Mesenchymal stem cells in dogs with demyelinating leukoencephalitis as an experimental model of multiple sclerosis.

Researchers have used dogs with neurological sequelae caused by distemper as an experimental model for multiple sclerosis, owing to the similarities of the neuropathological changes between distemper virus-induced demyelinating leukoencephalitis and multiple sclerosis in humans. However, little is known about the role of mesenchymal stem cells in treating such clinical conditions. Therefore, we investigated the use of mesenchymal stem cells in four dogs with neurological lesions caused by the distemper virus. During the first year after cellular therapy, the animals did not demonstrate significant changes in their locomotive abilities. However, the intense (Grade V) myoclonus in three animals was reduced to a moderate (Grade IV) level. At one year after the mesenchymal stem cell infusions, three animals regained functional ambulation (Grade I), and all four dogs started to move independently (Grades I and II). In two animals, the myoclonic severity had become mild (Grade III). It was concluded that the use of mesenchymal stem cells could improve the quality of life of dogs with neurological sequelae caused by canine distemper, thus presenting hope for similar positive results in human patients with multiple sclerosis.

Is Stem Cell Commerce in Small Animal Therapies Scientifically and Morally Justified?

The lack of clear regulations for the use of veterinary stem cells has triggered the commercialization of unproven experimental therapies for companion animal diseases. Adult stem cells have complex biological characteristics that are directly related to the therapeutic application, but several questions remain to be answered. In order to regulate the use of these cells, well-conducted, controlled scientific studies that generate high-quality data should be performed, in order to assess the efficacy and safety of the intended treatment. This paper discusses the scientific challenges of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in veterinary regenerative medicine, and reviews published trials of adipose-tissue-derived stem cells in companion animal diseases that spontaneously occur.

Topografia do cone medular do sauim (Saguinus midas) / Topography of the medullary cone in sauim (Saguinus midas)

Primata endêmico do Brasil, especificamente da floresta Amazônica, o Sauim alimentam-se de pequenos vertebrados, invertebrados, exudatos, flores, néctar, folhas e fungos, cuja morfologia é pouco conhecida. Assim, objetivou-se estabelecer parâmetros morfométricos e topográficos do cone medular dessa espécie, que sirvam de base para a prática das anestesias epidurais. Para tanto, foram avaliados quatro exemplares, provenientes da Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA). O Saguinus midas apresentou sete vértebras lombares e três vértebras sacrais. Após a dissecação do cone medular, registrou-se os aspectos anatômicos de interesse, enfatizando seu início (base) e seu término (ápice), que, após mensuração, revelou base em nível de L4 e ápice em S2, com comprimento médio de 5,38cm, o que leva a sugerir a região lombosacral como sendo a mais adequada para o desenvolvimento da prática de anestesias epidurais.

Primate endemic to Brazil, specifically in the Amazon rainforest, the Sauim feed on small vertebrates, invertebrates, exudates, flowers, nectar, leaves and fungi whose morphology is poorly known. Thus, the objective was to establish morphometric parameters and topographical conus of this species, as a basis for the practice of epidural anesthesia. For this purpose, four samples were evaluated, from the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA). The Saguinus midas had seven lumbar vertebrae and three sacral vertebrae. After dissection of the conus, we recorded the anatomy of interest, emphasizing its beginning (base) and its end (apex), revealed that after measuring the level of base peak in L4 and S2, with an average length of 5.38cm, which leads us to suggest the lumbosacral region as the most suitable for the development of the practice of epidural anesthesia.