Glucose and lipid metabolism after liver transplantation in inbred rats: consequences of hepatic denervation.

The liver plays a central role in glucose and lipid homeostasis. Because liver transplantation severs the hepatic nerves which influence this function, we hypothesized that insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia develop after liver transplantation, thus increasing the atherosclerotic risk. Therefore, we studied inbred rats 8 months after orthotopic liver transplantation (Tx, n = 39) or laparotomy (sham, n = 37) by either oral glucose tolerance test (Tx, n = 13; sham, n = 8), meal tolerance test (Tx, n = 9; sham, n = 13), or euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp with tritiated glucose infusion (Tx, n = 17; sham, n = 16).

Simplification of rat intubation on inclined metal plate.

Small-animal intubation is often necessary during inhalation anesthesia to allow steady-state conditions for large operations and in vivo experiments in all fields of experimental surgery. In rats, placing an orotracheal tube is technically difficult primarily because of the small size of the subject and the lack of equipment specifically designed for this task. We describe a simple rat intubation technique in which the animal is suspended in dorsal recumbency on an inclined metal plate.

Media calcification, low erythrocyte magnesium, altered plasma magnesium, and calcium homeostasis following grafting of the thoracic aorta to the infrarenal aorta in the rat--differential preventive effects of long-term oral magnesium supplementation alone and in combination with alkali.

Calcifications in arterial media are clinically well documented, but the role played by magnesium in pathophysiology and therapy is uncertain. To clarify this, an animal model in which the juxtacardial aorta was grafted to the infrarenal aorta, and the subsequent calcifications in the media of the graft and their response to oral supplementation with three magnesium-containing and alkalinizing preparations was investigated. Groups of highly inbred rats were formed as follows: sham-operation (Sham, n = 12), aorta transplantation (ATx, n = 12), ATx + magnesium citrate (MgC, n = 12), ATx + MgC + potassium citrate (MgCPC, n = 12), ATx + MgC + MgCPC (MgCPCSB, n = 12).

Regional bone loss after orthotopic liver transplantation in inbred rats: the role of hepatic denervation.

Bone loss and long-term persistence of osteoporosis with increased fracture risk are common after liver transplantation. It is unknown whether transplantation-induced disruption of hepatic nerves, serving numerous regulatory metabolic and sensory functions, is herein involved. To test this possibility, we measured bone mineral density (BMD) by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and studied dynamic histomorphometry, radiocalcium kinetics, and biochemical parameters in 7 liver-transplanted and 7 sham-operated inbred rats.

Small bowel resection in the rat: the effect upon bone and mineral metabolism.

Background And Aims: We analyzed bone and mineral metabolism after long-segment small bowel resection in the rat to detect functional and morphological alterations and to determine the development of osteopathy.

Methods: Twelve-week-old male Lewis rats were randomized into short (8-week) or long (16-week) follow-up groups. Sham operation, resection of the proximal third of the small bowel, resection of the distal third of the bowel and resection of the entire jejunum and ileum were carried out.