Effects of Sodium Monensin on Copper Metabolism of Brazilian Santa Inês Sheep Submitted to Different Dietary Copper.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of sodium monensin on the hepatic accumulation of copper in sheep. Twenty-four Santa Inês crossbred sheep were used and allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with six repetitions and considering the factors dietary copper (basal and high) and supplementation (with and without sodium monensin). Thus, four homogeneous groups were formed: control (basal diet); monensin (Mon), 30 ppm of monensin; copper (Cu), 10 10 mg/kg BW per day of copper; monensin + copper (MonCu). The experimental period lasted 14 weeks. Liver and bile samples were collected at the beginning and end of the experiment to determine mineral element concentrations, and weekly blood samples for biochemical, hematological, and mineral evaluation. Liver copper concentrations at the beginning of the experiment did not vary between groups, while mean liver copper concentrations at the end of the experiment were higher in the MonCu, Cu, and Mon groups when compared to the control. At the end of the study, hepatic copper concentration was influenced by copper (p = 0.0001) and monensin (p = 0.0003) supplementation. Copper-supplemented groups had reduced liver iron contents (p = 0.0287) and increased copper concentrations in bile. The biochemical evaluation showed increased serum GGT and AST activity (p < 0.05) in the Cu and MonCu groups from the eleventh week on compared to the control and Mon groups. The increase in activity of these enzymes was influenced by copper supplementation (p = 0.0340). Monensin interferes positively with the hepatic accumulation of copper and the supplementation of this additive may predispose sheep to copper poisoning.

Bioavailability of catechins from guaraná (Paullinia cupana) and its effect on antioxidant enzymes and other oxidative stress markers in healthy human subjects.

We assessed the effects of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) consumption on plasma catechins, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and biomarkers of oxidative stress (ex vivo LDL oxidation, plasma total antioxidant status and ORAC, and lymphocyte single cell gel electrophoresis) in healthy overweight subjects. Twelve participants completed a 15-day run-in period followed by a 15-day intervention with a daily intake of 3 g guaraná seed powder containing 90 mg (+)-catechin and 60 mg (-)-epicatechin. Blood samples were taken on the first and last day of the intervention period, fasting and 1 h post-dose. The administration of guaraná increased plasma ORAC, while reducing ex vivo LDL oxidation (only in the first study day) and hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage in lymphocytes, at 1 h post-dose. Plasma catechin (0.38 ± 0.12 and 0.44 ± 0.18 nmol mL(-1)), epicatechin (0.59 ± 0.18 and 0.64 ± 0.25 nmol mL(-1)) and their methylated metabolites were observed at 1 h post-dose but were almost negligible after overnight fasting. The activities of catalase (in both study days) and glutathione peroxidase (in the last intervention day) increased at 1 h post-dose. Furthermore, the activity of both enzymes remained higher than the basal levels in overnight-fasting individuals on the last intervention day, suggesting a prolonged effect of guaraná that continues even after plasma catechin clearance. In conclusion, guaraná catechins are bioavailable and contribute to reduce the oxidative stress of clinically healthy individuals, by direct antioxidant action of the absorbed phytochemicals and up-regulation of antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes.

Clinical evaluation of nervous ketosis induced by isopropanol in sheep / Manifestações clínicas da cetose nervosa induzida por isopropanol em ovinos

Twelve healthy Santa Ines sheep, non-pregnant and non-lactating underwent a protocol of experimental induction of nervous ketosis for studying the symptoms in ketosis and Pregnancy Toxaemia (PT) disease. Eight animals were subjected to infusion of 150 mL of isopropanol (IPA) at 35% in the jugular vein and four sheep were treated identically with isotonic saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) during 40 minutes. The animals treated with IPA showed increased heart rate (HR) after 40 minutes of infusion and decreased ruminal movement from the 10 minutes infusion with IPA and remaining low up to 10 minutes from the end of the infusion. Ruminal atony appeared in three animals, which showed slight meteorism gas. Infusion of IPA caused the appearance of nervous symptoms as depression, staggering, adduction of hind limbs, head pressing, teeth grind and blindness almost always accompanied by a decreased pupillary reflex and nystagmus. All the animals exhaled ketosis breath with strong odor within few minutes of the start of induction that helped the elimination of the IPA from the organism. The present results strongly suggest that part of the nervous symptoms observed in PT may be derived from the action of IPA. These present findings open new perspectives for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of PT in sheep...

Doze ovelhas hígidas, não prenhes e não lactentes foram submetidas a um protocolo de indução experimental de cetose nervosa para a avaliação de sintomatologia nos quadros de cetose e Toxemia da Prenhez. Neste protocolo, oito animais foram submetidos a infusão de 150 mL de solução de isopropanol a 35% na veia jugular, constituindo o grupo Tratado (GT), e quatro ovinos foram tratados identicamente com solução salina isotônica (NaCl 0,9%), constituindo o grupo Controle (GC) no decorrer de 40 minutos. Os animais do GT apresentaram aumento da frequência cardíaca (FC) aos 40 minutos de infusão e redução no movimento ruminal a partir dos 10 minutos de infusão com isopropanol, o qual permaneceu diminuído ate 10 minutos do termino da infusão. A atonia ruminal ocorreu em três animais, que manifestaram em seguida leve meteorismo gasoso. A infusão de isopropanol provocou o surgimento de sintomas nervosos como, depressão e sonolência, cambaleios, adução de membros posteriores, pressão da cabeça em obstáculo, ranger de dentes e cegueira quase sempre acompanhada de diminuição do reflexo pupilar e nistagmo. Todos os animais exalaram forte odor cetótico com poucos minutos do inicio da indução, fato que ajudou a eliminação do isopropanol do organismo. Os presentes resultados sugerem que parte dos sintomas nervosos verificados na Toxemia da Prenhez possa ser oriunda da ação do isopropanol. Estes resultados abrem novas perspectivas para o melhor entendimento da patogenia da Toxemia da Prenhez em ovinos...

Avaliação do quadro clínico e perfil bioquímico de bovinos durante indução e tratamento de hipocalcemia / Assessment of clinical and biochemical profile of cattle during induction and treatment of hypocalcemia

O presente trabalho objetivou estudar o quadro sintomatológico, algumas variáveis bioquímicas e a resposta ao tratamento com cálcio de bovinos com hipocalcemia induzida experimentalmente. Foram utilizadas 12 novilhas distribuídas nos grupos controle (n = 5) e tratado (n = 7). Foi infundida solução de EDTA a 5% até o animal apresentar sinais clínicos de hipocalcemia, quando então era iniciado o tratamento com solução contendo cálcio, fósforo, magnésio e glicose, na dose de 1 mL/kg/PV, em 30 minutos, enquanto que o grupo controle recebia apenas solução fisiológica na mesma dose. Exame clínico e coleta de amostras sanguíneas foram realizados nos tempos T0 (basal), T1 (Fase I, caracterizada por tremores musculares), T2 (ao final da infusão com EDTA), T3 (ao final do tratamento) e T4 (24 horas após o término do experimento). Todas as novilhas mostraram diminuição temporária da concentração de cálcio total e livre, fósforo, e apresentaram quadro clássico de hipocalcemia. A taquicardia, a hipofonese e a atonia ruminal desapareceram no decorrer do tratamento, sendo observado aumento no cálcio livre e total e fósforo. O medicamento usado no tratamento dos animais foi eficaz na recuperação do quadro clínico de hipocalcemia dentro de 30 minutos, promovendo retorno das principais variáveis do perfil bioquímico aos valores basais

The present work aims to study the clinical picture, biochemical profile and treatment response in cattle with induced hypocalcaemia. Were utilized 12 heifers randomly distributed in treated (n = 7) and control (n = 5) groups. The induction model was carried on by continuous EDTA infusion into jugular vein until the animals present clinical signs of hypocalcaemia. After that, the treated group received a calcium (Ca) solution enriched with phosphorus, magnesium and glucose with a dose of 1 mL/kg/BW in 30 minutes, meanwhile, the control group was treated with the same dose of physiologic solution. Clinical examination were performed and blood samples were obtained in times T0 (basal time), T1 (beginning of hypocalcaemia); T2 (end of EDTA infusion); T3 (end of treatment) and T4 (24 hours after the induction). All the heifers present temporary blood calcium and phosphorus reduction and demonstrated classical clinical picture of hypocalcaemia. The treated group present full clinical recovery and blood calcium and phosphorus increase. Most evident clinical signs were increasing heart beat, hypophonesis and rumenal atony. Those symptoms were reversed after calcium treatment. The solution used for treatment was efficient on clinical recovery within thirty minutes, promoting the return to basal levels of the most of biochemical's variables