AIM: To investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity,using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. METHODS: Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defin...AIM: To investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity,using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. METHODS: Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet,followed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Levovist. The uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was determined by fluorescent microscopy. The status of the Kupffer cells was compared between the two groups,using the immunohistochemical staining technique. RESULTS: After 4 or more wk of the CDAA diet,CEUS examination revealed a decrease in the signal intensity,20 min after intravenous Levovist. Fluorescent microscopic examination showed that the uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was reduced at week 1 and 2 in the study group,compared with the controls,with no further reduction after 3 wk. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in the Kupffer cell counts between the control group and the CDAA group. CONCLUSION: CEUS examination using Levovist demonstrated reduced contrast effect and phagocytic activity in the liver parenchymal phase,although the Kupffer cell numbers were unchanged,indicating reduced phagocytic function of the Kupffer cells in the rat NASH model. We believe that CEUS examination using Levovist is a useful screening modality,which can detect NASH in fatty liver patients.展开更多
The objective of the current work is to investigate the possible beneficial effects of forced feeding of fenugreek to rabbit does on their milk composition, milk yield, anemia screening parameters, immunity and the gr...The objective of the current work is to investigate the possible beneficial effects of forced feeding of fenugreek to rabbit does on their milk composition, milk yield, anemia screening parameters, immunity and the growth performance of bunnies. Twenty white New Zealand female rabbits were randomly assigned into 5 groups: normal control and 4 treated groups (vehicle (molasses), fenugreek powdered seeds + molasses, sprouted fenugreek + molasses, and fenugreek oil + molasses). All treated groups took the given doses orally for two days before parturition and 13 days after parturition for 2 successive pregnancies. Blood samples were collected from each doe on the 13<sup>th</sup> day of lactation for determination of hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters. Milk samples were taken for evaluation of milk composition. All rabbit does and their bunnies were weighed for calculation of the milk yield. The fenugreek seeds and oil administered groups (G<sup>3</sup> & G<sup>5</sup>) recorded the highest percent values of fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solid not fat contents of the rabbits’ milk in both 1st and 2nd lactation periods relative to other tested groups. At the beginning and mid of lactation periods, the milk yields recorded non-significant differences either between tested groups or between 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> pregnancy in the same group. Whereas, at the end of lactation, germinated seeds (G<sup>4</sup>) and oil (G<sup>5</sup>) treated groups recorded significantly higher rates of milk yield relative to control and fenugreek seeds groups. Bunnies’ body weights suckling from dams of group III (G<sup>3</sup>) recorded the highest weights relative to other tested groups in both 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> pregnancy. During the 1<sup>st</sup> lactation period, all experimental groups showed significant reduction of white blood cells, while, G<sup>3</sup> and G<sup>4</sup> recorded significant elevation during 2<sup>nd</sup> lactation period. Rabbits treated with fenugreek seeds powder (G<sup>3</sup>) showed a significant raise of phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. Fenugreek seeds group (G<sup>3</sup>) and germinated one (G<sup>4</sup>) showed significant red blood corpuscles and packed cell volume raise relative to other groups during both 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> lactation periods.展开更多
基金Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science,and Technology of Japan,No.19590784
文摘AIM: To investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity,using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. METHODS: Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet,followed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Levovist. The uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was determined by fluorescent microscopy. The status of the Kupffer cells was compared between the two groups,using the immunohistochemical staining technique. RESULTS: After 4 or more wk of the CDAA diet,CEUS examination revealed a decrease in the signal intensity,20 min after intravenous Levovist. Fluorescent microscopic examination showed that the uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was reduced at week 1 and 2 in the study group,compared with the controls,with no further reduction after 3 wk. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in the Kupffer cell counts between the control group and the CDAA group. CONCLUSION: CEUS examination using Levovist demonstrated reduced contrast effect and phagocytic activity in the liver parenchymal phase,although the Kupffer cell numbers were unchanged,indicating reduced phagocytic function of the Kupffer cells in the rat NASH model. We believe that CEUS examination using Levovist is a useful screening modality,which can detect NASH in fatty liver patients.
文摘The objective of the current work is to investigate the possible beneficial effects of forced feeding of fenugreek to rabbit does on their milk composition, milk yield, anemia screening parameters, immunity and the growth performance of bunnies. Twenty white New Zealand female rabbits were randomly assigned into 5 groups: normal control and 4 treated groups (vehicle (molasses), fenugreek powdered seeds + molasses, sprouted fenugreek + molasses, and fenugreek oil + molasses). All treated groups took the given doses orally for two days before parturition and 13 days after parturition for 2 successive pregnancies. Blood samples were collected from each doe on the 13<sup>th</sup> day of lactation for determination of hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters. Milk samples were taken for evaluation of milk composition. All rabbit does and their bunnies were weighed for calculation of the milk yield. The fenugreek seeds and oil administered groups (G<sup>3</sup> & G<sup>5</sup>) recorded the highest percent values of fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solid not fat contents of the rabbits’ milk in both 1st and 2nd lactation periods relative to other tested groups. At the beginning and mid of lactation periods, the milk yields recorded non-significant differences either between tested groups or between 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> pregnancy in the same group. Whereas, at the end of lactation, germinated seeds (G<sup>4</sup>) and oil (G<sup>5</sup>) treated groups recorded significantly higher rates of milk yield relative to control and fenugreek seeds groups. Bunnies’ body weights suckling from dams of group III (G<sup>3</sup>) recorded the highest weights relative to other tested groups in both 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> pregnancy. During the 1<sup>st</sup> lactation period, all experimental groups showed significant reduction of white blood cells, while, G<sup>3</sup> and G<sup>4</sup> recorded significant elevation during 2<sup>nd</sup> lactation period. Rabbits treated with fenugreek seeds powder (G<sup>3</sup>) showed a significant raise of phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. Fenugreek seeds group (G<sup>3</sup>) and germinated one (G<sup>4</sup>) showed significant red blood corpuscles and packed cell volume raise relative to other groups during both 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> lactation periods.
