OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of ileocecum interposition (ii) graft as pylorus replacement in alimentary reconstruction.

METHODSTwenty- one minipigs were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (control group), B - i group and ii group. The levels of blood glucose were measured by quick blood glucose testing of paper at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes of oral glucose after 60 and 120 post- operative days to compare gastric emptying of liquid feeds.

RESULTSTwo months after operation,the peak of blood glucose was (7.8+/- 1.0)mmol/ L, (7.1+/- 0.8)mmol/ L, (4.1+/- 0.4)mmol/ L in B - i, ii group and control group respectively, there were significant differences between the two operation groups and control group (P< 0.01). Four months after operation, the peak of blood glucose was (6.9+/- 1.0) mmol/ L, (5.2+/- 0.8)mmol/ L, (4.2+/- 0.5)mmol/ L, respectively, there was no significant difference between ii group and control group (P > 0.05),but there were significant differences between both of the above two groups and B - i group (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe ileocecum interposition graft can offer specific advantages over current reconstruction procedures.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Female ; Gastric Emptying ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Ileocecal Valve ; transplantation ; Male ; Pylorus ; surgery ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bradykinin ; metabolism ; Bradykinin Receptor Antagonists ; Ischemia ; metabolism ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Muscle, Skeletal ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo discuss that pathogenesis evolvement regularity of Chinese miniature swine with phlege-stasis cementation syndrome of coronary heart disease.

METHODEighteen Chinese miniature swine were randomly divided to the normal control group, the model group and the Danlou tablet group, with six swine in each group. Except for the normal control group, all of the other groups were fed with high fat diet for two weeks. The coronary heart disease model with phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome was established by injuring left anterior descending artery with interventional balloons and continuously feeding with high fat diet for eight weeks. The levels of BMI, hemorheological parameters, lipids in serum and inflammatory cytokines were observed at the 0th (before the experiment), 2nd (before operation or drug administration), 6th (four weeks after drug administration) and 10th week (eight weeks after drug administration) of study. The levels of TG and TC in liver and the pathological changes in coronary artery tissues were also observed at the end of study.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, the model group had showed significant increase in the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C in serum (P < 0.01) from the second week to the end of the experiment, with notable rise in the whole blood viscosity under the shear rates of 5 s(-1) and 60 s(-1). At the 6th week, the levels of BMI and TG and TNF-alpha in serum significantly increased. At the 10th week, the levels of BMI and hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in serum significantly increased as well, with remarkable increase in coronary stenosis, intimal thickness and the ratio between intimal thickness and media thickness (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), and significant rise in TC and TG in livers (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the Danlou tablet group showed obvious reduction in severity of coronary artery lesion, intimal thickness and lumen stenosis ratio and ratio between intimal thickness and media thickness (P < 0.01), BMI, TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C in serum, TC and TG in liver, as well as hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in serum (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), with notable decline in the whole blood viscosity under the shear rates of 5 s(-1) and 60 s(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe interaction of phlegm, blood stasis and toxin syndromes helps promote the progress and development of AS plaques, which is the key pathogenesis of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome in coronary heart disease.

Animals ; Body Weight ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo study the change in regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolism rate (CMR) during selective head cooling (SHC) in newborn piglets.

METHODSSixteen newborn piglets, aged 5 approximately 7 days, were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: SHC in normal piglets (n = 4), SHC after hypoxia-ischemia HI (n = 6) and normal temperature after HI (n = 6). Nasopharyngeal temperature was respectively reduced to 35 degrees C and then 32 degrees C in SHC group. HI was induced by using temporary occlusion of the bilateral carotid arteries and mechanical ventilation with low concentration of oxygen (6%) for 30 minutes. CBF was measured with color microspheres method. Mixed venous blood and arterial sample were collected at the same time from superior sagittal sinus and forelimb artery respectively for blood gas analysis, blood glucose and lactate measurement. Cerebral oxygenation metabolism rate (CMRO(2)), cerebral glucose metabolism rate (CMR(Glu)) and cerebral lactate production (CLP) were calculated.

RESULTSIn normal piglets, CBF, CMRO(2) and CMR(Glu) were significantly decreased at 35 degrees C and 32 degrees C respectively, while CLP did not change. When nasopharyngeal temperature decreased to 35 degrees C, The ratios of CBF/CMRO(2), CBF/CMR(Glu) and CBF/CLP did not significantly change, coupling of CBF and CMR was maintained. While nasopharyngeal temperature decreased to 32 degrees C, the ratios of CBF/CMR(Glu) and CBF/CLP significantly decreased. Maintained newborn piglets normal temperature after HI, the CBF and CMRO(2) were significantly reduced, while CMR(Glu) and CLP were markedly increased. The ratio of CBF/CMRO(2) increased, CBF/CMR(Glu) and CBF/CLP decreased. Uncoupling of CBF and CMR was observed. During SHC after HI, the same decrease was observed in CBF and CMR(Glu) and CLP was markedly reduced. The ratio of CBF/CMRO(2), CBF/CMR(Glu) and CBF/CLP were restored at 35 degrees C and 32 degrees C as compared to the same time point in normal temperature, respectively.

CONCLUSIONCBF and CMR decreased in normal piglets during SHC and coupling of CBF and CMR was maintained. After HI, CBF was reduced and the disturbance of cerebral oxygenation metabolism occurred. CBF and CMR was uncoupled. SHC after HI can improve CMR and correct uncoupling of CBF and CMR.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; metabolism ; Blood Glucose ; Brain ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Cold Temperature ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Oxygen Consumption ; Swine ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDCyanotic patients have potential growth retardation and malnutrition due to hypoxemia and other reasons. Ghrelin is a novel endogenous growth hormone secretagogue that has effects on growth and cardiovascular activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma level and myocardial expression of ghrelin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) using an immature piglet model of chronic cyanotic congenital heart defects with decreased pulmonary blood flow.

METHODSTwelve weanling Chinese piglets underwent procedures of main pulmonary artery-left atrium shunt with pulmonary artery banding or sham operation as control. Four weeks later, hemodynamic parameters were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for plasma ghrelin and IGF-1 level measurement were performed. Ventricular ghrelin and IGF-1 mRNA expressions were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSFour weeks after surgical procedure, the cyanotic model produced lower arterial oxygen tension ((68.73 ± 15.09) mmHg), arterial oxygen saturation ((82.35 ± 8.63)%), and higher arterial carbon dioxide tension ((51.83 ± 6.12) mmHg), hematocrit ((42.67 ± 3.83)%) and hemoglobin concentration ((138.17 ± 16.73) g/L) than the control piglets ((194.08 ± 98.79) mmHg, (96.43 ± 7.91)%, (36.9 ± 4.73) mmHg, (31.17 ± 3.71)%, (109.83 ± 13.75) g/L) (all P < 0.05). Plasma ghrelin level was significantly higher in the cyanotic model group in comparison to the control (P = 0.004), and the plasma IGF-1 level was significantly lower than control (P = 0.030). Compared with control animals, the expression of ghrelin mRNAs in the ventricular myocardium was significantly decreased in the cyanotic model group (P = 0.000), and the expression of IGF-1 mRNAs was elevated (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSChronic cyanotic congenital heart defects model was successfully established. Plasma ghrelin level and myocardial IGF-1 mRNA expression were significantly up-regulated, while plasma IGF-1 level and myocardial ghrelin mRNA expression were down-regulated in the chronic cyanotic immature piglets. The ghrelin system may be an important part of the network regulating cardiac performance.

Animals ; Cyanosis ; blood ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Ghrelin ; blood ; metabolism ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; blood ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Pulmonary Circulation ; physiology ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of formula of removing both phlegm and blood stasis (TYTZ) in improving hemorheology and blood fat of mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome.

METHODThirty-six Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided to six groups: the normal control group, the model group, the Shujiangzhi group and TYTZ groups with doses of 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5 g x kg(-1), with six mice in each group. Except for the normal control group, all of other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 2 weeks. Interventional balloons are adopted to injure their left anterior descending artery endothelium. After the operation, they were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to prepare the coronary heart disease model of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome. In the 8th week after the operation and administration, the changes in hemorheological parameters, serum lipid level, myocardial ischemia level and range were observed.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed significant increase in serum TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels (P < 0.01), whole blood viscosity under the shear rate of 5 s (-1) and 60 s (-1) (P < 0.01), and myocardial ischemia degree and range (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, TYTZ groups revealed significant decrease in myocardial ischemia degree and range (P < 0.01), serum TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and whole blood viscosity under the shear rate of 5 s(-1) and 60 s(-1) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTYTZ could improve the abnormal hemorheology in Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome, and regulate serum lipid, with a certain efficacy for coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome.

Animals ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Hemorheology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mucous Membrane ; secretion ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of the ischemia preconditioning of the donor liver on posttransplant liver graft function in Chinese miniature pigs.

METHODSTwenty-five partially inbred Chinese miniature pigs were randomized into three groups, namely the normal control group, the ischemia-reperfusion group and ischemic preconditioning group. Biopsies of the liver graft were performed to analyze HSP70 expression by means of immunoblotting, and the changes of serum AST/ALT levels were assayed using an automated biochemical analyzer. Histopathological assessment was carried out to identify the hepatocyte injury using optical and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSIschemia preconditioning resulted in a notable increase in HSP70 expression and milder injury of the hepatocyte microstructure, whereas ischemia-reperfusion caused a significant increase of serum transaminases level (P<0.01) with declined HSP70 expression and obvious microstructural changes of the liver tissue.

CONCLUSIONIschemic preconditioning can produce obvious protective effects on the donor liver, and positively regulates the expression of shock protein.

Animals ; Female ; Graft Survival ; physiology ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Liver ; blood supply ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo inquire the characteristic proteins in chronic myocardial ischemia by testing twodimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) map to explore the possible inherent pathological mechanism and the therapeutic intervention of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.

METHODSAmeroid constrictor ring was placed on the first interval of left anterior descending coronary artery to prepare chronic myocardial ischemia model on Chinese miniature swine. Animals were randomly divided into sham group and model group with 10 animals in each group, respectively. The dynamic symptoms observation of the four diagnostic information was collected from 0 to 12 weeks. Echocardiography was employed to evaluate cardiac function and the degree of myocardial ischemia, 2-DE and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) were used to carry out proteomics research on animals. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to identify the relevant differential proteins on chronic myocardial ischemia with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.

RESULTSThe preliminary study found that at the 12th week, chronic myocardial ischemia with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome model was established stably. Compared with the sham group, there were 8 different proteins down-regulated, 22 proteins up-regulated significantly. After validated by MALDITOF-MS/MS, 11 protein spots were identified. Distinct proteins were mainly associated with energy metabolism and myocardial structural injury, including isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 (NAD+) alpha, NADH dehydrogenase (NAD) Fe-S protein 1, chain A (crystal structure of aldose reductase by binding domain reveals a new Nadph), heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), oxidoreductase (NAD-binding protein), antioxidant protein isoform, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), myosin (myosin light polypeptide), cardiac alpha tropomyosin, apolipoprotein A-I and albumin.

CONCLUSIONDown-regulated energy metabolism disorder mediated by NADH respiratory chain and myocardial injury may be the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. These proteins may be the potential diagnostic marker(s) for qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, finally provided new clues for new therapeutic drug target of Chinese medicine.

Animals ; Blood Coagulation Disorders ; complications ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Energy Metabolism ; physiology ; Metabolic Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; Myocardial Ischemia ; complications ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods ; Qi ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Syndrome

Elastin is known to occur in the lung parenchyma and pleura as well as in the pulmonary vessels, but no detailed studies of this elastin's linkage between them have been done in three dimensions. For many years we have known that there is abundant elastin in the mammalian lungs, which may be associated with etiology of causing emphysema. We have developed selective casting methods to allow us to determine the location where elastin is found morphologically. The method involves casting either the vasculature via the right ventricle, or the airways via the trachea in the air sacs. Studies of the vasculature were done with the lung inflated to 80% of the vital capacity. The casted lungs were then put in 0.1 N NaOH at 75 degrees C for 48 hours, turning them frequently. THis method removed all non-elastin tissues. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to reveal the three dimensional pictures of elastin structures from both lung parenchyma and pulmonary vessels. Elastin was seen as fenestrated sheets and some fibers in both the vessels and the airways. Elastin in the two different locations was often interconnected. Studies on 6 dogs, 8 rabbits, and 2 pigs showed no significant species difference at the level of resolution of the SEM, which was used to study the specimens after they had been freeze-dried.
Animal ; Blood Vessels/metabolism/ultrastructure ; Corrosion Casting ; Dogs ; Elastin/*ultrastructure ; Lung/blood supply/*metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Pulmonary Alveoli/metabolism/ultrastructure ; Rabbits ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of over-expansion on the viability and vascularity of an axial-pattern flap.

METHODSTissue expanders were implanted subcutaneously on the buttock of the mini-pig. After over expansion, an axial-pattern over-expanded skin flap was elevated in the pig of the experimental group. The differences in flap survival, LDF, MDA content and fluorescein stain were observed between the control and the experimental groups. The vascular architecture changes were also recorded using histological and clearing specimen examination.

RESULTSThe microcirculation in the distal segment of the axial flap was significantly weakened after over-expansion. There were injury manifestation, change in vessel distribution and reduction of vascular territory in the axial over-expanded flap.

CONCLUSIONSOver-expansion could cause chronic injuries to the axial vessel network and damage the blood supply of the axial-pattern flap.

Animals ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Graft Survival ; physiology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Microcirculation ; Skin ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; physiology ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tissue Expansion ; methods ; Tissue Expansion Devices