Hepatic copper accumulation in a young cat with familial variations in the ATP7B gene

A 9‐month‐old intact crossbred female cat was presented with jaundice, intermittent anorexia and lethargy, increased hepatic enzyme activities, and hyperammonemia. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomographic examinations determined that the liver had a rounded and irregular margin, and histopathological examination identified excessive accumulation of copper hepatocytes in the liver. Concentrations of both blood and urine copper were higher than in healthy cats. The patient responded well to treatment with penicillamine. Clinicopathological abnormalities and clinical signs improved within 2 months, and the patient was alive for >9 months after starting treatment. Genetic examination determined that the patient and its littermate had a single‐nucleotide variation (SNV, p. T1297R) that impaired the function of the ATP7B gene product; the gene that is mutated in patients with Wilson's disease (WD). Hepatic copper accumulation was believed to be associated with the SNV of the ATP7B gene, and the patient had a genetic disorder of copper metabolism equivalent to WD in humans.     

Plasma L-carnitine concentration in healthy dogs and dogs with hepatopathy

BACKGROUND: L-Carnitine has an essential role in lipid metabolism. Disturbances of L-carnitine metabolism can influence the energy supply of the organism. L-Carnitine is synthesized exclusively in the liver. Hence, we hypothesized that liver disease can influence L-carnitine metabolism. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to compare plasma L-carnitine concentrations in dogs with different liver diseases of differing severity with the plasma L-carnitine concentrations of healthy dogs. METHODS: Sixteen dogs with inflammatory liver disease and 12 dogs with liver neoplasia were included in the study. Liver disease was diagnosed by clinical chemistry, ultrasonography, and histology of liver biopsy specimens. L-Carnitine concentration was measured in plasma samples using mass spectrometry, and compared among groups using unpaired Student's t-tests. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls (24.4 +/- 8.4 micromol/L), the plasma L-carnitine concentration in dogs with liver disease (44.2 +/- 23.7 micromol/L) was significantly higher (P<.0001). The difference in L-carnitine concentration between dogs with moderate (n=8; 33.6 +/- 13.7 micromol/L) and severe (n=8; 57.4 +/- 22.9 micromol/L) hepatitis was also significant (P=.02). No difference in plasma L-carnitine concentration was found between dogs with hepatitis and those with liver tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Liver disease in dogs was accompanied by elevated plasma L-carnitine concentration. The severity of hepatitis appears to influence L-carnitine concentration.     

Polymorphisms in canine ATP7B: candidate modifier of copper toxicosis in the Bedlington terrier

A COMMD1(MURR1) deletion has been reported as the cause of copper toxicosis (CT) in Bedlington terriers. Recent studies identified Bedlington terriers with copper accumulation without homozygous COMMD1 deletions. Wilson disease in humans is a copper storage disorder similar to CT caused by mutations in ATP7B, and COMMD1 has been shown to interact with the ATP7B protein. ATP7B may act as a modifier in CT, allowing for copper accumulation in Bedlington terriers with one deletion or other variations in COMMD1. In this study, ATP7B was cloned and sequence analysis conducted in a subset of Bedlington terriers from a pedigree that does not show complete association between the COMMD1 deletion and CT. Eleven polymorphisms, two in the coding region, were identified in the Bedlington terrier ATP7B gene. However, these are not unique to the Bedlington terrier and pedigree analysis suggests that ATP7B is not a modifier of COMMD1 in this subset of dogs.     

Association of hyponatremia and hyperglycemia with outcome in dogs with congestive heart failure

Objective: To evaluate plasma sodium and glucose concentrations in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) prior to treatment and evaluate the differences between survivors and non‐survivors. Design: Retrospective study. Animals: Fifty‐nine dogs with CHF prior to receiving cardiac medication. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: The mean plasma sodium concentration in dogs with CHF was below the reference range (144–156 mmol/L) and significantly lower (P=0.009) in non‐survivors (141±6 mmol/L) compared with survivors (147±4 mmol/L). The mean plasma glucose concentration was above the reference range (76–117 mg/dL) and significantly higher (P=0.004) in non‐survivors (128±52 mg/dL) compared with survivors (100±13 mg/dL). Forty‐four percent of non‐survivors had concurrent low plasma sodium and high plasma glucose concentrations, whereas no survivors had both abnormalities (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Lower plasma sodium and higher plasma glucose are associated with a worse outcome in dogs with CHF.     

犬瘟热病毒自然感染犬淋巴组织中T、B细胞变化的研究

为了调查患犬瘟热病犬淋巴组织中T、B细胞变化的特点及淋巴细胞减少的发病机制,试验通过免疫组织化学的方法观察了T细胞(用CD3和CD45RO检测T细胞)、B细胞(用IgG、IgM抗血清检测B细胞)和犬瘟热病毒(抗犬瘟热病毒抗体)在病犬淋巴组织中的分布。结果表明:在淋巴组织中的淋巴细胞、淋巴小结中树突状细胞和巨噬细胞中均检出了抗病毒阳性反应细胞。在骨髓组织的前髓细胞中也发现抗病毒阳性反应细胞和嗜酸性胞浆内及核内包涵体的存在。与对照组相比,CD3和CD45RO阳性细胞主要存在于T细胞的分布域;但CD3和CD45RO阳性T细胞的数量较少。位于淋巴组织中的巨噬细胞有的被CD45RO染成阳性。在B细胞分布的区域中,IgG、IgM阳性细胞的数量明显减少;一些位于淋巴组织的浆细胞也被IgG或IgM染成阳性。在淋巴组织中淋巴细胞减少的顺序为:IgG阳性细胞减少最明显,其次为IgM和CD45RO阳性细胞,再次为CD3阳性细胞。依据试验结果,作者认为病犬淋巴组织中淋巴细胞减少主要是由B细胞缺乏所引起的;淋巴细胞的增殖能力减弱是引起淋巴组织中淋巴细胞减少的重要原因。     

Results of adrenalectomy in 36 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism caused by adrenocortical tumour

Summary

A total of 38 adrenocortical tumours were removed from 36 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. The surgical approach was by way of a unilateral flank laparotomy (32 dogs; 14 left and 18 right), a bilateral flank laparotomy (3 dogs) or a midline celiotomy (1 dog).

Two dogs were euthanized during surgery because their tumours could not be resected. Eight dogs died from post‐operative complications. Pancreatic necrosis with peritonitis was the most common cause of death. Eight of the 26 dogs that survived had signs of recurrence of hyperadrenocorticism. Unsuppressible hyperadrenocorticism was found in four dogs; one dog had probably pre‐existent pituitary‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism, and adrenocortical function could not be re‐examined in the remaining three dogs.

Among the 37 tumours examined microscopically expansion of neoplastic tissue into blood vessels was found in 22 of them. Four adrenal glands with adrenocortical tumours also contained phaeochromocytomas. Necropsy was performed in eight dogs. Metastases were found in the lungs of two dogs and in the lungs and liver in one dog.

In combination with the data of previous reports, it is suggested that histological findings in surgery specimens are not good predictors for the clinical outcome.     

Genotype frequency of ATP7A and ATP7B mutation-related copper-associated hepatitis in a Japanese guide dog Labrador retriever population

The incidence of copper-associated hepatitis in Labrador retriever in Japan has not been examined. This study examined the genotype frequencies of ATP7B:c.4358G>A, a mutation responsible for copper-associated hepatitis, and ATP7A:c.980C>T, a modifier of this disease, in Labrador retrievers of guide dog associations in Japan. Genetic material was collected by buccal swabs from 253 Labrador retrievers and genotyping was performed for the ATP7B and ATP7A mutations. The gene frequency was 0.107 for ATP7B:c.4358A. For ATP7A:c.980C, the gene frequencies were 0.703 in females and 0.368 in males. In this study, we established genotyping methods for the ATP7B:c.4358G>A and ATP7A:c.980C>T mutations. Based on the genotyping results, the risk of copper-associated hepatitis in the study population was 0.80% in males and 1.05% in females.     

犬瘟热自然病例脱髓性脑病发生的机理

为了进一步调查脑组织的髓鞘脱失与神经胶质细胞等成份的关系,用12只犬瘟热自然病例通过病理组织学和免疫组织化学染色法进行了本试验.结果表明:髓鞘脱失部位的脑组织伴有明显的血液循环障碍,即淤血、水肿、血栓形成和弥漫性血管内凝血;少突胶质细胞发生代谢紊乱和凋亡;用抗犬瘟热病毒(CDV)抗体染色,星状胶质细胞呈现强阳性反应;用抗GFAP染色,纤维性星状胶质细胞在脱髓区呈较强阳性反应,用TUNEL染色可检出发生凋亡的星状胶质细胞;一些室管膜细胞也被CDV感染,许多含有包涵体币口凋亡的室管膜细胞在脑室壁被发现;少数神经元变性和皱缩,其核发生浓缩.据此认为,脑组织的髓鞘脱失主要与血液循环障碍和少突胶质细胞的代谢紊乱及凋亡有关;脑组织的髓鞘脱失是许多病因共同作用的结果,并非是一种病因所致.     

硼对铜中毒肉用乌骨鸡肝铜含量及肝功能的影响

选用560只1日龄肉用乌骨鸡,采用二因子多水平随机化试验设计研究日粮硼对铜中毒肉鸡肝铜及肝功能的影响。分别在玉米-豆粕型基础日粮中(Cu50.9 mg/kg,B10.1 mg/kg)添加549.1、749.1 mg/kg的铜和49.1、109.1 mg/kg的硼。结果表明,硼可在一定程度上抵御高铜对肝细胞的毒害,并减少肉鸡肝铜的蓄积量,说明硼对肉用乌骨鸡铜中毒具保护效应。     

高铜对雏鸭肝氧化状态及肝细胞凋亡的影响

将360只1日龄天府肉鸭随机分为6组,分别以对照日粮（Cu8mg／kg）和高铜日粮（Ⅰ组：Cu100mg／kg;Ⅱ组：Cu200mg／kg;Ⅲ组：Cu400mg／kg;Ⅳ组：Cu600mg／kg;Ⅴ组：Cu800mg／kg）饲喂6周,研究日粮铜水平对雏鸭肝氧化状态及肝细胞凋亡的影响。结果显示,与对照组比较,Ⅳ组和Ⅴ组肝铜锌SOD和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性降低（P〈50．01）,Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组和Ⅴ组羟自由基和丙二醛含量显著升高（P〈0．01）,Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组肝铜锌SOD和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性升高（P〈0．01）。高铜组肝细胞凋亡率随日粮铜水平的升高而增加。表明,日粮铜水平为400mg／kg以上时可引起肝抗氧化功能降低和肝细胞凋亡率升高。     

实验性犬传染性肝炎肝胆的扫描电镜和透射电镜观察

透射电镜下,犬传染性肝炎急性坏死型病例肝细胞线粒体高度肿胀,嵴断裂。病变严重的,肝细胞胞浆固有结构崩解、碎裂。核内包涵体由基质和ICHV粒子构成;在不含包涵体的核内也见到ICHV粒子。核内的ICHV粒子通过溶解的核膜或由于核崩解而释入胞浆;当细胞膜局部破裂或整个细胞崩解时,细胞内的ICHV粒子释放于细胞外。在嗜酸性小体的胞浆内观察到ICHV粒子。窦状隙内皮细胞和星状细胞呈现与肝细胞类似的变化。扫描电镜下,组织学呈凝固性坏死的胆囊粘膜袁面平坦无结构;亦见胆囊粘膜有局部灶坏死,与周围界限明显,坏死灶外围的上皮细胞结结构不整,上皮顶部凸出的颗粒大小不一或脱落。透射电镜下,呈坏死的胆囊粘膜上皮细胞固有结构消失,呈均质状;其余部位的上皮细胞微绒毛断裂、脱落;线粒体肿胀,嵴溶解,上皮顶部堆集大量的致密小体,细胞间连接复合体结构消失;亦见血管均质坏死,血管内皮的坏死与粘膜上皮的坏死同步或先于其发生。