Experimental allogenic transplantation of cornea endothelial cells in cats

Background: The aim of the present study was assessing the possibility of experimental allogenic transplantation of cat cornea endothelial cells, multiplied in vitro, into the anterior chamber of the eyeball in recipient cats. The reason for undertaking the research is the need to develop a method that would help in the cornea treatment in animals with corneal opacification following cataract surgery, as well as lens dislocation, injuries and endothelium degeneration. Methods: Cats aged 10-12 months were used in the experiment. Cornea fragments consisting of the posterior limiting membrane and posterior epithelium were placed in Iscove;s medium with addition of 10% foetal calf serum. Multiplied in vitro cells were injected into the anterior chamber of recipient cats. The cornea was subject to histological, histometric and SEM examination on the 3rd, 7th, 20th and 30th day after the surgery. Results: Micromorphological examination of the cornea showed full restitution of its endothelium 30 days after transplantation. Complete regeneration of structures indispensable for normal functioning of the posterior epithelium occurred as a result of implantation. Conclusions: In this study the results show that implantation of the cells of posterior corneal epithelium of donor cats, multiplied into vitro and injected into the anterior chamber of recipient cats. The cornea regained its full function, the layer of the posterior epithelium was regenerated and the stroma stabilized, presenting the image of full and proper corneal translucency

Histological structure of the skin of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.) from Spitsbergen

Background. Like in most salmonids, females of Artic charr dig nests, while spawning, to deposit their eggs, while the role of males is most often limited to the territorial defence. The aim of this study was to examine the histological structure of skin in both sexes, in the body parts which are particularly exposed to mechanical damage during spawning. Materials and methods. Based on material representing three forms (anadromous, land-locked (lake), and dwarf/riverine), collected in the pre-spawning and spawning periods, histological structure of the skin was analysed for three body areas: dorsum (back), side, and venter (belly). Results. In females of all the forms the skin in analysed body areas was thicker and contained more mucous cells, compared to males. In the ventral region it was the thickest, on the dorsum-the thinnest. A comparison of the skin structure in the three forms showed that, in the land-locked form (both sexes), the skin in all the body parts was thicker and richer in mucous cells, compared to the anadromous form. Conclusion. The skin of Arctic charr females plays a protective role, preventing mechanical damage during nest digging and egg burying, because of its substantial thickness and the abundance of mucous cells especially in the ventral region

Secretory function of adipose tissue

There are two kinds of adipose tissue in mammals: white adipose tissue – WAT and brown adipose tissue – BAT. The main function of WAT is accumulation of triacylglycerols whereas the function of BAT is heat generation. At present, WAT is also considered to be an endocrine gland that produces bioactive adipokines, which take part in glucose and lipid metabolism. Considering its endocrine function, the adipose tissue is not a homogeneous gland but a group of a few glands which act differently. Studies on the secretory function of WAT began in 1994 after discovery of leptin known as the satiation hormone, which regulates body energy homeostasis and maintainence of body mass. Apart from leptin, the following belong to adipokines: adiponectin, resistin, apelin, visfatin and cytokines: TNF and IL 6. Adiponectin is a polypeptide hormone of antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic activity. It plays a key role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Resistin exerts a counter effect compared to adiponectin and its physiological role is to maintain fasting glycaemia. Visfatin stimulates insulin secretion and increases insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake by muscle cells and adipocytes. Apelin probably increases the insulin sensitivity of tissues. TNF evokes insulin resistance by blocking insulin receptors and inhibits insulin secretion. Approximately 30% of circulating IL 6 comes from adipose tissue. It causes insulin resistance by decreasing the expression of insulin receptors, decreases adipogenesis and adiponectin and visfatin secretion, and stimulates hepatic gluconeogenesis. In 2004, Bays introduced the notion of adiposopathy, defined as dysfunction of the adipose tissue, whose main feature is insulin and leptin resistance as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines: TNF and IL 6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein. This means that excess of adipose tissue, especially visceral adipose tissue, leads to the development of a chronic subclinical inflammatory condition, which favours the development of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Obesity is a systemic illness caused by energy transformation homeostasis disorder which results in an increase in the amount of body fat mass. It effects approximately 40% of dogs and 20% of cats. Illnesses which accompany obesity result, to a great extent, from the secretive role of adipose tissue, which is still little known, which should be included when planning treatment of an obese animal

Gait analysis after neurorrhaphy in the brachial plexus

The gait is a form of human and animal locomotion on land by using limbs. The study assessed functional recovery after end to side and side to side neurorrhaphy the ventral branches of the C5 and C6 spinal nerves to the C7 spinal nerve on the rabbit brachial plexus. Gait statistical analysis showed significant differences between the control group versus the end-to-side and side to side neurorrhaphy groups, in opposite to the comparison between the two experimentals groups. Gait analysis results corresponded with the histomorphometric results. The results indicate the potential use of gait analysis for the assessment of the recovery of nerve function

General intravenous anesthesia for brachial plexus surgery in the rabbit

The rabbit is a good experimental model for brachial plexus surgery. The risks of death during anesthesia were significantly greater in rabbits than cats or dogs. This article presents the protocol of injectable anesthesia for a short surgical procedure, safe for the rabbit patient and convenient for the surgeon

Early morphological and immunological alterations in the spleen during magnesium deficiency in the rat

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