Modulation of paraoxonase 1 and 3 expression after moderate exercise training in the rat

Paraoxonases (PONs) are a small family of anti-oxidant enzymes whose antiatherogenic activity is well known. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the effects of moderate aerobic training on their expression using a rat model. In order to discriminate between PON1 and PON3 enzymatic activity, we took advantage of some differences in their substrate preferences. PON1 and PON3 enzymatic activities and their protein levels were analyzed in plasma and in liver microsomes, and their mRNA levels in the liver. Exercise training did not affect PON1 expression or enzymatic activity but increased PON3 mRNA, protein levels, and enzymatic activity. Training also induced variations in plasma membrane composition, including an increase in polyunsaturated and a decrease in mono- and di-unsaturated fatty acids. On the other hand, acute exercise inhibited PON activities while increasing PON3 protein content in liver microsomes and reversing the relative composition in mono-, di-, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, suggesting that physical stress, by altering membrane composition, may impair PON release from liver membranes. In conclusion, we documented, for the first time, the presence of PON3 in rat serum and, notably, found that the upregulation of PON3, rather than PON1, appears to be associated with physical training. Copyrigh

MEDIUM AND LONG TERM RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION IN 30 DOGS AFFECTED BY CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE TREATED BY TIBIAL PLATEAU LEVELLING OSTEOTOMY (TPLO)

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common cause of hindlimb lameness in dogs. In 1993 Slocum and Devine invented the tibial plateau livelling osteothomy (TPLO) that face the problem in a new biomechanical point of vue in comparison with other surgical tecniques. Osteoarthritic (OA) degeneration after cranial cruciate ligament rupture is progressing and it has been observed in post surgery examination after different kind of surgical proce-dures as well. 30 cases of cranial cruciate ligament rupture traited by TPLO technique have been exam-inated in our retrospective study. Dogs that has been included in the present work have been evaluated subjectively by owners with a questionnaire, and clinically by clinicians with an orthopaedic examination, both under sedation and not. We evaluated osteoarthritic changes on standard radiographs, performed during preoper-ative examination and during long term follow-up. Follow-up periode has been included from 6 months to 3 years post surgery. For quali-quantitative examination of osteoarthritic evolution observed between the pre-operative and follow-up examination we used and compared two different kind of grading system. Our results show that osteoarthritic degeneration doesn’t stop completely with TPLO surgery, but it continues in a limited way, both in a temporal and quantitative way. Comparing the two grading methods, the modified method by Citi in our Department seems to be more exact than the classic one

Mercury in the feathers of bird scavengers from two areas of patagonia (Argentina) under the influence of different anthropogenic activities: A preliminary study

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in food chains and is associated with adverse effects in both humans and wildlife.We used feather samples from bird scavengers to evaluate Hg concentrations in two different areas of Northern Patagonia. Hg concentrations were analyzed in feathers obtained from turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus), and southern crested caracaras (Caracara plancus) from the two areas of Northern Patagonia (Argentina): Bariloche and El Valle. Hg was detected in all the samples analyzed, but the concentrations can be considered low for the three species in both sampling areas. The mean concentration of Hg in Bariloche was 0.22 ± 0.16 mg/kg dry weight (d.w.) in black vulture, 0.13 ± 0.06 mg/kg d.w. in turkey vulture, and 0.13 ± 0.09 mg/kg d.w. in southern crested caracara; in El Valle, the mean concentration of Hg was 1.02 ± 0.89 mg/kg d.w. in black vulture, 0.53 ± 0.82 mg/kg d.w. in turkey vulture, and 0.54 ± 0.74 mg/kg d.w. in southern crested caracara. Hg concentrations in feathers were explained by the sampling area but not by the species. The concentrations of Hg contamination were comparable to those obtained in other studies of terrestrial raptors and aquatic bioindicator raptors. The species of the present study occur throughout much of North and South America. Thus, they may be appropriate bioindicators across the species’ range, which is particularly useful as a surrogate, especially in distribution areas shared with endangered scavengers such as the California condor (Gymnopsys californianus) and the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus).Fil: Di Marzio, Alessandro. Universidad de Murcia; EspañaFil: Gómez Ramírez, Pilar. Universidad de Murcia; EspañaFil: Barbar, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Lambertucci, Sergio Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: García Fernández, Antonio Juan. Universidad de Murcia; EspañaFil: Martínez López, Emma. Universidad de Murcia; Españ