Search

Canine brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a conformation-related respiratory disorder of dog breeds having congenitally flattened facial and skull anatomy. The aim of the study was to determine oxidative stress parameters, the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde, and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase in BOAS patients before and after surgical treatment and in healthy brachycephalic dogs.

Brachycephalic dogs are prone to a conformation-related respiratory disorder known as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Due to its systemic consequences, BOAS should be considered a systemic disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and plateletcrit (PCT) in patients with various grades of BOAS and non-brachycephalic dogs. The latter served as a control group. We included 106 patients with BOAS and 41 non-brachycephalic dogs. According to the severity of the disease, BOAS patients were classified into grade 1 (17 dogs), grade 2 (42 dogs), and grade 3 (47 dogs). Thrombocytosis was found in 46% (49/106) of all BOAS patients. High platelet mass was found in 62% (66/106) of all BOAS patients. We found significantly (P < 0.05) higher PLT, MPV, and PCT in BOAS patients of all grades compared to non-brachycephalic dogs. However, further studies are needed to clarify the role of PLT and platelet indices in BOAS and their relationship with inflammation and hypercoagulability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a therapeutic renal diet on selected clinical, biochemical, and urinary parameters and on selected parameters of oxidative stress in cats with early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). A prospective study of a 3-month duration was conducted to evaluate the effect of renal diet on selected clinical and laboratory parameters in client-owned cats with early stages of CKD. Of a total of 29 enrolled client-owned cats, nineteen (19) cats completed the study, ten receiving renal diet and nine receiving a diet of the owner's choice. A clinical examination was performed, and blood and urine samples were collected on the day of presentation and at regular check-ups after 3-4, 7-8, and 10-12 weeks. Serum creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations and selected parameters of oxidative stress (plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum selenium concentrations), were measured and electrophoresis of urinary proteins was performed. At inclusion, a significant positive correlation (p < 0.001) was found between serum selenium concentration and plasma GPX activity (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.83 (95% CI: [0.65 - 0.92]) and a significant negative correlation (p < 0.001) between serum SDMA and urine specific gravity (Pearson correlation coefficient -0.70 (95% CI: [-0.87 - (-0.38)]). At the end of the 3-month feeding trial no significant difference was found in SDMA and creatinine concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To determine the plasma total antioxidant capacity, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity, and plasma coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) concentration in dogs with various stages of cardiovascular diseases and in healthy dogs; assess the influence of cardiac treatment on the levels of antioxidant variables, plasma CoQ10 concentration, and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration, and determine any correlation between the disease severity (NT-proBNP concentration) and antioxidant variables or CoQ10 concentration. ANIMALS 43 dogs with various types and stages of cardiovascular diseases (congenital and acquired) and 29 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES Blood samples were collected from all dogs for spectrophotometric assessment of antioxidant variables. Plasma CoQ10 concentration was determined with a high-performance liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–tandem mass spectrometry method. Serum NT-proBNP concentration was measured with an ELISA. RESULTS Values for antioxidant variables did not differ among groups of dogs with cardiovascular diseases, regardless of disease stage or treatment. Plasma CoQ10 concentration was significantly increased in treated dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF), compared with untreated patients. However, plasma CoQ10 concentration did not differ among heart failure classes. A significant, negative correlation between serum NT-proBNP and plasma CoQ10 concentrations was identified in treated CHF-affected dogs, suggesting that low plasma CoQ10 concentration may be associated with increased severity of CHF. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The antioxidant variables evaluated were not altered in dogs with CHF, regardless of cardiac disease stage or treatment. Further investigation into the possible effects of CoQ10 supplementation in dogs with advanced stages of CHF is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in seminal plasma were evaluated on the basis of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis as predictors for distinguishing satisfactory from unsatisfactory boar semen samples after storage. SOD on day 0 correlated significantly with progressive motility (r = -0.686; P < 0.05) and viability (r = -0.513; P < 0.05) after storage; TBARS correlated only with motility (r = -0.480; P < 0.05). Semen samples that, after 3 days of storage, fulfilled all criteria for semen characteristics (viability > 85%, motility > 70%, progressive motility > 25%, and normal morphology > 50%) had significantly lower SOD levels on the day 0 than those with at least one criterion not fulfilled (P < 0.05) following storage. SOD levels of less than 1.05 U/mL predicted with 87.5% accuracy that fresh semen will suit the requirements for satisfactory semen characteristics after storage, while semen with SOD levels higher than 1.05 U/mL will not fulfill with 100% accuracy at least one semen characteristic after storage. These results support the proposal that SOD in fresh boar semen can be used as a predictor of semen quality after storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The abolition of in-feed antibiotics or chemotherapeutics as growth promoters have stimulated the swine industry to look for alternatives such as organic acids, botanicals, probiotics and tannin. The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of a combination of acids and tannin with diet with organic acids and diet without growth promoters on the growth performance and selected biochemical, haematological and antioxidant enzyme parameters in grower pigs. Tannin is more natural and cheaper but possibly with the same effectiveness as organic acids with regard to growth performance. Methods: Thirty-six 7 week old grower pigs, divided into three equal groups, were used in a three week feeding trial. Group I was fed basal diet, group II basal diet with added organic acids and group III basal diet with added organic and inorganic acids and tannin. Pigs were weighed before and after feeding and observed daily. Blood was collected before and after the feeding trial for the determination of selected biochemical, haematological and antioxidant enzyme parameters. One-way ANOVA was used to assess any diet related changes of all the parameters. Paired t-test was used to evaluate changes of blood parameters individually in each group of growers before and after feeding. Results: No clinical health problems related to diet were noted during the three week feeding trial. The average daily gain (ADG) and selected blood parameters were not affected by the addition to basal diet of either acids and tannin or of organic acids alone. Selected blood parameters remained within the reference range before and after the feeding trial, with the exception of total serum proteins that were below the lower value of reference range at both times. The significant changes (paired t-test) observed in individual groups before and after the feeding trial are related to the growth of pigs. Conclusion: Diet with acids and tannin did not improve the growth performance of grower pigs but had no deleterious effects on selected blood parameters. The possibility of beneficial effects of adding acids and tannin in diets on growth performance over a longer period, however, could not be excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porphyromonas gingivalis aspiration pneumonia induces local and systemic cytokine responses, but the dynamic of the immune response following lung exposure to live P. gingivalis is poorly understood. Groups of 50 12-week-old male BALB/c mice were inoculated intratracheally with live P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 using low dose (2 × 105 colony-forming units [CFU]), high dose (2.9 × 109 CFU), or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; sham-inoculated), and the 3 groups were sacrificed at 2, 6, 24, 72, 168 hours. Lung and serum samples were collected for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), soluble TNF-α receptors (sTNFRs), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 analysis and lung histology. Pneumonia, only observed in the high-dose group, was associated with an early increase in lung TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, whereas no significant changes were observed in lung sTNFRs. Serum sTNFRs were significantly increased in high-dose animals at all times. IL-1β elevation occurred earlier in serum than in lungs. IL-1β was also significantly elevated in serum from low-dose animals at 6 hours. Serum IL-6 and sTNFRs remained raised at 7 days, whereas all other measured cytokines returned to basal levels with resolution of pneumonia. Development of pneumonia is dependent on the P. gingivalis dose; however, part of the cytokine response is unique to the systemic compartment, even in animals that do not develop pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the most appropriate blood sampling time for determining the lactulose/mannitol (L/M) index, and whether isoflurane anaesthesia increases intestinal permeability in dogs, in terms of changes in the L/M index. Six dogs were given 100 ml of sugar solution (3.6 g lactulose and 3.4 g mannitol) with orogastric tube. Blood samples for determination of basal plasma L/M index were taken 90, 120, and 180 minutes later. The next day, the dogs were administered methadone, induced with midazolam mixed with ketamine, followed immediately by propofol, and anaesthesia maintained with isoflurane in oxygen for 200 minutes. The same sugar solution as the day before was administered at the end of anaesthesia and 12 and 24 hours postanaesthesia. Blood samples were taken 90, 120 and 180 minutes after administration of sugar solution. HPLC-MS was used for plasma determination of lactulose and mannitol and the results expressed as L/M index. The highest concentrations of lactulose and mannitol were detected 120 minutes after administration of sugar solution. Lactulose/mannitol index significantly increased at the end of anaesthesia, regardless the sampling time, when compared to basal values from non-anaesthetized dogs. The increase of L/M index due to anaesthesia with isoflurane was short-lived as there was no significant difference between L/M index at 12 hours after the anaesthesia and basal values. The most appropriate blood sampling time for determining the L/M index is 120 minutes after oral administration of dual sugar solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

17β-testosterone (testosterone) and 17β-estradiol (estradiol), together with their synthetic analogues, have been banned in the EU as growth promoters for fattening purposes. A simple, reliable method for their detection in animals is therefore required. Levels of testosterone and estradiol in hair and plasma of Wistar rats have been determined, following intramuscular (i.m.) administration of testosterone propionate and estradiol valerate, using commercial ELISA kits. Experiments were performed on prepubertal female rats for the detection of hair testosterone and on prepubertal male rats for the detection of hair estradiol. A significant increase of testosterone in hair was observed 3, 6 and 9 days after the administration of testosterone propionate, with no significant change in plasma content. Estradiol valerate administration also resulted in a significantly increased concentration in hair on the 3rd and 9th days, and in plasma on the 9th day. Thus, detection of testosterone and estradiol in hair after i.m. testosterone propionate and estradiol valerate administration can be achieved using commercial ELISA kits. Up to 0.80 % of the administered testosterone and 0.06 % of the administered estradiol were present in hair. This method could therefore serve as the basis for establishing a pre-screening tool for detecting abuse of anabolic steroids in farm animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To determine the dose of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ,o) needed to achieve at least a 3-fold increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). ANIMALS 18 dogs with CHF due to MMVD and 12 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES In a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial, dogs with MMVD were given 50 or 100 mg of water-soluble CoQ,o (ubiquinone; total daily dose. 100 mg [n = 51 or 200 mg [6]) or a placebo (7), PO. twice a day for 2 weeks in addition to regular cardiac treatment. Plasma CoQ10 concentration was measured in dogs with MMVD before (baseline) and at various time points after supplementation began and in healthy dogs once. Concentrations were compared among and within groups. RESULTS No significant difference in median baseline plasma CoQ10 concentration was detected between healthy dogs and dogs with MMVD. Fold increases in plasma CoQ10 concentrations ranged from 1.7 to 4.7 and 3.2 to 6.8 for individual dogs in the 100-mg and 200-mg groups, respectively. The change in plasma CoQ10 concentration after supplementation began was significantly higher than in the placebo group at 4 hours and I and 2 weeks for dogs in the 200-mg group and at I and 2 weeks for dogs in the 100-mg group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A daily CoQ10 dose of 200 mg was sufficient to achieve at least a 3-fold increase in plasma CoQ,o concentration and may be used in CoQ,0 supplementation studies involving dogs with CHF due to MMVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that routine patrolling by police horses induces physiological changes of haematological and biochemical parameters, but not exercise-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, the activities of whole blood antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), activities of serum muscle enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK), as well as haematological and other biochemical parameters in police horses on duty were investigated. Correlations between antioxidant and muscle enzymes were also determined. Fourteen healthy, male, warm-blooded police horses were included in this study. Horses were transported to their place of duty where they patrolled for six hours at a walking pace, which was regarded as moderate physical activity. Blood samples for determination of SOD, GSH-Px, AST, CK, haematological and biochemical parameters were collected in the horses' stalls (basal values), after their transportation to the place of duty, immediately after duty, after transportation back to their stalls and after a 24-hour rest. No significant changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes among different sampling times occurred. Correlations between antioxidant and serum muscle enzymes activities were not significant at any of the sampling times. However, significantly higher (p < 0.05) AST and CK activities were found immediately after duty in comparison to basal values, which is probably the result of leakage from intact muscle fibres resulting from muscular activity, rather than a consequence of oxidative stress-induced muscle damage. Fluctuations of haematological and biochemical parameters reflect horses' physiological response to physical activity when on patrol. In conclusion, police horses did not develop exercise-induced oxidative stress while being subjected to moderate physical activity on duty. They appeared to be in good physical condition and fit for this type of duty. Moreover, our results indicate thatthe investigated horses could be used for patrolling for longer periods of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) production by platelets is a specific test for assessment of platelet cyclooxygenase (COX-1) activity following administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sample incubation at 37 °C for one hour on serum TXB2 concentration in comparison with incubation at room temperature. A total of 54 blood samples for serum TXB2 measurements were collected from six healthy beagle dogs into two separate serum tubes. While one group of tubes was incubated in a 37 °C water bath, the second group of tubes was left to coagulate at room temperature, both for one hour. Serum TXB2 concentrations were measured by ELISA. The mean concentration (± SD) of serum TXB2 in the group of samples that were incubated at 37 °C was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher compared to the group of samples incubated at room temperature, 1098 ± 346 μg/l and 550 ± 257 μg/l, respectively. The results of the study provide the information on serum TXB2 concentration in healthy beagle dogs and demonstrate that validated methods for assessment of COX-1 activity by measurement of serum TXB2 should be used in order to make results more reliable and comparable between different studies. The results of this study might be of great help in planning NSAID studies in dogs by providing the information that TXB2 generation by platelets is influenced profoundly by incubation temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential cofactor in the mitochondrial electron transport pathway, and is also the only known endogenously synthesized lipid-soluble antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to determine, for the first time, endogenous plasma CoQ10 concentration and its correlation with plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and serum total cholesterol (TC) in a population of healthy untrained horses. Thirty-one horses were included in the study. Plasma CoQ10 concentration ranged from 0.380 to 2.090 mg/L, which is in general agreement with plasma CoQ10 concentration in humans. The study demonstrated no significant correlation between plasma CoQ10 and TAC, which indicates that CoQ10 does not contribute to the TAC of equine plasma significantly. In contrast to humans, no significant correlation was found between CoQ10 and TC in investigated horses. The results warrant further studies on CoQ10 supplementation in healthy untrained horses and subsequent determination of correlations between CoQ10 and TAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study was to assess the antioxidative effects of the dietary supplementation of olive leaf extract (OLE) in different concentrations compared to those of vitamin E in piglets under conditions of dietary n-3 PUFA-induced oxidative stress. Forty-eight castrated male piglets (10.6 ± 0.99 kg) were fed the following experimental diets: Cont- (low-fat diet, no supplement), Cont+ (high linseed oil diet, no supplement), Vit-E (as Cont+, 105 IU vitamin E/day), OLE-1 (as Cont+, 3.84 mg hydroxytyrosol equivalents (HEQs)/day), OLE-2 (as Cont+, 38.4 mg HEQ/day), and OLE-3 (as Cont+, 96 mg HEQ/day). After 21 days of feeding, the experimental diets, blood and urine samples were collected to assess the extent of the oxidative stress. Results indicated that diet OLE-1 lowered the activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase, protected DNA (measured as DNA tail %) and altered urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Dietary vitamin E lowered the levels of urinary F 2 -isoprostanes, as well as of plasma malondialdehyde and γ-tocopherol, but raised the plasmatic α-tocopherol and altered the level of urinary 8-OHdG. In conclusion, only minor positive effects of dietary OLE on the oxidative stress parameters were observed. Additionally, OLE did not show concentration dependence., Competing Interests: Vissers, M.N.; Zock, P.L.; Katan, M.B. Bioavailability and antioxidant effects of olive oil phenols in humans: A review. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 2004, 58, 955–965.

OBJECTIVE To determine the plasma total antioxidant capacity, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity, and plasma coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ) concentration in dogs with various stages of cardiovascular diseases and in healthy dogs; assess the influence of cardiac treatment on the levels of antioxidant variables, plasma CoQ 10 concentration, and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration, and determine any correlation between the disease severity (NT-proBNP concentration) and antioxidant variables or CoQ 10 concentration. ANIMALS 43 dogs with various types and stages of cardiovascular diseases (congenital and acquired) and 29 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES Blood samples were collected from all dogs for spectrophotometric assessment of antioxidant variables. Plasma CoQ 10 concentration was determined with a high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method. Serum NT-proBNP concentration was measured with an ELISA. RESULTS Values for antioxidant variables did not differ among groups of dogs with cardiovascular diseases, regardless of disease stage or treatment. Plasma CoQ 10 concentration was significantly increased in treated dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF), compared with untreated patients. However, plasma CoQ 10 concentration did not differ among heart failure classes. A significant, negative correlation between serum NT-proBNP and plasma CoQ 10 concentrations was identified in treated CHF-affected dogs, suggesting that low plasma CoQ 10 concentration may be associated with increased severity of CHF. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The antioxidant variables evaluated were not altered in dogs with CHF, regardless of cardiac disease stage or treatment. Further investigation into the possible effects of CoQ 10 supplementation in dogs with advanced stages of CHF is warranted.