Effects of hyperprotein diet on anxiety, haemodynamics and morphofunctional aspects of the heart of Wistar rats.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? The consumption of a high-protein diet has been associated with an anxiogenic factor that can influence anxiety and possible cardiovascular changes: does the consumption of a high-protein diet interfere with anxiety, haemodynamics and morphofunctional aspects of the heart of Wistar rats? What is the main finding and its importance? Our study showed that the high-protein diet did not interfere with anxiety and haemodynamics. The animals in the hyperproteic group showed positive heart adaptations characterized by less work and lower heart rate without impairing ejection fraction and systemic blood pressure. ABSTRACT: Anxiety is a mechanism preparatory to a response in situations of threat and danger, involving behavioural, affective and physiological factors. Protein-based foods have a high concentration of amino acids which perform multiple functions, including in the biosynthesis of excitatory transmitters for the central nervous system. In recent years, adherence to high-protein diets has been gaining ground in society, on the basis that it brings benefits to the musculoskeletal system and cardiovascular health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a high-protein diet in a state of anxiety and to investigate morphofunctional cardiovascular effects of a high-protein diet in Wistar rats. The experiment lasted 8 weeks and two groups of male rats were submitted to either a normoproteic or a hyperproteic diet. Anxiety was assessed using the plus maze test and cardiovascular morphofunctional aspects using transthoracic echocardiography and invasive measurements of femoral blood pressure. There was no statistically significant difference in the anxiety test, but the hyperproteic group was more agitated, with greater displacement during the test. Changes were found in systolic and end-diastolic volume, left ventricular diameter in systole and heart rate, which were significantly lower in the hyperproteic group, and there was an increase in the thickness of the interventricular septum in diastole. The results showed no influence of the higher protein diet on the animals' anxiety, body weight and haemodynamics.

Evaluation of C-reactive protein as an inflammatory marker of pemphigus foliaceus and superficial pyoderma in dogs.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute phase protein in dogs and may be an inflammatory marker of autoimmune diseases. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To measure pre- and post-treatment CRP levels in dogs with superficial pyoderma (SP) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) compared to normal dogs; to evaluate possible correlation between CRP values, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), and pemphigus foliaceus extent and severity index (PEFESI) scores. ANIMALS: Fifty nine dogs divided into three groups: Group I (control, n = 31), Group II (SP, n = 14) and Group III (PF, n = 14). METHODS: CRP levels were measured in Group I dogs. Skin biopsies of Groups II and III dogs were obtained for histopathological examination. In Group II dogs, CRP levels were measured at days 0, 15, 30 and 60. In Group III dogs were evaluated by PEFESI, IIF and CRP levels at days 0, 15, 30, 60 and 90. RESULTS: Group III showed a higher median CRP (37.4 mg/mL) compared to the other groups (Group I, CRP 2.9 mg/mL, P < 0.0001; Group II CRP 3.8 mg/mL, P = 0.008). There was no significant difference in CRP levels between groups I and II. IIF titres and CRP levels decreased in most cases of PF with clinical improvement. Dogs with CRP >10.6 µg/mL were 5.5 times more likely to have PF than SP. There was a strong positive correlation between CRP values and PEFESI and a weak positive correlation between CRP values and IIF titres. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: CRP levels are increased in dogs with PF and exceed levels found in most dogs with SP.

Comparative Therapeutic Potential of Cardioactive Glycosides in Doxorubicin Model of Heart Failure.

In the present study, we investigated the cardioactive glycosides oleandrin and ouabain, and compared them to digoxin in a model of cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin. Adult rats were distributed into four experimental groups. Each group was challenged with a single intraperitoneal application of doxorubicin at a dose of 12 mg/kg. Then, they were treated with saline solution and the glycosides oleandrin, ouabain, and digoxin at a dose of 50 µg/kg, for 7 days. They underwent echocardiography, electrocardiography, hematologic, biochemical tests, and microscopic evaluation of the heart. All animals presented congestive heart failure, which was verified by a reduction in the ejection fraction. Oleandrin and digoxin were able to significantly reduce (p < 0.05) the eccentric remodeling caused by doxorubicin. Oleandrin and digoxin were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the control group in maintaining systolic volume and left ventricular volume in diastole. Other parameters evaluated did not show significant statistical differences. All animals showed an increase in erythrocyte count, and an increase in the duration of the QRS complex on the ECG and myocardial necrosis at the histopathological analysis. It is concluded that the glycosides oleandrin, ouabain, and digoxin in the used dosage do not present therapeutic potential for the treatment of congestive heart failure caused by doxorubicin.

Physical Training Improves Cardiac Structure and Function of Rats After Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background: The use of doxorubicin in chemotherapy has been associated with cardiotoxicity and heart failure. Physical exercise produces favorable morphofunctional adaptations in the cardiovascular system and may reverse cardiac dysfunction in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Objective: To assess the effects of physical training on myocardial structure, cardiac function, and exercise tolerance in Wistar rats initiated after the onset of cardiotoxicity-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods: This study investigated 30 adult male Wistar rats randomly divided into four groups: control (C), exercise (EX), doxorubicin (DX), and doxorubicin and exercise (DXEX). The DX and DXEX groups received six doses of doxorubincin from 1.25 mg/kg body weight up to a cumulative dose of 7.5 mg/kg. Injections were administered intraperitoneally three times a week for two weeks; after this stage, the EX and DXEX groups started physical training (swimming) sessions three times a week with a load of 5% of their body weight. Echocardiography and exercise tolerance tests were performed. Generalized linear models were used in statistical analysis, and a p<0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results: Left ventricular shortening fraction and ejection fraction were reduced in the DX group compared to C, EX, and DXEX. The DXEX group showed greater tolerance to effort when compared to the DX and C groups. Conclusion: Physical training, initiated after the onset of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, improved cardiac function and exercise tolerance in rats.

Dilated cardiomyopathy in boxer puppy of 8 months of age: a case report / Cardiomiopatia dilatada em cão da raça boxer de 8 meses de idade: relato de caso

A female Boxer breed dog, at eight months of age, with 8kg, was taken care in the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Goias with emaciation and breathing difficulty. Cyanotic mucosa, ascites, pulmonary rales, arrhythmias and hypophonesis of heart sounds were observed during clinical examination. Chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram were performed, diagnosing dilated cardiomyopathy. The animal, young enough to manifestation of this disease, was treated and showed a survival of 8 months after the beginning of the treatment.

Uma cadela da raça Boxer, oito meses, 8kg, foi atendida no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Goiás, com emaciação e dificuldade respiratória. Ao exame clínico observou-se mucosas cianóticas, ascite, estertores pulmonares, arritmias e hipofonese das bulhas cardíacas. Realizou-se radiografia de tórax, eletrocardiograma e ecocardiograma, diagnosticando-se cardiomiopatia dilatada. O animal, bastante jovem para manifestação desta enfermidade, foi tratado e obteve uma sobrevida de oito meses após inicio do tratamento.

Corpúsculos de lentz em um cão com 10 dias de idade / Lentz body inclusions in 10-day-old dog

A cinomose canina é uma doença sistêmica contagiosa com alta taxa de morbidade e mortalidade em cães, causada por um Morbillivírus, da família Paramyxoviridae. Animais infectados frequentemente desenvolvem manifestações neurológicas. O principal meio de transmissão é por aerossolização do exsudato respiratório contendo o microrganismo, porém a infecção transplacentária tem sido documentada em cães domésticos. A presença de corpúsculos de Lentz intracitoplasmático em leucócitos é encontrada na fase de viremia da doença. Esta inclusão é considerada uma ferramenta de diagnóstico precoce da cinomose. Foi encaminhado ao Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia um cão com 10 dias de idade, macho, branco, sem raça definida e pesando 500 gramas. O cão apresentava convulsões de 20 em 20 minutos. No hemograma, ao realizar a contagem diferencial de leucócitos, constatou-se a inclusão de Lentz. A presença do corpúsculo intracitoplasmático caracteriza uma alta viremia para um animal de dez dias de idade. Pode-se afirmar também que houve infecção transplacentária devido ao período de incubação do vírus da cinomose canina ser de sete dias, e o animal apresentar pouca idade.

The canine distemper is a systemic infectious disease with high mortality rate in dogs caused by a Morbillivirus. Affected animals often develop nervous manifestations. The main of transmission is by aerosolization of respiratory exudate containing the microorganism, but transplacental infection has been documented in domestic dogs. The presence of intracytoplasmic Lentz bodies in leukocytes is found in the viremia phase of the disease. This inclusion is considered a tool for early diagnosis of distemper. It was routed at the Veterinary Hospital, Federal University of Uberlândia a 10-day-old puppy, male, mixed breed and weighed 500 grams. It presented seizures of 20 to 20 minutes. At the hemogram, it was found intracytoplasmic Lentz body. The animal with only 10-day-old, reports a high viremia by the presence of intracytoplasmic corpuscle. Therefore, occurred a transplacental infection due to the incubation period of canine distemper virus is seven days, and the animal presents a young age.