65-70
A Unique Surgical Model for Studying the Physiology of Gastrin: Gastrocystoplasty and Fundectomy
by RA Vigen, C-J Arum, B Stenström& D Che

Gastrin is well known as a gastric acid secreting agent and trophic factor, but the complexity and plasticity of the mechanisms behind its effects need elucidation. For instance, whether the effects depend on vagal innervation is still an open question. In the present report, we describe in technical detail a rat model of gastrocystoplasty and fundectomy with the hope that it will provide an additional tool in gastrin research and an example of experimental surgery.

75-83
The Protective Effect of L-carnitine on Ionizing Radiation-induced Free Oxygen Radicals
by D. Dokmeci, M. Akpolat, N.Aydogdu, C. Uzal, L. Doganay & F. N. Turan

Ionizing radiation is known to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can be removed by antioxidants. L-carnitine, a natural component of mammalian tissue, is a necessary factor in the utilization of long-chain fatty acids to produce energy. Furthermore it has been shown that L-carnitine is an antioxidant which has a scavenger effect on ROS and a stabilizing effect on damaged cell membranes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of L-carnitine on radiation-induced free radicals in hamsters. L-carnitine was given by gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 15 consecutive days before irradiation with a single dose of 8 Gy. 24 h after radiation exposure, the hamsters were sacrificed and samples were taken from blood and tissues, and the biochemical and histopatological determinations were carried out. In the irradiated group, there were significant increases in plasma and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) with marked reduction in glutathione (GSH) levels in the liver, compared with controls. In red blood cells, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were also reduced. All these effects were reversed by L-carnitine. In conclusion, L-carnitine with its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties could play a modulatory role against the cellular damage produced by free radicals induced by ionizing radiation.

98-95
A Standard Surgical Protocol for a Rabbit Ulnar Osteotomy Model
by Franz-Xaver Huber, Orlin Belyaev, Colette Huber, Peter-Juergen Meeder

Critical size defects in the long bones of rabbits have been used for years as an experimental model for the investigation of different bone substitute materials. However, no standard surgical protocol exists in the literature. This is a source of misunderstandings and makes results from different studies hardly comparable. This technical note attempts to present a standard surgical technique for the creation of a segmental critical size ulnar defect in the New Zealand white rabbit.

101-106
Myofibrillar Protein Status of the Gastrocnemius in Male Rats: Effect of Mild Undernutrition
by A.M. Almeida, S. van Harten & L.A. Cardoso

The aim of this work was the determination of the myofibrillar protein profiles in the fed and the mildly underfed rat. Sixteen male rats were divided into 2 groups: CR (control) fed ad libitum and MR (mildly undernourished) fed 75% of energetic maintenance needs. The animals were sacrificed at day 23 and the gastrocnemius muscle was taken for myofibrillar protein characterisation. The myofibrillar protein profiles were found to be very similar in the two groups revealing the lack of preferred catabolism of myofibrillar proteins and consequently that the muscle structure is maintained even in situations of mild undernutrition.

111-114
Competition Between Maternal Nursing Behaviour and Appetitive Behaviour in Lactating Female Rats
by Toru R. Saito, Takako Nishiya, Makoto Yokosuka, Minoru Tanaka & Jann Hau

Eighteen lactating Wistar-Imamichi rats habituated to drinking 1 M sucrose-solution were divided into three groups. Appetitive and maternal behaviour was observed during 30 minutes. Group 1 had access to sucrose solution and their pups, Group 2 had access to distilled water and their pups, and Group 3 had access to sucrose solution but not pups. The maternal behaviour seen in Group 2 was effectively inhibited by the presence of the sucrose-solution, in Group 1 where, during the observation period, the rats exhibited appetitive behaviour exclusively. We conclude that maternal appetitive ingestive behaviour is undiminished by the presence of pups.