Ageing is associated with a reduction in markers of mitochondrial energy metabolism in the human epidermis.

The decline of mitochondrial function throughout the lifespan is directly linked to the development of ageing phenotypes of the skin. Here, we assessed alterations in markers of epidermal mitochondrial energy metabolism as a function of skin age. Human skin samples from distinct anatomical regions were obtained during routine dermatological surgery from 21 young (27.6 ± 1.71 year) and 22 old (76.2 ± 1.73 year) donors. Sections of skin samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry for mitochondrial subunits of each electron transport chain complex (I-V)/oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), as well as proteins serving as a marker of mitochondrial mass (VDAC1) and the regulation of DNA transcription (TFAM). Staining intensities of ATP5F1A (comprising complex V) and TFAM in the epidermis of older subjects were significantly decreased compared with younger donors. Moreover, these effects were independent of UV exposure of the stained skin section. Overall, we demonstrate that ageing is associated with reduced protein levels of complex V of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and TFAM. These alterations may impair essential mitochondrial functions, exacerbating the cutaneous ageing process.

Assessment of Adrenal Computed Tomography Characteristics in Cats with Nonadrenal Disease.

Adrenal computed tomography characteristics (aCTc) in healthy cats are known, but reference intervals for diseased cats are lacking. aCTc of cats without evidence of adrenal disease (NAD group) were compared to parameters of cats with possible concurrent adrenal disease (PAD group). The PAD group was assessed for adrenal masses or other morphological deviations using the NAD group as reference. Associations of aCTc with patient variables were explored, and all results were compared with published aCTc of healthy cats. No incidental adrenal masses were identified in the PAD group (n = 92), and only few aCTc differed compared to the NAD group (n = 30). The NAD group showed similar associations of patient variables and aCTc as length (right: 11.5 ± 2.2 mm, left: 11.8 ± 1.7 mm), width (right: 6.4 ± 1.2 mm, left: 5.4 ± 0.8 mm), height (right: 4.5 ± 0.9 mm, left: 4.5 ± 0.8 mm), attenuation (right: 33.1 ± 5.0 Hounsfield units, left: 32.5 ± 5.3 Hounsfield units) and position, but markedly more mineralization (right: 10%, left: 13.3%) than reported in healthy cats. This study provides references of aCTc for diseased cats without evidence of adrenal disease. The result suggests that adrenal incidentalomas seem to be rare in cats.

Efficacy and safety of ronidazole treatment against Tritrichomonas foetus in a cat colony with multiple disorders.

In a group of pedigree cats (n = 17) in poor health condition housed in an animal shelter in Vienna, Austria, with a history of persistent diarrhea, Tritrichomonas foetus infection was detected by PCR. Despite pre-existing clinical conditions all cats were treated with ronidazole (30 mg/kg PO q24h for 14 days) under close observation. After treatment, 11 of 14 initially positive animals remained negative for T. foetus during the observation period (six to eight weeks post treatment) and no diarrhea was observed. During treatment, nine cats showed mild to moderate neurological disorders (incoordination, mild tremor) at least once; six of these had already shown similar signs before treatment. Ronidazole treatment of multimorbid animals is acceptable if the benefit (here: clinical resolution and release from quarantine for adoption) is high. It is hypothesized that a high degree of inbreeding is a significant risk factor for the development of tritrichomonosis in cats.