Involvement of nitric oxide in inflammation of ovaries in gilts.

NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) and an inducible type of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were demonstrated in porcine ovaries after unilateral infusion of bacteria into the hilus of an ovary. In group I one ml of saline was infused into the hilus of each ovary from the 15th day to the 19th day of the estrous cycle. In group II one ml of bacterial suspension (10(9) colony forming units of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Corynebacterium pyogenes, in a proportion 1:1:1, respectively) in saline was infused into the hilus of one ovary on days corresponding to those of the control group (gr. I), whereas saline was infused into the contralateral ovary. The ovaries were collected on the 7th day of the next estrous cycle. In the bacteria-treated ovary, the activity of NADPH-d was higher in the endothelium of blood vessels, corpora lutea and follicular walls in comparison to that observed in the respective structures of the contralateral ovary. The highest activity of NADPH-d was found in the vascular endothelium in the bacteria-infused ovary. Vascular smooth muscle cells found in both ovaries of the bacteria-treated gilts were more intensely stained for NADPH-d than those in control animals. After bacteria administration, the intensity of NADPH-d reaction in all the structures of both ovaries in group II was higher than in control group. The strongest immunostaining for iNOS was observed in all structures of the bacteria-infused ovary. In the contralateral ovary, iNOS-immunoreactivity was weaker but still stronger than that in control group. The present results revealed that infusions of bacteria into the hilus of one ovary enhanced the activity of NADPH-d and immunoreactivity for iNOS in both porcine ovaries. However, the activity of both enzymes was higher in the bacteria-infused ovary than in the contralateral one. These data suggest that locally synthesized NO can mediate an inflammatory effect of bacteria in the porcine ovaries.

Hepatoprotective effect of propagermanium on Corynebacterium parvum and lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice.

Propagermanium is an organic germanium compound with immunopotentiating activity. We examined the hepatoprotective effect of propagermanium and its mechanism in an experimental animal model of acute liver injury induced with Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Oral pretreatment with propagermanium decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in a dose-dependent manner. Significant attenuation of ALT and AST activity was obtained at a dose of 3 mg/kg. Administration of propagermanium also inhibited the infiltration of mononuclear cells into the liver of mice induced by C. parvum/LPS. Immunohistochemical examination revealed infiltration of the liver by CD4-, CD8-, CD11b- and Gr-1-positive cells. Propagermanium prevented CD4- and CD11b-positive cells from infiltrating the liver. In this animal model, blood cytokine levels increased rapidly after LPS injection, causing severe hepatitis. Notably, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) are important mediators of the progress of liver injury. We demonstrated that propagermanium reduced IFN-gamma production by 53% at a dose of 3 mg/kg and also significantly inhibited the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12). These results indicate that propagermanium inhibits cell infiltration in the liver and cytokine production, and improves massive liver injury in C. parvum/LPS mice.

Evaluation of the RapID CB Plus system for identification of Corynebacterium species and other gram-positive rods.

Due to the difficulty of identifying Corynebacterium spp. with standard methods, we compared them with the RapID CB Plus system (Remel, Lenexa, Kans. [formerly Innovative Diagnostic Systems, Norcross, Ga.]), which consists of 4 carbohydrate and 14 preformed enzyme tests, for the identification of 98 clinical isolates of Corynebacterium sp., other coryneforms, Listeria monocytogenes, and 17 ATCC strains. Forty (95%) of 42 strains of Corynebacterium spp. were accurately identified to the species level by the RapID CB Plus system, and two additional strains of C. striatum were identified with one additional conventional test for lipid requirement. Twenty-seven (75%) of the 36 coryneform strains tested were identified correctly to the species level. However, three of four strains of Brevibacterium sp. and all seven of the L. monocytogenes strains were identified to the genus level only. Actinomyces strains had variable results, and the one strain of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum tested was not identified. Overall, the RapID CB Plus system compared favorably with the conventional methods, was easy to inoculate and interpret, and is promising as a new method for identification of gram-positive bacilli.

Does nitric oxide play a role in liver function?

Nitric oxide (NO) is becoming increasingly recognised as a signalling molecule in many organs, although its role in the liver remains to be fully elucidated. There is no doubt that liver cells can produce NO in response to a variety of stimuli including Corynebacterium parvum-infection, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a variety of cytokines. Within the liver, NO modulates some fundamental intracellular functions such as protein synthesis, mitochondrial electron transport and components of the citric acid cycle. Intercellular roles for NO in the liver may include drug metabolism and blood storage. Also, NO acts to protect the liver from immunological damage in models of hepatic inflammation. Understanding the role of NO in the liver may provide insight into the functioning of this organ in health and disease.

Serum enzyme abnormalities in swine associated with systemic infection and fever.

Yucatán miniswine with systemic infections (C. pyogenes and S. marcescens) and accompanying elevated body temperature, also have increased serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and gamma-globulin (GG) levels. The CK and LD levels increase with fever due to infection and decrease as antibiotics are administered and the body temperature is lowered. The GG levels remain elevated. Body temperature due to infection should be taken into account when utilizing CK and LD to assess skeletal muscle, cerebrovascular and myocardial damage.