牧野 ゆき

近年、動物医療においてもリハビリテーションの重要性が認識され、治療行為のひとつとして注目を集めつつある。本研究では前十字靭帯断裂に馬尾症候群を併発した一事例を対象に術後リハビリテーションを行い、その有用性について検討した。術後早期からアイシングや他動的関節可動域運動(PROM運動)、マッサージ療法、温熱療法、水治療法を実施したところ、対照群と比べて膝関節の関節可動域の減少が小さく、筋肉量の減少は見られなかった。また、フォースプレートで解析した歩様回復までの期間は、対照群の3ヶ月に対し2ヶ月と短かった。これらの結果より、TPLO実施後早期からのリハビリテーションの効果は高く、術後回復の促進に有用であることが示唆された。日本の獣医療においてリハビリテーションがより広く普及し、麻痺や痛みを抱える患者動物とそのオーナーの苦しみを、少しでも減らす手助けとなることを期待する。

Artificial pancreas technology, involving "closed-loop" controls with real-time blood glucose monitoring, has been increasing in reliability as its potential for clinical use and application grows. One such device, based on this technology, is the STG-22 (Nikkiso Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) artificial pancreas apparatus. In order to assess the reliability and accuracy of the device for measuring blood glucose, it is important to compare its readings to those obtained using a 'gold standard' method, such as the hexokinase method. Therefore, in the present study, canine blood [glucose] measurements using the STG-22 were compared to those obtained using a previously established commercial reagent, Quickauto-Neo GLU-HK. Furthermore, two different sample types (whole blood versus plasma constituent) were compared to determine which sample type results in more accurate and optimal readings with the STG-22. Given that the STG-22 was not primarily designed for canine blood samples, results for canine blood samples were not accurate. Measurements performed by the STG-22 with whole blood were significantly lower than reference [glucose] counterparts. Alternatively, an opposite trend was observed with plasma measurements that were significantly higher. A conversion format using the following formula, Hexokinase [glucose] = STG-22 [glucose] × 1.407 + 1.532, was observed with canine samples in our study.

Insulin detemir is the first member of a new class of long-acting soluble insulin analogues capable of maintaining the basal level of insulin in humans. In this preliminary study, we investigated the time-action profiles of insulin detemir in normal and diabetic dogs since the use of insulin detemir in canines has yet to be determined. Eight animals were used in our study (three normal and five insulin dependent diabetic dogs). Time-action profiles of insulin detemir were monitored in normal dogs using an artificial pancreas apparatus under euglycemic condition. Blood sampling was performed at 2. h intervals post feeding, with insulin administration, in insulin dependent diabetic dogs. Time-action profiles of insulin detemir, in normal dogs, demonstrated that insulin detemir is a long-lasting preparation similar to what has been observed in humans. A pronounced peak was detected at 8-10. h while the glucose-lowering effect lasted for over 24. h after insulin injection, thus illustrating its longer prolonged peak activity time. Furthermore, intensive glycemic control was achieved with insulin detemir in insulin dependent diabetic dogs, using a lower dosage than NPH insulin and insulin glargine therapeutic doses. Our results indicate that insulin detemir has a greater effect than either NPH insulin or insulin glargine in canines, requiring a lower dose than either insulin preparation. However, using insulin detemir also carries a higher risk of inducing hypoglycemia as compared to either NPH insulin or insulin glargine. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Indigestible oligosaccharides have been shown to normalize blood glucose and insulin concentration thereby promoting good health and preventing diseases, such as diabetes. Transglucosidase (TG, a-glucosidase, enzyme code (EC) 3.2.1.20) is an enzyme capable of converting starch to oligosaccharides, such as iso-malto-oligosaccharides from maltose, via the action of amylase. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether oral administration of TG with maltose or dextrin is capable of reducing post-prandial serum glucose concentration in experimentally streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic dogs fed on a high-fiber diet. Five healthy and five STZ-induced diabetic dogs were employed in this study. TG supplementation with dextrin or maltose had no detrimental effect in healthy dogs. In fact, TG and dextrin exhibited a flatlined serum glucose pattern, while reducing mean post-prandial serum insulin and glucose concentration as compared to control diet alone. When TG supplementation was tested in STZ-induced diabetic dogs under the context of a high fiber diet, a 13.8% and 23.9% reduction in mean glucose concentration for TG with maltose and dextrin, respectively was observed. Moreover, TG with dextrin resulted in a 13% lower mean post-prandial glucose concentration than TG with maltose, suggesting that dextrin may be a more efficient substrate than maltose when used at the same concentration (1 g/kg). Our results indicate that TG supplementation with diet can lead to lower postprandial glucose levels versus diet alone. However, the efficacy of TG supplementation may depend on the type of diet it is supplemented with. As such, TG administration may be useful for preventing the progression of diabetes mellitus and in its management in dogs. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.