2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

The current study successfully optimized the isolation and purification of feline pancreatic islets. Further, the functional potency of islet upon glucose stimulation was assessed for the first time in this species. According to these findings, the yield of qualitatively and functional islets may provide a promising source of islets for diabetes research in cats Mirtazapine, a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant, has been shown to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) axis in humans, but little information is available on the effect of mirtazapine on the HPA axis in dogs. The objective of the present study was to examine whether, in healthy beagle dogs, the endogeneous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol concentrations was affected by oral administration with mirtazapine. In 12 laboratory beagle dogs, oral administration with mirtazapine (1 mg/kg) was maintained once daily for 14 days. The corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test and ACTH stimulation test were performed before administration, and for 7 days and 14 days after the administration, respectively. Circulating concentrations of cortisol, ACTH, serotonin and leptin were measured.