A Double‐blind,Placebo‐controlled,Multicenter, Prospective,Randomized Study of Beraprost Sodium Treatment for Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common progressive and irreversible disease in cats. The efficacy and safety of beraprost sodium (BPS) in cats with CKD have not been evaluated.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BPS in the treatment of cats with CKD, as compared to placebo.

Animals

Seventy‐four client‐owned cats with naturally occurring CKD.

Methods

Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter, prospective, randomized trial. The cats received BPS (55 μg/cat) or a placebo PO q12 h for 180 days. The primary endpoint was prospectively defined as a change in the serum creatinine (sCr), serum phosphorus‐to‐calcium ratio or urine specific gravity (USG).

Results

The sCr increased significantly (P = 0.0030) in the placebo group (mean ± SD: 2.8 ± 0.7 to 3.2 ± 1.3 mg/dL) but not in the BPS group (2.4 ± 0.7 to 2.5 ± 0.7 mg/dL). The difference between the groups at day 180 was significant (0.8 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.2 to 1.3 mg/dL, P = 0.0071). The serum phosphorus‐to‐calcium ratio was significantly (P = 0.0037) increased in the placebo group (0.46 ± 0.10 to 0.52 ± 0.21 mg/dL) but not in the BPS group (0.50 ± 0.08 to 0.51 ± 0.11 mg/dL). There was no significant change in the USG in either group. An adverse event judged as being treatment‐related included vomiting that occurred in 1 case in the placebo group. No clinically relevant change was observed in the CBC and other blood chemistry tests.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Beraprost sodium treatment was well tolerated and safe in cats with CKD. BPS inhibited the reduction in renal filtration function as measured by sCr increase.     

Bergmann glial AMPA receptors are required for fine motor coordination

The impact of glial neurotransmitter receptors in vivo is still elusive. In the cerebellum, Bergmann glial (BG) cells express α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) composed exclusively of GluA1 and/or GluA4 subunits. With the use of conditional gene inactivation, we found that the majority of cerebellar GluA1/A4-type AMPARs are expressed in BG cells. In young mice, deletion of BG AMPARs resulted in retraction of glial appendages from Purkinje cell (PC) synapses, increased amplitude and duration of evoked PC currents, and a delayed formation of glutamatergic synapses. In adult mice, AMPAR inactivation also caused retraction of glial processes. The physiological and structural changes were accompanied by behavioral impairments in fine motor coordination. Thus, BG AMPARs are essential to optimize synaptic integration and cerebellar output function throughout life.     

Focal eosinophilic proctitis with associated rectal prolapse in a pony

Focal intramural nodules were palpated in the rectal wall of a 12-year-old pony mare presented for rectal prolapse. Eosinophilic proctitis was diagnosed by examination of fine needle aspirates and biopsy of the largest rectal nodule. After treatment with a course of corticosteroids, the rectal nodule and accompanying peripheral eosinophilia resolved. There was no recurrence of the condition during the follow-up period of 20 months. Focal eosinophilic proctitis appeared to be an unusual cause of tenesmus and rectal prolapse in this case.