Evaluation of mesenchymal cells and dapsone for the treatment of dermonecrotic wounds caused by Loxosceles laeta venom in rabbits

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), alone or associated with dapsone (DAP), in treating dermonecrotic wounds caused by Loxosceles laeta venom. Twenty-five male rabbits were distributed into five groups. Negative control received ultrapure water (C-), whilst all other groups were injected with 20 μg of L. laeta venom. After 4 hours, each group received one of the following treatments: PBS (C+), DAP, MSC, and DAP+MSC. Animals were evaluated daily and photographic records made for analysis of wound area. Twelve days after, animals were euthanized and skin samples removed for histological analysis. We observed that DAP showed the best percentage of wound contraction at day 3. In the treatments using MSCs, a negative value of wound contraction was observed for the isolated MSCs, as well as a lower contraction value for the association of the MSC + DAP when compared to PBS, probably, by the increase in initial inflammation after the application of stem cells, due to the fact that MSCs secrete a broad spectrum of bioactive molecules such as cytokines and growth factors that favor regeneration. Histologically, it was observed that animals of C+ showed extensive areas of necrosis, ulcers, neutrophilic infiltrate, and mineralization. Collagen deposition showed increase in MSC+DAP treatment, however vascularization remained unchanged. This is the first report using MSC and MSC+DAP as a treatment for cutaneous loxoscelism and more studies are needed to determine its use as an alternative therapy for dermonecrotic lesions caused by Loxosceles spider. Key words: loxoscelism; MSC; stem cells; spider venom; wound repair

Canine atopic dermatitis

A Dermatite Atópica Canina é uma dermatopatia de origem genética. Os cães acometidos tornam-se sensíveis aos antígenos presentes no meio ambiente, desenvolvendo grave reação alérgica, pruriginosa, que interferem na qualidade de vida do paciente. Devido ao seu caráter genético, esta é uma doença que na maioria das vezes não tem cura, apenas controle. O tratamento em geral é vitalício. Assim sendo, algumas drogas utilizadas, a exemplo dos corticosteróides, podem causar efeitos colaterais que em longo prazo, são capazes de diminuir o período de vida do animal. Desta maneira, o proprietário do cão portador de atopia, precisa ser esclarecido em relação às complicações e provável recidiva dos sinais clínicos, durante o período de tratamento. Portanto, presente artigo tem como objetivo uma revisão sobre Dermatite Atópica Canina, que está se tornando um problema crescente na clínica de pequenos animais.Canine Atopic Dermatitis is a skin disease of genetic origin. The affected dog becomes sensible to antigens presents in the environment, developing a severe alergic, pruriginous reaction, which intervenes in the quality of life of the patient. Because of the genetic character, that is an illness that in most of the times has no cure, just control. The treatment in general is lifetime. Thus, some used drugs, for example the corticosteroides, might cause collateral effects when used for a long time, and might decrease the lifetime of the animals. By this way, the owner of the dog with atopia, must know about the complications of the disease, and occasional return of the clinical signs during the period of treatment. Therefore, this article has an objective of a review about Canine Atopic Dermatitis that is an increasing problem in the small animal practice

Evaluation of rat plasma proteins after bothropic venom inoculation and treatment with Mesenquimal stem cells

The aim of this work was to evaluate the mesenchymal stem cells treatment of rats with myonecrosis caused by Rhinocerophis alternatus venom through acute phase proteins (APP) profile. The animals were distributed into three experimental groups (G1, G2 and G3). G1 and G2 were inoculated with 120 μg of R. alternatus venom diluted in 200 µL of ultra-pure water in gastrocnemic muscle, while G3 received 200 µL of ultra-pure water. Three days after, G1 was treated with 5 X 10(6) MSC diluted in PBS and G2 and G3 only with PBS. Each three days after the treatments (3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th 15th days), blood of five animals in each group was collected in order to evaluate the APP. A decrease (P<0.05) in α2-globulin fraction was observed in G1 on the 6th day. In G1 and G2, a raise (P<0.05) was observed in β globulin, a common occurrence in the late phases of inflammatory process, although no significant difference was observed between them. Concerning gamma globulins levels, on the 6th day after the treatments, in G1 and G2 groups, increase in the levels was observed. These data showed that the MSC treatment after bothropic envenomation in the rats caused alteration in APP

In vitro inibition and reversion of equine platelet aggregation using ketoprophen, phenylbutazone and flunixin meglumin

Several diseases may lead to platelet pre-activation and hypercoagulability states in horses. The activity of many drugs against platelet aggregation may, not only contribute to the evaluation of a disease but also its response to the therapy. With the aim to study in vitro prevention and reversion of platelet aggregation, the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID): ketoprophen, phenylbutazone and flunixin-meglumin were evaluated. The comparison demonstrated that phenylbutazone and ketoprophen prevented platelet aggregation induced by ADP better than flunixin-meglumin, in a superior manner to the monoclonal antibody Reopro, and in a better way than the membrane receptor blockers Ro-438857 and RGDS. The reversion of platelet aggregation demonstrated that even phenylbutazone or ketoprophen have a dose-dependent effect.Como são várias as enfermidades e os distúrbios que induzem à hipercoagulabilidade e à pré-ativação de plaquetas em eqüinos. A atividade de medicamentos utilizados para controle dessas enfermidades sobre a agregação de plaquetas pode, não apenas servir para avaliar sua evolução, como também a resposta terapêutica. Com o objetivo de avaliar a prevenção e a reversão da agregação plaquetária de eqüinos in vitro foram utilizados os antiinflamatórios não esteroidais (AINES): ketoprofeno, fenilbutazona e flunixim meglumine. A comparação demonstrou que a fenilbutazona e o ketoprofeno previnem a agregação de plaquetas de eqüinos induzida pelo ADP, de forma mais eficaz do que o flunixim-meglumine e, superior ao fragmento monoclonal de anticorpo Reopro, sendo semelhante a dos bloqueadores de receptores de membrana Ro-438857 e RGDS. Quanto a reverão da agregação plaquetária tanto a fenilbutazona quanto o ketoprofeno demonstraram efeitos dose-dependente