Comparison of topical 0.03% tacrolimus and homologous injectable platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs.

Background and Aim: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is predominantly an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory ocular disease that is commonly diagnosed in dogs. This study aimed to compare the conventional use of topical immunosuppressant tacrolimus 0.03% eye drops and a new therapy injectable homologous platelet-rich plasma (HPRP) into the third eyelid gland and inferior and superior palpebral conjunctiva of dogs with KCS. Materials and Methods: A total of 66 eyes from 33 dogs were evaluated. The eyes were divided into three equal groups: Negative control group, tacrolimus group (TG), and homologous platelet-rich plasma group (HPRPG). The animals were evaluated using the Schirmer's tear test-1 (STT-1), osmolarity test (OT), strip meniscometry test (SMT), tear film break-up test (TBUT), fluorescein test, lissamine green test (LGT), and cytological and histopathological analyses. Results: In TG, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the STT-1 and SMT values, and goblet cell count in the palpebral conjunctiva by the end of the study. In HPRPG, 36% (four dogs) received three applications, 55% (six dogs) received two applications, and 9% (one dog) received one application before the initial ocular signs improved. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the lymphocyte and neutrophil counts of the palpebral conjunctiva in HPRPG than in TG. Both groups showed equivalent improvements in TBUT, OT, and LGT values. Conclusion: Tacrolimus 0.03% eye drops were more efficient than HPRP in increasing tear production and the number of goblet cells. However, injectable HPRP was more efficient than tacrolimus in decreasing the number of conjunctival inflammatory cells. Treatment with injectable HPRP requires an average of two to three applications, is safe and feasible, and can be used as a cheaper alternative or as an adjuvant to conventional treatment with topical immunosuppressants.

The influence of low-fidelity simulator training on canine peripheral venous puncture procedure.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Blood collection from dogs is the most commonly performed procedure in the medical clinic. However, different factors can interfere with the quality of the material collected, potentially causing complications for patients. Simulated skill training is a teaching strategy designed to provide early training to students, develop their skills and self-confidence, and increase the procedure's success while reducing complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate skill training using a low-fidelity simulator in the peripheral venipuncture procedure and examine the training's influence on the in vivo procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess skill training, this study used a low-fidelity simulator in the peripheral venipuncture procedure and examines the training's effect on the in vivo procedure. In total, 100 dogs, 65 undergraduate students, 3 veterinarians, and 4 previously trained evaluators participated. The canine in vivo venipuncture procedure was evaluated both before and after the simulated skill training and the low-fidelity simulator training. Data were collected on participants' self-confidence levels. RESULTS: Local complications occurred during in vivo practice; however, after training, they decreased. Gloves were more frequently used during the procedure, resulting in a reduction of both harvest attempts and complications, as well as increased levels of self-confidence in post-training participants. The simulator developed had low fidelity, low cost, and was easy to create. CONCLUSION: Skill training in peripheral venipuncture using a low-fidelity simulator positively influences student learning, increases their self-confidence during in vivo harvesting, and reduces the complications of the procedure, improving patient well-being.

l-arginine minimizes immunosuppression and prothrombin time and enhances the genotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low doses of l-arginine supplementation on hemogram, integrity of DNA and spleen, inflammatory infiltrate in the jejunum, and in the coagulogram of rats submitted to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were fed commercial feed and water ad libitum and grouped into four (eight rats per group): The control group was given a 0.9% physiologic solution to simulate the application of 5-FU in the other groups; the G5-FU group was given a dose of 5-FU; the GArg50 and GArg100 groups were given a dose of 5-FU and supplemented with 50 and 100 mg l-arginine/d added in the drinking water ad libitum. RESULTS: The rats in the GArg50 group did not lose weight after chemotherapy. GArg50 rats presented polycythemia owing to dehydration caused by diarrhea generated by 5-FU. GArg100 rats had increased total leukocyte count, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and index in the total index of DNA damage, yet showed a reduction in prothrombin time and in the spleen depletion index. Rats in the G5-FU, GArg50, and GArg100 groups had similar moderate inflammatory infiltrate in the jejunum. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with 100 mg/d of l-arginine minimized immunosuppression, spleen depletion, and prothrombin time and contributed to the breakdown of 5-FU-generated DNA in Wistar rats. Supplementation with 50 mg/d of l-arginine decreased the weight loss generated by 5-FU in Wistar rats. Supplements with 50 or 100 mg of l-arginine did not interfere with 5-FU-generated jejunal inflammatory infiltrate.