Radioguided surgery with iodine-125 seeds in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of radioactive iodine-125 seed (RIS) in breast and/or axillary surgery, in patients with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study between January 2016 and June 2020. 80 women T1-3,N0-2,M0: 30 RIS marking the breast tumor, 36 both the tumor and the biopsied positive axillary node, and 14 only the axilla. Age: 54.7 ±â€¯11.4 years. Tumor size: 34.1 ±â€¯14.6 mm. Histological type: invasive ductal carcinoma 90.0%. Molecular subtypes: luminal-A 23.8%, luminal-B/HER2- 33.7%, luminal-B/HER2+ 18.8%, HER2+ 7.5%, basal-like 16,2%. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients with RIS marking of the tumor (51 pre-NAC, 15 post-NAC), 92.1% had tumor-free surgical margins, with a specimen volume of 126.7 ±â€¯111.2 cm3. Of the 5 s local excisions, in 3 the resection margin was involved (1 mastectomy). Of the 50 patients N1 with RIS marking (MLN), 44 pre-NAC and 6 post-NAC, MLN was identified in 97.2%: negative 23, positive 26. In 45/50 patients, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) was performed and it was identified in 93.3%: negative 26, positive 16. In 1 case RIS was not placed correctly and SNB was not identified due to non-migration. In 61.9% of the patients, MLN was among the SNB identified in the surgery. In 5 patients with mismatched SNB and MLN, the pathological result of the SNB was negative and the MLN was positive. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed in 53.8% of the patients. CONCLUSION: RIS allow to perform breast-conserving surgery and improve detection of residual axillary disease in patients treated with NAC.

Effects of mesenchymal stem cell culture on radio sterilized human amnion or radio sterilized pig skin in burn wound healing.

Deep second and third degree burns treatment requires fibroblasts, keratinocytes and other skin cells in order to grow new dermis and epidermis. Cells can proliferate, secrete growth factors and extracellular matrix required to repair the damaged tissue. Radiosterilized human amnion and radiosterilized pig skin have been used as natural origin skin dressings for burned patients. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into fibroblasts and keratinocytes and improve wound-healing progress. These cells can stimulate vascular tissue formation, release growth factors, synthetize new extracellular matrix and immunoregulate other cells. In this study, we developed mesenchymal stem cells-cellularized skin substitutes based from radiosterilized human amnion or pig skin. Third-degree burns were induced in mice animal models to evaluate the effect of cellularized skin substitutes on burn wound healing. Mesenchymal phenotype was immunophenotypically confirmed by flow cytometry and cell viability was close to 100%. Skin recovery was evaluated in burned mice after seven and fourteen days post-coverage with cellularized and non-cellularized sustitutes. Histological techniques and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate re-epithelization and type I collagen deposition. We determined that cellularized-human amnion or cellularized-pig skin in combination with mesenchymal stem cells improve extracellular matrix deposition. Both cellularized constructs increase detection of type I collagen in newly formed mouse skin and can be potentially used as skin coverage for further clinical treatment of burned patients.

Radioguided surgery with iodine-125 seeds in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. / Cirugía radioguiada con semillas de yodo-125 en pacientes con cáncer de mama tratadas con quimioterapia neoadyuvante.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of radioactive iodine-125 seed (RIS) in breast and/or axillary surgery, in patients with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study between January 2016 and June 2020. 80 women T1-3,N0-2,M0: 30 RIS marking the breast tumor, 36 both the tumor and the biopsied positive axillary node, and 14 only the axilla. Age: 54.7±11.4 years. Tumor size: 34.1±14.6mm. Histological type: invasive ductal carcinoma 90.0%. Molecular subtypes: luminal-A 23.8%, luminal-B/HER2- 33.7%, luminal-B/HER2+ 18.8%, HER2+ 7.5%, basal-like 16,2%. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients with RIS marking of the tumor (51 pre-NAC, 15 post-NAC), 92.1% had tumor-free surgical margins, with a specimen volume of 126.7±111.2 cm3. Of the 5 second local excisions, in 3 the resection margin was involved (1 mastectomy). Of the 50 patients N1 with RIS marking (MLN), 44 pre-NAC and 6 post-NAC, MLN was identified in 97.2%: negative 23, positive 26. In 45/50 patients, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) was performed and it was identified in 93.3%: negative 26, positive 16. In 1 case RIS was not placed correctly and SNB was not identified due to non-migration. In 61.9% of the patients, MLN was among the SNB identified in the surgery. In 5 patients with mismatched SNB and MLN, the pathological result of the SNB was negative and the MLN was positive. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed in 53.8% of the patients. CONCLUSION: RIS allow to perform breast-conserving surgery and improve detection of residual axillary disease in patients treated with NAC.

Surgical clips vs. iodine-125 (125I) seeds for marking the location of nonpalpable malignant breast lesions: preliminary results. / Arpón quirúrgico vs. semilla de iodo (125I) en la localización de lesiones no palpables malignas de mama. Resultados preliminares.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the usefulness of iodine-125 (125I) seeds as an alternative to surgical clips for marking the location of nonpalpable malignant breast lesions for surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included patients with histologically confirmed nonpalpable malignant lesions treated by surgery in 2015 or 2016. Patients were randomly assigned to presurgical marking with metallic clips (Group A) or with 125I seeds (Group B). In both groups, marking was guided by ultrasound and/or mammography depending on the radiologic characteristics of the lesion. During surgery, a gamma probe was used and afterward the presence of seeds in the surgical specimen was checked radiologically. In the histological analysis, the absence of tumor in the stain was considered free margins. We analyzed the following variables: age, lesion characteristics (laterality, mean size on MRI and in the surgical specimen, radiological type), and presence/absence of free margins. RESULTS: In Group A (n=53), the most common histologic subtypes were infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC, 84.9%) and luminal A (LA, 49.1%); the mean size of the lesions was 1.8cm. In Group B (n=45), the most common histologic subtypes were IDC (82.2%) and LA (46.5%); the mean size of the lesions was 1.5cm. In Group A, 13.2% had involved margins and 13.2% underwent a second surgical intervention. In Group, B 11.4% had involved margins and 7.5% underwent a second surgical intervention. The differences between groups were not significant (p=0.7 for involved margins and p=0.5 for reintervention). The volume of the surgical specimens was significantly lower in Group B than in Group A (128.68cm3 vs. 189.37cm3; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using 125I seeds was feasible and enabled significantly smaller surgical specimens than using metallic clips.

Combined procedure of marking axillary positive node with iodine-125 seed and sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. / Procedimiento combinado de marcaje del ganglio axilar positivo biopsiado con semilla de yodo-125 y biopsia del ganglio centinela en pacientes con cáncer de mama tratadas con quimioterapia neoadyuvante.

OBJECTIVE: To present our initial experience in the combined procedure of intraoperative detection of axillary positive node marked with 125I seed (ML) and sentinel node biopsy (SLN) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), in breast cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study, January 2017 - March 2019, 16 breast cancer patients T1-3N1. TNM stage: IIA: 3, IIB: 10, IIIA: 3. Histological type ductal invasive: 14. Molecular subtype: luminal A: 3, luminal B: 9, HER2: 3, basal like: 1. The ML was marked 227±36 days before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n: 10), or 1-6 days before surgery, on previously identified node by ultrasound visibility marker, hydrogel (n: 3) or three dimensional-3D (n: 3). Axillary lymphadenectomy was undertaken in 10 patients. RESULTS: ML and SLN were identified in the surgery in 93.7% (15/16) of the cases, in 33.3% (5/15) ML was not among SLN, and in only one patient (1/5) was there a discrepancy between the result of ML and SLN (macrometastases vs. negative 0/2). Median number of lymph nodes SLN: 2.2±0.9 (range 1-3) and AD: 13.5±5.2 (range 7-23). In all cases, histopathological analysis of ML, 125I seed and/or marker within, correctly predicted axillary status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In all patients the 125I radioactive seed was recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Placing of 125I seeds is a feasible technique for intraoperative location of axillary positive node combined with SLN. The histopathological result of ML allows the axillary status to be determined after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

False positive in fluorodeoxyglucose-F18 positron emission tomography computed tomography scan of inferior vena cava leiomyoma in patient with a suspected paraganglioma. / Falso positivo en estudio de tomografía de emisión de positrones con fluorodesoxiglucosa-F18 de un leiomioma de vena cava inferior en paciente con sospecha de paraganglioma.

Leiomyomas are benign tumors derived from smooth muscle tissue that rarely present outside the uterus. These tumors do not usually show FDG uptake. We present the case of a patient with hypertension refractory to treatment and a lesion arising from inferior vena cava, that shows intense FDG uptake in PET/CT scan, suggestive of paraganglioma, with a final histological diagnosis of leiomyoma.

125I radioactive seed localization for non-palpable lesions in breast cancer. / Semillas de 125I en la localización de lesiones no palpables en pacientes con cáncer de mama.

AIM: Marking of non-palpable breast lesions with 125I radioactive seeds is an alternative to the use of the surgical wire. The objective of this work is to present the results that we have obtained using radioactive seed localization compared to the reference technique in our center, the wire localization of non-palpable breast lesions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Longitudinal prospective study that includes patients with histological diagnostic of breast cancer, with non-palpable lesions that are candidates to primary surgical treatment by radioactive seed localization (2016-2018) and by wire localization (2015-2016). Histological analysis of the surgical specimen was performed determining the status of surgical margins. The volume of the surgical specimen was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients were included, 95 who underwent surgery by radioactive seed localization and 51 by wire localization. The mean cube volume of the specimens were 135.67cm3 vs. 190.77cm3 (p=0.017), respectively. Eleven patients who underwent surgery by radioactive seed localization showed affected margins of the specimen (11.6%), versus 7 (13.2%) of wire localization group (p=0.084). Reintervention was performed in 9 of the patients marked with seeds and in 7 marked with wires (p=0.49). CONCLUSION: The use of 125I radioactive seeds is feasible in non-palpable breast lesions, with a low rate of reintervention and volumes of surgical specimens significantly lower than those obtained by wire localization.

[Clinical and immunohistochemical correlation of balanitis xerotica obliterans]. / Correlación clínica e inmunohistoquímica de la balanitis xerotica obliterans.

AIM: Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) is a disease of the skin and mucosa of male genitals of unknown etiology that may affect children of any age. It has a low incidence (9-19%) and in adults is considered a potential premalignant lesion. The aim of our study is to establish the incidence of BXO in our center and to determine its correlation between the clinical and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings. METHODS: Prospective cohort including all children < 14 years with foreskin pathology that required a circumcision between 2014-2016. Statistical analysis of the clinical characteristics, histological and IHC findings searching for inflammatory response, premalignant lesions and microbiological findings. RESULTS: A total of 176 boys with phimosis had circumcision with a mean age of 7 ± 3 years (Range 2-14). Presurgical diagnosis of BXO was suspected in 28.4% (n= 50) whereas the AP confirmed a total of 29.5% (n= 53) with a very good interobserver concordance (kappa= 0.81: p< 0.01). Previous treatment with corticoids in BXO was found in 63.5% (n= 33/52). Meatal stenosis was found in 7.69% (n= 4/52) requiring meatal/urethral dilations. Patients with BXO had a T-Lymphocytes CD3+ mediated inflammatory response with a positive correlation between tumor suppressing protein (p53) expression and chronic inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: BXO is a chronic inflammatory disease mediated by T-lymphocytes with an incidence greater than previously reported. Surgeons' criterion has a very good concordance with the AP findings. The elevation of p53 in children with BXO may indicate a plausible malignant potential that may require a surgical treatment (circumcision) and an adequate follow-up.

OBJETIVO: La balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) es una enfermedad de etiología incierta, que afecta a piel y mucosa de genitales masculinos de cualquier edad. La incidencia en niños es baja (9-19%) y en adultos se considera una lesión premaligna. El objetivo de este estudio es establecer la incidencia de BXO en nuestro centro y determinar la correlación entre las características clínicas y los hallazgos inmunohistoquímicos (IHQ). METODOS: Cohorte prospectiva de niños ≤14 años con fimosis circuncidados entre 2014-2016. Análisis estadístico de las características clínicas e histológicas e IHQ para valorar la respuesta inflamatoria, presencia de lesiones premalignas y asociaciones microbiológicas. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 176 pacientes circuncidados con una edad media de 7 ± 3 años (rango 2-14 años). La sospecha clínica de BXO, 28,4% (n= 50), se confirmó mediante anatomía patológica en 29,5% (n= 52) con muy buena fuerza de concordancia interobservador (kappa= 0,81: p< 0,01). El 63,5% (n= 33/52) recibieron corticoterapia como tratamiento inicial. El 7,69% (4/52) presentaron estenosis meatal requiriendo dilataciones meatales/uretrales. Los casos de BXO presentaron una respuesta mediada por linfocitos-T: CD3+ (p< 0,01) y correlación positiva con la sobreexpresión de proteína supresora de tumores (p53) (p< 0,01). CONCLUSIONES: BXO es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica mediada por linfocitos-T con una incidencia mayor a la reportada. La concordancia interobservador entre la sospecha de BXO y la confirmación histológica es muy buena. La elevación de p53 en los pacientes con BXO indica un posible potencial maligno que requiere tratamiento quirúrgico (circuncisión) y un seguimiento adecuado.

Characterization of pediatric microtia cartilage: a reservoir of chondrocytes for auricular reconstruction using tissue engineering strategies.

The external ear is composed of elastic cartilage. Microtia is a congenital malformation of the external ear that involves a small reduction in size or a complete absence. The aim of tissue engineering is to regenerate tissues and organs clinically implantable based on the utilization of cells and biomaterials. Remnants from microtia represent a source of cells for auricular reconstruction using tissue engineering. To examine the macromolecular architecture of microtia cartilage and behavior of chondrocytes, in order to enrich the knowledge of this type of cartilage as a cell reservoir. Auricular cartilage remnants were obtained from pediatric patients with microtia undergoing reconstructive procedures. Extracellular matrix composition was characterized using immunofluorescence and histological staining methods. Chondrocytes were isolated and expanded in vitro using a mechanical-enzymatic protocol. Chondrocyte phenotype was analyzed using qualitative PCR. Microtia cartilage preserves structural organization similar to healthy elastic cartilage. Extracellular matrix is composed of typical cartilage proteins such as type II collagen, elastin and proteoglycans. Chondrocytes displayed morphological features similar to chondrocytes derived from healthy cartilage, expressing SOX9, COL2 and ELN, thus preserving chondral phenotype. Cell viability was 94.6 % during in vitro expansion. Elastic cartilage from microtia has similar characteristics, both architectural and biochemical to healthy cartilage. We confirmed the suitability of microtia remnant as a reservoir of chondrocytes with potential to be expanded in vitro, maintaining phenotypical features and viability. Microtia remnants are an accessible source of autologous cells for auricular reconstruction using tissue engineering strategies.

Anti-biofilm activity of chitosan gels formulated with silver nanoparticles and their cytotoxic effect on human fibroblasts.

The development of multi-species biofilms in chronic wounds is a serious health problem that primarily generates strong resistance mechanisms to antimicrobial therapy. The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent has been studied previously. However, their cytotoxic effects limit its use within the medical area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-biofilm capacity of chitosan gel formulations loaded with AgNPs, using silver sulfadiazine (SSD) as a standard treatment, on strains of clinical isolates, as well as their cytotoxic effect on human primary fibroblasts. Multi-species biofilm of Staphylococcus aureus oxacillin resistant (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from a patient with chronic wound infection were carried out using a standard Drip Flow Reactor (DFR) under conditions that mimic the flow of nutrients in the human skin. Anti-biofilm activity of chitosan gels and SSD showed a log-reduction of 6.0 for MRSA when chitosan gel with AgNPs at a concentration of 100 ppm was used, however it was necessary to increase the concentration of the chitosan gel with AgNPs to 1000 ppm to get a log-reduction of 3.3, while the SSD showed a total reduction of both bacteria in comparison with the negative control. The biocompatibility evaluation on primary fibroblasts showed better results when the chitosan gels with AgNPs were tested even in the high concentration, in contrast with SSD, which killed all the primary fibroblasts. In conclusion, chitosan gel formulations loaded with AgNPs effectively prevent the formation of biofilm and kill bacteria in established biofilm, which suggest that chitosan gels with AgNPs could be used for prevention and treatment of infections in chronic wounds. The statistic significance of the biocompatibility of chitosan gel formulations loaded with AgNPs represents an advance; however further research and development are necessary to translate this technology into therapeutic and preventive strategies.

Chondrocyte differentiation for auricular cartilage reconstruction using a chitosan based hydrogel.

Tissue engineering with the use of biodegradable and biocompatible scaffolds is an interesting option for ear repair. Chitosan-Polyvinyl alcohol-Epichlorohydrine hydrogel (CS-PVA-ECH) is biocompatible and displays appropriate mechanical properties to be used as a scaffold. The present work, studies the potential of CS-PVA-ECH scaffolds seeded with chondrocytes to develop elastic cartilage engineered-neotissues. Chondrocytes isolated from rabbit and swine elastic cartilage were independently cultured onto CS-PVA-ECH scaffolds for 20 days to form the appropriate constructs. Then, in vitro cell viability and morphology were evaluated by calcein AM and EthD-1 assays and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) respectively, and the constructs were implanted in nu/nu mice for four months, in order to evaluate the neotissue formation. Histological analysis of the formed neotissues was performed by Safranin O, Toluidine blue (GAG's), Verhoeff-Van Gieson (elastic fibers), Masson's trichrome (collagen) and Von Kossa (Calcium salts) stains and SEM. Results indicate appropriate cell viability, seeded with rabbit or swine chondrocyte constructs; nevertheless, upon implantation the constructs developed neotissues with different characteristics depending on the animal species from which the seeded chondrocytes came from. Neotissues developed from swine chondrocytes were similar to auricular cartilage, while neotissues from rabbit chondrocytes were similar to hyaline cartilage and eventually they differentiate to bone. This result suggests that neotissue characteristics may be influenced by the animal species source of the chondrocytes isolated.

Diagnostic imaging in dermatology: utility of PET-CT in cutaneous melanoma.

Malignant melanoma accounts for 5% of all malignant skin tumors and its incidence is increasing. In the natural course of melanoma, tumors grow locally and can spread via the lymph system or the blood. Because survival is directly related to the stage of the disease at diagnosis, early detection (secondary prevention) has an impact on prognosis. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine technique that generates images using molecules labeled with positron-emitting isotopes. The most widely used molecule is fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Because of the elevated glycolytic rate in tumor cells, which results in increased FDG uptake, greater quantities of FDG become trapped in tumor cells, enabling external detection. Today, most PET scanners are multimodal PET-computed tomography (CT) scanners, which provide more detailed information by combining morphological information with functional PET findings. The possible utility of PET-CT in patients with malignant melanoma is a subject of debate. Various questions have been raised: when the scan should be performed, whether PET-CT has advantages over conventional diagnostic methods, and whether PET-CT provides a real benefit to patients. In this review of the literature, we will analyze each of these questions.

Removal of triazine herbicides from aqueous systems by a biofilm reactor continuously or intermittently operated.

The impact of pesticide movement via overland flow or tile drainage water on the quality of receiving water bodies has been a serious concern in the last decades; thus, for remediation of water contaminated with herbicides, bioreaction systems designed to retain biomass have been proposed. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the atrazine and terbutryn biodegradation capacity of a microbial consortium, immobilized in a biofilm reactor (PBR), packed with fragments of porous volcanic stone. The microbial consortium, constituted by four predominant bacterial strains, was used to degrade a commercial formulation of atrazine and terbutryn in the biofilm reactor, intermittently or continuously operated at volumetric loading rates ranging from 44 to 306 mg L(-1) d(-1). The complete removal of both herbicides was achieved in both systems; however, higher volumetric removal rates were obtained in the continuous system. It was demonstrated that the adjuvants of the commercial formulation of the herbicide significantly enhanced the removal of atrazine and terbutryn.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with operable breast cancer and positive axillary nodes at initial diagnosis.

AIM: To evaluate the utility of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with operable breast cancer and positive axillary nodes at initial diagnosis treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed from January 2008 to December 2012 in 52 women, mean age 50.7 years, with infiltrating breast carcinoma T1-3, N1, M0 (1 bilateral, 7 multifocal) treated with epirubicin/cyclophosphamide, docetaxel and trastuzumab in Her2/neu-positive patients. Axillary evaluation included physical examination, axillary ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of any suspicious lymph node. The day before surgery, 74-111 MBq of (99m)Tc-albumin nanocolloid was injected periareolarly. All patients underwent breast surgery, with SLNB and complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The SLNs were examined by frozen sections, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical analysis or one-step nucleic acid amplification assay (OSNA). RESULTS: Mean tumor size: 3.5 cm. Histologic type: 81.1% invasive ductal carcinoma. Complete response of primary tumor was clinical 43.4%, pathological 41.5%. All patients were clinically node-negative after NAC. Pathological complete response of axillary node was 42.2%. SLN identification rate was 84.9%. Axilla was positive in the pathology study in 6 of 8 patients without nanocolloid migration. SLN accurately represented the axillary status in 95.5%. False negative rate was 8.3%. SLN was the only positive node in 68.2% of patients. Mean number of SLN removed was 1.9 and of nodes resected from the ALND 13.2. CONCLUSION: SLN biopsy after NAC is a feasible and accurate tool in patients with operable breast cancer T1-3, N1 and clinically node-negative after therapy.

In vitro release of ovarian progesterone is decreased during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy of swine with obesity/leptin resistance.

Previous studies indicate that reproductive prolificacy of obese swine breeds is markedly influenced by embryo losses in early pregnancy. In such period, adequate secretion of progesterone (P4) by the ovary is essential for pregnancy success. This study analyses the luteal functionality during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy of Iberian sows and Large White x Landrace females, in terms of P4 secretion after in vitro culture of luteal tissue stimulated or not with luteinizing hormone (LH). The secretion of progesterone (expressed in ng/mg of luteal tissue or ng/mgLT) of the corpora lutea of obese Iberian swine was always hampered when compared to lean genotypes, either during early oestrous cycle (110.7 ± 37.8 vs 259.7 ± 10.2 ng/mgLT; p < 0.0001), late oestrous cycle (49.0 ± 3.5 vs 75.92 ± 7.14 ng/mgLT; p < 0.0001) or early pregnancy (38.4 ± 2.1 vs 70.7 ± 5.3 ng/mgLT; p < 0.0001). The differences in basal P4 secretion remained after stimulation with LH. Finally, P4 secretion during early pregnancy of Iberian sows decreased with age and, hence, with obesity features (46.6 ± 4.2 vs 65.5 ± 4.8 ng/mgLT; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the results of the present study provide convincing evidence of a reduced luteal function during oestrous cycle and early pregnancy of sows with obesity/leptin resistance like Iberian sows, which may contribute to the low reproductive efficiency reported in this breed.

Maternal diet-induced obesity in swine with leptin resistance modifies puberty and pregnancy outputs of the adult offspring.

The assessment of reproductive features (puberty, fertility and prolificacy) in female Iberian pigs indicates that exposition to intrauterine maternal malnutrition, either by deficiency or excess, is associated with juvenile obesity and a significantly earlier age of puberty onset. At adulthood, prenatal exposition to undernutrition affects reproductive outputs by diminishing prolificacy, an effect that was not found in females exposed to prenatal overnutrition.

Gender-specific early postnatal catch-up growth after intrauterine growth retardation by food restriction in swine with obesity/leptin resistance.

The effects of undernutrition during pregnancy on prenatal and postnatal development of the offspring were evaluated in sows with obesity/leptin resistance. Females were fed, from day 35 of pregnancy onwards, a diet fulfilling either 100% (group control, n=10) or 50% of the nutritional requirements (group underfed, n=10). In the control group, maternal body weight increased during pregnancy (P<0.05) while it decreased or remained steady in the underfed group. At days 75 and 100 of gestation, plasma triglycerides were lower but urea levels were higher in restricted than in control sows (P<0.05 for both). Assessment of the offspring indicated that the trunk diameter was always smaller in the restricted group (P<0.01 at day 50, P<0.005 at days 75 and 100 and P<0.0001 at birth) while head measurements were similar through pregnancy, although smaller in the restricted than in the control group at birth (P<0.05). Newborns from restricted sows were also lighter than offspring from control females (P<0.01) and had higher incidence of growth retardation (P<0.01). Afterwards, during lactation, early postnatal growth in restricted piglets was modulated by gender. At weaning, males from restricted sows were still lighter than their control counterparts (P<0.05), while females from control and underfed sows were similar. Thus, the current study indicates a gender-related differential effect in the growth patterns of the piglets, with females from restricted sows evidencing catch-up growth to neutralise prenatal retardation and reaching similar development than control counterparts.

Diet-induced swine model with obesity/leptin resistance for the study of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

The objective of the present study was to determine the suitability of a swine breed with leptin resistance and predisposition to obesity (the Iberian pig) as model for studies on metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Thus, six Iberian sows had ad libitum access to food enriched with saturated fat (SFAD group; food consumption was estimated to be 4.5 kg/animal/day) whilst four females acted as controls and were fed with 2 kg/animal/day of a commercial maintenance diet. After three months of differential feeding, SFAD animals developed central obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance, and elevated blood pressure; the five parameters associated with the metabolic syndrome. Thus, the current study characterizes the Iberian pig as a robust, amenable, and reliable translational model for studies on nutrition-associated diseases.