Supplementation with L-Arginine Decreases Jejunal Lesions and Micronucleus Formation Induced by 5-Fluorouracil in Rats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-arginine supplementation on the formation of jejunal lesions and micronuclei in Wistar rats following 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment. Fifty rats were separated into five groups: CG served as the control group, GArg was supplemented L-arginine, G5-FU was administered 5-FU, GArg+5-FU was supplemented L-arginine/day and administered 5-FU, and Gciclo served as a positive control group for micronuclei formation. Jejunal lesions were assessed by histopathological analysis using a scoring system with a maximum of 39 points, based on the following lesions: lymph vessel dilatation, cubic enterocytes, villous flattening, villus fusion, interstitial edema, and apical necrosis of the villi. Micronuclei were counted in polychromatic erythrocytes from the femur bone marrow. The control and GArg rats had the lowest number of jejunal lesions (6.4 ± 2.8 and 5.3 ± 2.4, respectively) and micronuclei (1.9 ± 0.6 and 1.1 ± 0.3, respectively) while the G5-FU rats had the highest number of jejunal lesions (24.2 ± 4.9) and micronuclei (36.0 ± 8.5). The GArg+5-FU rats showed significantly reduced (P < 0.05) jejunal lesions (10.2 ± 4.9) and micronuclei (15.4 ± 5.9). In conclusion L-arginine supplementation potentially reduces the jejunal lesions and DNA damage caused by 5-FU.

The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Rosuvastatin in Wound Healing in Rabbits: A Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improves wound healing in rabbits by analyzing morphologic alterations in lesions with the use of PRP alone or combined with rosuvastatin (RSV). METHODS: Eight adult male New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. Researchers created four wounds on the back of each rabbit with an 8-mm punch. The control wound was treated with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Experimental wounds were treated with PRP, RSV, or both PRP and RSV. Dressings were changed with a new application of PRP and RSV every 4 days for 16 days. Wounds were biopsied on days 0, 7, 10, 14, and 17 for histopathologic evaluation of the scar tissue. MAIN RESULTS: Histopathology revealed reepithelialization in 100% of wounds treated with PRP alone after 17 days of treatment, compared with 50% of wounds treated with RSV alone and 75% of the wounds treated with PRP and RSV. Further, combining RSV and PRP reduced blood loss. The use of PRP alone induced 100% neovascularization, compared with 50% and 62.5% in wounds treated with PRP and RSV and RSV alone, respectively. All experimental wounds had a higher percentage of collagen fibers on day 17 postlesion when compared with control wounds (78.27% ± 4.69%). There were no significant differences among treatments; however, wounds treated with RSV alone had the lowest amount of collagen fibers (85.98% ± 3.51%). Wounds treated with PRP alone or PRP and RSV had 90.07% ± 6.20% and 90.76% ± 3.51% collagen fibers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that PRP elicits higher healing activity in the first 7 days postlesion. Treatments with RSV alone or RSV and PRP did enhance other healing phases.

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.

Effect of Mikania glomerata (Asteraceae) leaf extract combined with anti-venom serum on experimental Crotalus durissus (Squamata: Viperidae) envenomation in rats.

Crotalic envenomation represents the highest number of deaths when compared to other snakebite envenomations of medical interest. Crotalic venom has important characteristics such as neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and clotting and hemolytic action. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory aspects of Crotalus durissus terrificus experimental envenomation in Wistar rats treated with antivenom and the aqueous extract of the plant Mikania glomerata. The animals were divided into three groups: Group C (control); Group VS-venom and antivenom; Group VSM-venom, antivenom and aqueous extract of M. glomerata. Crotalic poison caused clinical and laboratory alterations in Wistar mice. Significant clinical alterations were: temperature decrease, edema in the venom inoculated member, sedation and a locomotion decrease in groups VS and VSM when compared with group C. A faster recovery from sedation was observed only for animals of group VSM when compared to VS. There was an increase in the number of leukocytes, neutrophils and creatine kinase in the VS and VSM groups, compared to group C. Wistar rats showed a high resistance to crotalic venom. Additional studies with different doses, time of treatment, different administration methods and histopathological and immunological studies are necessary to understand the action of M. glomerata in crotalic accidents.

Effects of heterologous platelet-rich plasma gel on standardized dermal wound healing in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of heterologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel for surgical skin wound healing in rabbits. METHODS: Blood from a single healthy dog was used for PRP production, with calcium gluconate added to the PRP to form the gel. Two surgical excisions, one to the right and the other to the left of the dorsal midline, were made in six rabbits. One side was randomly allocated to topical application of a physiological solution, and the other was allocated to treatment with heterologous PRP gel. Clinical assessments (weight, pain sensitivity, coloring, edema, hyperemia, exudation, crust, and granulation) and morphometric evaluations were performed 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 17 days postoperatively. Histological analysis was performed on the 17th day. RESULTS: With the exception of the presence of a crust at day 10, clinical variables did not differ significantly between the experimental groups. In both the control and PRP-treated groups, differences were identified when comparing time-points in terms of wound area reduction. Histological results indicated no significant differences between the control group and the PRP-treated group. CONCLUSION: Heterologous platelet-rich plasma gel promoted dermal wound healing in rabbits with no adverse effects.

Six-week anaerobic training improves proteolytic profile of diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of six-week anaerobic training on the mRNA expression of genes related to proteolysis Ubb (Ubiquitin), E2-14kDa, Trim63 (MuRF1 protein) and Nfkb1 in the skeletal muscle of diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups were established: DE (DiabetesExercised), DS (Diabetes Sedentary), CE (Control Exercised) and CS (Control Sedentary). The training consisted of 3 sets of 12 jumps in the liquid mean with load equivalent to 50% of BW for 6 weeks. Euthanasia occurred under ip anesthesia, and blood, adipose tissue and skeletal muscles were collected. Gene expression was quantified by RT-PCR in the gastrocnemius muscle. ANOVA one-way was used for comparison among groups, with post-hoc (Tukey) when necessary, considering p < 0.05. RESULTS: We observed reduction in the body weight and adipose tissue in the diabetic groups. The muscle mass was reduced in DS, which could be reversed by training (DE). Although DS and DE have presented similar body weight, the training protocol in DE promoted reduction in the adipose tissue, and increase of muscle mass. Anaerobic training was efficient to reduce glycaemia only in the diabetic animals until 6 hours after the end of training. The Trim63 gene expression was increased in DS; decreased Ubb gene level was observed in trained rats (CE and DE) compared to sedentary (CS and DS), and DE presented the lowest level of E2-14kDa gene expression. CONCLUSION: Six-week anaerobic training promoted muscle mass gain, improved glycemic control, and exerted inhibitory effect on the proteolysis of gastrocnemius muscle of diabetic rats.

Applicability of crystalline cellulose membrane in the treatment of skin wounds induced in Wistar rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the healing of skin wounds induced experimentally in rats using a crystalline cellulose membrane (Veloderm®). METHODS: Thirty-two rats were divided into two groups: control group (CG) wounds treated with a solution of 0.9% sodium chloride and Veloderm® group (VG) wounds treated with a crystalline cellulose membrane. The rats were evaluated at different times over twenty-six days. RESULTS: Weight loss was observed in the animals from both groups in the early stages, with greater weight in the VG animals at the end. Times of predominant hypothermia, pink color of the wound in both groups over all time points, increased granulation tissue in the CG animals, the presence of slight oozing from the wound and feature in the VG animals, more serous exudation of the bloody feature, greater wound contraction and pain in the CG animals and an absence of pain and earlier complete wound healing in the VG rats were also observed. CONCLUSION: The crystalline cellulose membrane is effective in the treatment of wounds in rats, easy to use, protects and maintains the humidity of the wound, decreases pain, eases the visualization and control of the evolution of the lesion.

Six-week anaerobic training improves proteolytic profile of diabetic rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of six-week anaerobic training on the mRNA expression of genes related to proteolysis Ubb (Ubiquitin), E2-14kDa, Trim63 (MuRF1 protein) and Nfkb1 in the skeletal muscle of diabetic rats.Materials and methods Four groups were established: DE (DiabetesExercised), DS (Diabetes Sedentary), CE (Control Exercised) and CS (Control Sedentary). The training consisted of 3 sets of 12 jumps in the liquid mean with load equivalent to 50% of BW for 6 weeks. Euthanasia occurred under ip anesthesia, and blood, adipose tissue and skeletal muscles were collected. Gene expression was quantified by RT–PCR in the gastrocnemius muscle. ANOVA one-way was used for comparison among groups, with post-hoc (Tukey) when necessary, considering p < 0.05.Results We observed reduction in the body weight and adipose tissue in the diabetic groups. The muscle mass was reduced in DS, which could be reversed by training (DE). Although DS and DE have presented similar body weight, the training protocol in DE promoted reduction in the adipose tissue, and increase of muscle mass. Anaerobic training was efficient to reduce glycaemia only in the diabetic animals until 6 hours after the end of training. The Trim63 gene expression was increased in DS; decreased Ubb gene level was observed in trained rats (CE and DE) compared to sedentary (CS and DS), and DE presented the lowest level of E2-14kDa gene expression.Conclusion Six-week anaerobic training promoted muscle mass gain, improved glycemic control, and exerted inhibitory effect on the proteolysis of gastrocnemius muscle of diabetic rats.

Effects of heterologous platelet-rich plasma gel on standardized dermal wound healing in rabbits

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of heterologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel for surgical skin wound healing in rabbits METHODS: Blood from a single healthy dog was used for PRP production, with calcium gluconate added to the PRP to form the gel. Two surgical excisions, one to the right and the other to the left of the dorsal midline, were made in six rabbits. One side was randomly allocated to topical application of a physiological solution, and the other was allocated to treatment with heterologous PRP gel. Clinical assessments (weight, pain sensitivity, coloring, edema, hyperemia, exudation, crust, and granulation) and morphometric evaluations were performed 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 17 days postoperatively. Histological analysis was performed on the 17th day. RESULTS: With the exception of the presence of a crust at day 10, clinical variables did not differ significantly between the experimental groups. In both the control and PRP-treated groups, differences were identified when comparing time-points in terms of wound area reduction. Histological results indicated no significant differences between the control group and the PRP-treated group. CONCLUSION: Heterologous platelet-rich plasma gel promoted dermal wound healing in rabbits with no adverse effects. .

Applicability of crystalline cellulose membrane in the treatment of skin wounds induced in Wistar rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the healing of skin wounds induced experimentally in rats using a crystalline cellulose membrane (Veloderm(r)). METHODS: Thirty-two rats were divided into two groups: control group (CG) wounds treated with a solution of 0.9% sodium chloride and Veloderm(r) group (VG) wounds treated with a crystalline cellulose membrane. The rats were evaluated at different times over twenty-six days. RESULTS: Weight loss was observed in the animals from both groups in the early stages, with greater weight in the VG animals at the end. Times of predominant hypothermia, pink color of the wound in both groups over all time points, increased granulation tissue in the CG animals, the presence of slight oozing from the wound and feature in the VG animals, more serous exudation of the bloody feature, greater wound contraction and pain in the CG animals and an absence of pain and earlier complete wound healing in the VG rats were also observed. CONCLUSION: The crystalline cellulose membrane is effective in the treatment of wounds in rats, easy to use, protects and maintains the humidity of the wound, decreases pain, eases the visualization and control of the evolution of the lesion. .

Megaesôfago secundário a miastenia grave em umacadela da raça Pastor Alemão / Megaesophagus secondary to myasthenia gravis in a female German shepherd dog

Megaesôfago é uma causa comum de regurgitação sendo uma das possíveis etiologias a miastenia gravecaracterizada por uma desordem neuromuscular que resulta em fraqueza dos músculos esqueléticos, doesôfago, da laringe e da faringe. O presente relato descreve um caso de uma cadela da raça PastorAlemão, com histórico de fraqueza muscular e vômitos freqüentes, que foi diagnosticada comomegaesôfago secundário à miastenia grave. A radiografia do animal apresentou um acentuadomegaesôfago cervical e torácico. Após a instituição do protocolo terapêutico recomendado o animalapresentou melhora visível ao caminhar, porém as regurgitações pioraram e começou a apresentar tosse.Foi realizado novo exame radiográfico com presença, além de megaesôfago, de pneumonia aspirativa. Aproprietária optou pela eutanásia do animal e a necropsia revelou severa pneumonia e dilatação acentuadada porção caudal do esôfago, caracterizando um megaesôfago de grande dimensão, colaborando comsubsídios para um prognóstico desfavorável do caso.

Megaesophagus is a common cause of regurgitation being one of the possible etiologies the myasthenia gravis characterized by a neuromuscular disorder that result in weakness of the skeletal muscles, of the esophagus, of the larynx and of the pharynx. The present report describes a case of a female German shepherd dog, with report of muscles weakness and frequent vomits, which was diagnosed as a megaesophagus secondary to myasthenia gravis. The radiograph of the animal presented an accentuated cervical and thoracic megaesophagus. After the institution of the recommended therapeutic protocol the animal presented visible improvement when walking, however the regurgitations worsened and it began to present cough. New radiograph was accomplished with presence, besides megaesophagus, of aspiration pneumonia. The owner opted for the euthanasia of the animal and the necropsy revealed severe pneumonia and an accentuated dilation of the posterior portion of the esophagus, collaborating with subsidies for an unfavorable prognostic of the case.