Beneficial effects of dietary copper supplementation on serum lipids and antioxidant defenses in rats

Background: A nutrition experiment was utilized to investigate the effects of two levels of dietary copper (Cu) supplementation on lipid profile and antioxidant defenses in serum of rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (180-200 g; n = 10) were divided into three groups: control group (A), fed a basal diet with 6 mu g Cu/g, and rats fed a basal diet with Cu (CuSO4) supplementation from aqueous solutions, for 4 weeks at the final concentrations of 2 mg Cu/rat (B) and 3 mg Cu/rat (C). Results: No significant changes were observed in final body weight, body weight gain, food consumption, total serum protein and high-density lipoprotein. Cu supplementation reduced the triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C). The LDL-C/TG ratio and total antioxidant substances (TAS) were higher in (B) and (C) groups than in (A) group. There was a positive correlation between Cu supplementation and ceruloplasmin levels. The markers of oxidative stress, lipid hydroperoxide and lipoperoxide were decreased with Cu supplementation. No alterations were observed in superoxide dismutase, indicating saturation of Cu enzyme site. The glutathione peroxidase activities (GSH-Px) were increased in both Cu-supplemented groups. Considering that a copper-selenium interaction can affect mineral availability of both elements, the effects of Cu on TAS and GSH-Px activities were associated with increased selenium disposal. Conclusions: Dietary Cu supplementation had beneficial effects on lipid profile by improving endogenous antioxidant defenses and decreasing the oxidative stress in vivo. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Quadro seroproteico como auxílio diagnóstico na anemia hemolítica imunomediada em cães

No presente protocolo experimental, determinaram-se os proteinogramas séricos, por intermédio da eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida contendo duodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS-PAGE), de 120 cães com raças e idades variadas e atendidos junto ao Hospital Veterinário Governador Laudo Natel da FCAV/Unesp, com o objetivo principal de comparar diferentes frações seroproteicas em estados anêmicos regenerativos, arregenerativos, imunomediados primários e secundários. Os referidos animais foram distribuídos em cinco grupos experimentais: grupo 1: 20 cães de controle; grupo 2: 28 cães com anemia regenerativa não imune; grupo 3: 27 cães com anemia arregenerativa não imune; grupo 4: 10 cães com anemia hemolítica imunomediada primária; grupo 5: 35 cães com anemia hemolítica imunomediada secundária. A técnica SDS-PAGE permitiu o fracionamento de 24 proteínas, cujos pesos moleculares (PM) variaram de 18.000 a 165.000 daltons (Da). Os cães com AHIM primária e secundária apresentaram 24 frações proteicas em seus traçados eletroforéticos, enquanto que cães de controle (1) e portadores de anemia regenerativa (2) e arregenerativa (3) de natureza não imune apresentaram 23 frações de proteínas, cuja proteína de peso molecular 68.000Da não foi encontrada. Dessa forma, 23 frações proteicas foram detectadas e revelaram-se comuns aos proteinogramas dos cães de controle e daqueles dos quatro grupos experimentais. Destas, identificaram-se nominalmente 11 frações proteicas, e as demais foram estudadas com base nos seus respectivos pesos moleculares. em relação aos cães de controle, os anêmicos (grupos 2, 3, 4 e 5) apresentaram maiores concentrações de transferrina sérica e entre estes os animais portadores da AHIM primária. Todos os cães anêmicos apresentaram teores séricos de haptoglobina e fosforilase significativamente maiores que os controles, enquanto que a concentração sérica de ceruloplasmina foi significativamente maior nestes. Tais achados analisados em conjunto agregam informações adicionais úteis à elucidação das AHIMs em cães.

The malarial impact on the nutritional status of Amazonian adult subjects

A avaliação antropométrica (pêso, altura, circunferência branquial, prega cutânea tricipital, prega cutânea subescapular, índice de Quetelet e circunferência muscular do braço) e bioquímica (proteínas e lipides) foi realizado em 120 indivíduos (93 masculinos e 27 do sexo feminino), de 17 a 72 anos de idade, moradores de área endêmica de malária (Humaitá -AM). de acordo com a história da doença (malária) eles foram divididos em 4 grupos: G1 - controle (n = 30), sem história de malária; G2 - controle (n = 40), com história de malária, mas sem manifestação de doença atual; G3 - doentes com Plasmodium vivax (n = 19) e G4 - doentes com Plasmodium faleiparum (n = 31). O diagnóstico de malária foi estabelecido por manifestações clínicas e confirmado laboratorialmente (gota espessa e esfregaço). No global as medidas antropométricas e bioquímicas discriminaram os grupos diferentemente. As medidas antropométricas do pêso, altura, reservas calóricas e estoque proteicos somáticos, apresentaram pouca sensibilidade, discriminado apenas os grupos extremos (Gl > G4). As medidas bioquímicas, no geral diferenciaram dois grandes grupos, os sadios e os doentes (G1+G2) e (G3+G4). Os doentes com Plasmodium falciparum (G4) foram os que se apresentaram em pior estado nutricional para a maioria das variáveis, sem entretanto, nenhuma variável individual que os discriminasse significativamente do G3. Estes dados permitem concluir que a malária resulta em desnutrição do hospedeiro, cuja gravidade está relacionada ao tipo e estágio da doença.

CLINICAL BIOCHEMICAL DETERMINATIONS IN THE MANGALARGA-PAULISTA HORSE - REFERENCE VALUES

Biochemical values are widely related with environmental agents, sex and age, and are used in disease diagnosis. Numerous reports have been published on the biochemical parameters of different breeds of horses. However, there is a paucity of information concerning Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), ceruloplasmin, copper and zinc determinations in the serum. Blood samples from a total of 60 horses of the Mangalarga-Paulista breed, representing three age groups (0 to 4 months old, 6 to 18 months old and adult) were examined. Male horses have a higher mean value of SOD, ceruloplasmin and copper than do females. No significant sex-related difference was observed in serum zinc content of weaned and adult horses. SOD activity was significantly higher in adult animals. Since SOD has a protective effect against superoxide free radical toxicity and possesses anti-inflammatory activity, it is reasonable to assume that the increased activity of this enzyme may be due to an adaptation mechanism which protects the adult animal against oxygen toxicity.

Changes in plasma protein concentrations in ponies with experimentally induced alimentary laminitis

Objective-To determine whether plasma protein concentrations were altered in ponies with alimentary laminitis.Animals-12 adult ponies.Procedure-Acute laminitis was induced in 6 ponies by oral administration of carbohydrate (85% corn starch, 15% wood flour); the other 6 ponies were used as controls. A physical examination was performed and blood samples were collected immediately before and 4, 8, 12, 24, and 28 hours after administration of carbohydrate. Plasma protein concentrations were determined by means of sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Results-19 plasma proteins ranging from a molecular weight of 24,000 to a molecular weight of 350,000 were identified in all 12 ponies. Plasma concentrations of proteins with molecular weights of 350,000 (fibrinogen), 130,000 (ceruloplasmin), 118,000 (c-reactive protein), 67,000 (alpha(1)-antitrypsin I), 65,000 (alpha(1)-antitrypsin II), 50,000 (haptoglobulin), and 45,000 (acid glycoprotein) were significantly increased in ponies with laminitis, compared with concentrations in control ponies.Conclusion-Changes in plasma protein concentrations are detectable within 4 hours after the onset of alimentary laminitis in ponies.Clinical Relevance-Measurement of plasma protein concentrations may be useful in monitoring the progression of laminitis in ponies.

Increased oxygen radical and high-dietary-carbohydrate pancreatic damage.

These data suggest that an improved understanding of the relationship between high dietary carbohydrate and the rate of lipid peroxidation may give some insight into possible treatment modalities for pancreatic damages and may shed light on molecular mechanisms underlying certain pathological processes. High dietary carbohydrate lesions are age related and induced alterations on ceruloplasmin, phospholipids, total proteins, copper and zinc serum levels. Significantly increased serum and pancreatic amylase, and lipoperoxide determinations were observed in 20 month old rats. Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase was decreased in these animals. Daily injection of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase conjugated with polyethylene glycol (SOD-PEG) prevented the serum and pancreatic changes, indicating that superoxide radical is an important intermediate to high dietary carbohydrate lesion.

Assessment of vitamin A status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and healthy smokers

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

Experimental infection of commercial layers using a Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum strain: Leukogram and serum acute-phase protein concentrations

The aim of the present study was to evaluate white blood cell counts and serum protein profiles of commercial layers experimentally infected with Salmonella Gallinarum (SG) in order to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease caused by this bacterium. 180 five-day-old commercial layers were divided into 3 groups (G); G1 and G2 received 0.2 mL of inoculate containing 3.3x10 8 CFU or 3.3×10 5 CFU SG resistant to nalidix acid (Nal r)/mL, respectively, directly into their crops. G3 group did not receive the inoculum. Birds were sacrificed 24 hours before (T1) and 24 hours after the infection (T2), and three (T3), five (T4), seven (T5), and ten (T6) days after the administration of the inoculum. White blood cell counts were carried out in a Neubauer hemocytometer and in blood smears. Serum protein concentrations, including acute-phase proteins, were determined using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Data were submitted to analysis of variance, and means were compared by Tukey's test (P <0.05). G1 and G2 groups presented higher leukocyte counts on T4 and T5, respectively, due to the increase of circulating lymphocytes and heterophils, with a significant difference relative to G3. In electrophoresis, an increase in the serum levels of ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and hemopexin and a decrease in transferrin, which are acute-phase proteins, was verified. IgA serum levels did not change; however, IgG concentration increased during the infection. In conclusion, the results provide information for the better understanding of the pathophysiology of fowl typhoid.

Physiological Concentrations of Acute-Phase Proteins and Immunoglobulins in Equine Synovial Fluid

Synovial fluid (SF) is capable of reflecting infectious, immunological, or inflammatory joint conditions in horses by altering its composition and appearance. Although plasma and SF compositions are quantitatively different, this latter compartment reflects changes in plasma macromolecules. Therefore, changes in serum immunoglobulin protein concentrations tend also to alter intracapsular levels. Therefore, it is necessary to know the physiological concentrations of proteins present in SF. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of total protein, albumin, transferrin, haptoglobin, α1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, and immunoglobulins A and G in SF of six healthy horses. The synovial proteinogram was obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The SF proteins reached a maximum of 25% of serum concentrations, varying inversely with molecular weight of the protein, except for the ceruloplasmin. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Acute Phase Responses of Different Positions of High-Goal (Elite) Polo Ponies

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute phase response (APR) in 15 horses by quantifying physiological venous blood variables and serum acute phase proteins (APP) at 5 minutes and 6 and 12 hours after a training match of high-goal polo. The horses were divided into three experimental groups based on their team positions, including defense (n = 6), midfield (n = 5), and attack (n = 4). Serum proteinograms were obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Data were evaluated using analysis of variance for repeated measures. The match represented a high-intensity stimulus for all positions. Defenders appeared to use the anaerobic pathway more than the other positions, as shown by their lower pH and greater lactatemia. Alterations in muscle membrane permeability were observed in all horses, as seen by the increase in serum creatine kinase activity without a correlation with APR. Significant elevations in total serum protein, albumin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and 23-kDa protein were seen only during the course of the physical exertion of the match, although there were no differences in these values among positions of the team. After 6 hours of the match, the concentration of transferrin declined, whereas that of alpha-1 acid glycoprotein remained unaltered at all assessed times. These results demonstrated that the defenders required the most use of the anaerobic pathway during the match, and that equestrian polo exercise triggers an acute phase response of relatively short duration; this APR is characterized as noninflammatory, as APR appears to be a physiological alteration related to the stress inherent in physical exercise. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acute phase protein profile in agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae; Lichtenstein, 1823) in captivity, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrilamyde gel electrophoresis

The acute phase response refers to a nonspecific and complex systemic reaction of the organism that occurs shortly after any tissue injury. The acute phase response is considered a part of the innate host defense system, which is responsible for the survival of the host during the critical early stages of attack, and in evolutionary terms, it precedes the acquired immune response. The purpose of this study was to determine serum protein concentrations, including the acute phase protein profile in agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) in captivity, by means of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Blood samples from 11 adult healthy animals (nine females and two males) were obtained. The serum proteinogram had 21 proteins with molecular weights ranging from 15 to 240 kD. The acute phase proteins identified were: ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, haptoglobin, α-1-acid glycoprotein, and hemoglobin. IgA, IgG heavy and light chains, and nonnominal identified proteins of 240, 210, 140, 98, 78, 48, 35, 31, 23, and 15 kD were also identified. The determination of the acute phase protein concentrations is a useful method for the early detection of subclinical disease or changes in the healthy animal, with predictive information on the development of disease in the future. It is possible to standardize the reference values of the serum protein profile of agoutis, which can be used for diagnosis and prognosis, treatment and clinical follow-up of nutritional disorders, and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases that may affect these animals. © 2012 Springer-Verlag London Limited.

Eletroforetograma de proteínas séricas de cães linfomatosos, submetidos ao protocolo quimioterápico de Madison-Wisconsina

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos séricos de jumentos (Equus asinus) da raça Pêga

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

Resposta imune-humoral e proteinogramas séricos de bovinos naturalmente infectados pelo Trypanosoma vivax

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV