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Biomedical subjects

D W Hamar

Publications and source records attributed to D W Hamar.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effects of dietary acidification and potassium depletion on acid-base balance, mineral metabolism and renal function in adult cats.

Effects of dietary potassium restriction, with or without dietary acidification, on acid-base balance, mineral metabolism and renal function were evaluated in 12 adult cats. Six cats were fed a potassium-restricted diet (0.2% potassium) for 8 wk, and six cats were fed the same potassium-restricted diet plus a dietary acidifier (0.8% NH4Cl) for 8 wk. Both groups of cats were then fed the same diet supplemented with potassium gluconate (0.7% dietary potassium) for an additional 4 wk. Renal function was evaluated before treatment and again at 8 and 12 wk. Serum potassium concentration declined in all cats by wk 1 and was also lower in NH4Cl-treated cats at 2, 3, 6 and 8 wk than in control cats. Metabolic acidosis developed in both groups of cats. Dietary balance studies indicated negative potassium balance in NH4Cl-treated cats. Glomerular filtration rate declined significantly in NH4Cl-treated cats after 8 wk but was unchanged in control cats. From the results of this study, we conclude that adding a dietary acidifier to a potassium-restricted diet worsens hypokalemia, possibly by affecting gastrointestinal potassium handling, and induces severe metabolic acidosis and renal dysfunction in adult cats.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

Clinical and biochemical alterations in calves with nutritionally induced polioencephalomalacia.

Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) was induced in calves by feeding a semipurified, low-roughage diet of variable copper and molybdenum composition. Two formulations resulting in Cu-insufficient and Cu-sufficient forms of the diet were fed (n = 10 and 4 calves, respectively); both diets induced PEM. Clinical signs of disease developed as early as 15 days after transition to the experimental diets and included impaired vision, decreased response to external stimuli, and abnormal gait. Grossly evident cerebrocortical lesions consisted of laminar areas of cavitation and/or autofluorescence seen under UV illumination. Hepatic Cu concentration was decreased in calves fed the Cu-insufficient diet, but not below normal range. During the course of feeding either diet, rumen pH decreased, rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations increased, rumen and blood lactic acid concentrations increased, and rumen and plasma thiamine concentrations increased. The thiamine pyrophosphate effect on erythrocyte transketolase activity was unaltered in calves of either diet group. This nutritionally induced form of PEM does not appear to be related to Cu deficiency or reduction in plasma or rumen thiamine concentration.

Animals↗

Method comparison for calcium determination by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the presence of phosphate.

We investigated the suppressive effects of phosphate on calcium determinations with lanthanum-air/acetylene and potassium-nitrous oxide/acetylene methods, and we evaluated the ability of these methods to meet the suggested analytical goals for urine samples. The 20 g/L La-air/acetylene method was the most nearly accurate for predicting the actual calcium concentrations (t-test value = -0.042), followed by the 2 g/L K-nitrous oxide/acetylene method (t-test value = 0.450), 10 g/L La-air/acetylene (t-test value = -0.733), and finally 5 g/L La-air/acetylene (t-test value = -2.446). The dilution used significantly influences the apparent calcium concentration measured with the La-air/acetylene methods.

Animals↗

4-Methylpyrazole as treatment for naturally acquired ethylene glycol intoxication in dogs.

Eight dogs with ethylene glycol intoxication were treated with 4-methylpyrazole, an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor. Dogs had clinical signs referable to ethylene glycol ingestion including ataxia, depression, vomiting, polyuria, and dehydration. Metabolic abnormalities included high anion gap metabolic acidosis, serum hyperosmolality, isosthenuria, and monohydrate and dihydrate calcium oxalate crystalluria. Serum and urine ethylene glycol concentrations were determined to confirm ingestion of ethylene glycol. A 50-mg/ml solution of 4-methylpyrazole in propylene glycol was administered iv as follows: initial treatment, 20 mg/kg of body weight; at 17 hours after admission, 15 mg/kg; at 25 hours after admission, 5 mg/kg. By 24 hours after admission, all dogs had clinical and metabolic improvement. Of the 8 dogs, 7 were released within 3 days of admission. Four of the 8 dogs returned for follow-up evaluation, at which time biochemical or hematologic abnormalities were not observed.

Animals↗

The effect of chronic dietary acidification using ammonium chloride on acid-base and mineral metabolism in the adult cat.

Adult cats with normal renal function were fed a nutritionally balanced, vitamin A-replete, experimental dry diet with or without ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) for 6 mo to study the effects of chronic dietary acidification on acid-base parameters and the metabolism of selected minerals. Dietary balance studies were performed monthly. Blood and urine samples were collected monthly to evaluate acid-base parameters, plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1.25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels. Ammonium chloride-treated cats had significantly lower blood and urinary pH, and lower blood bicarbonate concentrations. Treated cats also had higher blood ionized calcium concentrations, hypercalciuria and lower intestinal calcium absorption relative to baseline (prior to feeding the experimental diet) and to control cats. This resulted in the development of lower calcium balance in the first several months. PTH levels were unaffected by dietary acidification; however, 1.25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels were significantly decreased in treated cats. Treated cats had negative potassium balance during 5 mo of dietary acidification. Magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus balances were lower, but positive, in treated cats compared to control cats. Cats consuming the NH4Cl-supplemented diet had increased chloride balance. Thus, chronic dietary acidification with 1.5% NH4Cl produced chronic metabolic acidosis and lower or negative, calcium and potassium balance.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Comparative effects of captopril and enalapril on the progression of chronic renal disease in partially nephrectomized rats.

Comparative effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors captopril and enalapril on progression of chronic renal disease was studied in 3/4 nephrectomized rats. Rats were divided into sham and nephrectomized groups, and treated with plain water or water containing captopril (150 mg/liter) or enalapril (50 mg/liter). Evaluations were made 4 weeks before and 0, 4, 8, and 10 weeks after nephrectomy. Endogenous creatinine clearance decreased in drug-treated, nephrectomized rats to values less than sham controls, but remained greater than water-treated rats. Significant (P less than 0.05) proteinuria developed 4 weeks post-nephrectomy in water-treated rats, 8 weeks post-nephrectomy in captopril-treated rats, but did not develop in enalapril treated rats. Regression analysis of carbamylated plasma protein values vs plasma creatinine revealed significant (P less than 0.05) relationships only in the water-treated, nephrectomized rats from weeks 0 through 8, but were otherwise unaffected by treatment. Both drugs resulted in significantly (P less than 0.05) improved scores for renal histologic lesions as compared to water treatment. Modifications of proteinuria in captopril and enalapril-treated rats occurred prior to onset of changes in systolic blood pressure, which was significantly elevated only in water-treated, nephrectomized rats at weeks 8 and 10. We conclude that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors may ameliorate progression of experimental renal disease through intrarenal effects, independent of modulation of systemic blood pressure, and that enalapril may be superior to captopril in some regards.

Animals↗

Kochia scoparia oxalate content.

Kochia scoparia was collected periodically during the growing seasons of 1984, 1985 and 1986. The 10, 16 and 16 samples, respectively, from these years were air dried, hammer milled and analyzed at a later date for soluble and total oxalates. An additional 6 samples from New Mexico were analyzed from the 1987 growing season. A maximum of 4.7% soluble oxalates and 11.4% total oxalates were present in 1986 Colorado kochia following heavy rainfall. This concentration of soluble oxalate could cause chronic oxalate poisoning (alkalosis) in cattle.

Oxalates↗

Potassium depletion in cats: renal and dietary influences.

Excessive urinary potassium loss was diagnosed in 7 cats with persistent hypokalemia and high serum creatinine concentrations. Renal tubular acidosis (proximal or distal) was not evident in the affected cats. Plasma aldosterone concentrations and plasma renin activities in affected cats were not significantly different from control values. Potassium depletion and hypokalemia were attributed to the combined effects of decreased dietary potassium intake and excessive urinary potassium losses. It was concluded that increased urinary potassium excretion may represent a basic response to renal dysfunction in cats. Data suggested that dietary potassium supplementation improved renal function in most cats in this study.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

Cecal short-chain fatty acids in experimental rabbit mucoid enteropathy.

Short-chain fatty acid concentrations were measured in the cecal contents of 9 healthy rabbits and 20 rabbits with experimentally induced mucoid enteropathy. In control rabbits, cecal concentration of acetate was the most abundant, followed by that of butyrate and propionate--a feature distinguishing rabbits from most other mammals. In mucoid enteropathy, cecal acetate and butyrate concentrations were lower, whereas propionate, isobutyrate, valerate, and isovalerate were increased. The results indicated that there were abnormal fermentation and cecal maldigestion in rabbits with mucoid enteropathy.

Acetates↗

Brain enzyme and clinical alterations induced in rats and mice by nitroaliphatic toxicants.

The effects of a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of the nitroaliphatic toxicants 3-nitropropanol (NPOH) and 3-nitropropionic acid (NPA) dissolved in physiological saline solution were studied in mice and rats, respectively. Clinical signs observed in both NPOH-treated mice and NPA-treated rats included depression, abnormal motor activity, and recumbency. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, demonstrated histochemically in frozen brain sections, was markedly reduced in intoxicated mice and rats. The SDH activity of mitochondrial preparations from brains of intoxicated mice and rats was diminished to 18-24% of control values, although the activity of another mitochondrial flavoprotein enzyme, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH), was not altered.

1-Propanol↗

Evaluation of ammonium chloride as a urinary acidifier in the cat.

Twenty-four cats were fed a dry commercial cat food once daily for 2 weeks and then ad libitum for 2 weeks. Urine pH was measured 4 times daily the last 3 days of each feeding period. Subsequently, the cats were allotted to 2 equal groups and fed ad libitum an experimental, dry ration with or without 1.5% ammonium chloride for 11 months. During this period, urine pH was measured at 1, 3, 6, and 9 weeks, then monthly through 29 weeks, and then every 6 weeks for the duration of the study. When the cats were fed ad libitum, urine pH remained constant throughout the day, regardless of ration. In cats fed once daily, urine pH increased to 7.6 by 2 hours after feeding and remained between 6.6 and 7.6 for 9 hours. Urine pH remained constant throughout the study when cats were fed the experimental ration with or without 1.5% ammonium chloride, but was significantly different (P less than 0.01) between the 2 groups, 5.9 +/- 0.3 (n = 1,035) and 7.0 +/- 0.5 (n = 616), respectively. Ammonium chloride consumption had no effect on food and water consumption or body weight. It was concluded that ammonium chloride was an effective urinary acidifier for a prolonged time, maintained urine pH below 6.6, and did not decrease food intake when given at a concentration of 1.5% of the diet.

Ammonium Chloride↗

Urinary acidification in the prevention and treatment of feline struvite urolithiasis.

Two groups of 12 cats were fed ad libitum an experimental dry expanded ration high in magnesium (0.37%, dry matter basis) and similar to most commercial dry cat foods in all other nutrients. The diet of one of the groups contained 1.5% ammonium chloride, which was added to the diet before processing. Urethral obstruction developed twice in 7 of the 12 cats fed the ration without ammonium chloride. Of the 5 remaining cats in that group, 2 had calculi in the urinary bladder and urethra at necropsy. In contrast, only 2 of the 12 cats fed the ration containing ammonium chloride had urethral blockage once; neither cat had another blockage. Both cats had been catheterized twice as paired controls before urethral obstruction. One of these 2 cats died from a urinary tract infection apparently introduced through the indwelling catheter, and at necropsy there were 2 small calculi in the urethra. At the end of the study, only 1 other cat fed the ammonium chloride diet had a calculus in the urinary bladder at necropsy; this cat had not had a urethral obstruction throughout the study. After each cat had 2 urethral blockages, its diet was changed. Four cats were fed the ration containing ammonium chloride and 3, a dry, commercial ration. Of the 4 cats fed the diet containing ammonium chloride, none developed another urethral obstruction within 6 months, and at necropsy, no calculi were in the urinary bladder or urethra. Two of the 3 cats fed the commercial ration experienced urethral blockage within 3 months. These 2 cats were then fed the diet containing ammonium chloride.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ammonium Chloride↗

Early clinicopathologic findings in dogs ingesting ethylene glycol.

Fifteen dogs were given 9.5 ml of ethylene glycol/kg of body weight, orally. Physical examination and clinical laboratory findings were evaluated at 1 and 3 hours after ingestion. Three of these dogs were also evaluated at 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after ingestion. At 1 and 3 hours, the dogs were depressed, ataxic, and polydipsic with increased urine output and serum osmolality. Plasma bicarbonate and urine osmolality were decreased. The osmolal and anion gaps were increased at 1 and 3 hours, respectively. Calcium oxalate crystalluria was first observed at 6 hours. Diminished renal excretory function was not evident until 48 hours. Depression, ataxia, metabolic acidosis, polydipsia, and polyuria in the presence of serum hyperosmolality were early (1 and 3 hour) findings that indicated ethylene glycol intoxication in dogs.

Animals↗

Dietary fat and exercise conditioning effect on metabolic parameters in the horse.

Four isocaloric diets containing 4, 8, 12 and 16% dietary fat (as soybean oil) were fed to four horses at four intervals according to a Latin square design. After 3 weeks of conditioning at each interval, diet effects were evaluated by trotting all horses at 3.2 m/sec for 6 hours. Pre- and posttrotting responses were measured in muscle and liver glycogen, serum long-chain fatty acids, serum electrolytes, serum enzymes, serum cholesterol, plasma glucose, packed cell volume and hemoglobin. Dietary fat was highly correlated with exercise-induced plasma glucose changes and with cholesterol concentrations. Regardless of the diet, linoleate concentration was about eight times higher than that of the other fatty acids, and it increased slightly as dietary fat levels increased. Stearate concentration also increased with increasing dietary fat but palmitic and oleic acid decreased. Increases in fat intake also resulted in slight increases in liver glycogen at the resting level. Conditioning resulted in a significant decrease in exercise-induced fluctuations of serum enzymes and electrolytes but significantly increased elevations of plasma long-chain fatty acid concentrations. Resting muscle glycogen increased by 37% during the study as a result of conditioning, but there was no effect on liver glycogen at rest or after exercise. Feeding of the four levels of dietary fat in the form of soybean oil had no adverse effects and proved a safe and efficient method of providing concentrated energy to working horses.

Animals↗

Effect of dietary calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus on phosphate urolithiasis in rats.

Female Wistar rats were fed a basal diet containing various concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium: calcium and phosphorus at 0.4, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, and 2 per cent and magnesium at 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1 per cent of the diet dry matter. Two types of uroliths developed: magnesium phosphate in the renal pelves, bladders, and/or ureters of rats fed rations containing 1 per cent magnesium with either 1.0 or 0.5 per cent phosphorus and calcium phosphate uroliths in the renal tubules at the corticomedullary junction of rats fed rations containing phosphorus equal to or greater than 0.8 per cent and magnesium equal to or less than 0.8 per cent. The incidence and severity of calcium phosphate uroliths were reduced by increasing the magnesium concentration in the diet from 0.2 to 0.8 per cent and by increasing the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio to greater than 1. Results of this study indicated that the interactions among dietary calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus seemed to affect the incidence, severity, and type of uroliths in rats.

Animals↗

A comparative study of ketone body metabolism between the camel (Camelus dromedarius) and the sheep (Ovis aries).

1. Plasma levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and acetoacetate (AcAc) have been measured in camels (Camelus dromedarius) and sheep (Ovis aries). The activity of beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHB-deH2) (E.C. 1.1.1.30) was studied in the rumen epithelium and the liver of these animals. 2. Concentrations of plasma BHB and AcAc in the camel were in respective order 33 and 4 times lower than that of the sheep. The ratios of BHB to AcAc were 0.61 and 4.8 for the camel and sheep, respectively. 3. The activity of BHB-deH2 in the rumen epithelium of the camel and sheep were 7.15 and 66 mumol/hr/g wet wt tissue, respectively. The activity in both species was higher in the rumen epithelium than in the liver.

Acetoacetates↗