Pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in healthy and Pasteurella multocida-infected rabbits.

The pharmacokinetics of cefquinome were studied in healthy and Pasteurella multocida-infected rabbits after a single intramuscular (IM) injection at 2 mg/kg of its sulfate salt. Twelve female New Zealand white rabbits (2.0-2.5 kg) were used; six of them served as controls, and the other six had been infected with P. multocida; the experiments were conducted 1-2 days after nasal inoculation of P. multocida when rabbits showed the signs of respiratory infection. Plasma concentrations of cefquinome were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The values of elimination half-life, area under the curve, area under the first moment curve, and mean residence time were significantly lower in infected rabbits (0.48 hr, 4.54 hr*µg/ml, 3.63 hr* hr*µg/ml and 0.8 hr, respectively) than healthy rabbits (0.72 hr, 9.11 hr*µg/ml, 9.85 hr* hr*µg/ml and 1.1 hr, respectively), whereas total body clearance was significantly higher in infected than healthy rabbits. Therefore, P. multocida infection caused significant changes in some of the pharmacokinetic parameters of cefquinome in rabbits. These pharmacokinetic changes may affect dose regimen when used in P. multocida-infected rabbits.

Glomerular expression of the ATP-sensitive P2X receptor in diabetic and hypertensive rat models.

BACKGROUND: The molecular identification and characterization of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive family of P2 receptors is comparatively new. There are two main subgroups, each with several subtypes and widespread tissue distribution, including the kidney. A unique member of the P2X subgroup of P2 receptors is the ATP-gated ion channel P2X(7), which on activation can cause cell blebbing, cytokine release, and cell death by necrosis or apoptosis. We report expression of this receptor in normal rat kidney and in two chronic models of glomerular injury: streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetes and ren-2 transgenic (TGR) hypertension. METHODS: At different time points in these models, we used a polyclonal antibody to the P2X(7) receptor and immunohistochemistry to determine its expression and distribution. We also used Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect changes in P2X(7) receptor protein and mRNA expression, respectively. RESULTS: We found only low-level glomerular immuno-staining for the P2X(7) receptor in normal rat kidney, but intense P2X(7) receptor immunostaining of glomeruli in kidneys from diabetic animals at 6 and 9 weeks, and in hypertensive animals at 12 weeks. In diabetic animals, real-time PCR demonstrated a approximately tenfold increase in glomerular P2X(7) receptor mRNA relative to control, and Western blotting confirmed an increase in protein. Immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy showed staining of glomerular podocytes, which was both intracellular and at the plasma membrane. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the P2X(7) receptor is not expressed appreciably under normal conditions, but that following glomerular injury it is significantly up-regulated, mainly in podocytes, though also in endothelial and mesangial cells, of animals with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus or TGR hypertension. Although the exact function and regulation of this receptor remain unclear, its association with inflammatory cytokine release and cell death suggests that increased expression might be involved in the pathogenesis of glomerular cell injury or repair.

Paraganglioma of the bladder: report of a case.

Paragangliomas are uncommon tumours that comprise less than 0.1% of all primary bladder neoplasms. Approximately half of the patients present the clinical triad of hypertension, haematuria and attacks associated with micturition. About 10% of vesical paragangliomas behave malignantly. This may be manifested as local invasion or metastatic spread, particularly to lymph nodes and lung. The best therapy remains total excision and partial cystectomy is considered adequate treatment for most cases. We report a case of paraganglioma of the bladder with extramural appearance in a 39-year-old man. Clinical symptoms were hypertension, dysuria and a well-defined hypogastric mass. One year after complete removal of the tumour, the patient is asymptomatic and normotensive, with normal catecholamine and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels.

[Adenocarcinoma of the duodenal bulb. A clinical case report]. / Adenocarcinoma del bulbo duodenale. Presentazione di un caso clinico.

A rare case of adenocarcinoma of the duodenal bulb, arising from adenoma and submitted to Whipple's procedure is presented. A diagnostic delay of about 3 months, according to literature is observed. This delay is generally due to the low incidence of the illness, aspecific symptoms and frequent endoscopic and radiologic false negative, most of all in lesions of the third and fourth duodenal portions. Diagnostic tools for these duodenal tumors are endoscopy and upper gastrointestinal barium studies (UGI). CT is useful to determine preoperatively the stage of the illness and can occasionally show the primary duodenal lesion, as in this case. Surgical approach is still controversial, except in lesions of the second duodenal portion, where Whipple operation is the procedure of choice, if the tumor is resectable, of course. In the other duodenal portions some authors suggest segmental duodenal resections instead of Whipple's procedure.