Peripartal changes of metabolic and hormonal parameters in Romanian spotted cows and their relation with retained fetal membranes.

This clinical study investigates various metabolic and physiological parameters in dairy cows during puerperium. Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is a significant postpartum complication that can affect the overall health, fertility and productivity of dairy cattle. The research focuses on changes in total proteins, albumin, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cortisol, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels among cows experiencing normal post-partum period (NP) and those with RFM. A significant increase in protein levels was noted during the post-partum period in the RFM group, indicating physiological impacts of RFM at this stage. Albumin levels showed significant differences, highlighting a significant biological effect of RFM in the post-partum period. Glucose levels varied significantly in the weeks leading to parturition, suggesting altered metabolic states in cows that suffered RFM. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly higher during the antepartum period in the group that experienced reproductive failure, indicating substantial alterations in lipid metabolism which could herald the apparition of RFM. AST and ALT levels provided insights into cellular stress and liver function, with significant increases noted around parturition which could be attributed to the substantial physiological strain of parturition itself. Cortisol levels were higher in RFM cows 2 weeks before parturition, which could indicate an increasing stress response or a physiological preparation for the upcoming labor, and may be more pronounced in cows predisposed to RFM. Insulin levels decreased significantly before and at parturition in RFM cows, indicating a strong energy deficit. IGF-1 levels decreased significantly in RFM cows after parturition. Significant changes in metabolic parameters, such as glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels, delineate the pronounced metabolic challenges faced by cows with RFM. The study elucidates that while some variations are noted as parturition approaches, the most substantial impacts attributable to RFM on metabolic and physiological parameters occur after parturition. These changes may have implications for the health, recovery, and productivity of cows postpartum, suggesting the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate the effects of RFM.

Correlation between Oxidative Stress Markers and Periodontal Disease in Dogs.

In dogs, periodontal disease (PD) is a highly common condition whose prevalence rises significantly with age. Studies on rats with experimentally induced PD and human clinical trials have found an association between oxidative stress (OS) and PD, as has been observed in many other inflammatory disorders. The objective of this research was to assess the main indicators of oxidative stress detected in the saliva of dogs and to compare them to the degree of inflammation and tartar amount on their teeth and gums. By identifying these correlations, we intended to identify early-stage PD markers that would allow us to diagnose the condition in dogs without requiring for invasive or traumatic procedures. The antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8OHG), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP8), and the quantity of total proteins are the markers that have been investigated in order to accomplish these objectives. The appearance of specific forms of periodontal disease has been confirmed by an increase in the saliva concentration of MMP8, a marker commonly used in the diagnosis of these pathologies in humans. The study was carried out on 22 dogs divided in a control group (C) and study groups (S), the second one being divided into three subgroups according to the severity of the gum inflammation and the presence or absence of tartar: S1-small accumulation of tartar, lack of infection-related signs; S2-moderate accumulation of tartar, gums swollen, red, and bled easily; S3-significant accumulation of tartar; gums bright red and bleeding; marked pain and halitosis. A correlation between the concentration of the tested parameters and the severity of the local appearance of the gum and teeth was noted. In comparison to the results of individuals from the control group, MMP8 reported increases of 1.2, 2, and 3.7 times, respectively, in the case of individuals from subgroups S1, S2, and S3. Oxidative stress is caused by inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. The presence of oxidative stress was demonstrated by the evaluation of different indicators in the saliva: an increase in the general antioxidant status, which was associated with an increase in SOD activity; intensification of the lipid peroxidation processes, as demonstrated by the accumulation of the MDA peroxidation product; and an increase in the DNA oxidation processes, as demonstrated by the accumulation of the oxidation product 8OHdG. In consequence, it was observed that there were up to 2-fold increases in protein levels, total antioxidant activity, SOD, and MDA, and up to 8.6-fold increases in the case of 8-OHdG when comparing dogs from the S3 group (significant tartar accumulation; bright red and bleeding gums; marked pain and halitosis) to those in the control group.

The Nephroprotective Effect of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) and Rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia L.) in Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity on Wistar Rats with Emphasis on the Evaluation of Novel Renal Biomarkers and the Antioxidant Capacity in Correlation with Nitro-Oxidative Stress.

In spite of its well-known nephrotoxicity, gentamicin is nonetheless routinely used in humans and animals. However, no adjuvant treatments have been implemented to mitigate this harmful effect. Given this concern, medicinal plants represent a significant reservoir of natural antioxidants that could potentially reduce the renal oxidative stress induced by gentamicin. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to investigate the nephroprotective properties of Cornus mas and Sorbus aucuparia fruits in an experimental model of nephrotoxicity. The 3-week study was performed on male Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into six experimental groups, being subcutaneously treated with 50 mg/kg gentamicin and orally given Cornus mas and Sorbus aucuparia extracts, in doses of 40 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, respectively. Antioxidant therapy significantly improved the nitro-oxidative stress parameters as well as the specific renal biomarkers KIM-1 and iNAG, demonstrating a considerable renal tubular protective impact. These outcomes were reinforced by biochemical and histopathological enhancements. Nevertheless, neither of the tested extracts succeeded in substantially diminishing BUN levels. Additionally, CysC did not significantly decline following extracts treatment, suggesting that the remedies did not effectively protect renal glomeruli against gentamicin stress. Future studies are required in order to determine the underlying mechanisms of these berries.

Inhibition of Tumor Growth and Modulation of Antioxidant Activity of Rhodoxanthin Isolated from Taxus baccata Aril against B16F10 Murine Malignant Melanoma.

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, and due to the numerous limitations of current treatment methods, there is an urgent need to develop novel approaches for both the prevention and treatment of malignant melanoma, with research-oriented bioactive substances representing a notable first step. The current study decided to expand on previous rhodoxanthin research by investigating the possible anti-tumor effect as well as the effect on the antioxidant status in the case of murine melanoma in an experimental model. The 21-day study was carried out on female C57BL/6J mice. On the first day of the experiment, they were subcutaneously inoculated with 106 B16F10 cells and were given rhodoxanthin orally until the end of the study. Rhodoxanthin supplementation significantly reduced tumor growth (42.18%) and weight (15.74%). Furthermore, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) activity was reduced and the concentration of 8-OHdG dropped in the treated melanoma-bearing mice compared to the untreated ones, demonstrating the role of rhodoxanthin in slowing tumor growth, one of the mechanisms being the reduction of EGF level and the decrease of DNA oxidation. The administration of rhodoxanthin determined variations in antioxidant enzymes, both at the plasma level and at the tissue level.