Preliminary investigation of some physiological responses of Bos indicus heifers to surgical spaying

Objective To determine the value of peripheral blood concentrations of cortisol, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and haptoglobin as indicators of welfare in Brahman heifers spayed by either the Willis dropped ovary technique (WDOT) or the flank laparotomy method. Design A total of 24, 2-year-old Brahman heifers were allocated to: crush (head-bail) restraint alone (Control, n = 5); crush restraint and ear-punch (Ear-punch, n = 5); crush restraint, WDOT spay and ear-punch (WDOT, n = 9); or crush restraint, elecrtoimmobilisation, flank spay and ear-punch (Flank; n = 5). Cattle were blood sampled frequently to 8 h, and then daily to day 4 and were monitored to 42 days post-procedure. Peripheral blood concentrations of bound and unbound cortisol, CPK, AST, NEFAs and haptoglobin were determined. Results Concentrations of plasma bound cortisol peaked in the spayed heifers 3-4 h post-procedure; values in the Flank (1603 nmol/L) and WDOT (1290 nmol/L) groups were similar and significantly greater (P < 0.05) than in the Controls (519 nmol/L). Flank heifers had elevated plasma haptoglobin levels to day 4 postprocedure. Liveweights were significantly lower in the spayed compared with the Control heifers at 21 and 42 days post-procedure, with liveweight gains also significantly reduced at day 21. Conclusions Bound cortisol responses in spayed heifers were elevated to 6 h post-procedure and similar in WDOT- and flank-spayed animals, indicating comparable levels of pain and stress. An inflammatory response, indicated by haptoglobin concentrations, was sustained for longer in Flank than in WDOT spayed heifers, suggesting longer-lasting adverse effects on welfare from flank spaying than WDOT spaying. © 2011 The State of Queensland (Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation). Australian Veterinary Journal © 2011 Australian Veterinary Association.

Efeitos da rosuvastatina e da atividade física de baixa intensidade na morfologia renal de ratos normotensos e espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR)

Desordens do sistema renal podem ser as causas da hipertensão arterial, a qual pode, por sua vez, causar doenças renais. A pressão sanguínea elevada é muito comum também nas doenças crônicas dos rins, e é, além disso, um conhecido fator de risco para uma mais rápida progressão da falha renal. A incidência de doenças renais crônicas está aumentando no mundo, e há uma grande necessidade de identificar as terapias capazes de deter ou reduzir a progressão da doença. Há crescente evidência de que as estatinas poderiam desempenhar um papel terapêutico. Além disso, tem sido demonstrado que a atividade física melhora a função renal em pacientes. Estudos ultra-estruturais em humanos e em ratos demonstraram a presença de junções gap dentro de todas as células do glomérulo e os podócitos demonstraram conter principalmente conexina-43 (Cx-43). O presente estudo tem como objetivo observar os efeitos da rosuvastatina e da atividade física de baixa intensidade na estrutura e ultra-estrutura renal e na expressão glomerular de Cx-43 em ratos normotensos (WKY) e em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR). Os ratos foram divididos aleatoriamente em oito grupos: WKY-C: animais normotensos que não receberam rosuvastatina; WKY-ROS: animais normotensos que receberam rosuvastatina 20mg/kg/dia por gavagem orogástrica; SHR-C: animais hipertensos que não receberam rosuvastatina; SHR-ROS: animais hipertensos que receberam rosuvastatina, como descrito no grupo WKY-ROS; SED-WKY: animais normotensos sedentários; EX-WKY: animais normotensos exercitados; SED-SHR: animais hipertensos sedentários; e, EX-SHR: animais hipertensos exercitados. Os animais dos grupos SHR-C, SHR-ROS e SED-SHR apresentaram níveis de pressão arterial maiores que os animais dos grupos WKY-C, WKY-ROS, SED-WKY, EX-WKY e EX-SHR. A massa corporal dos grupos de animais não diferiram significativamente durante o experimento. Não houve diferença nos níveis sanguíneos de uréia, creatinina, ácido úrico e creatinafosfoquinase entre os animas dos grupos estudados. No entanto, houve um aumento da excreção de proteína de 24 horas nos animais do grupo SHR-C. Houve um aumento na área capsular nos animais do grupo SHR-C. Por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão observou-se que nos animais SHR-C e SED-SHR a barreira de filtração glomerular, o diafragma de fenda e os podócitos estão alterados exibindo os vacúolos nos podócitos e pedicelos mais curtos e mais espessos. Por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, os animais SHR-C e SED-SHR exibiram pedicelos mais afilados, curtos e tortuosos. Um aumento da imunofluorescência para Cx-43 foi observada em células epiteliais viscerais dos glomérulos dos animais do grupo WKY-ROS e nas células parietais e viscerais dos glomérulos dos animais do grupo SHR-ROS, se comparado com os grupos WKY-C e SHR-C. Por outro lado, os animais dos grupos SED-SHR e EX-SHR exibiram diminuição da expressão de Cx-43, comparados aos animais SED-WKY e EX-WKY. Em conclusão, podemos supor que os efeitos renais da rosuvastatina e da atividade física de baixa intensidade podem ser ferramentas terapêuticas para melhorar a estrutura e conseqüentemente a função renal em indivíduos hipertensos

Africanized honeybee stings: how to treat them

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Respostas agudas pós-exercício dos níveis de lactato sanguíneo e creatinofosfoquinase de atletas adolescentes

O crescente interesse de crianças e adolescentes por esportes competitivos induz a uma maior preocupação em prescrever treinamentos adequados a essa população específica. O conhecimento do impacto da intensidade de treinamento físico competitivo sobre a saúde de adolescentes são ainda incipientes na literatura científica. Este estudo objetivou investigar as respostas agudas do lactato sanguíneo (Lac) e da creatinofosfoquinase (CPK) após uma sessão de treinamento físico em atletas jovens treinados em diferentes modalidades esportivas. Participaram 43 adolescentes do sexo masculino entre 9 e 17 anos, distribuídos em três grupos: nadadores, tenistas, jogadores de futebol de salão. Os protocolos para cada modalidade seguiram o planejamento normal de uma sessão específica. A dieta no dia anterior à coleta foi padronizada e as 24 horas que precediam a avaliação foram dedicadas ao repouso dos atletas. Foram coletados 5ml de sangue da veia antecubital imediatamente antes da realização da sessão de treinamento, repetindo coleta idêntica, imediatamente após a sessão. Foi obtida a idade óssea para a avaliação da maturação esquelética pelo método de Greulich & Pyle. Análise de variância Kruskal-Wallis e teste U-de Mann-Whitney foram utilizados para comparações entre os grupos. Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados significantes. em todas as modalidades esportivas estudadas os valores prévios do Lac e da CPK foram inferiores aos valores pós-sessão. Com relação aos três grupos de faixas etárias, tanto para o Lac como para a CPK, os valores na pré-sessão foram inferiores aos obtidos na pós-sessão, assinalando que para o grupo de 9 aos 11 anos, tanto na situação pré como na pós, os valores foram inferiores aos observados nos grupos de idade superior. Os resultados indicaram que a magnitude de aumento da CPK e do Lac foram similares aos valores encontrados na literatura e demonstraram um aumento em função da faixa etária, indicando ser maturação biológica dependente.

Young ovine death during hyperimmunization: crotalic envenomation or copper toxicosis?

The unfavorable evolution of a young ovine during hyperimmunization process with Crotalus durissus terrificus venom was investigated in order to differentiate its origin between ophidic envenomation and copper toxicosis. Clinical, laboratory, necroscopic and histological exams as well as evaluation and measurement of heavy metals (copper) in the kidneys and in the liver were carried out. Blood counts revealed anemia and serological tests showed high levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase, total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin; which indicates liver, kidney and skeletal muscle damages. At necropsy, the animal presented hepatopathy and nephropathy. Histological examination revealed renal and hepatic features that may imply copper intoxication. Copper levels were 237.8 mu g/g in the liver and 51.2 mu g/g in the kidneys. Although the amount of metal found in both organs was below the level that can cause death, according to the literature, anatomopathological signs were suggestive of copper intoxication. Therefore, the hypothesis of metal toxicosis during the hyperimmunization process became more consistent than the crotalic envenomation one.

The use of the oxidative stress responses as biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to in vivo cadmium contamination

Water contaminants have a high potential risk for the health of populations. Protection from toxic effects of environmental water pollutants primarily involves considering the mechanism of low level toxicity and likely biological effects in organisms who live in these polluted waters. The biomarkers assessment of oxidative stress and metabolic alterations to cadmium exposure were evaluated in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. The fish were exposed to 0.35, 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 mg/l concentrations of Cd2+ (CdCl2) in water for 60 days. Fish that survived cadmium exposure showed a metabolic shift and a compensatory development for maintenance of the body weight gain. We observed a decreased glycogen content and decreased glucose uptake in white muscle. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CK) activities were also decreased, indicating that the glycolytic capacity was decreased in this tissue. No alterations were observed in total protein content in white muscle due to cadmium exposure suggesting a metabolic shift of carbohydrate metabolism to maintenance of the muscle protein reserve. There was an increase in glucose uptake, CK increased activity, and a clear increase of LDH activity in red muscle of fish with cadmium exposure. Since no alterations were observed in lipoperoxide concentration, while antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were changed in the liver and the red and white muscle of fish with cadmium exposure, we can conclude that oxygen free radicals are produced as a mediator of cadmium toxicity. Resistance development is related with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, which were important in the protection against cadmium damage, inhibiting lipoperoxide formation. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toxicological evaluation of long-term intravenous administration of amitraz in horses

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ação do ácido trissódio-cálcio-dietileno-triaminopentaacético (CaNa3DTPA) nas lesões de isquemia-reperfusão em membro posterior de rato

OBJETIVO: Ação do ácido trissódio-cálcio-dietileno-triaminopentaacético (CaNa3DTPA), quelante de ferro com ação ainda anti-viral, antiinflamatória e imunológica, na atenuação de lesões de reperfusão em músculos esqueléticos de ratos. MÉTODOS: 52 ratos Wistar, pesando 188±22g, foram anestesiados e submetidos a semi-amputação de membro posterior direito (MPD), poupando-se o fêmur, artéria e veia femorais. Foram então randomizados e distribuídos: G1-CTAN - controle anestesia, sem cirurgia e sem isquemia; G2-CTCIR - controle cirurgia, sem isquemia; G3-IRCT e G3-IRDTPA - com isquemia (4 hora) e reperfusão ( 2 horas). O G3-IRCT foi tratado, ao final da isquemia, com cloreto de sódio 0,9% e G3-IRDTPA com (CaNa3DTPA).Parâmetros: Circunferência do pé direito e peso do rato, dosagem sérica de CPK, dosagem de malonaldeído e microscopia óptica de músculos soleus bilateral. RESULTADOS: Aumento da circunferência nos G3-IRCT e G3-IRDTPA (significante no G3-IRCT quando comparado ao G1-CTAN); CPK elevado nos G3-IRCT e G3-IRDTPA comparados aos controles; MDA mais alto no membro contralateral do G3-IRDTPA, comparado ao MPD do G3-IRDTPA e ao G1-CTAN; maior edema intersticial em G3-IRCT, maior infiltrado inflamatório em G3-IRDTPA e recuperação dos níveis de glicogênio semelhantes em G3-IRCT e G3-IRDTPA. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar do menor edema no G3-IRDTPA comparado ao G3-IRCT, o CaNa3DTPA não alterou CPK sérico, MDA muscular e morfologia muscular dos animais.

Eficácia e segurança da atorvastatina no tratamento de pacientes com hipercolesterolemia primária

Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the first cause of death and third reason for hospital admissions in Brazil. The reduction of serum cholesterol levels reduces morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. The present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in the treatment of Brazilian patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (types IIA and IIB dyslipidemias). Patients and methods: After a 4-week wash-out period, 152 patients were treated with atorvastatin at the initial dose of 10 mg/day. According to treatment efficacy within the first 8 weeks this dose could be increased to 20 mg/day. Treatment lasted for a total of 16 weeks, and its efficacy was evaluated by the reduction of serum levels of LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as by the propotion of patients that achieved the target levels recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel II (NCEP ATP II) Results: The analysis of efficacy was conducted in 145 patients. Atorvastatin led to significant reductions in the levels of LDL-cholesterol after 8 and 16 weeks of treatment (P<0.001 for both comparisons). The relative reduction of such levels was 38% (P<0.001 after 8 and 16 weeks). Atorvastatin also led to significant reductions of total cholesterol and triglycerides. At the end of the study, 81% of patients achieved the target LDL-cholesterol levels recommended by NCEP ATP II. Treatment was well tolerated, and was interrupted due to creatine phosphokinase elevation in only one patient. Conclusion: Atorvastatina is efficacious and safe in the treatment of patients with primary hypercholesteromia. © Copyright Moreira Jr. Editora. Todos os direitos reservados.

Bezafibrate for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV1-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy

The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-infected patients has been associated with the development of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CD) including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia being the most frequent metabolic disturbance in these patients. Fibrates are indicated when hypertriglyceridemia is accentuated and persists for over six months. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of bezafibrate for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-infected individuals on HAART. All patients received 400mg/day of bezafibrate and were evaluated three times: Mo (pre-treatment), M1 (one month after treatment), and M2 (six months after treatment). Fifteen adult individuals, eight males and seven females with mean age = 41.2 ± 7.97 years and triglyceride serum levels ≥400mg/dL were included in the study. Smoking, alcohol ingestion and sedentarism rates were 50%, 6.66% and 60%, respectively. Family history of CD, hypertension and diabetes mellitus was reported in 33.3%, 40% and 46.7% of the cases, respectively, while dyslipidemia was reported by only 13.3%. More than half of the patients were using a protease inhibitor plus a nucleotide analog transcriptase inhibitor. Eutrophy and tendency toward overweight were observed at all three study time points. There were significant reductions in triglyceride serum levels from Mo to M1 and from Mo to M2. No significant changes were observed in the serum levels of creatine phosphokinase, hepatic enzymes, CD4 +, CD8 + and viral load. Therefore, bezafibrate seems to be safe and effective for the reduction of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-infected patients on HAART. © 2006 by The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Contexto Publishing. All rights reserved.

Avaliação de diferentes híbridos suínos submetidos à insensibilização elétrica e gasosa (CO 2). Parte 1 - Mensuração de indicadores sanguíneos de estresse

Pigs of three genetics lineages A, B and C marketed in Brazil, with alive weight from 100 to 120 kg were submitted to the manual electric stunning (Karl Schermer 220-230/250 volts, 45-60 Hz and 1.4 -1.5 A) and to the collective gaseous system (COMBI-BUTINA 90% CO 2). Blood samples, for levels determination of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate and cortisol, as well as samples of the semimembranosus muscle (10 g) for the determination of the gene halothane, were collected. Being compared the electric and gaseous stunning systems, the electric stunning did demonstrate to be more stressful providing larger plasmatic concentrations of cortisol (p ≤ 0.001) and lactate (p ≤ 0.001) for the genetic lineages A and C, in the studied conditions. However it didn't observe significant differences beween the sanguine indicators and stunning systems in subject when the lineage B was considered. Significant differences among the genetic lineages A, B and C were obtained being compared the plasmatic values of creatine phosphokinase (p ≤ 0.001), lactate (p ≤ 0.001) and cortisol (p ≤ 0.001) when stunned with the gaseous system, however when the electric system was used only the cortisol values presented significant differences (p ≤ 0.001). The presence of the gene halothane (Nn) was only observed in the lineage B.

Waist circumference, but not body mass index, is a predictor of ventricular remodeling after anterior myocardial infarction

Objective: The impact of obesity on ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) is still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of waist circumference (WC) and body mass index as predictors of cardiac remodeling in patients after an anterior MI. Methods: Eighty-three consecutive patients with anterior MI were prospectively evaluated. Clinical characteristics and echocardiographic data were analyzed at admission and at a 6-mo follow-up. Ventricular remodeling was defined as a 10% increase in left ventricular end-systolic or end-diastolic diameter at the 6-mo follow-up. Results: In our study, 83 consecutive patients were evaluated (72% men). Ventricular remodeling was present in 31% of the patients (77% men). Patients with remodeling had higher creatine phosphokinase and creatine phosphokinase-MB peak values, a higher resting heart rate, a larger left atrial diameter, and a larger interventricular septum diastolic thickness. In addition, patients with remodeling had lower peak velocity of early ventricular filling deceleration time and ejection fraction. Patients with remodeling presented higher WC values (with remodeling, 99.2 ± 10.4 cm; without remodeling, 93.9 ± 10.8 cm, P = 0.04), but there were no differences in the body mass index values. In the logistic regression analysis, WC, adjusted by age, gender, ejection fraction, and creatine phosphokinase levels, was an independent predictor of left ventricular remodeling (odds ratio 1.067, 95% confidence interval 1.001-1.129, P = 0.02). Conclusion: Waist circumference, but not body mass index, is a predictor of ventricular remodeling after an anterior MI. Therefore, the WC of these patients should be measured in clinical practice. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Stress susceptibility in pigs supplemented with ractopamine

Ractopamine is a β-adrenergic agonist used as an energy repartitioning agent in the diets of finishing pigs. Most ractopamine studies are limited to evaluations of growth performance and meat quality, and there is little information on the effects of this additive on the behavior and welfare of pigs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate various indicators of stress caused by feeding diets containing ractopamine. One hundred seventy barrows and 170 gilts weighing 107.3 kg were allocated to 30 pens with 10 to 12 barrows or gilts per pen. Pigs were offered 1 of the 3 dietary treatments (0, 5, or 10 mg ractopamine/kg) for 28 d with 5 barrow pens and 5 gilt pens per treatment. Pigs were evaluated for behavior 3 d per week 1 wk before the initiation of the experiment and throughout the experiment. Each pig was classified into 1 of the 13 activities (drinking water, lying alone, lying in clusters, standing, nosing pig, sitting, feeding, biting pig, walking, exploring, running away, playing, and mounting pen mates) and also grouped into 1 of the 3 categories (calm, moving, and feeding themselves) based on those activities. At the end of the experiment, 3 pigs from each pen were slaughtered, and blood samples were collected during exsanguination to determine physiological indicators of stress (cortisol, lactate, and creatine-kinase enzymes). The incidence of skin and carcass lesions was determined at shoulder, loin, and ham. Ractopamine had no effect (P > 0.05) on pig behavior, total number of skin and carcass lesions, or blood concentrations of cortisol or lactate. However, there was an increase (P < 0.05) of creatine kinase concentrations in pigs receiving ractopaminesupplemented feed. This finding is consistent with the concept that ractopamine may cause muscular disorders, and this warrants further investigation. © 2013 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

Protective actions of melatonin against heart damage during chronic Chagas disease

Chronic cardiomyopathy is the most important clinical form of Chagas disease, and it is characterised by myocarditis that is associated with fibrosis and organ dysfunction. Alternative treatment options are important tools to modulate host immune responses. The main goal of this work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory actions of melatonin during the chronic phase of Chagas disease. TNF-α, IL-10 and nitrite concentrations were evaluated as predictive factors of immune modulation. Creatine phosphokinase-MB (CK-MB), cardiac inflammatory foci and heart weight were assessed to evaluate the efficacy of the melatonin treatment. Male Wistar rats were infected with 1 × 105 blood trypomastigotes of the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi and kept untreated for 60 days to mimic chronic infection. After this period, the rats were orally treated with melatonin 50 mg/kg/day, and the experiments were performed 90, 120, and 180 days post-infection. Melatonin treatment significantly increased the concentration of IL-10 and reduced the concentrations of NO and TNF-α produced by cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, it led to decreased heart weight, serum CK-MB levels and inflammatory foci when compared to the untreated and infected control groups. We conclude that melatonin therapy is effective at protecting animals against the harmful cardiac inflammatory response that is characteristic of chronic T. cruzi infection. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Caracterização clínica da cardiomiopatia hipertrófica hipertensiva em cães com doença renal crônica (DRC)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)