Influences of earthworm extract G-90 on haematological and haemostatic parameters in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVES: A balance between fibrinolysis and coagulation is crucial for maintaining haemostasis. A haemostatic disorder leads to various physiological changes and causes different diseases. Glycolipoprotein mixture (G-90), prepared from the tissue homogenate of the earthworm Eisenia foetida, was examined in vivo, in an animal study (conducted on Wistar rats) in order to determine its fibrinolytic and anticoagulation activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The influence of G-90 treatment on haematological and homeostatic parameters was monitored as well. RESULTS: Statistical analysis has shown the most pronounced effect of G-90 to be exerted on bleeding and coagulation times; the effects in reference were proven to be statistically significant (p = 0.03 and 0.005, respectively). A statistically significant effect of G-90 was also seen with thrombin time (p = 0.02) and plasminogen level (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The results have shown the influence of G-90 on blood coagulation to be very similar to that of heparin, a known anticoagulant. Thus G-90 could be considered as a new thrombolytic agent of use in veterinary and human medicine.

Pathways and quantification of insoluble particles in the lung compartments of the rat.

The aim of this investigation was focused on mechanisms involved in toxicokinetics of particles and fibers within the rat lung. Biologically inert polystyrene particles or an asbestos--particle comixture were followed in their pathways of deposition and retention in the lung, particularly in the alveolar space and their accumulation in the lymph node tissue of exposed rats. One group of Wistar rats was intratracheally instilled with 0.4 ml phosphate buffered saline containing 2.4 x 10(8) inert polystyrene microspheres, a second group of animals was instilled with comixture containing 1.25 mg/ml of crocidolit asbestos fibers and previously prepared microspheres. Bronchoalveolar lavage of each lung was performed on post-instillation days 1, 7, 30, 80 and 150. Particles associated with alveolar phagocytes were counted using light microscopy. The lung and lymph node tissues were chemically dissolved and tissue aliquots passed through Nucleopor membrane filters. The number of particles in the tissue aliquot samples was determined using fluorescence microscopy. The results show that the fate of particulates in the respiratory system is highly dependent on the physical properties of the instilled material. Clearance patterns for particles and fibers are markedly different. Long-term consequences are the translocation and retention of fibrous material in the interstitum, involving the major route of clearance through the lymphatics.

The role of intratracheal instillation and bronchoalveolar lavage in the investigation of mechanisms underlying lung disorders--an animal model.

When studying the course and etiopathological mechanisms underlying human lung disorders caused by external factors, it is extremely important to extend the investigations by using an experimental animal model. The advantage of such a model, in respect to well-known ethical limits involved in a human study. Is that one can precisely design the experiment, keep the relevant parameters under strict control and limtate the pathological conditions to be studied. Bronchoalveolar lavage Is a useful toxicological modality for gaining access to the constituents of the lower respiratory tract. Analyses of both soluble and Insoluble contents of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are now increasingly being used to monitor the course of lung disorders. The use of an appropriate animal Instillation model provides an insight into the kinetics of the substance in between free lung cells and lung compartments. The bronchoalveolar lavage assay following intratracheal instillation of an experimental animal has proven to be a useful and fast technique for the detection of lung injury caused by toxicants.

Ferruginous bodies in the lungs of urban dogs.

The aim of the study was to assess health hazards induced by environmental exposure to asbestos using urban dogs as biological indicators. Samples of the lung tissue taken from 36 randomly chosen urban dogs were examined. In the group of dogs aged up to four years (n = 15) ferruginous bodies were identified in only two. In the dogs older than four years (n = 21) 17 were ferruginous body positive. According to Fisher's exact test the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.001). The presence of asbestos bodies in the lungs of dogs is considered to be evidence of serious contamination of urban areas with respirable mineral fibres. The more frequent presence of asbestos bodies in the lungs of the older dogs indicates long-term accumulation of mineral fibres exceeding 10 microns in length. Continuous environmental exposure of the city's population to respirable mineral fibres may therefore pose a health risk.