Urinary N-Acetyl-Beta-D-Glucosaminidase Index Activity Normal Values in Healthy Wistar Rats

Reference values have a major importance in describing the diversity of healthy individuals variables. These are population reference ranges (RIs) that comprise 95% of the healthy population. The determination of biological markers, like urinary NAG and creatinine, is considered a simple, rapid and non-invasive method for detecting and monitoring renal tubular function under different conditions. Calculation of the urinary NAG index provides a good estimate of the excretion of the two markers over a 24 hour period. An increase of the urinary NAG index may precede increases in standard parameters used in the diagnosis of renal disease, especially in cases of acute tubular lesions. With the purpose of detecting deviations of the urinary NAG index, this study established the reference values in Wistar rats. Urine samples were collected from 100 healthy Wistar rats, 50 males and 50 females. NAG and creatinine were determined, and subsequently the NAG index was calculated for reference value establishing. The mean value of NAG index was found to be 5.81±1.68 (U / g) for healthy females and 4.10±0.90 (U / g) for healthy males

CT evaluation of HU bone density of the vertebrae in dogs with spine compression

Bone mineral density (BMD) is defined as the mineral concentration in bone. BMD is directly related to bone strength and is a useful predictor of osteoporotic fracture; it is therefore used to diagnose and monitor osteoporosis in humans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if there are changes in the adjacent vertebral body (cranial and caudal) consistency in case of disk protrusion or IVDD. The result show changes of the HU of the vertebral body of the vertebrae situated cranial and caudal of the protrusion site, but there is no statistical correlation between the disk protrusion or IVDD and those changes

<i>Toxocara cati</i> and Other Parasitic Enteropathogens: More Commonly Found in Owned Cats with Gastrointestinal Signs Than in Clinically Healthy Ones

Intestinal parasites are involved in the health and wellbeing of cats and some of them, due to their zoonotic potential, represent a problem for public health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of parasitic infections in cats with gastrointestinal signs. Fecal samples collected from 137 cats were analyzed by the flotation method using a sodium chloride saturated solution. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 50.4%. Intestinal parasites were significantly (p Toxocara cati (40.2%) was the most frequently identified intestinal parasite, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (10.2%), hookworms (3.7%), Taeniidae (2.2%), Giardia duodenalis (2.2%), and Toxoplasma gondii (0.7%). Toxocara cati (53.3%, p Cystoisospora spp. (15.6%, p T. cati infection by logistic regression analysis. Regardless of age, gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, diarrhea, and inappetence were positively associated with T. cati

The Efficiency of Rectal Fluid Therapy in Moderately Dehydrated Horses

Dehydration and hydro-electrolytic imbalances are relatively common and life threatening conditions in many animal species including horses. In the present study, we highlighted the efficacy of rectal rehydration in horses, nowadays less commonly used. The study was performed on eight non-pregnant mares (Romanian semigreus and Lipiţan breeds), from Beclean horse stud farm, affected by mild dehydration. The method consists in rectal administration in the form of a high enema of a balanced polyionic solution by using an esophageal tube; the solution contains water, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Blood samples were collected on EDTA and procoagulant vacutainers, before and after fluid therapy. Laboratory investigations include complete blood count and electrolytes measurement, total protein, albumin, and creatinine. Expectedly, dehydrated animals shown borderline elevated hematocrit associated with mild relative hyperproteinemia and hypernatremia, and elevated uremia levels. In all cases, the parameters were restored in response to therapy, and no side effects were recorded

PREVALENCE OF SPLENIC DISEASES IN DOGS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 81 CASES

Splenic masses have a higher incidence compared to diffuse splenic enlargement in canine patients and are mostly encountered in older dogs. For the present study we reviewed records of canine patients submitted to the Pathology Department (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca) between April 2014 and July 2017. Gross inspection and histological analyses were performed. 81 canine patients met the criteria and were included in the present study. Based on the macroscopic findings, 64.20% of the splenic lesions were represented by the presence of one or more nodules. Diffuse splenic enlargement represented 35.80% of the analyzed cases. Splenic nodular masses were histologically diagnosed as malignant and non-malignant. Hemangiosarcoma was the most common finding (59.62%), followed by nodular hyperplasia (28.85%) and hematoma (11.53%). 67.74% of the patients diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma presented metastases in different organs and tissues and 19.35% of them were associated with hemoperitoneum

Can Ultrasound Therapy Be an Environmental-Friendly Alternative to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment?

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most used drugs in knee OA (osteoarthritis) treatment. Despite their efficiency in pain and inflammation alleviation, NSAIDs accumulate in the environment as chemical pollutants and have numerous genetic, morphologic, and functional negative effects on plants and animals. Ultrasound (US) therapy can improve pain, inflammation, and function in knee OA, without impact on environment, and with supplementary metabolic beneficial effects on cartilage compared to NSAIDs. These features recommend US therapy as alternative for NSAIDs use in knee OA treatment

Ultrasound Protects Human Chondrocytes from Biochemical and Ultrastructural Changes Induced by Oxidative Stress

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of therapeutic ultrasound (US) on oxidative stress (OS)-induced changes in cultured human chondrocytes (HCH). For this, monolayer HCH were randomized in three groups: a control group (CG), a group exposed to OS (OS group), and a group exposed to US and OS (US-OS group). US exposure of the chondrocytes was performed prior to OS induction by hydrogen peroxide. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to assess the chondrocytes ultrastructure. OS and inflammatory markers were recorded. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were significantly higher (p p < 0.05) than in the OS group. Finally, in the US-OS group MDA and TNF-α were lower than in CG, but without statistical significance. TEM showed normal chondrocytes in CG. In the OS group TEM showed necrotic chondrocytes and chondrocytes with a high degree of vacuolation and cell organelles damages. In the US-OS group the chondrocytes ultrastructure was well preserved, and autophagosomes were generated. In conclusion, US could protect chondrocytes from biochemical (lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers synthesis) and ultrastructural changes induced by OS and could stimulate autophagosomes development

A Flavonoid-Rich Extract of <i>Sambucus nigra</i> L. Reduced Lipid Peroxidation in a Rat Experimental Model of Gentamicin Nephrotoxicity

The use of gentamicin (GM) is limited due to its nephrotoxicity mediated by oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of a flavonoid-rich extract of Sambucus nigra L. elderflower (SN) to inhibit lipoperoxidation in GM-induced nephrotoxicity. The HPLC analysis of the SN extract recorded high contents of rutin (463.2 ± 0.0 mg mL−1), epicatechin (9.0 ± 1.1 µg mL−1), and ferulic (1.5 ± 0.3 µg mL−1) and caffeic acid (3.6 ± 0.1 µg mL−1). Thirty-two Wistar male rats were randomized into four groups: a control group (C) (no treatment), GM group (100 mg kg−1 bw day−1 GM), GM+SN group (100 mg kg−1 bw day−1 GM and 1 mL SN extract day−1), and SN group (1 mL SN extract day−1). Lipid peroxidation, evaluated by malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes activity—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)—were recorded in renal tissue after ten days of experimental treatment. The MDA level was significantly higher in the GM group compared to the control group (p p = 0.021). SN extract failed to improve SOD, CAT, and GPX activity in the GM+SN group compared to the GM group (p > 0.05), and its action was most probably due to the ability of flavonoids (rutin, epicatechin) and ferulic and caffeic acids to inhibit synthesis and neutralize reactive species, to reduce the redox-active iron pool, and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. In this study, we propose an innovative method for counteracting GM nephrotoxicity with a high efficiency and low cost, but with the disadvantage of the multifactorial environmental variability of the content of SN extracts