Evaluation of the effects of amiodarone and amiodarone+dobutamine on survival in tilmicosin-induced toxicity by electrocardiography and biochemical parameters in goats: Survival rate in tilmicosin toxicity

Tilmicosin shows different degrees of cardiotoxic effect in various animal species depending on the route of administration and dose. We aimed to determine the effects of amiodarone and amiodarone+dobutamine treatments on tilmicosin cardiotoxicity and survival time. 18 healthy goats were divided into tilmicosin, tilmicosin+amiodarone and tilmicosin+amiodarone+dobutamine groups. After drug administrations, the survival times of the animals in all groups were recorded. In addition, blood was drawn from the animals just before they died. Haemogram, troponin I, CK-MB and other biochemical parameters were measured in all blood samples. Prolonged survival was observed in the treatment groups compared to the tilmicosin group. In the treatment groups, decreases in haemogram parameters, albumin, total protein and cholesterol levels caused by tilmicosin could not be prevented, while the increase in troponin I level was prevented. In conclusion, while cardiotoxicity due to high troponin from tilmicosin was prevented, the survival rate was not affected in both treatment groups, and the survival time was extended at differing rates. In case of accidental or deliberate overdose of tilmicosin in animals, in addition to the use of amiodarone+dobutamine, the survival time may be prolonged, and the success may increase if the necessary symptomatic treatments and equipment support are available.Tilmicosin shows different degrees of cardiotoxic effect in various animal species depending on the route of administration and dose. We aimed to determine the effects of amiodarone and amiodarone+dobutamine treatments on tilmicosin cardiotoxicity and survival time. 18 healthy goats were divided into tilmicosin, tilmicosin+amiodarone and tilmicosin+amiodarone+dobutamine groups. After drug administrations, the survival times of the animals in all groups were recorded. In addition, blood was drawn from the animals just before they died. Haemogram, troponin I, CK-MB and other biochemical parameters were measured in all blood samples. Prolonged survival was observed in the treatment groups compared to the tilmicosin group. In the treatment groups, decreases in haemogram parameters, albumin, total protein and cholesterol levels caused by tilmicosin could not be prevented, while the increase in troponin I level was prevented. In conclusion, while cardiotoxicity due to high troponin from tilmicosin was prevented, the survival rate was not affected in both treatment groups, and the survival time was extended at differing rates. In case of accidental or deliberate overdose of tilmicosin in animals, in addition to the use of amiodarone+dobutamine, the survival time may be prolonged, and the success may increase if the necessary symptomatic treatments and equipment support are available

Quality and Safety Aspects of Infant Nutrition

Quality and safety aspects of infant nutrition are of key importance for child health, but oftentimes they do not get much attention by health care professionals whose interest tends to focus on functional benefits of early nutrition. Unbalanced diets and harmful food components induce particularly high risks for untoward effects in infants because of their rapid growth, high nutrient needs, and their typical dependence on only one or few foods during the first months of life. The concepts, standards and practices that relate to infant food quality and safety were discussed at a scientific workshop organized by the Child Health Foundation and the Early Nutrition Academy jointly with the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and a summary is provided here. The participants reviewed past and current issues on quality and safety, the role of different stakeholders, and recommendations to avert future issues. It was concluded that a high level of quality and safety is currently achieved, but this is no reason for complacency. The food industry carries the primary responsibility for the safety and suitability of their products, including the quality of composition, raw materials and production processes. Introduction of new or modified products should be preceded by a thorough science based review of suitability and safety by an independent authority. Food safety events should be managed on an international basis. Global collaboration of food producers, food-safety authorities, paediatricians and scientists is needed to efficiently exchange information and to best protect public health. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

The effect of low- and high-dose levothyroxine on the expression, protein level, and function of P-glycoprotein in mice: The effect of levothyroxine on P-gp is variable

The study was investigated the effect of different doses of levothyroxine on the mRNA expression, protein level and function of Pgp. Mice were divided into 6 groups as control, low dose levothyroxine, high dose levothyroxine, fexofenadine, low dose levothyroxine+fexofenadine and high dose levothyroxine+fexofenadine. Mice received levothyroxine at doses of 8 and 80 µg/kg daily for 21 days. Fexofenadine was administered at dose of 40 mg/kg at the 24 h following the last administration of levothyroxine. The mRNA levels and protein level of Pgp in liver and small intestine were determined by RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Plasma concentrations of fexofenadine were determined using HPLC. Levothyroxine at low and high doses caused an insignificant increase intestinal mRNA expression of mdr1a, while high dose levothyroxine+fexofenadine caused a significant increase. Levothyroxine caused a dose-dependent decrease in intestinal mRNA expression of mdr1b. In liver, levothyroxine caused a dose-dependent increase in the mRNA expression of mdr1a. Fexofenadine significantly reduced the effect of levothyroxine on mRNA expression of mdr1a in liver. Levothyroxine increased the protein level of Pgp in liver and decrease in intestines. Low dose levothyroxine significantly increased the plasma concentration of fexofenadine. The effects of levothyroxine on the mRNA expression of mdr1a and b in small intestine and liver and protein level of Pgp varied depending on the dose, tissue type, and fexofenadine administration

Effects of bcrp and p-gp modulators on the penetration of aflatoxin b1 into the mouse brain

This study was conducted to determine whether the plasma and brain concentrations of AFB1 are affected by the modulation of P-gp and BCRP using zosuquidar (ZQR) and prazosin (PRZ), respectively. In this study, a total of 40 healthy adult male BALB/c mice (32±3.7 g) were used. The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 8 animals per group. Group 1 was used for method validation. Group 2 (AF) received intraperitoneal AFB1 at a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight. Groups 3 (AF+PRZ), 4 (AF+ZQR), and 5 (AF+PRZ+ZQR) received 20 mg/kg of AFB1 intraperitoneally 30 min after the intraperitoneal administration of prazosin (0.3 mg/kg), zosuquidar (25 mg/kg), and prazosin+zosuquidar (0.3 mg/kg prazosin + 25 mg/kg zosuquidar), respectively. Six hours after the administration of AFB1, blood and brain samples were collected from the animals in Groups 2 to 5. AFB1 concentrations were determined using an HPLC system with fluorescence detection. Individual and simultaneous administration of prazosin and zosuquidar significantly reduced the brain concentrations of AFB1 in comparison to a single administration of AFB1 (P<0.05). The brain/plasma ratio of the AF group was higher than that of the other groups (AF+PRZ, AF+ZQR, and AF+PRZ+ZQR) (P<0.05). Inducers of transmembrane proteins, especially BCRP, can be life saving during acute AFB1 poisoning

Ruminant Brucellosis in the Kafr El Sheikh Governorate of the Nile Delta, Egypt: Prevalence of a Neglected Zoonosis

Brucellosis is a zoonosis of mammals caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. It is responsible for a vast global burden imposed on human health through disability and on animal productivity. In humans brucellosis causes a range of flu-like symptoms and chronic debilitating illness. In livestock brucellosis causes economic losses as a result of abortion, infertility and decreased milk production. The main routes for human infection are consumption of contaminated dairy products and contact with infected ruminants. The control of brucellosis in humans depends on its control in ruminants, for which accurate estimates of the frequency of infection are very useful, especially in areas with no previous frequency estimates. We studied the seroprevalence of brucellosis and its geographic distribution among domestic ruminants in one governorate of the Nile Delta region, Egypt. In the study area, the seroprevalence of ruminant brucellosis is very high and has probably increased considerably since the early 1990s. The disease is widespread but more concentrated around major animal markets. These findings question the efficacy of the control strategy in place and highlight the high infection risk for the animal and human populations of the area and the urgent need for an improved control strategy

Building an African Leptospirosis Network

Although leptospirosis is a disease of global importance, local context is crucial to formulating effective intervention strategies. Factors including reservoir host species, pathogen type, environmental, and social settings generate context-specific epidemiologies. Diverse climatic zones, agricultural systems, urbanization patterns, and cultural practices in Africa are likely to drive considerable variation in leptospirosis epidemiology. There is growing evidence of a substantial burden of human leptospirosis in Africa that is difficult to quantify in part due to lack of surveillance and clinical awareness of leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is therefore rarely considered as a differential diagnosis for acute febrile illness, and there is little access to diagnostic services for leptospirosis on the continent. In 2016, a virtual network was founded focussing on improving awareness and understanding leptospirosis in Africa. We currently have 40 members from academia, clinical practice, government and non-governmental agencies and others. Current members are based predominantly in institutions outside the continent but increasingly colleagues based in public health, laboratories, veterinary, and academic institutions within Africa are joining. We will share our experiences of developing this network, and our plans for capacity building through identifying and addressing knowledge gaps in our understanding of leptospirosis in Africa

Comparasion of pharmacokinetic profiles of some antimicrobial agents in plasma and lymph fluids

Some pharmacokinetic parameters and concentrations of four antimicrobial agents in plasma and lymph fluids were compared for determination of penetration into peripheral tissues. Eighteen healthy adult sheep (Turk Merino x Hampshire cross, 18-24 month, weighing 32-37 kg) were used. For collection of lymph samples, the efferent vessel of Nl. cervicalis superficialis sinister was cannulated with a polyethylene catheter. All antimicrobial agents were administered intramuscularly at single recommended doses (Chloramphenicol 30 mg/kg b.wt., Enrofloxacin 2.5 mg/kg b. wt., Sulphadoxine-trimethoprim 16 mg/kg b.wt.). Subsequently, blood and lymph samples were concurrently obtained at 2, 4, 8. 12, 16 and 24 hr postinjection. Concentrations of these agents in all samples were analysed by HPLC. Concentrations of enrofloxacin in lymph fluids at ail sampling times were found to be higher than plasma (p0.05). The level of chloramphenicol in plasma was found to be higher than lymph fluid only at 2 hr (p0.05). While terminal elimination half-lives (t 1/2 beta) of agents in plasma were found to be 2.47, 3.35, 3.94 and 2.39, the same parameters of agents in lymph fluids were found to be 2.30, 3.73, 4.01 and 2.85, respectively There were no significant differences between these parameters of all agents (p>0.05). The results show that when enrofloxacin, sulphadoxine and trimethoprim were used at recommended doses and intervals, these drugs penetrated peripheral tissues quickly and at sufficient concentrations, and chloramphenicol also penetrated quickly into peripheral tissue. but this dosages regimen was inadequate to supply effective concentrations in tissues

Effects of dexamethasone and fexofenadine on the penetration into brain and testes tissues of levofloxacin, a P-gp substrate

[Abstract not Available

Effect of pentoxifylline on biochemical parameters in endotoxaemic New Zealand white rabbits

Effect of pentoxifylline on biochemical values in endotoxaemic rabbits was investigated. Forty rabbits were divided into four equal groups. Group 1, served as a control group, group 2: lipopolysaccharide was injected intravenously, group 3: pentoxifylline was injected intraperitoneally, group 4: lipopolysaccharide and pentoxifylline were injected simultaneously. Serum samples were collected 6 h after the treatments. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, creatinine, urea, glucose, total protein, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus and magnesium levels were measured. Pentoxifylline induced protective effect on the liver and kidney in endotoxaemia, but did not show any protective effect on lipid metabolism