Single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis of GH, GHR, and IGF-1 genes in minipigs

Tibetan (TB) and Bama (BM) miniature pigs are two popular pig breeds that are used as experimental animals in China due to their small body size. Here, we analyzed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gene fragments that are closely related to growth traits [growth hormone (GH), growth hormone receptor (GHR), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1)] in these pig breeds and a large white (LW) control pig breed. On the basis of the analysis of 100 BMs, 108 TBs, and 50 LWs, the polymorphic distribution levels of GH, GHR, and IGF-1 were significantly different among these three pig breeds. According to correlation analyses between SNPs and five growth traits - body weight (BW), body length (BL), withers height (WH), chest circumference (CC), and abdomen circumference (AC) - three SNP loci in BMs and four SNP loci in TBs significantly affected growth traits. Three SNP sites in BMs and four SNP sites in TBs significantly affected growth traits. SNPs located in the GH gene fragment significantly affected BL and CC at locus 12 and BL at locus 45 in BMs, and also BW, WH, CC, and AC at locus 45 and WH and CC at locus 93 in TBs. One SNP at locus 85 in the BM GHR gene fragment significantly affected all growth traits. All indices were significantly reduced with a mixture of alleles at locus 85. These results provide more information regarding the genetic background of these minipig species and indicate useful selection markers for pig breeding programs.

Change in kidney morphology after ischemia/reperfusion in a sheep model of acute heart failure supported by pulsatile catheter pump / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure following heart failure assisted circulation have been extensively reported. However, little data have been available concerning morphological analysis of kidney tissues under that condition.OBJECTIVE: To observe morphological change of ischemia/reperfusion kidney in a sheep pulsatile catheter (PUCA) pump short-term support for heart failure model and explore causes of acute renal failure in assisted circulation patients.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Self-contrast animal experiment was performed at the laboratory of Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital of Shanghai Second Medical University between July 2003 and April 2004.MATERIALS: PUCA pump was provided by Gerhard Rakhorst, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen.METHODS: After ischemic heart failure in 10 sheep was induced successfully and subsequently ischemia/reperfusion kidney was developed, PUCA pump was activated to support the hemodynamics for 3 hours.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hemodynamic parameters were monitored and recorded before thoracotomy, heart failure, and every 45 minutes after the support. Kidney biopsy specimens for light and electron microscopy were obtained 3 hours after support.RESULTS: PUCA pump support was successful in 7 of 10 sheep for 3 hours. During support with the PUCA pump,Hemodynamic parameters gradually restored to normal and stable condition, and blood pressure was close to baseline at the end of experiment. On both light and electron microscopy examination, mild acute kidney change was observed after ischemia/reperfusion. Cytosis in renal glomerulus associated with vasodilatation hyperemia, endepidermis in renal tubules hydropic degeneration, vasodilatation hyperemia and Interstitial edema in renal medulla were the main findings.CONCLUSION: PUCA pump could successfully maintain the hemodynamics for 3 hours in a sheep acute heart failure model,but pathological change in ischemia/reperfusion kidney was remained. It is impossible to predict prognosis of renal function on hemodynamic data alone during support.

The application of pulsatile catheter pump support on cardiac resuscitation in sheep / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To assess the effect of the pulsatile catheter (PUCA) pump support on cardiac resuscitation in sheep,and to provide a new approach for saving cardiac arrest patients. Methods Cardiac arrest was induced by ventricular fibrillation in 11 sheep. These sheep were divided into three groups including no support (n=3), delayed support (n=2) and immediate support (n=6). Time for cardiac resuscitation and the ratio of success to failure in each group were recorded. Hemodynamic parameters including heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure(CVP),right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP),left atrial pressure (LAP), and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were monitored and recorded at 5, 60 and 180 min after cardiac resuscitation with PUCA pump. Results Time for cardiac resuscitation in no support group, delayed support group and immediate support group was (38.3±5.8),(43.5±9.2) and (48.7±23.8)minutes, respectively(P＞0.05),and the ratio of success to failure was 0/3,0/2 and 5/1, respectively ( P＜0.05). After cardiac resuscitation with the PUCA pump support, MAP, SBP and DBP increased gradually(P＜0.05).Conclusions PUCA pump can maintain the hemodynamic stability in a sheep model of cardiac arrest,and can thus increase the success rate of cardiac resuscitation. It may be suitable for resuscitating cardiac arrest patients.