Electrocardiography, Blood Pressure Measurements, Vital Parameters and Anaesthetic Indices in the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys Gambianus Waterhouse) Immobilized with Diazepam or Ketamine

In spite of the increasing use and importance of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) in research, and other fields, like location of landmines, there is still not enough information on their physiology. In this study, we assessed the electrocardiogram, blood pressure, vital parameters and anaesthetic indices of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse), both genders, using diazepam or ketamine as chemical restraints. A total of 24 adult African Giant Rats (AGR), 12 males and 12 females were used in this experiment. The animals were divided into two groups of twelve animals each (6 males and 6 females). One group was assessed for the effect of diazepam, and the other group ketamine. Diazepam (Roche®, Switzerland) was administered intraperitoneally at a dose rate of 7.5 mg/kg, while ketamine was administered intraperitoneally at a dose rate of 45 mg/kg. Parameters measured were recorded from the time desirable sedation was achieved, and every 15 minutes till the animal was awake. Animals administered diazepam took a longer time to sleep or achieve desirable sedative state, a longer time to respond to stimuli before waking up fully and a longer time to be fully awake, relative to ketamine-induced sedation. Ketamine caused a continuous increase in respiratory rate and blood pressure, while diazepam caused a continuous decrease in the respiratory rate. The electrocardiogram showed tachycardia throughout the experiment with the use of both drugs, although this was more pronounced with the use of diazepam, causing a decrease in QRS interval and a decrease in QT interval. Gender differences were observed in most parameters measured. The results obtained gave baseline values for electrocardiogram and blood pressure readings, while also detailing the changes and gender differences observed with sedation. In addition, results indicated ketamine is best used for short procedures and diazepam at a higher dose used for procedures requiring longer time in the African giant rat.

Preconditioning with Azadirachta indica ameliorates cardiorenal dysfunction through reduction in oxidative stress and extracellular signal regulated protein kinase signalling

BACKGROUND

Azadirachta indica is widely distributed in Africa, Asia and other tropical parts of the world. A. indica (AI) is traditionally used for the treatment of several conditions including cancer, hypertension, heart diseases and skin disorders. Intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion is a common pathway for many diseases and may lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effects of AI on intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury-induced cardiorenal dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty rats were divided into 6 groups; each containing 10. Corn oil was orally administered to group A (control) rats for 7 days without intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Group B underwent intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IIRI) without any pre-treatment. Groups C, D, E and F were pre-treated orally for 7 days with 100 mg/kg AI (100 and (200 mg/kg) vitamin C (100 and 200 mg/kg) respectively and thereafter underwent IIRI on the 8th day.

RESULTS

The cardiac and renal hydrogen peroxide increased significantly whereas serum xanthine oxidase and myeloperoxidase levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in IIRI only when compared to the control. The cardiac and renal reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, protein thiol, non-protein thiol and serum nitric oxide (NO) decreased (p < 0.05) significantly following IIRI. Immunohistochemical evaluation of cardiac and renal tissues showed reduced expressions of the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) in rats with IIRI only. However, pre-treatment with A. indica and vitamin C significantly reduced markers of oxidative stress and inflammation together with improvement in antioxidant status. Also, reduced serum NO level was normalised in rats pre-treated with A. indica and vitamin C with concomitant higher expressions of cardiac and renal ERK1/2.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, A. indica and vitamin C prevented IRI-induced cardiorenal dysfunction via reduction in oxidative stress, improvement in antioxidant defence system and increase in the ERK1/2 expressions. Therefore, A. indica can be a useful chemopreventive agent in the prevention and treatment of conditions associated with intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

A case of craniothoracopagus (monocephalus thoracopagus tetrabrachius) in a dog

This report describes a case of craniothoracopagus (moncephalus thoracopagus tetrabrachius) twin puppies in Ibadan, Nigeria. The conjoined twins were given birth to by a 7-year-old bitch that was usually allowed to stray away from home in search of food. Deformities of the cardiovascular, digestive musculoskeletal, respiratory and urinary systems are reported. This is probably the first report of craniothoracopagus twinning in a dog.