Evaluation of Acetic Acid-Induced Chronic Gastric Ulcer Healing by Propionyl-L-Carnitine Administration.

The aim of our study was to investigate the healing effect of propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) on chronic gastric ulcers and its underlying mechanisms. This study included rats with gastric ulcers induced by applying serosal glacial acetic acid. These rats were then given either saline (vehicle) or PLC at doses of 60 and 120 mg/kg, administered orally 3 days after ulcer induction for 14 consecutive days. Our study found that treatment with PLC resulted in a reduction of the gastric ulcer area, a faster rate of ulcer healing, and stimulated mucosal restoration. Additionally, the treatment with PLC reduced the number of Iba-1+ M1 macrophages while increasing the number of galectin-3+ M2 macrophages, as well as desmin+ microvessels, and α-SMA+ myofibroblasts in the gastric ulcer bed. The mRNA expression of COX-2, eNOS, TGF-ß1, VEGFA, and EGF in the ulcerated gastric mucosa was greater in the PLC-treated groups compared with the vehicle-treated rats. In conclusion, these findings suggest that PLC treatment may accelerate gastric ulcer healing by stimulating mucosal reconstruction, macrophage polarization, angiogenesis, and fibroblast proliferation, as well as fibroblast-myofibroblast transition. This process is associated with the upregulation of TGF-ß1, VEGFA, and EGF, as well as modulation of the cyclooxygenase/nitric oxide synthase systems.

Anti- inflammatory effect of boric acid on cytokines in ovariectomy-induced rats.

The increase in the rate of inflammation in the post-menopause period also leads to a significant increase in the use of anti-inflammatory agents. This study aimed to investigate the effect of BA supplementation on pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in ovariectomy (OVX) induced rats. A total of 48 nonpregnant female Wistar albino rats (80-100 g) were used in the experiment. Forty-eight rats were divided into six equal groups (n=8): Control, OVX, OVX+5 mg/kg BA (OVX+BA5), OVX+10 mg/kg BA (OVX+BA10), 5 mg/kg BA (BA5), 10 mg/kg BA (BA10). Serum TNF-α cytokine levels of rats in the OVX group were higher than in control rats (P<0.05). TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in the OVX-induced rats with 5 mg/kg BA and 10 mg/kg BA supplementation (P<0.05). While serum IL-1α and IL-6 levels were not different between OVX and control rats, serum IL-3 levels were low (P<0.05) and not affected by 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg BA supplementation. Serum IL-11 levels increased significantly in the OVX rats with 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg BA supplementation (P<0.05). As far as we know, certain doses (5 and 10 mg/kg) of BA are the first study on the prevention of increased inflammation in rats induced by OVX. Results suggest that the supplementation of BA regulates the inflammatory changes associated with OVX and thus has beneficial for menopause management.

Effects of the clinical severity of disease and concomitant pyoderma on serum acute-phase proteins concentrations in dogs with sarcoptic mange.

BACKGROUND: Information on acute-phase protein (APP) concentrations in dogs with sarcoptic mange (SM) is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of the clinical severity of disease and concomitant pyoderma on serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) concentrations in dogs with SM. ANIMALS: Forty client-owned dogs with SM (INF group) and 10 healthy control dogs (CON group). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The INF group was divided into three subgroups; Group 1 (mild/moderate), Group 2 (severe) and Group 3 (severe+pyoderma) according to the extent of skin lesions and the presence of concomitant pyoderma. Serum CRP, SAA, Hp and Cp concentrations of all study groups were measured. RESULTS: Serum CRP (P < 0.001), SAA (P < 0.001) and Hp (P = 0.016) concentrations of the INF group were higher than the CON group, with no difference in terms of Cp. A statistical difference was measured between groups 2 and 1 in SAA only. C-reactive protein was found to be significantly higher in dogs with severe SM accompanied by pyoderma (Group 3) when compared with dogs with severe SM (Group 2). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves differentiating pyoderma among dogs with severe SM was 0.850 for CRP (P = 0.0001, cut-off value >61.3 mg/L with sensitivity 69.29% and specificity 90.91%). CONCLUSIONS: The unique findings in this were that the SAA serum concentrations are related to the severity of SM and that serum CRP concentrations are effective in detecting the presence of pyoderma in dogs with severe SM.

Conclusions - The unique findings in this were that the SAA serum concentrations are related to the severity of SM and that serum CRP concentrations are correlated with the presence of pyoderma in dogs with severe SM. Contexte - Les informations sur les concentrations de protéines de phase aiguë (APP) chez les chiens atteints de gale sarcoptique (SM) sont rares. Objectif - Déterminer les effets de la gravité clinique de la maladie et de la pyodermite concomitante sur les concentrations sériques de protéine C-réactive (CRP), d'amyloïde-A (SAA), d'haptoglobine (Hp) et de céruloplasmine (Cp) chez les chiens atteints de SM. Animaux - Quarante chiens de propriétaires atteints de SM (groupe INF) et 10 chiens témoins sains (groupe CON). Matériels et méthodes - Le groupe INF a été divisé en trois sous-groupes ; Groupe 1 (léger/modéré), Groupe 2 (sévère) et Groupe 3 (sévère + pyodermite) selon l'étendue des lésions cutanées et la présence de pyodermite concomitante. Les concentrations sériques de CRP, SAA, Hp et Cp de tous les groupes d'étude ont été mesurées. Résultats - Les concentrations sériques de CRP (P < 0,001), SAA (P < 0,001) et Hp (P = 0,016) du groupe INF étaient supérieures à celles du groupe CON, sans différence en termes de Cp. Une différence statistique a été mesurée entre les groupes 2 et 1 en SAA uniquement. La protéine C-réactive s'est avérée significativement plus élevée chez les chiens atteints de SM sévère accompagnée de pyodermite (groupe 3) par rapport aux chiens atteints de SM sévère (groupe 2). L'aire sous les courbes caractéristiques de fonctionnement du récepteur différenciant la pyodermite chez les chiens atteints de SM sévère était de 0,850 pour la CRP (P = 0,0001, valeur seuil > 61,3 mg/L avec une sensibilité de 69,29 % et une spécificité de 90,91 %). Conclusions - Les résultats uniques dans ce cas étaient que les concentrations sériques de SAA sont liées à la gravité de la SM et que les concentrations sériques de CRP sont corrélées à la présence de pyodermite chez les chiens atteints de SM sévère.

Introducción- la información sobre las concentraciones de proteína de fase aguda (APP) en perros con sarna sarcóptica (SM) es escasa. Objetivo- determinar los efectos de la gravedad clínica de enfermedad y pioderma concomitante en las concentraciones de proteína C reactiva (CRP) sérica, amiloide-A sérica (SAA), haptoglobina (Hp) y ceruloplasmina (Cp) en perros con SM. Animales - Cuarenta perros de propietarios particulares con SM (grupo INF) y 10 perros de control sanos (grupo CON). Materiales y métodos - El grupo INF se dividió en tres subgrupos; Grupo 1 (leve/moderada), Grupo 2 (grave) y Grupo 3 (grave+pioderma) según la extensión de las lesiones cutáneas y la presencia de pioderma concomitante. Se midieron las concentraciones séricas de CRP, SAA, Hp y Cp de todos los grupos de estudio. Resultados- las concentraciones séricas de CRP (P < 0,001), SAA (P < 0,001) y Hp (P = 0,016) del grupo INF fueron más altas que las del grupo CON, sin diferencias en términos de Cp. Se observó una diferencia estadística entre los grupos 2 y 1 en SAA solamente. Se encontró que la proteína C reactiva era significativamente más alta en perros con SM severa acompañada de pioderma (Grupo 3) en comparación con perros con SM severa (Grupo 2). El área bajo las curvas de características operativas del receptor que diferencian la pioderma entre perros con SM grave fue de 0,850 para CRP (P = 0,0001, valor de corte >61,3 mg/l con sensibilidad del 69,29 % y especificidad del 90,91 %). Conclusiones- los hallazgos únicos en esto estudio fueron que las concentraciones séricas de SAA están relacionadas con la gravedad de la SM y que las concentraciones séricas de CRP están correlacionadas con la presencia de pioderma en perros con SM grave.

Contexto - São escassas as informações sobre as concentrações de proteínas de fase aguda (PFA) em cães com sarna sarcóptica (SS) são escassas. Objetivo - Determinar os efeitos da gravidade da doença e a piodermite concomitante nas concentrações de proteína C-reativa (PCR), amiloide sérico A (ASA), haptoglobina (Hp) e ceruloplasmina (Cp) em cães com SS. Animais - Quarenta cães de clientes com SS (grupo INF) e 10 cães controle saudáveis (grupo CON). Materiais e métodos - O grupo INF foi dividido em três subgrupos; Grupo 1 (leve/moderado), Grupo 2 (grave), Grupo 3 (grave + piodermite) de acordo com a extensão das lesões cutâneas e a presença de piodermite concomitante. As concentrações séricas de PCR, ASA, Hp e Cp, foram mensuradas. Resultados - As concentrações séricas de PCR (P < 0,001), ASA (P < 0,001) e Hp (P = 0,016) no grupo INF foram maiores que no grupo COM, sem diferenças em termos de Cp. Mensurou-se a diferença estatística entre os grupos 2 e 1 no ASA apenas. A proteína C-reativa foi significativamente maior em cães com SS grave com piodermite (Grupo 3) quando comparado com cães com SS grave (Grupo 2). A área sob as curvas características de operação do receptor que diferenciam piodermite entre cães com SS grave foi 0,850 para a PCR (P = 0,0001, valor de corte > 61,3 mg/L com sensibilidade de 69,29% e especificidade de 90,91%). Conclusões - Os achados mais singulares deste estudo foram de que as concentrações séricas de ASA são relacionadas à severidade da SS e que as concentrações séricas de PCR são correlacionadas com a presença de piodermite em cães com SS grave.

Oxidative Status and Lipid Profile among Dogs at Different Stages of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the oxidative status and lipid profile among dogs at different stages of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). METHODS: Dogs with VL were divided into four groups according to the classification reported by the Leishvet group: stage I (n=9), stage II (n=11), stage III (n=6), and stage IV (n=6); these dogs were compared to healthy control dogs (n=14). The lipid profile [high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels) and oxidative status [total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity] were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared to the control dogs, significant increases in the TOS and the LDL level and decreases in PON-1 activity and the HDL level were determined among the dogs at all stages of VL (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the TAC and the cholesterol and triglyceride levels among the groups. CONCLUSION: Increased oxidative stress and alterations in lipid profile were observed among dogs with VL. However, no significant differences were detected between dogs at different stages of the disease. Therefore, changes in the TOS, PON-1 activity, and HDL and LDL levels in dogs at all stages of VL should be considered in the diagnosis of the disease and planning of the treatment.