A portable fiberoptic ratiometric fluorescence analyzer provides rapid point-of-care determination of glomerular filtration rate in large animals.

Measurement of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the gold standard for precise assessment of kidney function. A rapid, point-of-care determination of the GFR may provide advantages in the clinical setting over currently available assays. Here we demonstrate a proof of principle for such an approach in a pig and dogs, two species that approximate the vascular access and GFR results expected in humans.

Fetuin-A uptake in bovine vascular smooth muscle cells is calcium dependent and mediated by annexins.

Fetuin-A is a known inhibitor of vascular calcification in vitro. In arteries with calcification, there is increased immunostaining for fetuin-A. However, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) do not synthesize fetuin-A, suggesting fetuin-A may be endocytosed to exert its inhibitory effects.

Lipoproteins during the estrous cycle in swine.

The purpose of this study was to examine lipoprotein values at high versus low 17beta-estradiol (E2) concentrations in Yucatan miniature swine. Estrous cycles were measured by heat checking the female on a daily basis using a boar. All swine were fed a 1,050-g low-fat, standard chow diet (8% kcal from fat) once per day.

Exercise training does not reduce hyperlipidemia in pigs fed a high-fat diet.

The pig is often used as a model for studying lipoprotein metabolism as it relates to human atherosclerosis, but few studies have examined the complete lipoprotein profile and related enzymes in swine ingesting an atherogenic diet. We examined whether exercise training would moderate the effects of an atherogenic diet on lipoproteins and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in miniature swine. Male (n = 30) and female (n = 32) swine were initially divided into 2 dietary groups: one consumed low-fat (8%) pig chow, and one consumed pig chow supplemented with 2% cholesterol, 17.