Treatment of Ezetimibe lowers total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic dogs with hyperadorenocorticism.

Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor that blocks the intestinal absorption of both biliary and dietary cholesterol, thereby lowering primarily low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-chol) in human studies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ezetimibe on dyslipidemia control in nine dogs with hypercholesterolemia. Changes in total cholesterol (T-chol) and each lipoprotein fractions were evaluated at 0, 2, and 4 months following initiation of ezetimibe treatment. A significant decrease in T-chol was observed, and a mean T-chol concentration below 400 mg/dL was achieved at 2 and 4 months. Furthermore, a significant decrease in LDL-chol was observed (-53.3% and -64.3% at 2 and 4 months, respectively). Taken together, treatment of ezetimibe could lower LDL-chol levels in dogs with hypercholesterolemia.

Comparison of Lipoprotein Analysis Using Gel-Permeation High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and a Biochemistry Analyzer in Normolipidemic and Dyslipidemic Quaker Parrots (Myiopsitta monachus).

Lipid accumulation disorders are common in psittacine birds and can be associated with changes in plasma lipoproteins, most notably low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). However, lipoprotein analysis by standard laboratory analyzers or an indirect method, such as the Friedewald formula, has not been validated in parrots. A research colony of 12 Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) were used to compare plasma values from the Roche Cobas c501 biochemistry analyzer for total cholesterol, total triglycerides, LDL, and HDL to gel-permeation high-performance liquid chromatography (GP-HPLC). To increase sample size and broaden the analytical range to include dyslipidemic samples, 2 cross-over studies were performed on a 0.3% cholesterol diet and a 20% fat diet. Agreement between methods was assessed by linear mixed models and Bland and Altman plots. The LDL concentrations calculated by the Friedewald formula and alternative formulas, and the effects of triglycerides on the biases, were also evaluated. Forty-five plasma samples were used. The cholesterol diet induced a marked increase in cholesterol and all lipoproteins, whereas the fat diet did not lead to dyslipidemia. Direct and indirect LDL measurements obtained with the clinical analyzer were not in clinical agreement with GP-HPLC, whereas HDL had acceptable agreement for normotriglyceridemic samples. Hypertriglyceridemic plasma samples were found to interfere with lipoprotein measurements. This study found LDL measured by the Roche Cobas c501 biochemistry analyzer and indirect estimations cannot be recommended in the Quaker parrot, and non-HDL cholesterol should be used instead. Lipoprotein panels obtained from hypertriglyceridemic samples should be interpreted with care.

Changes in metabolic and physiological biomarkers in Mangalarga Marchador horses with induced obesity.

This study aimed to characterize and correlate physiological and metabolic changes in horses fed a hypercaloric diet (HD). Nine mature horses with a mean initial body condition score of 2.9 ± 1 (scale, 1-9) were fed a high-calorie diet for 5 months. Fasting blood samples were collected before the study and biweekly for the duration of the project to determine the concentrations of cholesterol (CHOL), very low (VLDL), low (LDL) and high-density (HDL) lipoproteins, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, and fructosamine. A low-dose oral glucose tolerance test (LGTT) was conducted before, 75 and 150 days after HD introduction. Mean arterial blood pressure was measured monthly. Following HD introduction, CHOL, LDL, HDL, and fructosamine blood concentrations increased (P < 0.001). These four variables were also positively and significantly correlated with the blood insulin response to LGTT. These findings confirm the occurrence of hypercholesterolemia concomitantly with insulin dysregulation development in horses exposed to HD.

Effect of phytosterols on reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in dogs.

Hyperlipidemia is described as an increase in serum and/or plasma levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, or both. This disturbance can be primary in some cases, or combined with other comorbidities such as endocrinopathies, liver diseases, or specific drug use. Among the various ways to control dyslipidemia are specific diets, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, or hypolipemiant treatment. Herbal medicine has been used in the human clinical routine to reduce cholesterol circulation. With an aim to expand its application in veterinary medicine, we analyzed the use of phytosterols in dogs as a potential alternative to control hypercholesterolemia. We performed lipidogram analysis in healthy dogs to examine the possible adverse effects during the treatment. Eight Beagle dogs received orally two 650 mg capsules of phytosterols (Collestra, Aché), for 15 consecutive d, along with the 2 usual meals. All animals remained clinically stable during the trial. There were significant alterations in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels during the trial. LDL was reduced (86.8 ± 29.89 mg/dL [D0], 74.45 ± 31.58 mg/dL [D8], and 58.91 ± 18.65 mg/dL [D15]; P = 0.0442) and HDL was elevated (83.40 ± 12.05 mg/dL [D0], 86.46 ± 13.05 mg/dL [D8], and 101.5 ± 10.52 [D15]; P = 0.0141), while total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations remained constant and within the normal range for canine species. Thus, a 1300 mg dose of phytosterols, administrated orally and fractionated along with the 2 usual meals, was capable of reducing LDL and increasing HDL concentration in healthy nondyslipidemic dogs, which makes them candidates to be included on the list of hypolipemiant drugs for clinical use in dogs with hypercholesterolemia.

Evaluation of Orally Administered Atorvastatin on Plasma Lipid and Biochemistry Profiles in Hypercholesterolemic Hispaniolan Amazon Parrots (Amazona ventralis).

Atorvastatin is a synthetic statin administered in its active form and used for the treatment of dyslipidemias. In the current study, the effects of atorvastatin were evaluated on plasma lipid profiles and the potential for adverse effects after once daily PO dosing of atorvastatin for 30 days in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Sixteen adult parrots (10 female, 6 male) with hypercholesterolemia were used for this study. Birds were assigned to 2 groups (treatment and control) of 8 parrots each (3 male, 5 female) after balancing for age, sex, originating institution, and baseline plasma cholesterol values. Compounded atorvastatin oral suspension (10 mg/kg) was administered PO once daily via gavage into the crop. Equivalent volumes of placebo suspension were administered to the control group. Plasma biochemistry and plasma lipid profile analysis (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], and triglycerides [TGs]) were analyzed on days 0, 14, and 30. Plasma samples and HDL-C fractions were evaluated for cholesterol and TG concentrations via enzymatic assays. Subtraction of HDL-C values from total cholesterol yielded the non-HDL-C concentration for each bird. Birds were routinely assessed for appetite, activity, and urofeces. Plasma atorvastatin concentrations were obtained from 7 of 8 birds in the treatment group from banked samples. Those samples were obtained on days 14 and 30, with drug administration 6 to 8 hours before collection. No significant differences were observed in total cholesterol, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, or TG between treatment and control groups at days 0, 14, and 30. Plasma atorvastatin concentrations were variable on day 14 (0.54-5.41 ng/ mL for 6 of 7 samples, with 1 outlier of 307 ng/mL) and on day 30 (0.79-6.74 ng/mL). No adverse effects were noted in any of the birds during the study period. When dosed PO at 10 mg/kg once daily, atorvastatin did not result in significant changes to plasma lipid profiles (eg, lowering of plasma total or non-HDL-C concentrations) at any time point during this study. Future studies to investigate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of atorvastatin in parrots may require increased doses and/or frequency of administration.

Increased sulfation of bile acids in mice and human subjects with sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide deficiency.

Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP, encoded by Slc10a1/SLC10A1) deficiency can result in hypercholanemia but no obvious symptoms in both mice and humans. However, the consequence of and response to long-term hypercholanemia caused by NTCP deficiency remain largely unexplored. Here, we analyzed lifelong dynamics of serum total bile acid (TBA) levels in Slc10a1-/- mice, and we also assessed changes of TBA levels in 33 young individuals with SLC10A1 loss-of-function variant p.Ser267Phe. We found that overall serum TBA levels tended to decrease gradually with age in both Slc10a1-/- mice and p.Ser267Phe individuals. Liver mRNA profiling revealed notable transcription alterations in hypercholanemic Slc10a1-/- mice, including inhibition of bile acid (BA) synthesis, enhancement of BA detoxification, and altered BA transport. Members of the sulfotransferase (SULT) family showed the most dramatic increases in livers of hypercholanemic Slc10a1-/- mice, and one of their BA sulfates, taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate, significantly increased. Importantly, consistent with the mouse studies, comprehensive profiling of 58 BA species in sera of p.Ser267Phe individuals revealed a markedly increased level of BA sulfates. Together, our findings indicate that the enhanced BA sulfation is a major mechanism for BA detoxification and elimination in both mice and humans with Slc10a1/SLC10A1 deficiency.

Comparison of a Point-of-care Cholesterol Meter With a Reference Laboratory Analyzer in Companion Psittaciformes.

Hypercholesterolemia is common in captive Psittaciformes. A point-of-care cholesterol analyzer would be useful to monitor hypercholesterolemia in psittacine birds. We compare a point-of-care cholesterol analyzer (PTS-Diagnostics CardioChek) with a reference laboratory analyzer (Roche Cobas c501) and provide initial assessment of precision and accuracy. A prospective method comparison study was designed to compare the CardioChek and Cobas c501 by assessment of clinical and analytical agreement using Passing-Bablock regression analysis and difference plots. Initial accuracy was assessed by running cholesterol standards, and initial precision was assessed by calculating between-run coefficient of variation on samples from selected birds. A total of 42 psittacine birds were sampled. No significant constant bias was found between the Cobas and CardioChek. However, a significant negative proportional bias was evident, suggesting that the point-of-care analyzer tended to underestimate cholesterol values. Lipemia and hemolysis had strong effects on increasing bias. Hematocrit, glucose level, and genus had no significant impact on bias, controlling for lipemia and hemolysis. Accuracy of the CardioCheck was suboptimal to that of the Cobas, but precision was good. When defining hypercholesterolemia as >8 mmol/L (309 mg/dL), the CardioChek had a sensitivity of 57% and specificity of 96%. There was neither analytical nor clinical agreement between the CardioChek and Cobas c501. Values obtained from the CardioChek cannot be used to determine or monitor hypercholesterolemia in parrots in the absence of analyzer-specific reference intervals.

Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia as biochemical markers of disease in companion rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation has important effects on lipid metabolism, but the relationship between hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and disease remains unknown in rabbits. While rabbits are sensitive to dietary hypercholesterolemia, the etiology of hyperlipidemia when fed non-atherogenic diets is uncertain. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the association between hypercholesterolemia and patient characteristics, diseases, and select CBC and biochemistry analytes in rabbits, and to measure plasma lipoprotein lipid fractions in rabbits with inflammatory and other diseases. METHODS: Complete blood count and plasma biochemistry data, including total cholesterol concentrations, were evaluated in 531 companion rabbits. Lipoprotein cholesterol fractions (non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [non-HDLc] and high-density lipoprotein [HDLc]) and triglycerides were measured using a colorimetric enzymatic assay in archived plasma from a subset of 267 rabbits. Rabbits were categorized by age, sex, spay/neuter status, breed, diet status (fed atherogenic dietary components or not), the organ system affected by disease, and the pathologic process. RESULTS: Cholesterol was associated with fibrinogen (P = 0.01), globulins (P < 0.01), and heterophil (P < 0.01) concentrations. Adjusting for diet, rabbits with severe infection or sepsis (odds ratio [OR] = 13.25, 95% CI = 5.83-30.12), renal failure (OR = 14.42, 95% CI = 5.69-36.54), and hepatopathy (OR = 8.55, 95% CI = 3.55-20.62) had increased risks of hypercholesterolemia. Increased non-HDLc and triglyceride concentrations were also associated with these three disease states (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperlipidemia is associated with biochemical and CBC markers of inflammation, and with severe infection or sepsis, renal failure, and hepatopathy. Independent of diet, increased cholesterol, non-HDLc, and triglycerides are indicators of disease in companion rabbits.

SREBP­2 expression pattern contributes to susceptibility of Mongolian gerbils to hypercholesterolemia.

Gerbils are susceptible to dietary cholesterol and prone to hypercholesterolemia and non­alcoholic fatty liver disease. The present study aimed to explore the role of sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)­2 and 3­hydroxy­3­methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) in hypercholesterolemia susceptibility in gerbils. Male gerbils were fed the normal diet or a high­fat diet (HFD) for 2 weeks, or the HFD for 2 weeks followed with the normal diet for an additional 2 weeks. Serum lipid levels and hepatic fat deposition were measured, and mRNA and protein levels of SREBP­2 and HMGCR were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. In addition, the role of SREBP­2 function in cholesterol synthesis from the gerbil primary hepatic cells was also investigated by modulation of SERBP­2 expression via the transfection of SREBP­2 overexpression and knockdown plasmids, respectively. The data demonstrated that the total cholesterol and low­density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the gerbil serum samples were rapidly and significantly elevated in response to HFD. In addition, the effect of the HFD was rapidly attenuated in the gerbils following a return to the normal diet. HMGCR expression and activation were not altered by dietary cholesterol consumption in the livers from the gerbils in model or recovery groups. HMGCR expression and activation were effectively regulated in cultured hepatic cells from the gerbils. These results indicated that the activation of SREBP­2 to HMGCR was not terminated in gerbil livers during cholesterol intake. Therefore, stable SREBP­2 expression contributes to the susceptibility of gerbils to hypercholesterolemia.

Effects and Interactions of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure, a Post-Weaning High-Fat Diet and Gender on Adult Hypercholesterolemia Occurrence in Offspring Rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) could induce intrauterine programming of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-associated neuroendocrine metabolism, resulting in intrauterine growth retardation and susceptibility to adult hypercholesterolemia in offspring. This study aimed to analyse the effects and interactions of PEE, a post-weaning high-fat diet (HFD) and gender on the occurrence of adult hypercholesterolemia in offspring rats. METHODS: Wistar female rats were treated with ethanol (4 g/kg.d) at gestational days 11-20. The offspring were given a normal diet or HFD after weaning, and the blood cholesterol metabolism phenotype and expression of hepatic cholesterol metabolism related genes were detected in 24-week-old offspring. Furthermore, the interactions among PEE, HFD, and gender on hypercholesterolemia occurrence were analysed. RESULTS: PEE increased the serum total cholesterol (TCH) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and decreased the serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level in adult offspring rats; the changes in female offspring were greater than those in males. At the same time, the mRNA expression levels of hepatic cholesterol metabolic enzymes (apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1))-were increased, while the mRNA expression levels of the scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) and LDL receptor (LDLR) were decreased. Furthermore, a three-way ANOVA showed there were interactions among PEE, post-weaning HFD and gender. For PEE offspring, a post-weaning HFD aggravated the elevated hepatic ApoB and CYP7A1 expression and reduced SR-B1 and LDLR expression; the changes in hepatic SR-B1 and CYP7A1 expression were greater in female HFD rats than in males. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a post-weaning HFD could aggravate offspring hypercholesterolemia caused by PEE and that this mechanism might be associated with hepatic cholesterol metabolic disorders that are aggravated by a post-weaning HFD; hepatic cholesterol metabolism was more sensitive to neuroendocrine metabolic alterations by PEE and a post-weaning HFD in the female offspring than in the male offspring.

Cholesterol concentrations in lipoprotein fractions separated by anion-exchange-high-performance liquid chromatography in healthy dogs and dogs with hypercholesterolemia.

Anion-exchange (AEX)-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for measurement of cholesterol can be used to separate serum lipoproteins (high-density lipoprotein (HDL); low-density lipoprotein (LDL); intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL); very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)) in humans. However, AEX-HPLC has not been applied in veterinary practice. We had three objectives: (i) the validation of AEX-HPLC methods including the correlation of serum cholesterol concentration in lipoprotein fraction measured by AEX-HPLC and gel permeation-HPLC (GP-HPLC) in healthy dogs and those with hypercholesterolemia was investigated; (ii) the reference intervals of lipoprotein fractions measured by AEX-HPLC from healthy dogs (n=40) was established; (iii) lipoprotein fractions from the serum of healthy dogs (n=12) and dogs with hypercholesterolemia (n=23) were compared. Analytic reproducibility and precision of AEX-HPLC were acceptable. Positive correlation between serum concentrations of total cholesterol (Total-Chol), HDL cholesterol (HDL-Chol), LDL cholesterol (LDL-Chol)+IDL cholesterol (IDL-Chol), and VLDL cholesterol (VLDL-Chol) was noted for AEX-HPLC and GP-HPLC in healthy dogs and dogs with hypercholesterolemia. Reference intervals measured by AEX-HPLC for serum concentrations of Total-Chol, HDL-Chol, and LDL-Chol were determined to be 2.97-9.32, 2.79-6.57, 0.16-3.28mmol/L (2.5-97.5% interval), respectively. Furthermore, there was significant difference in lipoprotein profiles between healthy and dogs with hypercholesterolemia. These results suggest that AEX-HPLC can be used to evaluate lipoprotein profiles in dogs and could be a new useful indicator of hyperlipidemia in dogs.

EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON THE PLASMA LIPID PROFILE IN HISPANIOLAN AMAZON PARROTS (AMAZONA VENTRALIS) WITH NATURALLY OCCURRING HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA.

Hypercholesterolemia is common in psittacines, and Amazon parrots ( Amazona spp.) are particularly susceptible. Associations have been demonstrated between naturally occurring and experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in psittacines. Daily exercise improves lipid metabolism in humans and other mammals, as well as pigeons and chickens, under varying experimental conditions. Hispaniolan Amazon parrots ( Amazona ventralis ) with naturally occurring hypercholesterolemia (343-576 mg/dl) were divided into two groups. An exercised group (n = 8) was housed as a flock and exercised daily with 30 min of aviary flight and 30 min walking on a rotating perch. A sedentary control group (n = 4) was housed in individual cages with no exercise regime. A plasma lipid panel, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, was validated for this species. Body weight, chest girth, and the lipid panel were measured at 0, 61, and 105 days. Hematology and plasma biochemistry were measured at 0 and 105 days. Weight and girth were significantly lower in exercised than sedentary parrots at 61 and 105 days. HDL-C concentrations were significantly higher in exercised parrots at 61 days but returned to near baseline by 105 days. There were no significant changes in hematology, biochemistry, or other lipid panel parameters. Results were similar to studies in humans and animal models, in which increased HDL-C was the most consistent effect of exercise on circulating lipid and lipoprotein parameters. The return toward baseline HDL-C may have resulted from decreased participation in aviary flight. Additional investigation will be required to determine the amount of exercise and change in circulating lipid-related parameters necessary to improve long-term wellness in psittacine species predisposed to hypercholesterolemia.

Histomorphology of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) pancreas and association of increasing islet ß-cell size with chronic hypercholesterolemia.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) can develop metabolic states mimicking prediabetes, including hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, elevated glucose, and fatty liver disease. Little is known, however, about dolphin pancreatic histomorphology. Distribution and area of islets, α, ß, and δ cells were evaluated in pancreatic tissue from 22 dolphins (mean age 25.7years, range 0-51). Associations of these measurements were evaluated by sex, age, percent high glucose and lipids during the last year of life, and presence or absence of fatty liver disease and islet cell vacuolation. The most common pancreatic lesions identified were exocrine pancreas fibrosis (63.6%) and mild islet cell vacuolation (47.4%); there was no evidence of insulitis or amyloid deposition, changes commonly associated with type 2 diabetes. Dolphin islet architecture appears to be most similar to the pig, where α and ß cells are localized to the central or periphery of the islet, respectively, or are well dispersed throughout the islet. Unlike pigs, large islets (greater than 10,000µm(2)) were common in dolphins, similar to that found in humans. A positive linear association was identified between dolphin age and islet area average, supporting a compensatory response similar to other species. The strongest finding in this study was a positive linear association between islet size, specifically ß-cells, and percent blood samples with high cholesterol (greater than 280mg/dl, R(2)=0.57). This study is the most comprehensive assessment of the dolphin pancreas to date and may help direct future studies, including associations between chronic hypercholesterolemia and ß-cell size.

Atherosclerosis associated with vasculopathic lesions in a golden retriever with hypercholesterolemia.

A 2-year-old neutered male golden retriever dog presented for lameness secondary to ulcerations of multiple digital paw pads was diagnosed with vasculitis and hypercholesterolemia. Despite treatment, ischemic necrosis progressed to include all distal extremities and the dog eventually expired due to myocardial infarction secondary to severe atherosclerosis. The rapid demise and the dermatologic lesions may have been secondary to cholesterol embolism syndrome which has never before been reported in a dog.

Athérosclérose associée à des lésions vasculopathiques chez un Golden retriever atteint d'hypercholestérolémie. Un chien Golden retriever mâle intact âgé de 2 ans a été présenté pour une boiterie secondaire à des ulcérations de plusieurs coussinets des pattes et un diagnostic de vasculite et d'hypercholestérolémie a été posé. Malgré le traitement, la nécrose ischémique a progressé pour inclure toutes les extrémités distales et le chien est finalement mort en raison d'un infarcissement du myocarde secondaire à une athérosclérose grave. Le décès rapide et les lésions dermatologiques peuvent avoir été secondaires au syndrome de l'embolisme du cholestérol, qui n'a pas encore été signalé chez un chien.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Intracranial cholesterol granuloma in a cat.

A case of intracranial cholesterol granuloma is described in a 4-year-old neutered European male cat presented with a 5-month history of progressive weakness, ataxia and depression. On clinical evaluation, haematological and biochemical profiles revealed only mild hypercholesterolemia and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large space-occupying extra-axial mass in the area of the falx, not homogeneous after contrast enhancement. At post-mortem examination, an orange-yellowish mass of 22 mm in diameter extended from the right frontal lobe to the temporo-parietal region, causing atrophy of the prosencephalic region of the brain. The site of origin of the mass was within the subarachnoid space of the supracallosum sulcus of the right cerebral hemisphere. Histological examination of the lesion revealed abundant deposits of cholesterol clefts, surrounded by clusters of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. Neither inflammatory lesions, nor cholesterol deposits were detected in other areas of the brain and in other organs. On the basis of the histological examination, a diagnosis of intracranial cholesterol granuloma was made.

Hypertriglyceridemia with increased plasma insulin concentrations in cats.

Metabolite, insulin and adiponectin concentrations and LDH, AST and ALT activities were measured in plasma of 142 client-owned cats (1-13years old, 16 breeds) to set up a new criterion of hypertriglyceridemia (hyper-TG) with increased plasma insulin concentrations for early diagnosis of lipid metabolism abnormality including obesity. 25 cats with over 165mg/dl of plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations were decided as hyper-TG with increased plasma insulin concentrations, and prevalence of hyper-TG was 16.7% in young (1-6years old) and 18.3% in old (>7years old) cats examined. In the hyper-TG cats, their plasma TG concentrations increased to 6.6-7.4-fold of the values of control cats with 35-50mg/dl of plasma TG and their plasma cholesterol, FFA and insulin concentrations and LDH and ALT activities increased significantly, whereas their plasma adiponectin concentrations decreased significantly compared to those in the control cats. Hyper-TG cats with significantly increased body weights and plasma insulin and decreased plasma adiponectin seemed to be in early stage of obesity accompanying increased plasma insulin concentrations. Increased TG, insulin, LDH and ALT and decreased adiponectin values in plasma seemed to be key factors for diagnosis of lipid metabolism abnormality at early stage in cats.

Hematologic changes associated with Adderall toxicity in a dog.

A 1-year-old intact male Boxer was presented to the Texas Veterinary Medical Center for emergency treatment following suspected ingestion of a large number of tablets of Adderall, a pharmaceutical amphetamine. The dog had a temperature of 41.7 degrees C, heart rate of 192 beats per minute, and a respiratory rate of 100 breaths per minute. The dog was anxious and agitated with bilaterally dilated pupils, and shortly thereafter became recumbent and incontinent. Initial CBC results included mild leukopenia and mild thrombocytopenia. The dog was not anemic (HCT 39.9%) and had only slight polychromasia, but had 48 nucleated RBCs/100 WBC (7500/microL). Moderate numbers of neutrophils had hypersegmented nuclei and several pyknotic cells were noted. The metarubricytosis persisted for approximately 56 hours while hypersegmentation and pyknotic cells were no longer found at 8 hours after presentation. The dog received supportive care and recovered uneventfully. We hypothesized that hyperpyrexia associated with Adderall toxicity resulted in inappropriate metarubricytosis due to damaged bone marrow endothelium, and resulted in hypersegmentation and pyknosis due to damaged or accelerated aging of neutrophils in peripheral blood. Metarubricytosis has been reported previously in dogs with heat-induced illness, such as heat stroke.

Efectos vasculares y moleculares de los andrógenos endógenos en un modelo experimental en conejos ateroscleróticos / Vascular and molecular effects of endogenous androgens in an atherosclerotic experimental rabbit model

Introducción. Existe controversia acerca de los efectos de los andrógenos sobre la aterosclerosis y sus manifestaciones clínicas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar, en conejos ateroscleróticos castrados y no castrados, las características morfológicas, funcionales y la expresión de genes asociados con el metabolismo reverso del colesterol. Métodos. Cuarenta conejos machos NZ fueron distribuidos en 4 grupos: 1: no castrados, con dieta normal; 2: castrados, con dieta normal; 3: no castrados, con dieta aterogénica, y 4: castrados, con dieta aterogénica. En cada conejo se realizaron mediciones de colesterol total, testosterona libre, relajación vascular in vitro, análisis histomorfométricos de la aorta torácica, y la expresión de genes IL-1b, LRX-a y ABCA1. Resultados. La castración redujo los valores de testosterona total (2,1 ± 0,3 frente a 0,8 ± 0,4 ng/ml; p = 0,024). En animales con dieta normal (grupos 1 y 2), la castración incrementó la expresión de IL-1b (0,71 ± 0,07 frente a 0,77 ± 0,06; p < 0,001), redujo LXR-a (0,77 ± 0,008 frente a 0,41 ± 0,01; p < 0,001) y aumentó ABCA1 (0,2 ± 0,008 frente a 0,31 ± 0,08; p < 0,001). En animales con dieta aterogénica (grupos 3 y 4), la castración se asoció a mayor área de la placa (0,9 ± 1,3 frente a 2,6 ± 2,3 mm2; p = 0,026), índice área placa/área vaso (0,08 ± 0,1 frente a 0,25 ± 0,1; p < 0,001), índice área placa/área de la media (0,2 ± 0,2 frente a 0,4 ± 0,3; p = 0,003), mayor expresión de IL-1b (0,93 ± 0,05 frente a 1,1 ± 0,02; p < 0,001), reducción de LXR-a (1,45 ± 0,01 frente a 1,29 ± 0,01; p < 0,001) y reducción de ABCA1 (0,22 ± 0,1 frente a 0,20 ± 0,02; p < 0,001). Conclusiones. Este estudio demuestra que, en presencia de aterosclerosis inducida por hipercolesterolemia, la testosterona endógena podría tener un efecto atenuante o protector de la aterogénesis (AU)

Introduction. The effects of androgens on atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations are controversial. The objective of this study was to compare the morphologic and functional characteristics and gene expression associated with reverse metabolism of cholesterol in castrated and non-castrated atherosclerotic rabbits. Methods. Forty male NZ rabbits were distributed in four groups: 1: non-castrated with a normal diet; 2: castrated with a normal diet; 3: non-castrated with an atherogenic diet, and 4: castrated with an atherogenic diet. Measurements of total cholesterol, free testosterone, in vitro vascular relaxation, histomorphometric analyses of the thoracic aorta and expression of the IL-1b, LRX-a and ABCA1 genes were carried out in each rabbit. Results. Castration decreased levels of total testosterone (2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 0.8 ± 0.4 ng/mL; P=.024). In animals with a normal diet (groups 1 and 2), castration increased expression of IL-1b (0.71 ± 0.07 vs. 0.77 ± 0.06; P<.001), decreased that of LXR-a (0.77 ± 0.008 vs. 0.41 ± 0.01; P<.001) and increased that of ABCA1 (0.2±0.008 vs. 0.31±0.08; P<.001). In animals with an atherogenic diet (groups 3 and 4), castration was associated with a larger plaque area (0.9 ± 1.3 vs. 2.6 ± 2.3 mm2; P=.026), plaque area/vessel area ratio (0.08 ± 0.1 vs. 0.25 ± 0.1; P<.001), plaque area/media area ratio (0.2 ± 0.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.3; P=.003), greater expression of IL-1b (0.93 ± 0.05 vs. 1.1 ± 0.02; P<.001), reduction of LXR-a (1.45 ± 0.01 vs. 1.29 ± 0.01; P<.001), and reduction of ABCA1 (0.22 ± 0.1 vs. 0.20 ± 0.02; P<.001). Conclusions. This study shows that in the presence of atherosclerosis induced by hypercholesterolemia, endogenous testosterone could have an attenuating or protective effect on atherogenesis (AU)