Effects of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom on lung mechanics and inflammation in mice

The present study evaluated the effects of an intramuscular injection of Tityus serrulatus venom (TsV) (0.67 mu g/g) on lung mechanics and lung inflammation at 15, 30, 60 and 180 min after inoculation. TsV inoculation resulted in increased lung elastance when compared with the control group (p < 0.001): these values were significantly higher at 60 min than at 15 and 180 min (p < 0.05). Resistive pressure (Delta P(1)) values decreased significantly at 30, 60 and 180 min after TsV injection (p < 0.001). TsV inoculation resulted in increased lung inflammation, characterised by an increased density of mononuclear cells at 15, 30, 60 and 180 min after TsV injection when compared with the control group (p < 0.001). TsV inoculation also resulted in an increased pulmonary density of polymorphonuclear cells at 15, 30 and 60 min following injection when compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, T serrulatus venom leads to acute lung injury, characterised by altered lung mechanics and increased pulmonary inflammation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhancing bioactive fatty acids of the meat from lambs reared in intensive systems through nutritional modulation

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências Veterinárias, especialidade de Produção Animal

Contribuição para o estudo sobre os efeitos da administração preventiva de cetamina em baixa dose em cirurgia ortopédica no cão

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária

Ligadura de la arteria hepática en perros

Se pretende demostrar que la ligadura de la arteria hepática per se no es mortal en animales de experimentación si al mismo tiempo se administra antibióticos. Establecer los cambios histopatológicos que se producen en el hígado y las modificaciones bioquímicas que se producen como consecuencia de la ligadura de la arteria hepática, determinando: TGO, TGP, DLH, TP,, bilirrubinas y proteínas. Se aplicó a 20 perros sanos, de raza mestiza, sexo masculino de más de un año de edad, con un preso promedio de 15kg. A un grupo de 5 perros no se les administraron antibióticos; a un grupo de 15 perros si (ampicilina 500 mg.) pre quirúrgico 1 hora antes por vía intramuscular. Los controles bioquímicos y de histología. Los resultados de un grupo de 5 sin antibióticos: un animal murió pos ligadura, otro murió a las 48 horas, los otros 3 sobrevivieron. Del segundo grupo (15) que se les administró antibióticos preoperatorio (ampicilina 500 mg.) falleció un animal a las 12 horas por hemorragia, los 14 sobrevivieron

Original Research Article Humoral and cellular immune responses to modified hepatitis B plasmid DNA vaccine in mice

Purpose: To evaluate the immunogenicity and types of immune response of a quality-controlled modified recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) plasmid encoding HBsAg in mice. Methods: The characterized plasmid DNA was used in the immunization of Balb/c mice. Three groups of mice were intramuscularly injected with three different concentrations (50, 25 and 10 μg/100 μL) of the modified plasmid. Humoral immune response was monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while cellular immune response was investigated by analysis of spleen cytokine profile (TNFα, IFN γ and IL2) as well as CD69 expression level in CD4 and CD8 positive cells. Results: In general, the activated CD4 cells showing intracellular cytokines were higher than CD8 positive population of cells (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the vaccine induced both a humoral and cellular immunity. Cytokine profile also showed high levels of TNFα, IFN γ and IL2 and CD69 expression in the group of animals immunized at a dose of 10 μg when compared to control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A 10 μg dose intramuscular injection of the modified DNA-based vaccine encoding HBsAg in mice induces both high humoral and cellular immune responses.

Impaired reverse cholesterol transport and hepatic steatosis contribute to pathogenesis of high fat dietinduced hyperlipidemia in murine models

Purpose: To investigate the pathogenesis of high fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia (HLP) in mice, rats and hamsters and to comparatively evaluate their sensitivity to HFD. Methods: Mice, rats and hamsters were fed with high-fat diet formulation (HFD, n = 8) or a control diet (control, n = 8) for 4 weeks. Changes in body weight, relative liver weight, serum lipid profile, expressions of hepatic marker gene of lipid metabolism and liver morphology were observed in three hyperlipidemic models. Results: Elevated total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and body weight were observed in all hyperlipidemic animals (p < 0.05), while hepatic steatosis was manifested in rat and hamster HLP models, and increased hepatic TC level was only seen (p < 0.05) in hamster HLP model. Suppression of HMG-CoA reductase and up-regulation of lipoproteinlipase were observed in all HFD groups. Hepatic gene expression of LDLR, CYP7A1, LCAT, SR-B1, and ApoA I, which are a response to reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), were inhibited by HFD in the three models. Among these models, simultaneous suppression of HMG-CR, LCAT, LDLR and SR-BI and elevated LPL were features of the hamster model. Conclusion: As the results show, impaired RCT and excessive fat accumulation are major contributors to pathogenesis of HFD-induced murine HLP. Thus, the hamster model is more appropriate for hyperlipidemia research.

Dyslipidemia and blood lipid levels in patients tratied in primary care centers in east SAN JOSE

Dyslipidemia, i.e. high levels of blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), is strongly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). In order to reduce the risk of CVD at any moment in a person ́s life, it is crucial to know his/her –and the population’s– lipid profile. The aim of this study was to assess the (statistical) indicators of blood lipids and the prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients treated in the Integral Health Attention Program from Universidad de Costa Rica. A descriptive study was conducted including 10,044 patients aged 20 to 65 years, who were tested for a blood lipid profile in 2006. A total of 2,969 (29.6%) male and 7,075 (70.4%) female patients took part in the study, with an average age of 43.5 years. General averages for blood lipids were: 203.3 mg/dl for total cholesterol, 50.1 mg/dl for HDL, 120.1 mg/dl for LDL, and 165.6 mg/dl for triglycerides. Prevalence of 17.2% was determined for hypercholesterolemia (≥240 mg/dl), as well as 21.3% for low HDL levels (<40 mg/dl), 11.9% for high LDL levels (≥160 mg/dl), and 26.3% for high triglyceride levels (≥200 mg/dl). Women showed higher overall levels of dyslipidemia than men. Based on health areas, no significant differences were found in general lipid levels by age or sex. Results indicate that the general prevalence of dyslipidemia is close to half the rate reported in worldwide literature and lower than results reported in Costa Rican studies. However, general averages exceeded optimal levels for each blood lipid; consequently, it is important to develop health interventions oriented to reduce the impact of dyslipidemia in the studied population.

In vitro antioxidative activity of moss extract, and effect of moss on serum lipid level of mice fed with high-fat diet

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of active compounds derived from moss in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Methods: Three species of moss were extracted with deionized water at 95 °C, and with 70.5 % ethanol at 85 °C. Analysis of total phenolic contents (TPC) of the extracts were performed by FolinCiocalteu (FC) method. The antioxidant activity of the extracts were determined using three methods, namely, by 2,2\'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic) acid (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In vivo effects were evaluated in mice fed high fat diet (HFD) supplemented with 20 % ground moss. Cholesterol levels in HFD were evaluated by ophthalaldehyde method. Serum triglyceride levels were measured using triglyceride (TG) kit, while blood insulin level and leptin concentration were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results: The moss extracts exhibited antioxidative effects, as evidenced of . TPC of 47.20 ± 11.20 to 119.87 ± 11.51 mg GAE/mg, respectively. ABTS scavenging activity was 1078.11 ± 18.95 to 2587.33 ± 46.19 μmol Trolox/mg, DPPH scavenging activity of were 42.11 ± 8.22 to 298.78 ± 20.02 μmol Trolox/mg, and FRAP value of 393.19 ± 24.64 to 1070.14 ± 17.92 μmol Trolox/mg, respectively. Mice fed with 20 % ground moss did not show any significant effect (p < 0.05) on visceral weight and blood lipid levels of HFD, while leptin concentrations reduced significantly to 4.74 ± 0.00 and 0.20 ± 0.00 ng/dL) relative to HFD alone (26.72 ± 6.53 ng/dL). Conclusion: Moss can potentially be used as an antioxidative ingredient, for the improvement of overall human health, suggesting that important medical benefits associated with moss consumption. However, further investigations are required to ascertain this.

Desempenho e qualidade da carne de bovinos cruzados alimentados com diferentes dietas em confinamento.

Com a alta demanda mundial de carne de qualidade, a utilização de cruzamento entre raças e de dieta com teores elevados de energia são estratégias que podem ser utilizadas visando à melhorias na eficiência do sistema de produção de carne bovina e na qualidade do produto final. Assim, o objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho (pesos, ganhos em peso, consumo de matéria seca, eficiência alimentar e dias em confinamento), características de carcaça (peso e rendimento de carcaça fria, pesos dos cortes primários, espessura de gordura, mármore, área de olho de lombo e rendimento de cortes cárneos) e de qualidade da carne (cor, pH, capacidade de retenção de água, perda por cozimento, força de cisalhamento, % de lipídios, perfil de ácidos graxos e análises sensoriais descritivas e de aceitação) durante diferentes tempos de maturação (0, 14 e 28 dias) no longissimus thoracis de 169 novilhos e novilhas jovens provenientes do cruzamento de touros das raças Charolesa (CH) ou Hereford (HF) com vacas ½ Angus + ½ Nelore (TA) ou ½ Simental + ½ Nelore (TS). Após a desmama aos 7,5 meses, os animais foram tratados individualmente (ad libitum) por 119 dias, em média, em confinamento com duas dietas diferentes: dieta controle (DC) ou dieta energética (DE) (dieta controle acrescida de glúten de milho e gordura protegida). Os animais foram abatidos aos 13 meses de idade, em média, em frigorífico comercial, quando atingiram 5 mm de espessura de gordura subcutânea medida por ultrassonografia e por avaliação visual. Os dados foram analisados usando o procedimento MIXED do SAS, cujo modelo estatístico incluiu os efeitos fixos de ano, gênero, raça do touro (RT), grupo genético da vaca (GGV), dieta, tempo de maturação (TM) como medida repetida e suas interações (exceto com ano), dependendo da característica. Apesar de algumas interações significativas, o gênero foi o principal efeito fixo que influenciou os atributos estudados, seguido por RT, GGV e TM. Os machos, em geral, apresentaram superioridade quanto às características de desempenho e de carcaça, rendimento dos cortes cárneos e na relação ácidos graxos poliinsaturados/ácidos graxos saturados (PUFA/SFA), enquanto as fêmeas apresentaram maior espessura de gordura (EG), mármore (MAR), gordura perirrenal, % de lipídios e relação n-6/n-3. Os filhos dos touros charoleses apresentaram maiores pesos (inicial e final), melhores características de carcaça, rendimentos dos cortes (RCC) do traseiro e melhor aceitação quanto à textura, enquanto os filhos dos touros Hereford apresentaram maior EG, MAR, % de lipídios e RCC do dianteiro e menor força de cisalhamento. Os filhos das vacas TS apresentaram maiores médias de peso inicial e de área de olho de lombo, enquanto os filhos das vacas TA apresentaram maiores valores de MAR e permaneceram por mais dias no confinamento. A maciez da carne melhorou com o tempo de maturação. A dieta, em geral, não influenciou as características estudadas, mas apenas o perfil de ácidos graxos, em que a dieta DC foi a que influenciou positivamente, e a aceitação da carne, mas com a presença de interação com TM. Machos e filhos de touros da raça Charolesa melhoraram as características de desempenho e de carcaça e os rendimentos dos cortes cárneos. Para carcaças bem acabadas, maior espessura de gordura e mais gordura intramuscular (mármore e % v lipídios), recomenda-se a utilização de fêmeas, de filhos de touros da raça Hereford ou de vacas ½ Angus + ½ Nelore. Para carne mais macia, recomenda-se o uso de touros Hereford. Dietas energéticas melhoram a aceitação da carne, mas não melhoram o perfil de ácidos graxos. A maturação é recomendada, pois aumenta a maciez e a aceitação da carne.

Protection against Tuberculosis in Eurasian Wild Boar Vaccinated with Heat-Inactivated Mycobacterium bovis

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex continues to affect humans and animals worldwide and its control requires vaccination of wildlife reservoir species such as Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). Vaccination efforts for TB control in wildlife have been based primarily on oral live BCG formulations. However, this is the first report of the use of oral inactivated vaccines for controlling TB in wildlife. In this study, four groups of 5 wild boar each were vaccinated with inactivated M. bovis by the oral and intramuscular routes, vaccinated with oral BCG or left unvaccinated as controls. All groups were later challenged with a field strain of M. bovis. The results of the IFN-gamma response, serum antibody levels, M. bovis culture, TB lesion scores, and the expression of C3 and MUT genes were compared between these four groups. The results suggested that vaccination with heat-inactivated M. bovis or BCG protect wild boar from TB. These results also encouraged testing combinations of BCG and inactivated M. bovis to vaccinate wild boar against TB. Vaccine formulations using heat-inactivated M. bovis for TB control in wildlife would have the advantage of being environmentally safe and more stable under field conditions when compared to live BCG vaccines. The antibody response and MUT expression levels can help differentiating between vaccinated and infected wild boar and as correlates of protective response in vaccinated animals. These results suggest that vaccine studies in free-living wild boar are now possible to reveal the full potential of protecting against TB using oral M. bovis inactivated and BCG vaccines

Occurrence of OsHV-1 in Crassostrea gigas cultured in Ireland during an exceptionally warm summer. Selection of less susceptible oysters

The occurrence of OsHV-1, a herpes virus causing mass mortality in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was investigated with the aim to select individuals with different susceptibility to the infection. Naïve spat transferred to infected areas and juveniles currently being grown at those sites were analyzed using molecular and histology approaches. The survey period distinguishes itself by very warm temperatures reaching up to 3.5°C above the average. The virus was not detected in the virus free area although a spread of the disease could be expected due to high temperatures. Overall mortality, prevalence of infection and viral load was higher in spat confirming the higher susceptibility in early life stages. OsHV-1 and oyster mortality were detected in naïve spat after 15 days of cohabitation with infected animals. Although, infection was associated with mortality in spat, the high seawater temperatures could also be the direct cause of mortality at the warmest site. One stock of juveniles suffered an event of abnormal mortality that was significantly associated with OsHV-1 infection. Those animals were infected with a previously undescribed microvariant whereas the other stocks were infected with OsHV-1 μVar. Cell lesions due to the infection were observed by histology and true infections were corroborated by in situ hybridization. Survivors from the natural outbreak were exposed to OsHV-1 μVar by intramuscular injection and were compared to naïve animals. The survival rate in previously exposed animals was significantly higher than in naïve oysters. Results derived from this study allowed the selection of animals that might possess interesting characteristics for future analysis on OsHV-1 resistance.

Déterminants génétiques de la variabilité des triglycérides plasmatiques en réponse à une supplémentation en acides gras oméga-3 d’origine marine

Il est reconnu que la consommation d’acides gras (AG) oméga-3 (n-3) d’origine marine est bénéfique pour la prévention des maladies cardiovasculaires (MCV), notamment en raison de leurs effets hypotriglycéridémiants. Toutefois, il existe une importante hétérogénéité dans la réponse des triglycérides (TG) plasmatiques à une supplémentation en AG n-3 et ce phénomène est en partie attribuable à des facteurs génétiques. Notre groupe de recherche a récemment réalisé une étude d’association à l’échelle du génome (GWAS) sur les participants de l’étude Fatty Acid Sensor (FAS), qui a permis d’identifier plusieurs loci associés à la réponse des TG suite à une supplémentation de 3g d’AG n-3 par jour. La plupart de ces loci sont localisés dans les gènes IQCJ, NXPH1, PHF17 et MYB. Des effets du génotype ainsi que des interactions gène-diète ont été observés avec plusieurs polymorphismes nucléotidiques simples (SNPs) des quatre gènes candidats. Ces résultats suggèrent que des variations génétiques à l’intérieur de gènes identifiés par GWAS peuvent expliquer en partie la variabilité de la réponse des TG plasmatiques à une supplémentation en AG n-3 d’origine marine.

Metabolic syndrome and associated factors in a population-based sample of schoolchildren in Colombia: The FUPRECOL Study

In contrast to the definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults, there is no standard definition of MetS in pediatric populations. We aimed to assess the differences in the prevalence of MetS in children and adolescents aged 9–17 years in the city of Bogota (Colombia) using four different operational definitions for these age groups and to examine the associated variables. A total of 673 children and 1,247 adolescents attending public schools in Bogota (54.4% girls; age range 9–17.9 years) were included. The prevalence of MetS was determined by the definitions provided by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and three published studies by Cook et al., de Ferranti et al., and Ford et al. The prevalence of MetS was 0.3%, 6.3%, 7.8%, and 11.0% according to the IDF, Cook et al., Ford et al., and de Ferranti et al. definitions, respectively. The most prevalent components were low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high triglyceride levels, whereas the least prevalent components were abdominal obesity and hyperglycemia. Overall, the prevalence of MetS was higher in obese than in non-obese schoolchildren. In conclusion, MetS diagnoses in schoolchildren strongly depend on the definition chosen. These findings may be relevant to health promotion efforts for Colombian youth to develop prospective studies and to define which cut-offs are the best indicators of future morbidity.

Función endotelial y lipemia postprandial en adultos normolipídicos: Efecto del estado nutricional

El objetivo del presente estudio fue cuantificar la contribución del sobrepeso en la magnitud de la lipemia posprandial en sujetos normolipídicos. Se incluyeron 33 adultos normolipídicos en dos grupos (n=20, sobrepeso y (n=13 eutróficos, 66% hombres, edad media 31,2±7,6 años). Se midió la vasodilatación mediada por flujo (VMF), la velocidad de onda de pulso (VOP), el perfil lipídico, el cociente Log TG/c-HDL, la glucosa y presión arterial tras una ingesta estándar con alto contenido de grasa (79% Kcal/grasa). Se calculó, el Z-score de riesgo cardiovascular a partir de la suma de los residuos tipificados (Z) de las variables de riesgo cardiovascular. El estado de lipemia posprandial se midió en ayuno (0 min) y a los (60, 120, 180, y 240 min) posprandiales. El valor basal de la VMF y la VOP fue de 6,9±5,9% y 7.0±0.8 m/s, respectivamente. Se identificó que la lipemia posprandial reducía la WMF en 19,2% a los 60 min (5,9±1,5%) y a los 240 min (3,7±1,2%) (p<0,04), respectivamente. Este hallazgo se acompañó con un aumento en la VOP (p<0,05). Al dividir los sujetos en dos grupos según el IMC, los participantes en sobrepeso muestran cifras más elevadas en el Z-score de riesgo cardiovascular, la VOP, el Log TG/c-HDL y el Δ-VOP, (p<0,001). En conclusión los sujetos clasificados en sobrepeso muestran un perfil cardiometabolico asociado con un mayor riesgo cardiovascular.

Transcriptomic analysis of genes involved in the lipid metabolism of the Alentejano pig

The Alentejano pig is an autochthonous breed scarcely selected, that due to its high trend for fat deposition present poorer meat yields than modern commercial breeds. However, its higher contents of intramuscular fat (IMF) increase pork sensory attributes and consumers’ acceptability. Animal cells can obtain fatty acids (FA) from three distinct pathways: diet ingested fats, lipolysis of stored lipids in cells and through de novo synthesis. Betaine has been used as a dietary supplement in pig nutrition to reduce fat deposition and increase lean muscle mass with inconsistent results so far. This study compares the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism from pigs consuming a control diet, and the control diet supplemented with betaine (WB). The expression of two genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis were evaluated in L. lumborum and B. femoris: ACC, which mediates the carboxylation of acetyl CoA into malonyl CoA concluding the first step of de novo synthesis, and MCPT1 which is responsible for the transport of acyl groups into the mitochondria for the start of β-oxidation.