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Background: Muscle atrophy and intramuscular fatty infiltration, as well as their association with prognosis, have not been quantified in dogs with spontaneous hypercortisolism (HC). Objective: To quantitatively evaluate muscle atrophy and IM fatty infiltration in dogs with HC and determine their prognostic impact. Animals: Fifty‐three dogs with HC and 66 control dogs without HC. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Medical records and computed tomography images obtained between 2014 and 2021 were evaluated. Kaplan‐Meier curves and log‐rank tests were used to analyze the effect of muscle atrophy and IM fatty infiltration on the prognosis of dogs with HC. Results: Dogs with HC showed lower visually measured cross‐sectional area (VCSA) and cross‐sectional area based on attenuation (HCSA) than control dogs (median [interquartile range {IQR}]: 50.3 mm2/mm [36.2‐67.8] vs 66.7 mm2/mm [48.0‐85.9]; P <.001; 30.4 mm2/mm [13.7‐57.2] vs 54.8 mm2/mm [39.7‐71.5]; P <.001, respectively). Dogs with HC had lower epaxial muscle attenuation (L3HU) than control dogs (median [IQR]: 21.2 Hounsfield [HU] [12.4‐28.2] vs 33.2 HU [22.6‐43.6]; P <.001). Dogs with HC with lower HCSA or L3HU had shorter survival (median [IQR]: 670 days [222‐673] vs 949 days [788‐1074], P <.01; 523 days [132‐670] vs 949 days [756‐1074], P <.01, respectively) but not lower VCSA (median [IQR]: 673 days [132‐788] vs 949 days [523 to not applicable]; P =.30). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Hypercortisolism in dogs causes muscle atrophy and IM fatty infiltration and is associated with poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Impaired renal function is 1 of the poor prognostic factors in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). However, the value of cystatin C (Cys‐C), a marker of renal function, as a prognostic marker for MMVD in dogs has not yet been explored. Objective: This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of Cys‐C in dogs with MMVD. Animals: Fifty client‐owned small‐breed dogs with MMVD were included in this study. Methods: This is a retrospective, cross‐sectional study. The prognostic value of serum Cys‐C concentration was assessed using univariable and multivariable Cox hazard regression analyses. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves for MMVD‐specific survival in dogs stratified into high and low Cys‐C groups were generated and analyzed using the log‐rank test. Results: Serum Cys‐C concentrations were significantly associated with MMVD‐related death (P <.01) in both univariable (hazard ratio [HR], 5.086; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.950‐13.270) and multivariable Cox hazard regression analysis (HR, 4.657; 95% CI, 1.767‐12.270). The high Cys‐C group (n = 14) had a significantly shorter MMVD‐specific survival time than the low Cys‐C group (n = 36; P <.01). In dogs with normal blood creatinine concentrations, the high Cys‐C group (n = 10) had a significantly shorter MMVD‐specific survival time than the low Cys‐C group (n = 36; P <.01). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: High serum Cys‐C concentrations were associated with a worse prognosis of MMVD. Furthermore, serum Cys‐C could be a predictor of MMVD prognosis even in dogs with normal blood creatinine concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-like neurodegenerative disease. It is a unique, naturally occurring animal model of human ALS. Canine DM is associated with the aggregation of canine superoxide dismutase 1 (cSOD1), which is similar to human ALS. Almost 100% of cases in dogs are familial, and the E40K mutation in cSOD1 is a major causative mutation of DM. Therefore, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cSOD1(E40K) aggregation. To address this, we first analyzed the structural model of wild type cSOD1. Interactions were evident between amino acid E40 and K91. Therefore, the mutation at residue E40 causes loss of the interaction and may destabilize the native structure of cSOD1. Differential scanning fluorimetry revealed that the E40K mutant was less stable than the wild type. Moreover, stability could be recovered by the E40K and K91E double mutation. Acceleration of amyloid fibril formation in vitro and aggregate formation in cells of cSOD1(E40K) was also suppressed by the introduction of this double mutation in thioflavin T fluorescence assay results and in transfectant cells, respectively. These results clearly show the importance of the interaction between amino acid residues E40 and K91 in cSOD1 for the stability of the native structure and aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 5-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis and severe insulin resistance. Although the conventional treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis was provided, the cat required frequent hospitalization because of severe dehydration and repeated diabetic ketoacidosis. We detected anti-insulin antibodies for human in this cat. Serum insulin-binding IgG levels were markedly elevated compared with those in healthy cats and other diabetic cats. We initiated prednisolone to suppress the effects of anti-insulin antibodies. After initiation of prednisolone, the cat was gradually recovered with increasing activity and appetite. Furthermore, satisfactory glycemic control was achieved with combined subcutaneous injection of insulin detemir and insulin degludec. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many hereditary disorders in dogs have equivalents in humans and thus attract attention as natural animal models. Breed predisposition to certain diseases often provides promising clues to explore novel hereditary disorders in dogs. Recently, cases of gastrointestinal (GI) polyps in Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs) have increased in Japan. In 21 affected JRTs, polyps were found in either or both the stomach and colorectum, with a predilection for the gastric antrum and rectum. Multiple polyps were found in 13 of 21 examined dogs, including 5 dogs with both gastric and colorectal polyps. Some dogs were found to have GI polyps at an early age, with the youngest case being 2.3 years old. Histopathologically, 43 of 46 GI polyps (93.5%) were diagnosed as adenomas or adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed cytoplasmic and nuclear accumulation of β-catenin in the tumor cells. As in the case of human patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, all examined JRTs with GI polyps (n = 21) harbored the identical heterozygous germline APC mutations, represented by a 2-bp substitution (c.[462A>T; 463A>T]). The latter substitution was a non-sense mutation (p.K155X) resulting in a truncated APC protein, thus suggesting a strong association with this cancer-prone disorder. Somatic mutation and loss of the wild-type APC allele were detected in the GI tumors of JRTs, suggesting that biallelic APC inactivation was involved in tumor development. This study demonstrated that despite differences in the disease conditions between human and dog diseases, germline APC mutation confers a predisposition to GI neoplastic polyps in both dogs and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the monitoring methods in asymptomatic dogs with high serum cystatin C (Cys-C) concentrations. Ten dogs with high serum Cys-C were divided into two groups based on the owner's choice; one receiving clinical pathology-based monitoring at an animal hospital specialised in chronic kidney disease, and the other receiving symptom-based monitoring at home, partly because they showed no clinical symptoms. The dogs that received the clinical pathology-based monitoring led to an early treatment intervention, resulted in a longer survival period than dogs received the symptom-based monitoring (P<0.05). It became clear that early treatment intervention by clinical pathology-based monitoring extends the renal survival period even in asymptomatic dogs with increased serum Cys-C concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the anatomical characteristics of microminipigs, one of the smallest miniature pigs, as a large animal model, we measured the body and organ sizes of four-, five-, six-, and seven-month-old microminipigs (n = 4, females) using computed tomography. In addition, the results were compared with those of young mature beagles (10 months old, two males and three females), which have been widely used as a large animal model. The microminipigs at 4–6 months of age were much smaller than the beagles. However, when the microminipigs reached seven months of age, their overall size was similar to that of the beagles. The thoracic cavity volume of the seven-month-old microminipigs was less than half that of the beagles, and the cavity was largely filled by the heart. The liver size of the seven-month-old microminipigs was approximately half of that of the beagles. Moreover, the spleen of the seven-month-old microminipigs was different in morphology, but not different in size from that of the beagles. In addition, although their volumes were the same, the kidneys of the seven-month-old microminipigs, unlike those of the beagles, were flattened in shape. Collectively, the major abdominal organs of the seven-month-old microminipigs were either the same size or smaller than those of the beagles, but the abdominal cavity volume of the seven-month-old microminipigs was larger than that of the beagles. Thus, the abdominal cavity of microminipigs is assumed to be filled with the gastrointestinal tract. The anatomical characteristics of the young mature microminipigs revealed in our study suggest that microminipigs could have great potential as a large animal model for biomedical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the changes in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations after intravenous administration of amino acids and fatty acids in healty cats to compare the stimulation ability of insulin secretion. The authors state that arginine had a strong insulinotropic effect while leucine, alanine, and fatty acids had weak ones. They conclude that intravenous arginine tolerance test may be useful for estimation of insulin response in cats.

Abstract: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors implicated in lipid metabolism. In this study, the full-length cDNA of canine PPARβ and γ were sequenced, and expression of PPARs was evaluated in normal tissues and primary cultures of adipocytes in dogs, followed by investigations for polymorphisms of canine PPARγ. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of canine PPARβ and γ cDNA with that of human PPARβ and γ cDNA revealed 95.9% and 98.2% identity, respectively. PPARβ expression was ubiquitous and high PPARγ expression was detected in the subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues, spleen and large intestine. Canine PPARγ mRNA expression in cultured adipocytes began to increase from 4 days after induction of differentiation, and increased nearly ninefold within 10 days after induction of differentiation. Although expression level of PPARα was low in the cultured adipocytes, it slightly increased within 10 days. In contrast, expression of PPARβ showed only small variations during adipocyte differentiation, though expression levels were relatively high. These results suggest that PPARγ may play an important role in adipocyte differentiation in dogs. Investigations for polymorphisms of PPARγ revealed a silent polymorphism, C1362T, in 3 of 92 dogs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective--To evaluate postprandial changes in the leptin concentration of CSF in dogs during development of obesity. Animals--male Beagles. Procedures--Weight gain was induced and assessments were made when the dogs were in thin, optimal, and obese body conditions (BCs). The fat area at the level of the L3 vertebra was measured via computed tomography to assess the degree of obesity. Dogs were evaluated in fed and unfed states. Dogs in the fed state received food at 9 AM. Blood and CSF samples were collected at 8 AM, 4 PM, and 10 PM. Results--Baseline CSF leptin concentrations in the thin, optimal, and obese dogs were 24.3 ± 2.7 pg/mL, 86.1 ± 14.7 pg/mL, and 116.2 ± 47.3 pg/mL, respectively. In the thin BC, CSF leptin concentration transiently increased at 4 PM. In the optimal BC, baseline CSF leptin concentration was maintained until 10 PM. In the obese BC, CSF leptin concentration increased from baseline value at 4 PM and 10 PM. Correlation between CSF leptin concentration and fat area was good at all time points. There was a significant negative correlation between the CSF leptin concentration- to-serum leptin concentration ratio and fat area at 4 PM; this correlation was not significant at 8 AM and 10 PM. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--Decreased transport of leptin at the blood-brain barrier may be 1 mechanism of leptin resistance in dogs. However, leptin resistance at the blood-brain barrier may not be important in development of obesity in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-year-old female Persian cat was brought in for evaluation of chronic vomiting. The presence of opaque enteric foreign bodies and intestinal obstruction along with azotaemia, hyperphosphataemia, moderate anaemia and peritoneal fluid were revealed following appropriate diagnostic work-up. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed jejunoileal dilation, ileocaecal stenosis, and numerous foreign objects in the jejunoileum. These foreign objects and ileocaecal stenosis were surgically removed, and intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed. The patient recovered favourably. Analysis revealed that the foreign objects were composed of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Intestinal inflammation and stenosis secondary to enterolithiasis may have developed following ingestion of cat litter or a previous unrelated surgical intervention. We were unable to delineate the inciting pathogenesis in this particular case. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective--To investigate effects of short- and long-term administration of glucocorticoids, feeding status, and serum concentrations of insulin and cortisol on plasma leptin concentrations in dogs. Animals--20 nonobese dogs Procedure--For experiment 1, plasma leptin concentrations and serum concentrations of insulin and cortisol were monitored for 24 hours in 4 dogs administered dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg, IV) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution for fed and nonfed conditions. For experiment 2, 11 dogs were administered prednisolone (1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 56 days [7 dogs] and 2 mg/kg, PC, q 24 h for 28 days [4 dogs]) and 5 dogs served as control dogs. Plasma leptin and serum insulin concentrations were monitored weekly. Results--For experiment 1, dexamethasone injection with the fed condition drastically increased plasma leptin concentrations. Furthermore, injection of saline solution with the fed condition increased plasma leptin concentrations. These increases in plasma leptin concentrations correlated with increases in serum insulin concentrations. Dexamethasone injection with the nonfed condition increased plasma leptin concentrations slightly but continuously. Injection of saline solution with the nonfed condition did not alter plasma leptin concentrations. For experiment 2, prednisolone administration at either dosage and duration did not alter plasma leptin concentrations in any dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--Dexamethasone injection and feeding increased plasma leptin concentrations in dogs. In addition, dexamethasone administration enhanced the effect of feeding on increases in plasma leptin concentrations. Daily oral administration of prednisolone (1 or 2 mg/kg) did not affect plasma leptin concentrations in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on a study which evaluated the plasma leptin concentration in dogs with diabetes mellitus. A total of 36 dogs, normal and diabetic, were divided into non-obese and obese groups based on body condition score. Plasma leptin concentrations in obese normal dogs were significantly higher than that of the non-obese normal dogs. There was no significant difference between the plasma leptin concentrations of non-obese and obese diabetic dogs. Furthermore, the obese diabetic dogs had significantly lower plasma leptin concentration than that in the obese normal dogs. The results indicate that the plasma leptin concentrations in the diabetic dogs were influenced by factors other than adiposity.

The effects of swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) molecules on numerous production and reproduction performance traits have been mainly reported as associations with specific SLA haplotypes that were assigned using serological typing methods. In this study, we intended to clarify the association between SLA class II genes and reproductive traits in a highly inbred population of 187 Microminipigs (MMP), that have eight different types of SLA class II haplotypes. In doing so, we compared the reproductive performances, such as fertility index, gestation period, litter size, and number of stillbirth among SLA class II low resolution haplotypes (Lrs) that were assigned by a polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) typing method. Only low resolution haplotypes were used in this study because the eight SLA class II high-resolution haplotypes had been assigned to the 14 parents or the progenitors of the highly inbred MMP herd in a previous publication. The fertility index of dams with Lr-0.13 was significantly lower than that of dams with Lr-0.16, Lr-0.17, Lr-0.18, or Lr-0.37. Dams with Lr-0.23 had significantly smaller litter size at birth than those with Lr-0.17, Lr-0.18, or Lr-0.37. Furthermore, litter size at weaning of dams with Lr-0.23 was also significantly smaller than those dams with Lr-0.16, Lr-0.17, Lr-0.18, or Lr-0.37. The small litter size of dams with Lr-0.23 correlated with the smaller body sizes of these MMPs. These results suggest that SLA class II haplotypes are useful differential genetic markers for further haplotypic and epistatic studies of reproductive traits, selective breeding programs, and improvements in the production and reproduction performances of MMPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]