We compared the ability of 2 alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonists, atipamezole and yohimbine, to reverse medetomidine-induced CNS depression and cardiorespiratory changes in lambs. Twenty lambs (7.8 +/- 2.6 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 treatment groups (n = 5). Each lamb was given medetomidine (30 micrograms/kg of body weight, IV), followed in 15 minutes by IV administration of atipamezole (30 or 60 micrograms/kg), yohimbine (1 mg/kg), or 0.9% NaCl (saline) solution. Medetomidine caused lateral recumbency in 1 to 2 minutes in all treated lambs. Medetomidine significantly (P < 0.05) decreased heart rate at 5 and 10 minutes after its administration. Heart rate remained above 120 beats/min, and severe bradycardia (< 70 beats/min) and other arrhythmias did not occur throughout the study. Medetomidine also induced tachypnea in all treated lambs. The tachypnea was abolished by atipamezole and yohimbine, but not by saline solution administration. The medetomidine-induced tachypnea did not significantly affect arterial pH and PaCO2. Arterial oxygen tension was within acceptable range (PaO2 = 71 to 62 mm of Hg), but was lower than expected. Administration of atipamezole, yohimbine, or saline solution did not change PaO2 significantly. Lambs treated with 30 or 60 micrograms of atipamezole/kg were able to walk unassisted in 2.4 +/- 0.4 and 2.3 +/- 0.7 minutes, respectively, whereas yohimbine-and saline-treated lambs did not walk unassisted until 15.6 +/- 2.7 and 73.0 +/- 6.8 minutes later, respectively. Results of this study indicated that medetomidine is a potent CNS depressant in lambs. Atipamezole at dosage of 30 or 60 micrograms/kg was equally effective, and was more effective in antagonizing medetomidine-induced CNS depression than was yohimbine.

Eight adult female cattle (6 Holstein, 1 Jersey, 1 Brown Swiss) were used to determine the antagonistic effects of tolazoline, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, on xylazine-induced (via caudal epidural administration) depression of CNS, respiratory, and cardiovascular activity and rumen motility. A 2% solution of xylazine HCl was injected into the epidural space at the first coccygeal interspace, using a dosage of 0.05 mg/kg of body weight, diluted to a 5-ml volume with sterile water, and administered at a rate of approximately 1 ml/30 s. Eight minutes after xylazine injection, either tolazoline (0.3 mg/kg) or saline solution (4 ml) was administered IV. All 8 cattle were treated, using both regimens in a random sequence; at least 1 week elapsed between treatments. Epidurally administered xylazine induced caudal analgesia (S3 to coccyx), as evaluated by no response to superficial and deep muscular pinprick, and induced sedation, cardiopulmonary depression, and inhibition of rumen motility, but all cattle remained standing. Tolazoline effectively reversed xylazine-induced rumen hypomotility, and partially antagonized xylazine-induced cardiopulmonary depression without affecting sedation and desirable local (S3 to coccyx) analgesic effects.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of human multiple sclerosis (MS), reflects pathophysiologic steps in MS such as the influence of T cells and antibodies reactive to the myelin sheath, and the cytotoxic effect of cytokines. Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a member of animal lectins that plays an essential role in various biological functions. The expression of Gal-9 is significantly enhanced in MS lesions; however, its role in autoimmune disease has not been fully elucidated. To identify the role of Gal-9 in EAE, we measured changes in mRNA and protein expression of Gal-9 as EAE progressed. Expression increased with disease progression, with a sharp rise occurring at its peak. Gal-9 immunoreactivity was mainly expressed in astrocytes and microglia of the central nervous system (CNS) and macrophages of spleen. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that Gal-9. CD11b. cells were dramatically increased in the spleen at the peak of disease. Increased expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-R1 and p-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was observed in the CNS of EAE mice, suggesting that TNF-R1 and p-JNK might be key regulators contributing to the expression of Gal-9 during EAE. These results suggest that identification of the relationship between Gal-9 and EAE progression is critical for better understanding Gal-9 biology in autoimmune disease.

A 4-year-old female Cocker spaniel was presented with respiratory distress and abdominal distension. Pleural effusion, ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, and superficial lymphadenopathy were observed and multicentric lymphoma was diagnosed by cytological examination. Immunophenotyping of lymph node and bone marrow using polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangement identified a stage V lymphoma origination from T-cell. Despite of systemic chemotherapy using L-asparagenase, vincristine, cyclophoaphamide and prednisolone, neurologic deficits came out and progressed. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed neoplastic lymphocytic pleocytosis indicating central nervous system involvement of lymphoma. The postmortem diagnosis was confirmed based on the histology and imunohistochemistry.

In the course of studying porcine enterovirus infection in piglets, the vascular endothelial cells in the CNS of colostrum-deprived piglets with polioence-phalomyelitis were investigated by electron microscope. The experimental piglets were orally infected with the porcine enterovirus serogroup 3 isolated in Korea and necropsied at 7 days postinoculation. Crystalline arrays of viral particles were found in the vascular endothelial cells of the spinal cord and cerebellum. Aggregates of immature viral particles were occasionally observed in the vascular endothelial cells in the meninges. The rough ER was deprived of ribosomes, irregularly dilated and associated with viral crystals. There were abundant cytoplasmic filaments, dilatation of perivascular space, perivascular cuffing, and the partial disruptions of endothelial cell membrane and basal lamina

Evaluation of a quantity and phagocyte activity of leucocytes, immunoglobulins, T- and B-lymphocytes in blood serum of sheep in the process of stimulation of central nervous system with caffeine sodiobenzoate for the increasing of nonspecific animal resistance was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. Romanov yeld ewes were divided into two groups. Experimental sheep were entered caffeine sodiobenzoate intramuscularly in dose 0,012 g/kg of live weight twice a day with 6 hours interval. Controlled group of sheep were entered physiological salt solution in accordance with the same scheme. Blood samples were taken before preparation entering and after 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours of test beginning. Immunoglobulin concentration in blood serum was estimated by electrophoresis method in polyacrylamide gel. Quantity of T- and B- lymphocytes was estimated by active rosette test. Phagocyte activity of leucocytes was estimated with application of germ culture St. albus. Leucocytes number was accounted in Gorjaev's chamber. Research results showed that under conditions of central nervous system stimulation by caffeine sodiobenzoate there was stated the increasing of nonspecific resistance. It was proved by the increasing of the total number and phagocytic activity of leukocytes, immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM), T- and B- lymphocytes