Because of their physiological similarity to humans, pigs provide an excellent model for the study of obesity. This study evaluated diet-induced adiposity in genetically lean pigs and found that body weight and energy intake did not differ between controls and pigs fed the high-fat (HF) diet for three months. However, fat mass percentage, adipocyte size, concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), insulin, and leptin in plasma were significantly higher in HF pigs than in controls. The HF diet increased the expression in backfat tissue of genes responsible for cholesterol synthesis such as Insig-1 and Insig-2. Lipid metabolism-related genes including sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase 1 (FASN1), diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) were significantly up-regulated in backfat tissue, while the expression of proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 2 (CPT2), both involved in fatty acid oxidation, was reduced. In liver tissue, HF feeding significantly elevated the expression of SREBP-1c, FASN1, DGAT2, and hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α) mRNAs. Microarray analysis further showed that the HF diet had a significant effect on the expression of 576 genes. Among these, 108 genes were related to 21 pathways, with 20 genes involved in adiposity deposition and 26 related to immune response. Our results suggest that an HF diet can induce genetically lean pigs into obesity with body fat mass expansion and adipose-related inflammation.
Adipocytes/cytology* ; Adipogenesis/genetics* ; Adipose Tissue/metabolism* ; Adiposity ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol/blood* ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood* ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Inflammation/genetics* ; Insulin/blood* ; Leptin/blood* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Male ; Obesity/genetics* ; Random Allocation ; Swine ; Triglycerides/blood*

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of Shen-Fu Injection (SFI) and epinephrine on the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) in a pig model with post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction.

METHODSVentricular fibrillation (VF) was electrically induced in Wu-zhi-shan miniature pigs. After 8 min of untreated VF and 2 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), all animals were randomly administered a bolus injection of saline placebo (SA group, n=10), SFI (0.8 mg/kg, SFI group, n=10) or epinephrine (20 μg/kg, EPI group, n=10). After 4 min of CPR, a 100-J shock was delivered. If the defibrillation attempt failed to attain restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), manual chest compressions were rapidly resumed for a further 2 min followed by a second defibrillation attempt. Hemodynamic variables were recorded, and plasma concentrations of catecholamines were measured. Adenylate cyclase (AC), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the expressions of β1-adrenoceptor (AR) and SERCA 2a were determined.

RESULTSCardiac output, left ventricular dp/dtmax and negative dp/dtmax were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and EPI groups at 4 and 6 h after ROSC. The expression of β1-AR and SERCA2a at 24 h after ROSC were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and EPI groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe administration of epinephrine during CPR decreased the expression of SERCA2a and aggravated postresuscitation myocardial function (P<0.01). SFI attenuated post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction, and the mechanism might be related to the up-regulation of SERCA2a expression.

Adenylyl Cyclases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cardiac Output ; drug effects ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epinephrine ; blood ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Injections ; Male ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; pathology ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

The safety and effectiveness of a novel Chinese one-shot dilation technique based on stimulated diuresis for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) were investigated. After the feasibility of the Chinese one-shot dilation based on stimulated diuresis was verified by an animal study, this technique was applied in the clinical practice. A total of 67 patients in our department underwent the modified PCNL from July 2014 to June 2015. After the renal infundibulum was distended by stimulated diuresis, the kidney was punctured under the ultrasonographic guidance via the fornix of the target calyx. The working channel was dilated using a special designed pencil-shaped fascial dilator. The successful access rate, nephrostomy tract creation time, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values and serum creatinine concentrations, stone-free rate and complications were recorded and analyzed. The renal infundibulum was successfully distended in all of the patients by the diuresis treatment. Under the ultrasonographic guidance, the successful access rate was 100% and the mean tract creation time was 2.0 min (range: 1.5-5.0 min). The stone-free rate right after surgery was 91.0%. Although the postoperative hemoglobin was significantly reduced (P<0.01), transfusion was not clinically necessary. There was no significant difference in serum creatinine concentrations before and after operation (P>0.05). No severe complication occurred during or after the PCNL. It was suggested that this Chinese one-shot dilation technique based on stimulated diuresis is an efficient and safe innovation for PCNL, and is even helpful for those patients with non-dilated pelvicaliceal systems.
Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Creatinine ; blood ; Diuresis ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; adverse effects ; methods ; Swine ; Ultrasonography

Heat-shock protein (Hsp) 70 potentiates specific immune responses to some antigenic peptides fused to it. Here, the prokaryotic plasmids harboring the envelope glycoprotein E0 gene of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and/or the Hsp70 gene of Haemophilus parasuis were constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli Rosseta 2(R2). The fusion proteins were then purified. Groups of Balb/c mice were immunized with these fusion proteins, respectively, and sera collected 7 days after the third immunization. Immune effects were determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometric analyses. E0-Hsp70 fusion protein and E0+Hsp70 mixture significantly improved the titer of E-specific antibody, levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and release of interferon-γ. These findings suggested that Hsp70 can significantly enhance the immune effects of the envelope glycoprotein E0 of CSFV, thereby laying the foundation of further application in pigs.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; Classical swine fever virus ; genetics ; Female ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Haemophilus parasuis ; genetics ; Immunization ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of resuscitation with different kinds of colloids on oxygen metabolism of swine during shock stage of burn injury.

METHODSEighteen Guangxi Bama miniature swine were inflicted with 40% TBSA full-thickness burn on the back. And then they were divided into succinylated gelatin group (S) , hydroxyethyl starch group (H), and allogeneic plasma group (A) according to the random number table, with 6 swine in each group. The fluid resuscitation was begun at post injury hour (PIH) 2. The colloids used in groups S, H, and A were respectively succinylated gelatin, 60 g/L hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4, and allogeneic plasma. The blood pressure, urine volume, heart rate, and central venous pressure (CVP) were recorded before injury and at the first and second PIH 24. The volume of resuscitation fluid was recorded at the first and second PIH 24. The changes in oxygen delivery., oxygen consumption, oxygen extraction ratio and D-lactate were determined and calculated before injury and at PIH 4, 8, 24, and 48. Data were processed with analysis of variance of repeated measurement, one-way analysis of variance and LSD test.

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in blood pressure, urine volume, heart rate, and CVP at each time point (with P values above 0. 05). There were no statistically significant differences in resuscitation fluid volume among the three groups at the first and second PIH 24 (with F values respectively 0. 239 and 2. 023, P values respectively 0. 790 and 0. 167). The oxygen consumption of swine in group S was (201 ± 38) L · min(-1) · m(-2) at PIH 48, which was significantly higher than that in group A [(150 ± 37) L · min(-1) · m(-2), P < 0.05], and the oxygen consumption was similar among the three groups at the rest time points (with P values above 0.05). The oxygen delivery of swine in group S was (484 ± 63) L · min(-1) · m(-2) at PIH 8, and it was significantly lower than that in group A [(652 ± 65) L(-1) min(-1) · m(-2), P < 0.01]. The oxygen delivery of swine in group S reached (903 ± 132) and (1,028 ± 98) L · min(-1) · m(-2) at PIH 24 and 48, respectively, and they were significantly higher than those in group A [(686 ± 72) and (720 ± 75) L · min(-1) · M(-2), with P values below 0.01]. Oxygen delivery in group H was similar to that of group A at each time point (with P values above 0.05). The oxygen extraction ratio in group S or group H was close to that of group A at each time point (with P values above 0.05). The D-lactate level in group S was (69 ± 9) mmol/L, and it was significantly higher than that in group A [(52 ± 4) mmol/L, P < 0.01] at PIH 48. The D-lactate level was similar among the three groups at the rest time points (with P values above 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAccording to the changes in oxygen metabolism of swine during shock stage of burn injury resuscitated with different kinds of colloids, it is found that allogeneic plasma is better than artificial colloid, and 60 g/L hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 is superior to succinylated gelatin.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Burns ; China ; Colloids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Fluid Therapy ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Resuscitation ; methods ; Shock ; 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 observe the effect of formula of removing both phlegm and blood stasis (TYTZ) in inhibiting the inflammatory reaction in Chinese mini-swine with coronary atherosclerosis.

METHODTotally 36 Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided to six groups: the normal control group, the model group, the Shujiangzhi group and TYTZ groups with does of 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5 g x kg(-1), and six each in every 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 atherosclerosis model. In the 8th week after the operation and administration, the intravascular ultrasound was adopted to observe the coronary artery plaque burden of each group and the pathological morphology of coronary artery. Such inflammatory factors as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 were detected by ELISA. The expression of NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation was observed by the immunohistochemical method.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed significant increase in the coronary artery plaque burden at the end of the experiment (P < 0.01), notably abnormal structural changes in atherosclerotic vascular tissues, luminal stenosis, a large number of foam cells and inflammatory cell infiltration, remarkable growth of hs-CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels (P < 0.01). The immunohistochemical staining also showed the significant increase in the NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation of coronary artery of Chinese mini-swine in the model group. Compared with the model group, TYTZ could significantly attenuate atherosclerotic plaque burden (P < 0.01), inhibit the coronary luminal stenosis, reduce inflammatory cell infiltration, decrease such inflammatory cell factors as hs-CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in serum, and inhibit the NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation of coronary artery (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTYTZ can reduce the downstream inflammatory reaction by controlling NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation, so as to inhibit the occurrence and development of coronary atherosclerotic plaque in Chinese mini-swine.

Animals ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Inflammation ; complications ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mucous Membrane ; drug effects ; secretion ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

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

OBJECTIVESTo observe the protective effect of retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid via accessory hemiazygos vein and treated with resveratrol on spinal cord injury and evaluate the expression changes of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) after spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury (SCII) in swine.

METHODSEighteen swine were divided into 3 groups: group I/R (n = 6, operation group), group CL (n = 6, retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid), group CL+Res (n = 6, retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid and treated with resveratrol after ischemia). In the group I/R, the aorta was clamped for 60 minutes and then removed. In the group CL and CL+Res, 9 g/L cold (4 °C) saline solution (perfusion rate, 16.65 ml/min) was infused into the accessory hemiazygos vein during ischemia.In the group CL+Res, the swine were treated with resveratrol (10 mg/kg) after spinal cord ischemia. Arterial pressure, blood gas analysis and the spinal canal and nasopharyngeal temperature changes were monitored during the surgery. Nervous function were assessed at 6 hours, 1, 2 days, 1, 2, 4 weeks and MAP-2 expression were detected at 4 weeks after reperfusion by using Western blot analysis in spinal cord tissue.

RESULTSAfter operation 18 swine were all survival. Behavioral scores of all groups decreased until 1 week after reperfusion and increased as time went by. The scores of group CL and CL+Res were higher than group I/R (F = 8.612, 17.276 and 11.985, P = 0.035,0.011 and 0.023) at 6 hours, 1, 2 days, group CL+Res were higher than group CL(P = 0.021) at 1 days after surgery. After descending aortic cross clamping, the spinal canal and nasopharyngeal temperature were obviously decreased in all groups and dropped to the lowest at 60 minutes after ischemia and 20 minutes after reperfusion in group I/R and the other groups respectively(F = 23.187-55.029, P < 0.01).In group CL(0.54 ± 0.26) and CL+Res (0.66 ± 0.31), the MAP-2 expression were higher than group I/R(0.37 ± 0.18) (F = 9.381, P = 0.037) , and the level in group CL+Res was higher than in group CL (P = 0.021) .

CONCLUSIONRetrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid via accessory hemiazygos vein and treated with resveratrol can relieve the ischemia-induced spinal cord injury in swine.

Animals ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; therapy ; Spinal Cord ; blood supply ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; therapy ; Stilbenes ; therapeutic use ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of hemofiltration at early stage of septic shock with different ultrafiltration doses, including hemodynamics, oxygen metabolism, inflammatory mediator in piglet models, and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of HVHF.

METHODThe 18 healthy young piglets (Shanghai species) were divided randomly into three groups:control group (n = 6), conventional volume hemofiltration (CVVH) group [n = 6, ultrafiltration volume = 30 ml/(kg·h)] and high volume hemofiltration (HVHF) group [n = 6, ultrafiltration volume = 50 ml/(kg·h)], the animal model of septic shock was established by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (150 µg/kg) O111: B4. During the experiment, the following observations were carried out for all groups:1) Changes of hemodynamics [heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MABP), cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV)] and oxygen metabolism [oxygen delivery (DO2), oxygen consumption (VO2), oxygen extraction rate (O2ER) ] at the time of B0h, 0 h, 2 h, 4 h and 6 h.2) changes of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 in plasma at different time points (B0h, 0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h).

RESULTSignificant difference in circulatory parameters, inflammatory mediators in plasma were found at B0h and 0 h among three groups; the CO in two treatment groups were higher than that in control group at 4 h, 6 h after model establishment (P < 0.05), and SVRI in HVHF groups were higher than that in other two groups at 4 h, 6 h after model was established (P < 0.05). The MABP in HVHF group [4 h (82 ± 17) mm Hg, 6 h (80 ± 12) mm Hg](1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) were higher than that in CVVH group at 4 h [(67 ± 12) mm Hg], 6 h [(69 ± 14) mm Hg] after model was established (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α in two treatment groups were lower than that in control group at 4 h and 6 h after model was established (P < 0.05), and the IL-6 [(281 ± 51) pg/ml], TNF-α [(67 ± 13) pg/ml] level in HVHF group was lower than that in CVVH group [IL-6(281 ± 51) pg/ml, TNF-α (67 ± 13) pg/ml] at 6 h (P < 0.05). The DO2 and VO2 in two treatment groups were higher than that in control group at 4 h, 6 h (P < 0.05), the O2ER in HVHF group were higher than that in CVVH group at 4 h (44% ± 3% vs. 33% ± 4%), 6 h (43% ± 5% vs. 31% ± 3%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigh volume hemofiltration (HVHF) at early stage of septic shock piglet models was more effective in improving hemodynamics, oxygen metabolism than conventional CVVH. And HVHF eliminated blood inflammatory mediators more effectively than conventional CVVH.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Disease Models, Animal ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Hemofiltration ; methods ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Oxygen ; blood ; metabolism ; Oxygen Consumption ; Random Allocation ; Shock, Septic ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Swine ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood