Probiotic therapy reduces inflammation and improves intestinal morphology in rats with induced oral mucositis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of systemic administration of probiotics (PROB) on the progression of experimentally induced oral and intestinal mucositis in rats immunosuppressed by chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil: 5-FU). Twenty-four rats were divided into the following groups (n=6): GC (control), GPROB, G5FU and G5-FU/PROB. Groups GPROB and G5-FU/PROB received 1 g of probiotic incorporated into each 100 g of feed (Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacilllus acidophilus), beginning 30 days before oral mucositis induction. Groups G5FU and G5-FU/PROB received 60 mg/kg of 5-FU on days 0 and 2. The left oral mucosa of each animal was irritated by mechanical trauma (days 1 and 2). On days 3 and 7, three animals from each group were sacrificed, and their oral mucosa and small intestine were biopsied and processed for histopathological analysis. Groups G5-FU and G5-FU/PROB showed ulcerated oral lesions at day 3, with progression in group G5-FU and regression in group G5-FU/PROB at day 7. Histologically, less severe signs of inflammation in the oral mucosa were observed in group G5-FU/PROB than in group G5-FU. Regarding the intestine, villus-related defects of lesser magnitude were observed in group G5-FU/PROB, compared with group G5-FU. Group GPROB showed greater villus height than group GC. It can be concluded that probiotic supplementation reduced oral and intestinal inflammation in immunosuppressed rats with experimentally induced mucositis, and may protect the intestine from changes induced by chemotherapy, thus contributing to overall health.

Probiotic therapy reduces inflammation and improves intestinal morphology in rats with induced oral mucositis

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of systemic administration of probiotics (PROB) on the progression of experimentally induced oral and intestinal mucositis in rats immunosuppressed by chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil: 5-FU). Twenty-four rats were divided into the following groups (n=6): GC (control), GPROB, G5FU and G5-FU/PROB. Groups GPROB and G5-FU/PROB received 1 g of probiotic incorporated into each 100 g of feed (Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacilllus acidophilus), beginning 30 days before oral mucositis induction. Groups G5FU and G5-FU/PROB received 60 mg/kg of 5-FU on days 0 and 2. The left oral mucosa of each animal was irritated by mechanical trauma (days 1 and 2). On days 3 and 7, three animals from each group were sacrificed, and their oral mucosa and small intestine were biopsied and processed for histopathological analysis. Groups G5-FU and G5-FU/PROB showed ulcerated oral lesions at day 3, with progression in group G5-FU and regression in group G5-FU/PROB at day 7. Histologically, less severe signs of inflammation in the oral mucosa were observed in group G5-FU/PROB than in group G5-FU. Regarding the intestine, villus-related defects of lesser magnitude were observed in group G5-FU/PROB, compared with group G5-FU. Group GPROB showed greater villus height than group GC. It can be concluded that probiotic supplementation reduced oral and intestinal inflammation in immunosuppressed rats with experimentally induced mucositis, and may protect the intestine from changes induced by chemotherapy, thus contributing to overall health.

Efficiency of Matricaria chamomilla CH12 and number of doses of rabies vaccine on the humoral immune response in cattle.

This study evaluated the effect of Matricaria chamomilla and vaccination frequency on cattle immunization against rabies. Four groups (n = 15 /group) were treated with or without Matricaria chamomilla CH12 and vaccinated with one or two doses of rabies vaccine (30 day interval). No effect of chamomile was found on cattle immunization against rabies; however, antibody titers were protective in cattle vaccinated twice, while 93.3% of cattle vaccinated only once had titers under 0.5 UI/ml after 60 days. In conclusion, the use of chamomile did not alter the humoral immune response in cattle, and two vaccine doses are suggested for achieving protective antibody titers.

Avaliação da produção de leite e contagem de células somáticas em bovinos leiteiros suplementads com Saccharomyces cerevisiae como fonte de zinco orgânico / Evaluation of milk production and somatic cell count of dairy cow supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a source of organic zinc

Com o objetivo de avaliar a produção de leite e a contagem de células somáticas de bovinos leiteiros, suplementados com Saccharomyces cerevisiae, como fonte de zinco orgânico, por 180 dias, foram separadas aleatoriamente 25 vacas holandesas, em um rebanho de 189 vacas em lactação. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos, sendo grupo 1 (G1) composto por 10 vacas suplementadas e grupo 2 (G2) 15 animais sem suplementação. A produção de leite foi mensurada pelo controle leiteiro oficial da Associação Paranaense de Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Holandesa em sete momentos durante os 180 dias. As amostras de leite foram coletadas de cada animal, sendo submetidas à contagem eletrônica de células somáticas. Os resultados demonstram que a suplementação de zinco orgânico não alterou a produção de leite, contudo foi capaz de manter baixa a contagem de células somáticas. Os dados do presente trabalho sugerem que utilizar suplementação de zinco orgânico na dieta de vacas leiteiras, aumente a qualidade do leite produzido e conseqüentemente a remuneração para o produtor.

The aim of the evaluation of milk production and somatic cell count of dairy cow supplemented withSaccharomyces cerevisiae as a source of organic zinc for 180 days, 25 Holstein cows were selected,randomly chosen from a flock of 189 lactating cows. The animals were distributed in two groups, namelygroup 1 (G1) which holded 10 cows supplemented and group 2 (G2) with 15 animals withoutsupplementation. The production of milk was measured by the control official milkman of the AssocitionParanaense of Creators of Bovine of the Holstein in seven moments during the 180 days. The samples of milk were collected of each animal, being submitted to the electronic counting of somatic cells. Theresults demonstrate that the supplemented of organic zinc didn’t alter the production of milk, however itwas capable to maintain low the counting of somatic cells. The data of the present work suggest that touse supplemented of organic zinc in the diet of cows milk, increase the quality of the produced milk andconsequently the remuneration for the producer.

Matricaria chamomilla CH12 decreases handling stress in Nelore calves.

Matricaria chamomilla CH12 is a phytotherapeutic or homeopathic product, which has been used to reduce stress. Here, we examined its effect on preventing handling stress in bovines. Sixty Nelore calves were randomly distributed into two equal groups. One group was administered Matricaria chamomilla CH12 in diet and the other the 'control' was not. Animals in both groups were maintained unstressed for 30 days to adjust to the feeding system and pasture, and were then stressed by constraint on the 31th, 38th, 45th and 60th experimental days. Blood samples were taken on these days after animals had been immobilization in a trunk contention for 5 min. Stress was followed by analyzing serum cortisol levels. These peaked on the 45th day and then decreased, but not to baseline, on the 60th day. On the 45th day cortisol levels were significantly lower in animals fed Matricaria chamomilla CH12, suggesting that this product reduces stress. These effects may be a consequence of its inhibiting cortisol production and its calming and anxiolytic effects.

Determinação de zinco da sola do casco de bovinos leiteiros com ou sem lesões podais, suplementados ou não com levedura seca de cana-de-açúcar / Evaluation of hoof sole zinc concentration of dairy cow with and without foot lesions, suplemented or not with drought yeast from sugarcane

Com o objetivo de estudar as concentrações de zinco da sola do casco de bovinos com e sem lesões podais, suplementados ou não com levedura seca, foram selecionadas e examinadas 60 vacas, escolhidas aleatoriamente, de um rebanho de 150 animais. Formaram-se quatro grupos de 15 animais, sendo o primeiro com animais com lesões podais e suplementados com levedura, o segundo com animais com lesões podais e sem suplementação de levedura, o terceiro com animais sem lesões podais e suplementados com levedura e o quarto com animais sem lesões podais e sem a suplementação de levedura. As concentrações de zinco da sola do casco foram determinadas por espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama (AAS). A comparação estatística das concentrações de zinco nas amostras foram submetidos à análise de variância, seguida pelo teste de Tukey, para comparação de médias. As médias das concentrações de zinco da sola do casco dos animais dos quatro grupos, quando comparadas estatisticamente, apresentaram diferença estatística significativa, somente nos animais com lesões podais e suplementados com levedura.

Levels of lead in mineral salt commercial mixtures for beef cattle.

Lead concentrations was measured in samples of mineral mixtures used in beef cattle feed in the states of Sao Paulo, Paraná, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Lead content was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Of the 60 analyzed samples, 21 had values greater than 30 ppm (range less 1.6 to 460 ppm), which is the maximum concentration recommended. These findings show the necessity for careful industrial monitoring because some mineral mixtures contain sufficient lead to cause toxicity in animals.

Detection of cadmium in mineral salt commercial mixtures for beef cattle.

The cadmium concentrations in mineral mixtures used in beef cattle feed in the states of São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil was measured. The cadmium concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Of the 36 analyzed samples, 35 had values > 0.5 ppm (range 0.5 to 11.2 ppm), which is the maximum concentration recommended [4, 18]. These findings show the necessity for careful industrial monitoring, as some mineral mixtures contain sufficient cadmium to cause toxicity in animals.

Neutralization test in mice (MNT) using effective dose 50 (ED 50) and International Units (IU) on bovine's sera vaccinated with an inactivated rabies virus vaccine

Os resultados do teste de soroneutralização em camundongos, aplicado em soro de bovinos que haviam sido vacinados previamente com uma vacina comercial de vírus inativado, foram calculados e expressos em logarítimo (base 10) da dose eficaz 50 (DE 50) ou em unidade internacional/ml (UI/ml). A análise estatística revelou uma correlação não-paramétrica de Spearman r = 0,6469, e quando do impedimento de expressar os resultados em UI/ml, a prova de soroneutralização em camundongos com resultados expressos em DE 50 é ainda um procedimento útil para determinar se os bovinos responderam à vacinação anti-rábica.

Etiologia das infecções intramamárias em vacas primíparas no período pós-parto / Etiology of intramammary infections in primiparous cows at postparturition

Foram analisadas 664 amostras de leite de 83 vacas primíparas da raça Holandesa. As amostras foram colhidas no primeiro e no sétimo dia após o parto. Das 664 amostras analisadas, 488 (73,50%) foram bacteriologicamente negativas e 176 (26,50%), positivas para microrganismos aeróbios. Foi observado um alto índice de mastite clínica (20,48%). Os agentes isolados com maior freqüência foram os Staphylococcus spp coagulase negativo (64,20%), Staphylococcus spp coagulase positivo (8,52%), Streptococcus spp (7,96%), Actinomyces pyogenes (4,55%), Mycoplasma bovigenitalium (3,40%) e Escherichia coli (2,84%). Foi observado um maior índice de isolamento de patógenos no primeiro dia (17,62%) em relação ao sétimo (8,88%)

Effect of a booster-dose of rabies vaccine on the duration of virus neutralizing antibody titers in bovines

Humoral immune response using inactivated rabies vaccine was studied in 35 nelore cross-bred bovines of western region of Sao Paulo state. Ninety days after vaccination, 13 (92.8 percent) animals presented titers >/= 0.51U/ml, through mouse neutralization test. After 180 days, 9 (64.3 percent) sera showed titers >/= 0.51U/ml, after 270 days, only one (7. 1 percent) showed a titer of 0.51U/ml, and after 360 days, all animals showed titers < 0.5lU/ml. Group of animals receiving booster dose 30 days after vaccination presented, two months after, all with titers > 0.51U/ml. At 180 days, 17(80.9 percent) sera presented titers > 0.51U/ml; at 270 days, 15 (71.4 percent), with titers >/= 0.51U/ml and at 360 days, 4 (19.0 percent, with titers >/= 0.51U/ml. Booster-dose ensured high levels of neutralizing antibodies for at least three months, and 240 days after revaccination, 71.4 percent of animals were found with titers >/=0.51U/ml