A simple method of cannulating the portal vein and obtaining multiple blood samples in the rat

Summary A simple and rapid technique for cannulating the portal vein in the rat is described. Multiple blood samples can be obtained or alternatively substrate may be infused through the cannula.Supported by the Clayton Foundation for Research, Houston, Texas. Common resource support was also provided by the Research Service of the Veterans Administration. To whom reprint requests should be addressed as follows.     

A simple method for the collection of leucocytes from rat blood

Zusammenfassung Blutleukozyten von Ratten wurden mit menschlichem (normalem) Serum behandelt. Die Viabilität dieser Präparationen konnte dadurch demonstriert werden, dass die Zellen durch Phytohemagglutinin in «blast» Formen umgewandelt wurden.     

The effect of urethane and pentobarbital anaesthesia and hepatic portal vein catheterization on liver blood flow in the rat

Summary The effect of urethane and pentobarbital anaesthesia and hepatic portal vein catheterization on liver blood flow was investigated in the rat. Liver blood flow with pentobarbital anaesthesia was 40% greater than with urethane. Hepatic portal vein catheterization had no effect under pentobarbital anaesthesia whereas it produced an 18% fall in liver blood flow with urethane.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by grants from ICI Pharmaceuticals and Mersey Regional Health Authority (Research Scheme No. 338). We wish to thank Mr P.J. Roberts for much skilled assistance and Evans Medical Ltd for the kind gift of drugs.     

Cholinergic nerves in the rat portal vein

Summary The innervation of the rat portal vein was studied using the cholinesterase histochemical method 2 plexuses of cholinergic nerve fibers were found; an external plexus localized at the level of the outer adventitial layers and an inner plexus at the level of the adventitial-medial transitional zone and in the outer layers of the media.Acknowledgments. We thank Dr C. Cavallotti for his kind help and criticism. The kind help of Dr W. Collier and of the staff of the laboratory of Neurobiology as well as the bibliographic assistance of Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Serv. Documentazione, Dr Magliola) are gratefully acknowledged.     

A simple microcolorimetric method for the determination of pyruvate in 0,1 ml samples of blood

Riassunto Viene descritto un micrometodo colorimetrico alla 2,4 dinitrofenilidrazina che permette la determinazione del piruvato ematico in 0,1 ml di sangue. Il metodo è di semplice attuazione e soddisfa ai normali criteri analitici.     

Smooth muscle in the hepatic artery, portal vein and hepatic vein within the liver of the raccoon and guinea pig

The amount and arrangement of smooth muscle in the intrahepatic vessels suggests that the guinea pig would be a good animal model for studying mechanisms controlling intrahepatic portal vein blood flow, while the raccoon would be good for studying hepatic vein mechanisms of control.     

Smooth muscle in the hepatic artery,portal vein and hepatic vein within the liver of the raccoon and guinea pig

Summary The amount and arrangement of smooth muscle in the intrahepatic vessels suggests that the guinea pig would be a good animal model for studying mechanisms controlling intrahepatic portal vein blood flow, while the raccoon would be good for studying hepatic vein mechanisms of control.     

Membrane potential in smooth muscle cells from hypertrophic rat portal vein

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences - Portal hypertension was induced in rats by partial ligation of the hepatic branches of the portal vein. After 5 days the vein was removed and mounted in...     

A simple method for blood exchange in mice

Summary Ease of transfusion and high long-term survival rate were obtained when whole blood was administered via the corpus cavernosum of the penis and removed from the orbital sinus of male C57Bl mice. When 2 volumes of blood are replaced approximately 14% of pre-transfusion red cells remain after hematocrit corrections are made. The posttransfusion hematocrit levels dropped 19%, probably the result of leakage, which is difficult to avoid.Supported in part by NIH Grant No. CA08318 and NIH Center Grant No. CA14520.I acknowledge with thanks the technical assistance of Mrs.Joan Mitchen and Ms.Irene Uebersetzig. I am grateful to Mr.Randy Jirtle for providing the labelled red cells and for his interest in these studies.     

A rapid and simple method for the isolation of pure eosinophilic leukocytes from horse blood

Summary An improved and short method is described for the isolation of intact eosinophilic leukocytes from horse blood with high yield (1–1.5 g/20 1). Viability and purity of the preparations were verified by light and electron microscopy and by the trypan blue exclusion test. Isolated eosinophils were 98–100% pure, intact and viable, and they could be shown to phagocytise immune-complexes.The authors are indebted to the Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung for financial support.     

A new method for obtaining blood from a small mammal without injuring the animal: use of Triatomid bugs

Summary By means of hungry Triatomid bugs, samples of blood (40–200l) can be obtained from small mammals, such as bats, without causing any harm to the animals. The blood can be extracted from the gaster of the bug immediately after the bug has finished sucking. The method was successfully used for measuring the energy budget by the doubly labeled water method, and for obtaining material for lymphocyte cultures, and may prove useful in other fields, too.M. Volleth is very much obliged to Prof. Dr R. A. Pfeiffer for giving her the opportunity to work at the Institute of Human Genetics.     

A simple method for observation of capillary nets in rat brain cortex

Summary By the authors' technic, the profiles of capillaries in rat brain cortex were clearly demonstrated. The capillaries formed complicated nets by sprouting of their finer branches and anastomosing with each other. Further, a kind of perivascular cells with yellow autofluorescent granules was distributed close to capillaries, arterioles or venules. They seemed to be a special form of macrophage in the brain cortex.     

A method for the determination of thrombocyte aggregation in circulating rat blood

Zusammenfassung Das Ausmass einer experimentell induzierten Thrombozytenaggregation im strömenden Blut wird kontinuierlich bestimmt durch Messung des Blutdrucks vor und hinter einem extrakorporal in den arteriellen Kreislauf der Ratte aufgenommenen Filter. Die Aggregation wird durch Infusion von Adenosindiphosphorsäure (ADP) vor dem Filter induziert. Die Aggregate schliessen das Filter teilweise ab, was zu Änderungen im Blutdruck vor und hinter dem Filter führt. Aus diesen Änderungen lässt sich das Mass der Aggregation ermitteln. Es wurde gefunden, dass dieses durch die ADP-Gabe bedingt wird.     

A simple method for observation of capillary nets in rat brain cortex.

By the authors' technic, the profiles of capillaries in rat brain cortex were clearly demonstrated. The capillaries formed complicated nets by sprouting of their finer branches and anastomosing with each other. Further, a kind of perivascular cells with yellow autofluorescent granules was distributed close to capillaries, arterioles or venules. The seemed to be a special form of macrophage in the brain cortex.     

A simple method for the verification of a successful cannulation of the rat cerebral ventricles

Summary A simple and inexpensive method for the cannulation of the cerebral ventricles of the rat is described. The required tools consist of a stereotaxic instrument, a standard steel injection cannula and a polyethylene tube.This work was done under a contract with the Association of Finnish Life Insurance Companies.