Immunosuppressive action of deoxynivalenol of thymus in chickens

Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) is a type B-trichothecene, naturally occurring contaminants of animal feed, being implicated in several mycotoxicoses in farm livestock. This mycotoxin occurs predominantly in grains such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, and maize, and less often in rice, sorghum, and triticale. Deoxynivalenol is potent nefrotoxic, hepatotoxic and immunosuppressant. High doses of trichothecenes promote rapid onset of leukocyte apoptosis (programmed cell death), which is manifested as immunosuppression. The study aimed to prove the immunosuppressant action of deoxynivalenol in chickens experimentally treated each day, from the 7th day of life, using 5,4 mg/kg b.w in E group for 28 days (since 35 days of life). Histopathology studies of thymus were made on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days of experiment. In E group small lesions of thymus were observed even after 7th day of poisoning but intense lesions, hydropic degeneration, necrotic foci and moderate lymphoid depletion was observed after the 14th and 21st day of poisoning. After 28th day a marked proliferation of stromal cells in the reticulum network, in medulla zone, presence of mucous cells, small mucous cysts and haemorages were observed

Effect of selenium supplementation on serum amylase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities in rats exposed to cadmium or lead

The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of selenium supplementation on serum amylase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in rats, during subacute exposure to toxic doses of cadmium or lead through the drinking water. The experimental groups (n=6) were: Control, Se (Se+4: 0,2 mg/l), Cd (Cd+2: 150 mg/l), Pb (Pb+2: 300 mg/l), Cd+Se (Cd+2: 150 mg/l; Se+4: 0,2 mg/l) and Pb+Se (Pb+2: 300 mg/l; Se+4: 0,2 mg/l). The animals were sacrificed after 56 days. Amylase, LDH and ALP activities were determined from serum. Se and Pb treatments caused an increase in amylase and LDH activities, when compared to Control group while Cd caused an increase in amylase activity and a decrease in LDH and ALP activities. Cd+Se caused a decrease in amylase activity and an increase in LDH activity, when compared to Cd. Pb+Se caused a decrease in amylase activity in comparison to lead. Selenium supplementation alleviated cadmium or lead induced changes in serum amylase activity. Selenium, coadministered with cadmium, caused a marked increase in serum LDH activity, when compared to cadmium alone or Control group while practically it had no effect on lead induced changes in LDH activity. Cadmium and lead induced disturbances in serum ALP activity were not influenced by selenium supplementation

The hematologic profile of cattle with reproductive diseases

Investigations were conducted on the Bălțată Neagră Românească (BNR) breed dairy cows from the Dancu Research and Development Station for Cattle Breeding, Iaşi County. We have carried out hematologic profile investigations (red and white blood cells) in cattle having reproductive troubles and clinically healthy cattle, divided into groups of 10 animals: four experimental groups – cows with puerperal genital infections (E1), cows with chronic genital infections (E2), cows with postpartum anestrus (E3) and cows with repeated inseminations (E4), as well as three control groups, made of cows at different stages of lactation: early, 0-2 months (M1), advanced, 4-6 months (M2) and late, 6-7 months (M3). Hematologic analyzes have shown variations according to the type of reproductive troubles and to the stage of lactation: in cows having puerperal genital infections (E1 Group), compared to the control group (M1), lower values of red blood cells (5.74±0,2 x106/μl), hematocrit (Ht), (28.40±0.47%) and haemoglobin (Hb) (9.20±0.30 g/dl) were found and higher values of the total number of leucocytes (9.0±0.50 x103, compared to 7.7±0.30 x103, p<0.05), 7.7±0.30 x103, p<0.05), represented by neutrophils (56.0±0.60 %, compared to 34.2 ±0.6%, p<0.05). The cows with chronic genital infections (E2 Group) in comparison to the M2 Group had lower values of red blood cells, hematocrit and haemoglobin and higher values of the total number of leucocytes (8.2 ±2.12 x103/μl, vs. 7.26 ±1,04 x103/μl), with a high neutrophil number (39.5±0.67 %, vs. 35.66 ± 1.66%). In cows having postpartum anestrus (E3 Group), lower values of erythrocytes and haemoglobin and slightly higher values of leukocytes with a great proportion of neutrophils. In cows with repeated inseminations (E4 Group), there were diminutions in the erythrocyte number and increased number of neutrophils. Once with the lactation curve from early stage (M1 Group) to advanced stage (M2) healthy cows have recorded variations of erythrocyte indices, determined by the increasing level of the milk production, marked by the diminution of the number of erythrocytes and hematocrit and the moderate increase of haemoglobin

Two cases of bone marrow tissue implant into chronic cervical spinal cord injury

Two patients with chronic cervical spinal cord injury and quadriplegia underwent partial resection of the medular scar and implant of bone marrow tissue with a combination of drugs at the site of spinal cord injury. Post-operatively they received a similar treatment in the neuromotor rehabilitation centre and were treated additionally with cerebrolysin . Sensory improvements were noticed, but no significant motor improvements were observed twenty months afterwards

News and views of neuroprotection in complete traumatic spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord injury (SCI) due to trauma has major functional, medical, and financial effects on the injured person, as well as an important effect on the individual's psychosocial well-being. These patients have not any treatment for their or tetraplegia and any therapeutical attempt can bring hope and can improve their quality of life. Today methylprednisolone is a standard treatment option for an acute spinal cord injury but it is not a cure for a spinal cord injury. Surgery is often necessary for decompression, to realign and to stabilize the spine. The experimental treatments had yet not results. In case of acute complete traumatic SCI, steroid medication is insufficient and it is necessary to add new immediate procedures at the standard treatment performed today. Treatment should be started immediately and must stop cell death, control inflammation and promote nerve regeneration (action to primary and secondary damage)