Immunohistochemical expression of progesterone receptors, growth hormone and insulin growth factor-I in feline fibroadenomatous change

The immunohistochemical expression, tissue-specific and cell-specific distribution patterns of progesterone receptors (PR), growth hormone (GH) and insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I) have been studied in 22 cases of feline fibroadenomatous change (FFAC). PR and GH were detected in all cases and were distributed homogeneously throughout the lesion, while IGF-I was detected in 77% of the cases at the site of ductal budding. The simultaneous expression of PR, GH and IGF-I was detected in epithelial cells in 14 of 22 cases while PR and GH expression only was detected in epithelial cells in 11 cases. Cases that expressed GH and IGF-I without PR expression in the stroma were the most numerous. Double immunohistochemical staining showed the co-localisation of PR and GH in a subset of ductal epithelial cells located between basal/myoepithelial and luminal cells (probably undifferentiated stem cells). These results suggest that ligand-activated progesterone receptors may induce the local synthesis of GH which in turn may exert its proliferative action directly and also indirectly through the production of other growth factors, such as IGF-I, in an autocrine/paracrine manner.     

Application of 10% imidacloprid/50% permethrin to prevent Ehrlichia canis exposure in dogs under natural conditions

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) caused by Ehrlichia canis is the most known canine tick-borne disease (TBD) spread throughout the world. Preventing tick bites is a priority to reduce the risk of TBDs and it was the aim of the present study to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of imidacloprid 10% and permethrin 50% (ImPer) (Advantix; Bayer AG, Germany) in a spot-on formulation to control CME under field conditions. On January-March 2005, 845 dogs from two kennels in southern Italy (kennels of Bari (KB)- and Ginosa (KG)), with a history of tick infestation were initially tested by serology and PCR assay for E. canis infection. Data on Leishmania infantum infection were also available from a previous study carried out on the same dog population. One hundred twenty-six dogs (14.9%) presented anti-E. canis antibodies with a relative prevalence of 15.6% (n=65 dogs in KB) and 14.2% (n=61 dogs in KG). Five hundred thirty-five animals found negative both for E. canis and L. infantum infections were enrolled in three groups (Group A--treated with ImPer once a month; Group B--treated every 2 weeks; and Group C--untreated control animals) and monitored for E. canis infection by serology and PCR in November 2005 (first follow-up) and in March 2006 (second follow-up). The E. canis infection was serologically revealed, at the first and/or second follow-up, in 26 animals from Group C in KB and KG (mean incidence density rate (IDR), 13.24%) while in none of the animals from Group A (KB and KG) and only in one animal from Group B (IDR 1.13%) in KG. The final protection efficacy of ImPer ranged from 95.57% to 100% in Groups B and A. At PCR only 15 dogs from KG were positive for Rickettsiales only at the first follow-up and at the sequence analysis two (both in Group C) revealed 100% homology with E. canis sequences while 13 with Anaplasma platys. Four out of 13 A. platys PCR-positive dogs were also seropositive for E. canis at one or both follow-ups. ImPer, by virtue of its repellent and acaricidal activity against ticks, has been shown to be efficacious to prevent E. canis infection in treated dogs living under natural conditions in endemic areas.     

Serial evaluation of protein C and antithrombin in dogs with sepsis

BACKGROUND: Protein C (PC) and antithrombin (AT) activities are decreased in humans with severe sepsis, and persistent changes are associated with decreased survival. In dogs with sepsis, PC and AT have been shown to be decreased at the time of diagnosis. HYPOTHESIS: PC and AT activities change significantly over time in dogs with sepsis and may be related to outcome. ANIMALS: Twelve dogs with naturally occurring sepsis. METHODS: Blood was collected from 12 dogs with sepsis, defined as histopathologic or microbiologic confirmation of infection and two of the following: hypo- or hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, leukopenia, leukocytosis, or >3% bands. The time of 1st sampling was considered day 1 and sampling was repeated every 24 hours for 5 days or until discharge or death. Changes over time were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measures, and the association between PC and AT and outcome was determined by a 2-equation treatment effects model. RESULTS: Nine dogs and 11 dogs had decreased PC and AT activity on day 1, respectively (mean PC, 66.0 +/- 25.8%; mean AT, 48.1 +/- 16.5%). PC activity significantly decreased from day 1 to day 2 (P= .001), then increased over time. Changes in PC (P < .001) and AT (P < .001) over time were likely associated with outcome with nonsurvivors having lower PC and AT activities than survivors. CONCLUSION: Results of this preliminary study show that PC and AT activities change significantly over time in dogs with sepsis and both are likely related to survival.     

Study of osteogenesis in adult sheep on a high and a low calcium ration by means of fluorescing bone markers

The rate of osteogenesis was studied in 8 non-pregnant, non-lactating Friesian dairy sheep, 3–6 years old, by means of a treatment with 3 different bone seeking agents. Four sheep were fed a low calcium ration (LCa : 1.8 g Ca/d) and four other sheep a high calcium ration (HCa : 12.7 g Ca/d). The bone markers, oxytetracycline-HCl, alizarine-complexon and demeclocycline-HCl, were administred at intervals of 6 weeks, and the sheep were killed 1 week after administration of the last marker. In undecalcified cross sections from the middle of ribs 2, 10 and 12, and from the proximal and distal parts of rib 10, the numbers of labelled osteons and the number of osteons with 1, 2 or 3 markers were counted under fluorescent microscopy.In the ribs of sheep from the LCa group, the number of labelled osteons and the quantity of labels per osteon tended to be higher than those of sheep from the HCa group. When osteogenic activity was compared in the different sites of ribs analysed, lowest osteogenic activity was observed in the proximal part of the 10th rib.The use of fluorescing markers offers the possibility of studying osteogenic activity over a certain period of time in adult sheep.     

Effects of unfractionated and fractionated heparins on myeloperoxidase activity and interactions with endothelial cells: possible effects on the pathophysiology of equine laminitis

As heparins are sometimes used to prevent equine laminitis, the interactions between equine neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO), unfractionated (UFH) and fractionated low molecular weight (LMWH) heparins and digital endothelium have been investigated. The effects of the heparins on purified equine MPO activity were tested by immunocapture followed by enzymatic detection. Endothelium-MPO interactions were assessed by measuring total and active MPO uptake by arterial and venous digital endothelial cells in culture with or without the addition of heparins. A dose-dependent MPO inhibition by UFH and LMWH was seen, with the greatest reduction in MPO activity noted with the highest concentration of LMWH. The MPO capture was greater in arterial cells, but heparins better inhibited MPO capture in venous cells. The activity of cell-bound MPO was almost completely suppressed by the heparins, and no differences were observed between UFH and LMWH. The results confirm the anti-inflammatory properties of heparins and allow a better understanding of the potential role of MPO in laminitis.     

Oral glucose leads to a differential response in glucose,insulin, and GLP-1 in lean versus obese cats

The response to oral glucose was examined in 10 obese and 9 lean age-matched, neutered cats. In all cats, oral administration of 2 g/kg glucose was followed by a prompt increase in glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1. There were significant differences between lean and obese cats in the areas under the curve for glucose, insulin, and GLP-1. However, the responses were variable, and a clear distinction between individual lean and obese cats was not possible. Therefore, this test cannot be recommended as a routine test to examine insulin resistance in individual cats as it is used in people. A further disadvantage for routine use is also the fact that this test requires gastric tubing for the correct administration of the glucose and associated tranquilization to minimize stress and that it was associated with development of diarrhea in 25% of the cats. GLP-1 concentrations were much lower in obese than lean cats. The low GLP-1 concentrations in obese cats might indicate a contribution of GLP-1 to the lower insulin sensitivity of obese cats, but this hypothesis needs to be further investigated.