Pathological and Immunohistochemical Examinations in Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) of Wild and Captive Population

The aim of this study was to evaluate the health situation of chukar partridges through several diagnostic methods. We investigated a total of 224 birds in eighteen populations throughout Turkey, fourteen wild and four captive. The molecular sexing method was used for gender identification. Clinically, traumatic lesions and inflammatory reactions were the most commonly observed in the eyes and extremities of the Chukar Partridges in the breeding stations. At necropsy, the most common findings were enteritis and liver lesions. At the histopathological examination, pneumonia, anthracosis, and inflammatory changes in the digestive system were among the common findings. Interestingly, liver parasites were found in wild samples. At the immunohistochemical examinations, the tissues were evaluated for Marek's disease (MD), Adenovirus, Avian mycobacteriosis (AMB), and Aspergillosis. While MD and AMB were not found in breeding stations, we determined them from wild populations. Aspergillus was found in both wild and captive populations; Adenovirus antigens were found only in breeding stations. When the captive and wild populations were evaluated together, MD 1.3%, AMB 0.9%, Aspergillosis 1.3%, Adenovirus 1.8% were found. The relation between sex and diseases was also examined. As a result, the data of this study showed that chukar partridges from both breeding stations and wild populations are not an important source of diseases, but especially released partridges from breeding stations may carry some microorganisms. For that reason, captive populations should be regularly monitored for contagious diseases.(AU)

EFEITO DA DEXAMETASONA SOBRE O AUMENTO DA PRODUÇÃO DE ESPÉCIES REATIVAS DE OXIGÊNIO EM CULTURAS DE CÉLULAS TRONCO MESENQUIMAIS

Em diversas afecções clínicas, como por exemplo em hipoplasias ou aplasias medulares, sabe-se que pacientes beneficiam-se do uso contínuo de anti-inflamatório esteroidal, em baixas doses, e que a retirada desses medicamentos pode, às vezes, comprometer a vida do animal. Sabe-se também que, até o momento, as referências técnico-científicas disponíveis desaconselham o uso dessa classe farmacológica associado as células tronco, pela possibilidade da interação inibir os efeitos antiinflamatórios e imunossupressores dessas células indiferenciadas. Entretanto, e se houver a possibilidade de realizar a terapia com células-tronco para essas afecções, devemos simplesmente cessar o uso do anti-inflamatório e iniciar a infusão de células? Podemos, inicialmente, associar os tratamentos? Até que ponto a atividade das células tronco mesenquimal estariam comprometidas num organismo sob a influência da dexametasona? Na tentativa de obtermos algumas respostas, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos in vitro do anti-inflamatório esteroidal sobre as culturas de MSC derivadas de tecido adiposo, sob diferentes concentrações de dexametasona comercial, veterinária (0,2%) e humana (0,4%), avaliando a proliferação celular, apoptose e estresse oxidativo. Para experimentação in vitro, e teste do efeito dos medicamentos sobre linhagem de célula tronco, foram utilizadas placas de 24 poços nos quais foram ser semeadas 5,0 x 104 células MSC por poço nos seus respectivos experimentos, em um volume final de 1mL de meio DMEM suplementado e acrescentado as concentrações de 16,0 µg/mL, 31,0 µg/mL, 62,5 µg/mL, 125,0 µg/mL e 250,0 µg/mL de dexametasona. Constatou-se que nas concentrações mais altas de Dexametasona veterinária houve maiores danos às células, aumentando o estresse oxidativo e apoptose, enquanto na Dexametasona humana as taxas de proliferação, apoptose e ROS similares ao encontrados no grupo controle. Observou-se nessa pesquisa um comportamento divergente entre os dois produtos comerciais vinculados ao princípio Dexametasona. A Dexametasona veterinária gerou os resultados compatíveis com as referências técnicas publicadas em artigos, como diminuição de proliferação, aumento de apoptose e aumento na produção de ROS, fato que, contra-indica a associação terapêutica clínica desse fármaco com as células tronco. Todavia, os dados obtidos nos abrem perspectivas futuras para a realização de estudos clínicos utilizando a Dexametasona humana e terapia com células tronco, potencializando as possibilidades terapêuticas para diversas afecções.

In several clinical conditions, such as spinal aplasia or hypoplasia, it is known that patients benefit from the continued use of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in low doses, and that the withdrawal of these medications can sometimes compromise the life of the animal. It is also known that, so far, the available technical-scientific references advise against the use of this pharmacological class in association with stem cells, due to the possibility of inhibition of the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects caused by these undifferentiated cells. However, and if there is a possibility of using stem cell therapy for these diseases, should we simply stop using the anti-inflammatory and start infusing only the cells? Can we initially associate treatments? To which extent would the activity of the mesenchymal stem cells be compromised in an organism under the influence of dexamethasone? In an attempt to obtain some answers, the present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of steroidal anti-inflammatory on MSC cultures derived from adipose tissue, under different concentrations of commercial, veterinary (0.2%) and human dexamethasone (0.4%), evaluating cell proliferation, apoptosis and oxidative stress. For in vitro experimentation, and testing the effect of drugs on stem cell lineage, 24-well cell culture plates were used, in which 5.0 x 104 MSC cells were seeded per well in their respective experiments, in a final volume of 1mL of supplemented DMEM medium and added concentrations of 16.0 µg/mL, 31.0 µg/mL, 62.5 µg/mL, 125.0 µg/mL and 250.0 µg/mL of dexamethasone. It was found that at higher concentrations of veterinary Dexamethasone there was greater damage to cells, increased oxidative stress and apoptosis, while with human Dexamethasone the rates of proliferation, apoptosis and ROS were similar to those found in the control group. In this research, a divergent behavior was observed between the two commercial products linked to the active ingredient of Dexamethasone. Veterinary Dexamethasone generated results compatible with the technical references published in articles, such as decreased proliferation, increased apoptosis and increased ROS production, a fact that contraindicates the clinical therapeutic association of this drug with stem cells. However, the data obtained open up future perspectives for clinical studies using human Dexamethasone and stem cell therapy, enhancing the therapeutic possibilities for several conditions.