Clinical pathology of llamas.

Examination of the diseased llama often relies on clinical laboratory information to supplement that from the physical examination and history. Because of the llama's only recent importance as a companion animal, little information is available on the analysis and interpretation of clinical laboratory parameters in this species. Llamas possess red blood cells with a unique shape, small size, and high hemoglobin content. The hemoglobin has a high oxygen affinity, which helps the animal adapt to high altitudes and presents with an oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve shifted to the left. The llama maintains high resting blood glucose, creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels. It is very efficient at recycling urea nitrogen via nonrenal pathways. Most of the clinical pathologic parameters can be utilized and interpreted as in other species, but with a different baseline of normal values.

Enzyme immune assay determination of CA-125 in serum, peritoneal fluid, and follicular fluid from women with minimal endometriosis after ovarian hyperstimulation.

We conclude that the acutely preovulatory expression of CA-125 in serum and FF as determined by EIA is low and not significantly enhanced by OH. Although the PF concentrations were elevated in women with minimal endometriosis when compared with women without endometriosis, the still unresolved problem associated with measurements of CA-125 in PF for both RIA and EIA and the considerable overlap in individual values between both patient groups preclude its use as a reliable screening or monitoring parameter, at least for the present.

Human chorionic gonadotropin levels in various compartments in disturbed early pregnancy.

The hCG level in the uterine cavity was higher than in peripheral blood in a case of choriocarcinoma and in patients with spontaneous expulsion of the conceptus. In two patients with missed abortion, the hCG concentrations in peripheral blood and in serum from the uterine cavity did not differ. In contrast, the hCG concentrations in PF in these patients were lower than in peripheral blood. The measurement of hCG in these compartments may provide evidence concerning the location of the trophoblast.

Peritoneal lavage efficiently eliminates protease-alpha-2-macroglobulin complexes and components of the contact system from the peritoneal cavity in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Trypsin (Try), plasma kallikrein (KK) and plasmin activities together with coagulation factor XII (F XII, Hageman factor), high-molecular-weight kininogen (HMWK), plasma prekallikrein (PKK), alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M), C1 inhibitor (C1Inh), and functional plasma kallikrein inhibition (KKI) values were studied in peritoneal fluid and lavage taps of 9 patients with severe acute pancreatitis treated with peritoneal lavage. Both immunochemical methods and functional techniques based on chromogenic peptide substrate assays were used. In the exudate obtained before peritoneal lavage was performed, F XII was 52%, HMWK was 30%, PKK was 40%, alpha 2-M was 29% and C1Inh was 57% of standard plasma pool values, determined by immunochemical technique. Functional plasma KKI values were zero, whereas Try activities determined by chromogenic peptide substrate technique were markedly elevated in the exudate. Using a prepacked HR 10/30 Superose Tm 12 column (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) and chromogenic peptide substrate assays, Try and KK activities were detected in the alpha 2-M containing fractions of the peritoneal exudate demonstrating KK-alpha 2-M and Try-alpha 2-M complex formation. The peritoneal lavage procedure efficiently eliminated components of the contact system and protease activities. In the first lavage tap, Try activities were markedly reduced compared to values found in the exudate and concentrations of F XII, HMWK, PKK, alpha 2-M and C1Inh were all zero. In consecutive lavage taps Try values were also zero. The study shows that the lavage procedures efficiently clears the peritoneal cavity for protease-alpha 2-M complexes generated during acute pancreatitis. Also, components of the contact system found in peritoneal exudate, and which might serve as substrates for the protease-alpha 2-M complexes, are rapidly eliminated by the procedure.

Peritoneal oxygenation of normoxic and hypoxic dogs.

The ability of an oxygen saturated fluorocarbon, perfluorodecalin (C10F18), to raise the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) of anesthetized dogs, was tested by peritoneal lavage in normoxic and hypoxic animals. While breathing room air, five of six animals showed an increased PaO2 of 5-10 torr above reference values. In cases of mild hypoxia, increases of 5-25 torr were observed. No increase in PaO2 was seen when hypoxia was severe. A mathematical model was used to analyze the data and determine a transport coefficient (k). Calculated k values were 1.18 +/- 0.151 ml O2 STPD per minute for normoxic animals and 0.91 +/- 0.180 ml O2 STPD per minute for hypoxic animals, respectively. The estimated transport coefficients are small and indicate that physiologically significant amounts of O2 cannot be delivered by the proposed method under the experimental conditions used. The low k values were attributed to long diffusion distances and small effective surface areas in the abdominal cavity.

[Endotoxin in experimental mesenteric infarction]. / Endotoxin beim experimentellen Mesenterialinfarkt.

After ligation of the mesenteric arteries an intestinal ischaemia was obtained. Endotoxin was measured from the peritoneal cavity, the portal und the peripheral blood. The limulus test for Endotoxin was used after phenol-water-extraction of the plasma. Microbiological investigations were done simultaneously. The endotoxin concentrations correlated to the clinical state of gram negative sepsis.

A novel guinea pig macrophage-specific polymorphic molecule. I. Biochemistry, genetics, and tissue distribution.

In the course of studying Ia molecules from strain 2 and strain 13 guinea pig macrophages, with the intent of comparing them to B cell Ia molecules, it was observed that guinea pig alloserum prepared by cross-immunization of guinea pig lymphocyte Ag non-identical inbred guinea pigs immunoprecipitated not only conventional class I and class II molecules, but also a 98,000-Da molecule, termed gp98. Two different forms of the molecule were detected, indicating it is polymorphic. The genes encoding gp98 were shown not to be linked to the guinea pig lymphocyte Ag complex. The molecule gp98 was found on macrophages within populations of peritoneal exudate cells, resident peritoneal cells, bone marrow cells, and spleen. All gp98-bearing macrophages were also Ia-positive. However, only a subpopulation of macrophages bore gp98. The gp98 was not found on Ly-1 or Ig-bearing cells, indicating that B and T cells do not bear Ia. Thus, gp98 appears to be a highly immunogenic polymorphic macrophage-specific molecule that allows the characterization of guinea pig macrophage subsets.

CA 125 and CA 19-9 in peritoneal, cyst and amniotic fluids.

The concentrations of the tumour markers CA 125 and CA 19-9 were determined in peritoneal, cyst and amniotic fluids, with particular attention being paid to certain reliability criteria of the assay methods. The antigens were measured in undiluted samples and after several dilutions. A recovery test was also performed and protein content evaluated. The results show high levels of CA 125 in all fluids; in descending order of concentration: amniotic (2376-3891 U ml-1), peritoneal (379-4040 U ml-1) and cyst fluid (124-466 U ml-1). Amniotic, peritoneal and cyst fluid concentrations of CA 19-9 were found to be 314-1008 U ml-1, 26.7-2182 U ml-1 and 226-2988 U ml-1, respectively. Recovery was between 80 and 100% for all fluids. CA 125 was easily assayable in all fluids, except amniotic and peritoneal which required dilution even of the samples which fell within the range of the standard curve before dilution. The presence of CA 125 and CA 19-9 in amniotic and cyst fluids emphasizes the non-specificity of these molecules and suggests caution in the interpretation of the results.

Long-term implantation of voltammetric oxidase/peroxide glucose sensors in the rat peritoneum.

Methods for designing, fabricating, testing in vitro and in vivo, and improving chronically implantable oxidase/peroxide-type polarographic glucose sensors are described. Voltammetric means to evaluate oxygen supply to the sensor and to measure the nearby microcirculation with hydrogen washout techniques using the implanted glucose sensor are outlined. Because some peritoneally implanted sensors have, perhaps surprisingly, remained functional for months, such devices may prove with further development to be useful as the sensing components in artificial pancreatic beta cells for the control of diabetes.

The role of the capillary wall in restricting diffusion of macromolecules. A study of peritoneal clearance of dextrans.

In 5 nephrectomized rabbits the peritoneal clearance of neutral dextrans from plasma to dialysate decreased from 7.8 to 3.3 microliters/kg/min as molecular mass increased from 17,000 to 43,000 daltons, and was relatively constant at 2.8 microliters/kg/min from 49,000 to 97,000 daltons in accord with prior studies. The clearance from dialysate to plasma was measured by determining the distribution volume, which averaged 72 ml/kg, and the plasma concentration 5 h after intraperitoneal instillation. Inward clearances ranged from 11.4 to 19.9 microliter/kg/min, did not correlate well with solute size and were significantly higher than outward clearances. The data suggest that while the capillary wall is the major barrier to macromolecule transfer, absorption can bypass vascular capillaries and occur via the lymphatics. It is suggested that lymphatic flow rate from the peritoneum exceeds 16 microliter/kg/min.

Role of colony-stimulating activity in antitumor activity of Lactobacillus casei in mice.

Wide-ranging differences were observed between the antitumor activities of 23 lactobacilli (13 species; 23 strains) and their capacities to elevate the level of serum colony-stimulating activity (CSA) by intraperitoneal administration in mice, and a good correlation existed between the two activities. The mechanism of enhanced production of CSA by administration of Lactobacillus casei YIT 9018 (LC 9018), one of the bacteria that had the strongest activities, and the role of CSA in antitumor activity of LC 9018 were studied. Colony-stimulating activity in the washing fluid from the peritoneal cavity of mice that had been administered LC 9018 intraperitoneally was elevated at 3 to 24 h after the injection, and CSA was also detected at elevated levels in the serum of the mice 6 to 12 h after injection. The cells responsible for the production of CSA after stimulation with LC 9018 seem to be the resident macrophages at the site of administration, because the resident macrophages of mice lavaged 1 h after an intraperitoneal administration of LC 9018 released CSA when they were cultured in vitro. Moreover, resident peritoneal macrophages of normal mice cultured with LC 9018 in vitro also produced CSA. Similar results were obtained with athymic nude mice, and the CSA-inducing activity of LC 9018 was diminished in the mice pretreated with carrageenan, which is selectively toxic to mature macrophages. Bone marrow cells matured to macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells by culture with the CSA induced by LC 9018 for 7 days. These matured macrophages showed strong antitumor activity both in vivo and in vitro. These results suggest that CSA plays important roles in the antitumor activity of LC 9018: it enhances not only the multiplication of committed precursor cells for macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells, but also the functional maturation of the precursor cells for macrophages which serve as potent effectors for tumor cells.

Rat heparins. A study of the relative sizes and antithrombin-binding characteristics of heparin proteoglycans, chains and depolymerization products from rat adipose tissue, heart, lungs, peritoneal cavity and skin.

35S-labelled heparins were recovered from adipose tissue, hearts, lungs, peritoneal cavities and skins of rats given H2(35)SO4. Their purification involved incubation with Pronase, precipitation with cetylpyridinium chloride in 1.0 M-NaCl, gradient elution from DEAE-Sephacel and incubation with chondroitinase ABC. Each product was divided into proteoglycan and "depolymerization products' fractions by gel filtration on Bio-Gel A-15m. Heparin chains were released from a portion of each proteoglycan fraction by beta-elimination with NaOH. Proteoglycans, chains and depolymerization products were separated by gradient elution from a column of antithrombin-agarose into fractions with no affinity, low affinity and high affinity for antithrombin. The relative sizes of the products were determined by gel filtration on columns of Bio-Gel A-50m, A-15m, A-1.5m and A-0.5m. Skin was the major source of heparin and contained the largest proteoglycans and the lowest proportion of depolymerization products. Lungs contained the smallest proteoglycans, the smallest depolymerization products and the highest proportion of depolymerization products. The highest proportions of proteoglycans, chains and depolymerization products with high affinity for antithrombin were found in adipose tissue. The lowest proportions of each of these fractions were found in the peritoneal cavity. The data suggest that there was relatively little biosynthesis of sites with high affinity for antithrombin in peritoneal-cavity mast cells and that heparin catabolism was most active in lungs. Each source of heparin was unique with respect to both biosynthesis and subsequent breakdown of its proteoglycans.

Effect of indomethacin in vivo on prostaglandin content of several rabbit tissues.

The prostaglandin (PG) content of several tissues and fluids from 6 day pregnant rabbits was evaluated following treatment with indomethacin or vehicle in vivo. PGE and PGF were measured by radioimmunoassay. More complete depletion of PGE and PGF was accomplished by 3 injections of indomethacin (s.c.) given during the 18 h before sacrifice at a dose of 10 mg indomethacin per kg body weight than was accomplished by 1 injection of the same amount of indomethacin (i.v.) 1.5 h before sacrifice. Levels of PGF were more easily depressed by indomethacin than were those of PGE. PG levels in the kidney and blastocysts were depressed to a greater extent by indomethacin than were those in the uterus, uterine fluid or peritoneal fluid. Evaluation of the effect of indomethacin on a particular physiological function should be interpreted with caution unless the extent of PG depletion in that tissue is also measured.

Detection of the complement fragment C5a in inflammatory exudates from the rabbit peritoneal cavity using radioimmunoassay.

We describe a radioimmunoassay for rabbit C5a and its use to obtain evidence of extravascular C5a generation in two inflammatory reactions in the peritoneal cavity. These observations, together with the potent activity of C5a in inducing increased microvascular permeability involving circulating PMN leukocytes, strengthen the case for considering C5a an important inflammatory mediator. These findings offer an explanation for the many different experimental inflammatory reactions where oedema formation can be suppressed either by systemic depletion of complement or by depletion of circulating PMN leukocytes.

Macrophage growth inhibitors derived from the murine peritoneal cavity.

The murine peritoneal cavity contains factors that inhibit the in vitro growth and colony formation of macrophages. The inhibition of macrophage growth is not due to cell death. In the presence of inhibitors, the growth of colony-forming macrophages is suppressed, and small clusters are formed as a result of limited proliferation. The more mature mononuclear phagocytes (blood monocytes and peritoneal exudate macrophages) are more sensitive to the overall inhibitory effect of the peritoneal inhibitors than the less mature bone marrow mononuclear phagocytes. Furthermore, using dialysis and Amicon ultrafiltration, at least two inhibitors with differential inhibitory effects can be demonstrated. The colony formation of bone marrow mononuclear phagocytes is suppressed mainly by a protease-resistant, small molecular weight (less than 1,000) dialyzable inhibitor. In contrast, peritoneal exudate macrophages are sensitive to both the small molecular weight inhibitor and a protease-sensitive, large molecular weight (greater than 12,000), nondialyzable inhibitor. The data suggest a possible existence of a dual inhibitor control on the proliferation of mononuclear phagocytes in vivo. In addition, the in vitro cultured peritoneal exudate cells are capable of producing inhibitors that mimic the activity of the in vivo inhibitors.