suffering from subfertility to determine whether testicular vascularity assessment could be an indicator for sperm functionality. The study sample was composed of 10 male donkeys with normospermia (control group) and 10 donkeys with hypospermia. Animals underwent scrotal circumference measurement, testicular Doppler examination, seminal evaluation, blood sampling and hormonal assay. Semen volume and concentration were significantly (p ≤ .05) lower in the subfertile group (30.25 ± 1.22 ml and 89.44 ± 2.55 × 10⁶/ml) as compared with the control group (82.76 ± 1.65 ml and 452.78 ± 1.25 × 10⁶/ml), and total sperm/ejaculation was significantly (p ≤ .05) higher in the normal donkeys (28.30 ± 2.32 × 10⁹/total ejaculated) as compared with the subfertile group. Intratesticular coloured area showed a marked decline in the hypospermic males. There was no significant difference between the two groups in testosterone level, although the normal group showed an increase in nitric oxide metabolites. Both Doppler indices of the three branches of the testicular artery were elevated significantly (p ≤ .05) in abnormal donkeys, whereas Doppler peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities were increased in the normal group. Male donkeys with subfertility demonstrated lower arterial vascularity parameters in the form of intratesticular coloured area and blood flow rate; therefore, the most optimal parameters for differentiating subfertile hypospermic from normospermic donkeys were found to be the two Doppler indices, velocities parameters, testicular blood flow rate and nitric oxide levels.     

Investigation and clinical application of a novel axial pattern flap for nasal and facial reconstruction in the dog

OBJECTIVE: To describe the vascular supply to a facial skin flap based at the commissure of the lip in the dog and report on its use in four dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental and prospective clinical study. Animals Five canine cadavers and four client-owned dogs. METHODS: In the cadavers, the ventral aspect of the zygomatic arch, the ventral margin of the caudal mandible and the wing of the atlas were marked as anatomical boundaries of a skin flap that was elevated from the subcutaneous tissues to the level of the medial canthus of the eye. Methylene blue dye and barium sulphate solution were independently infused through a common carotid (three dogs) or facial artery (two dogs) catheter. Distribution of dye throughout the harvested skin was assessed subjectively. After contrast infusion the flap was excised and radiographed. The technique was used to reconstruct large facial or nasal defects in four dogs after tumour or skin lesion excision. RESULTS: Cadaver dissections and contrast studies clearly demonstrated three direct cutaneous arteries, the superior and inferior labial arteries and the angularis oris artery, arborising within the base of the flap. A separate direct cutaneous branch of the angularis oris artery was identified. An arterial plexus was identified within the distal flap, within which this artery communicates with the transverse facial artery and a cutaneous branch of the masseteric artery. Dye infusion caused discolouration of the elevated skin and vasculature within the flap. The flap survived in all clinical cases with marginal distal necrosis in one dog. CONCLUSIONS: The complex facial flap described is perfused by three direct cutaneous arteries and functions reliably in clinical cases.     

非洲鸵鸟冠状动脉的解剖观察

采用血管铸型和组织透明方法对6羽非洲鸵鸟心脏冠状动脉的分支分布情况进行了研究,试验结果表明,非洲鸵鸟心脏左、右冠状动脉均开口于同侧主动脉窦内;左冠状动脉分为浅支(旋支)和深支(前降支),浅支先分出左心房支布于左心房,主干分支分布左心室的左缘壁和隔壁及右心室隔壁的部分;深支又依次分出动脉圆锥支、左缘支和前室间隔支,动脉圆锥支分布动脉圆锥及肺动脉干,左缘支分支分布于左室侧壁,前室间隔支分布于室间隔前1／3部,前降支主干分支分布于左心室前壁,右冠状动脉也分为浅支(旋支)和深支,浅支分出窦房结支和右心房支,主干延续为右室后支,窦房结支分布于窦房结和升主动脉,右心房支分布于右心房,右室后支分布于右心室的隔壁;深支分出后室间隔支,主干延续为右室前支,后室间隔支分布于室间隔后2／3部,右室前支分布于右心室前壁及心右缘壁。     

人和哺乳动物支气管动脉与肺动脉吻合现象研究进展

对人和哺乳动物支气管动脉与肺动脉吻合问题的研究进行了概述.肺动脉与支气管动脉吻合的意义在于支气管动脉的高氧血液可以进入肺动脉代偿供应肺泡组织,肺动脉的营养血液也可以进入支气管动脉代偿供应肺间质.肺动脉与支气管动脉之间血管吻合常可以发生在胸膜面、支气管壁、终末细支气管或呼吸性细支气管等部位,也可以在毛细血管上发生支气管动脉与肺动脉的吻合.根据血管吻合的长度和口径,将其分为长吻合型和短吻合型,按照血管吻合的方式分为端-端吻合和端-侧吻合.在某些病理情况下,肺动脉与支气管动脉之间的吻合支还会通过管径扩张,增加血流量来供应局部的病变组织,因此有利于防御不利因素对机体造成的损伤,为机体实施正常的呼吸功能提供保障.