Animal models as a tool in hepatocellular carcinoma research: A Review.

Cancer is the first cause of death in developed countries and the second in developing countries. Concerning the most frequent worldwide-diagnosed cancer, primary liver cancer represents approximately 4% of all new cancer cases diagnosed globally. However, among primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma is by far the most common histological subtype. Notwithstanding the health promotion and disease prevention campaigns, more than half a million new hepatocellular carcinoma cases are reported yearly, being estimated to growth continuously until 2020. Taking this scenario under consideration and the fact that some aspects concerning hepatocellular carcinoma evolution and metastasize process are still unknown, animal models assume a crucial role to understand this disease. The animal models have also provided the opportunity to screen new therapeutic strategies. The present review was supported on research and review papers aiming the complexity and often neglected chemically induced animal models in hepatocarcinogenesis research. Despite the ongoing debate, chemically induced animal models, namely, mice and rat, can provide unique valuable information on the biotransformation mechanisms against xenobiotics and apprehend the deleterious effects on DNA and cell proteins leading to carcinogenic development. In addition, taking under consideration that no model achieves all hepatocellular carcinoma research purposes, criteria to define the " ideal" animal model, depending on the researchers' approach, are also discussed in this review.

Hematologic and blood chemistry values of healthy Cebus flavius kept in northeast of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cebus flavius is a New World Monkey found in the northeast of Brazil, listed as critically endangered. So far, no hematologic or blood chemistry reference intervals have been determined for this species. METHODS: Hematologic and biochemistry reference values were determined for 20 clinically healthy C. flavius, kept in captivity in the Wild Animals Screening Center, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. The influence of gender and age on these variables was evaluated. RESULTS: Considering sex, significant differences are found for the total count of erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and creatine kinase. Regarding the age, levels of creatinine and alanine aminotransferase are significantly higher in adults and levels of creatine kinase and calcium are significantly higher in juveniles. Considering age, no hematologic differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: The factors age and gender had influence on some hematologic and blood chemistry variables and should not be neglected for a correct blood interpretation.