The Role of Antimicrobial Neutrophil Extract in Modification of the Inflammatory Response During Osteochondral Autograft and Allograft Transplantation in Rabbits.

Osteochondral autograft or allograft transplantation is one of the surgical options for the management of large cartilage defects; however, the mechanisms of cartilage healing after this procedure, especially the immunological mechanisms, are not fully understood. The present study examined whether a grafting procedure changed the in-vitro responses of neutrophils and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Additionally, antimicrobial neutrophil extract (ANE) was assessed for its ability to modulate excessive cellular responses during and after implantation. The neutrophil secretory response was tested by measuring enzyme release and free radical generation, while the MDM response was evaluated by assessing morphological and functional changes of the cells after polarization. Osteochondral implantation evoked a transient secretory response by circulating neutrophils, but MDMs were not activated postoperatively. ANE from rabbit blood may be considered as a modulator of the inflammatory response because of its influence on neutrophils and MDMs. Inhibition of the neutrophil secretory response prevents complications that may arise following excessive activity of these cells. Stimulation of MDMs with ANE induces formation of a partial anti-inflammatory phenotype with enhanced regenerative properties.

Haptoglobin as a treatment monitoring factor in feline plasmacytic gingivostomatitis.

INTRODUCTION: feline plasmacytic gingivostomatitis is an important and fairly common chronic disease. Its complex aetiology - which involves infectious agents, immunological disorders, and even genetic factors adds to the considerable difficulty of its treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the study was performed on 33 cats, 26 animals diagnosed with plasmacytic gingivostomatitis (study group) and 7 clinically healthy cats (control group). The study extended over four examination periods during which clinical and X-ray examinations, morphological and biochemical blood tests, as well as haptoglobin essays were performed. RESULTS: the biochemical and haematological parameters were within normal limits. Blood serum haptoglobin measured on the first day of the treatment was above physiological levels, however its serum concentration decreased as the treatment progressed. CONCLUSIONS: in the present study, despite the bacterial inflammatory condition of periodontal pockets, after the treatment was concluded and symptoms alleviated, neither clinical examinations nor haptoglobin essays revealed deviations from values commonly accepted as normal. Fluctuations in blood serum haptoglobin levels proved to be a useful prognostic in determining the duration of necessary treatment.

Effect of feed supplementation with zinc glycine chelate and zinc sulfate on cytokine and immunoglobulin gene expression profiles in chicken intestinal tissue.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of inorganic and organic forms of Zn on the expression of cytokines (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-17, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-ß) and immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) in the tissues of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) of broiler chickens. In the experiment, 90 broiler chickens were divided into 4 experimental groups and a control group, with 18 birds each. The birds received Zn supplements in inorganic form with and without phytase (ZnSO4 and ZnSO4 + F), and in organic form with glycine, with and without phytase (Zn-Gly and Zn-Gly + F). The total rearing period was 42 days. Quantitative real-time (RT)-PCR was used to measure the expression of the cytokines and immunoglobulins. The differences between the results obtained for the control and experimental groups, between the groups receiving ZnSO4 and Zn-Gly, and between groups ZnSO4-F and Zn-Gly-F were analyzed statistically. High relative expression of IL-2 was observed for the chickens in the groups receiving ZnSO4-F, Zn-Gly, and Zn-Gly-F on d 42 in comparison to the control group. High relative expression of TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-17 was noted in the group that received ZnSO4 + F. High expression of IgG, IgA, IL-4, TGF-ß, and IL-10 was noted in the groups of chickens that received feed supplemented with Zn-Gly and Zn-Gly + F chelates on d 42 of the study in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, supplementation with Zn-Gly chelates can ensure Th1 and Th2 balance during the immune response in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and, by increasing IgA and IgG expression, also can stimulate potentiation of the immune response involved in passive protection of the body from infection. In contrast, the use of inorganic forms of Zn, in the form of sulfates, can induce local inflammatory processes in the intestines, which, in the case of long-term supplementation, lead to the development of infections.