Untargeted metabolomic profiling of dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease and congestive heart failure shows metabolic differences associated with the presence of cardiac cachexia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of cardiac cachexia on the metabolomic profile in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). ANIMALS: 3 groups of dogs with MMVD enrolled between November 30, 2018, and April 7, 2022: (1) Dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) and cachexia (CHF-cachexia group; n = 10); (2) dogs with CHF that had no cachexia (CHF-no cachexia group; n = 10); and (3) dogs with asymptomatic disease (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine [ACVIM] Stage B2) with no cachexia (B2 group; n = 10). METHODS: Metabolomic profiles were analyzed from serum samples using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. Dogs in the 3 groups were compared, with statistical significance defined as P < .05 with a low false discovery rate (q < .10) and nominal statistical significance defined as P < .05 but q > .10. RESULTS: Numerous metabolites were significantly (n = 201) or nominally significantly (n = 345) different between groups. For example, when comparing the CHF-cachexia vs CHF-no cachexia groups, lipids were the predominant metabolite differences, including many medium- and long-chain dicarboxylates and dicarboxylate acylcarnitines. For comparisons of the CHF-cachexia vs B2 groups and the CHF-no cachexia vs B2 groups, amino acids, nucleotides, and cofactors/vitamins were the predominant metabolite differences. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Some significant metabolite differences were identified between dogs with and without cardiac cachexia.

Safety of TCMCB07, a melanocortin-4 antagonist peptide, in dogs with naturally occurring cachexia.

BACKGROUND: The melanocortin 4 antagonist TCMCB07 is safe and effective in reversing cachexia caused by sepsis or cancer in rodents. The safety and pharmacokinetics of TCMCB07 are demonstrated in healthy beagle dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the safety, peak plasma concentrations, and potential for efficacy of TCMCB07 in pet dogs with naturally occurring cachexia over a 4-week time period. ANIMALS: Fourteen dogs with cachexia of any underlying cause, except cancer of the oral cavity or gastrointestinal tract, were eligible for enrollment with informed client consent. METHODS: This study was a prospective, 1-armed open-label trial. Physical examination, complete blood count, chemistry panel, and owner-assessed quality of life surveys were checked at weeks 1, 2, and 4. Due to potential for bradycardia and hypotension, Holter monitoring and blood pressure evaluations were scheduled at pre-enrollment and week 4. RESULTS: Fourteen dogs completed the trial. Significant changes detected included increased mean body weight (18.6-19.5 kg, P < .02), increased body condition score (median Tufts 5-point thin dog scale score P < .004 and WSAVA muscle condition score P < .02) and increased mean blood urea nitrogen (21.79-30.43 mg dL-1 , P < .004). On quality of life surveys, pet owners perceived their dog appeared to be panting less (P < .002) and that the general health improved (P < .03). Four dogs had a change in coat pigmentation. The peak plasma concentration of TCMCB07 in cachectic dogs was similar to that in healthy beagle dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: TCMCB07 was safe and has potential efficacy in pet dogs with cachexia.

Quantitative histologic evaluation reveals different degree of liver atrophy in cachectic and starved dogs.

Cases of neglect in dogs are among the forensic cases submitted most commonly for postmortem examination. Starvation is a form of primary protein-energy malnutrition in which the availability of food is severely restricted or absent; cachexia is a form of protein-energy malnutrition secondary to progressive metabolic derangement during chronic diseases. Despite both conditions leading to an emaciated appearance of the cadaver, discrimination between the two is crucial in forensic cases. We hypothesized that among emaciated dogs, the degree of liver atrophy in starved animals is higher than in cachectic ones, and that this can be investigated microscopically, regardless of the degree of cadaver decomposition. We studied 46 animals: 23 starved, 11 cachectic, and 12 control dogs. Portal tracts were identified by the presence of a bile duct and associated vascular structures recognizable by a thin rim of collagen still visible regardless of the degree of cadaver decomposition. The number of portal tracts per lpf (10×) was used as an indirect measure of atrophy. The number of portal tracts in starved dogs was significantly higher (p < 0.01) compared to both cachectic and control dogs, indicating a higher degree of liver atrophy in starvation. Measuring the density of portal tracts offers a reliable additional tool for discrimination between starvation and cachexia.

Nutritional Concerns for Cancer, Cachexia, Frailty, and Sarcopenia in Canine and Feline Pets.

Cachexia and frailty can be described as independent entities yet are interrelated as constituents of malnutrition and the aging process. The unifying aspect is lean muscle loss, ultimately driven by inflammation and the adverse ramifications to pets with chronic, debilitating, or terminal disease states, including cancer. Modification to intake of dietary protein, fat, omega-3 fatty acids, and selected vitamins has shown benefit in management protocols as preventative and palliative care, but further investigation is imperative.

Effects on Mouse Food Consumption After Exposure to Bedding from Sick Mice or Healthy Mice.

Control mice housed in the same room as mice with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) demonstrate decreased food intake coincident with the cachexia experienced by the mice with PDAC. Mice are considered an empathetic species, and we hypothesized that the reduced food intake in normal mice was an "empathy state" that was mediated by olfactory cues. Naïve male and female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to soiled bedding from mice experiencing PDAC induced cachexia or from control mice in the PDAC study. Body weight, food intake, and food spillage were measured across 48 h. Statistically significant differences in food consumption were found at various time points in both positive and negative directions for the 2 bedding conditions, and the direction of effect was opposite for males and females. Although analysis of data from previous PDAC studies showed differences in food spillage between PDAC mice and their controls, in this study we found no correlation between food consumption and food spillage based on bedding type. Disruption of food intake due to the "empathy state" requires testing larger numbers of animals to attain appropriate statistical power, which is contrary to the goal of using fewer animals. Empathy effects require careful consideration of sample size and cautious interpretation of results. This study also highlights the importance of sex as a biologic variable and why quantifying food spillage is important in studies of food intake.

Usefulness of muscle condition score and ultrasonographic measurements for assessment of muscle mass in cats with cachexia and sarcopenia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare muscle condition scores (MCSs) and muscle ultrasonographic measurements in cats with and without muscle loss and to evaluate repeatability and reproducibility of MCS assessment. ANIMALS: 40 cats of various ages, body condition scores (BCSs), and MCSs. PROCEDURES: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Body weight, BCS, MCS, epaxial muscle height (EMH), vertebral epaxial muscle score (VEMS), and forelimb epaxial muscle score (FLEMS) were assessed in each cat. The MCS for each cat was assessed 3 separate times by each of 5 raters. RESULTS: The MCS was significantly correlated with EMH (r = 0.59), VEMS (r = 0.66), and FLEMS (r = 0.41). For MCS, the overall value of the κ coefficient for interrater agreement (reproducibility) was 0.43 and the overall value of the κ coefficient for intrarater agreement (repeatability) ranged from 0.49 to 0.76. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasonographic measurements of muscle may be useful for assessing muscle loss in individual cats over time. However, for the cats of this study, no advantage was observed for assessment of VEMS or FLEMS over EMH. Substantial repeatability and moderate reproducibility were shown when MCS was used for assessment of muscle mass in cats. Prospective ultrasonographic studies are warranted to evaluate the usefulness of MCS and EMH assessment for evaluation of changes in muscle mass of cats over time.

Cardiac cachexia in cats with congestive heart failure: Prevalence and clinical, laboratory, and survival findings.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac cachexia is common in people and dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF). However, the prevalence and effects of cardiac cachexia in cats are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of cachexia and its associations with clinical laboratory and survival data in cats with CHF. ANIMALS: One hundred twenty-five cats with CHF. METHODS: Medical records of cats evaluated during a 40-month period were retrospectively reviewed to identify cats with cardiac cachexia using 7 different definitions. Clinical, laboratory, and survival data were compared between cats with and without cachexia. RESULTS: Prevalence of cachexia ranged from 0 to 66.7% for the 7 definitions, with a prevalence of 41.6% using muscle condition score (MCS). Cats with cachexia (determined by MCS) were older (P < .001), more likely to have pleural effusion (P = .003), had significantly higher blood urea nitrogen (P < .001) and neutrophil concentrations (P = .01), and significantly lower body condition score (P < .001), body weights (P < .001), hematocrit (P = .007), and hemoglobin concentrations (P = .009). Survival time for cats with cachexia (determined by MCS) was significantly shorter than for cats without cachexia (P = .03). Cats that were underweight (P = .002) and cats with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) also had shorter survival times (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The association between cachexia and reduced survival time emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing this common problem in cats with CHF.

Clinical and laboratory findings and survival time associated with cardiac cachexia in dogs with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac cachexia, loss of muscle mass associated with congestive heart failure (CHF), is associated with increased morbidity and shorter survival times in people, but an association between cardiac cachexia and survival has not been reported in dogs. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of cachexia and its associations with clinical, laboratory, and survival data in dogs with CHF. ANIMALS: Two hundred sixty-nine dogs with CHF. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Cachexia was defined by 1 of 2 definitions: (1) mild, moderate, or severe muscle loss or (2) weight loss of ≥5% in 12 months or less. Variables were compared between dogs with and without cachexia. RESULTS: One hundred thirty of 269 dogs (48.3%) had cardiac cachexia based on muscle loss, whereas 67 of 159 dogs (42.1%) with pre-evaluation body weights had cachexia based on weight loss. Dogs with cachexia (based on muscle loss) were significantly older (P = .05), more likely to have a cardiac arrhythmia (P = .02), had higher chloride concentrations (P = .04), and had a lower body condition score (P < .001), hematocrit (P = .006), hemoglobin (P = .006), and albumin (P = .004) concentrations. On multivariable analysis, cachexia (P = .05), clinically important tachyarrhythmias (P < .001), azotemia (P < .001), and being under- or overweight (both P = .003) were associated with shorter survival times. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cardiac cachexia in common in dogs with CHF and is associated with significantly shorter survival. This emphasizes the importance of preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle loss in dogs with CHF.

Anorexia and the Cancer Patient.

Appetite influences perceived quality of life for a dog or cat with cancer. Inappetence often is multifactorial, complicating treatment. Cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome is a metabolic, paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by decreased food intake, involuntary weight loss, and loss of fat and muscle. If weight loss/cachexia has an impact on canine and feline cancer patients as in humans, management may improve survival times and quality of life. The challenge is having effective, proved therapies available for clinical use. Recent Food and Drug Administration approvals for appetite stimulation have renewed interest and discussion and has the potential to alter the course of case management.

Perspectives on Feeding and Nutrition.

Many palliative care patients have reduced oral intake during their illness. Managing inadequate intake through appetite stimulation and/or artificial hydration and nutrition poses many clinical, ethical, and logistical dilemmas. This article aids the health care team in making appropriate recommendations regarding assisted nutrition and hydration for palliative care and terminal patients. It provides a decision-making framework, including an ethical approach to determining appropriate use of assisted feeding and hydration methods in pets at the end of life. It also summarizes various clinical and logistical approaches to treating decreased food/water consumption, including potential benefits and burdens, should intervention be deemed appropriate.

Physical characteristics of free-living sea turtles that had and had not ingested debris in Microregion of the Lakes, Brazil.

The ingestion of detritus by sea turtles results in high mortality and morbidity. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of free-living sea turtles that ingested anthropogenic inorganic detritus in comparison to those that did not. A total of 186 necropsy files were analyzed in marine turtles from the beaches of the Microregion dos Lagos, Rio de Janeiro. Among the turtles that ingested detritus, the mean turtle was female and cachectic, with a carapace length of 36,6 cm, detritus accumulated in the large intestine, and fecal compaction. It seems most likely that's low food transit, combined with the multiplicity of ingestion, favored the accumulation of detritus. This ingestion resulted in cachexia associated with fecal compaction, since the greatest accumulation was in the large intestine. The intake of detritus by turtles was not punctual but continuous. These studies demonstrated the vulnerability of these animals to environmental pollution.

Toxoplasma gondii infection triggers chronic cachexia and sustained commensal dysbiosis in mice.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a predation-mediated transmission cycle between rodents and felines. Intermediate hosts acquire Toxoplasma by eating parasite cysts which invade the small intestine, disseminate systemically and finally establish host life-long chronic infection in brain and muscles. Here we show that Toxoplasma infection can trigger a severe form of sustained cachexia: a disease of progressive lean weight loss that is a causal predictor of mortality in cancer, chronic disease and many infections. Toxoplasma cachexia is characterized by acute anorexia, systemic inflammation and loss of 20% body mass. Although mice recover from symptoms of peak sickness, they fail to regain muscle mass or visceral adipose depots. We asked whether the damage to the intestinal microenvironment observed at acute time points was sustained in chronic infection and could thereby play a role in sustaining cachexia. We found that parasites replicate in the same region of the distal jejunum/proximal ileum throughout acute infection, inducing the development of secondary lymphoid structures and severe, regional inflammation. Small intestine pathology was resolved by 5 weeks post-infection. However, changes in the commensal populations, notably an outgrowth of Clostridia spp., were sustained in chronic infection. Importantly, uninfected animals co-housed with infected mice display similar changes in commensal microflora but never display symptoms of cachexia, indicating that altered commensals are not sufficient to explain the cachexia phenotype alone. These studies indicate that Toxoplasma infection is a novel and robust model to study the immune-metabolic interactions that contribute to chronic cachexia development, pathology and potential reversal.

Reversible and cachexia-associated feline skin fragility syndrome in three cats.

BACKGROUND: Feline skin fragility syndrome (FSFS) is an acquired disorder characterized by altered collagen production resulting in an extremely thin and fragile skin. FSFS is associated with diseases characterized by excessive steroidal hormones that can inhibit collagen synthesis. It is also described concomitantly with severe inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic conditions where the pathogenesis remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: To describe three cases of FSFS in cats that become cachectic secondary to different causes without glucocorticoid involvement. To describe the histopathological features of connective tissue for both fragile skin and the skin after healing. RESULTS: All cats developed cachexia in less than two months (body condition score ranging from 1-1.5). Concomitant diseases were diagnosed in Case 1 (aspiration pneumonia due to mega-oesophagus) and Case 2 (feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)). In Case 3, malnutrition was suspected as a primary cause. The main histological feature of fragile skin was an atrophic dermis with pale eosinophilic, thin and irregular collagen fibres with numerous red cores observed with Masson's stain. Elastic fibres were normal. Postrecovery histopathological findings at 11 (Case 1) and six months (Case 3) after diagnosis, indicated normalization of the collagen and of the whole skin as compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report describing a reversible, nonsteroid-induced FSFS, associated with rapidly developing cachexia in cats.

A non-human primate model of radiation-induced cachexia.

Cachexia, or muscle wasting, is a serious health threat to victims of radiological accidents or patients receiving radiotherapy. Here, we propose a non-human primate (NHP) radiation-induced cachexia model based on clinical and molecular pathology findings. NHP exposed to potentially lethal partial-body irradiation developed symptoms of cachexia such as body weight loss in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Severe body weight loss as high as 20-25% was observed which was refractory to nutritional intervention. Radiographic imaging indicated that cachectic NHP lost as much as 50% of skeletal muscle. Histological analysis of muscle tissues showed abnormalities such as presence of central nuclei, inflammation, fatty replacement of skeletal muscle, and muscle fiber degeneration. Biochemical parameters such as hemoglobin and albumin levels decreased after radiation exposure. Levels of FBXO32 (Atrogin-1), ActRIIB and myostatin were significantly changed in the irradiated cachectic NHP compared to the non-irradiated NHP. Our data suggest NHP that have been exposed to high dose radiation manifest cachexia-like symptoms in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This model provides a unique opportunity to study the mechanism of radiation-induced cachexia and will aid in efficacy studies of mitigators of this disease.

Pilot study of a myostatin antagonist in dogs with cardiac cachexia.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac cachexia, a loss of lean body mass caused by heart disease, often accompanies congestive heart failure (CHF). Blocking myostatin, which is a protein that inhibits muscle growth, appears to greatly enhance muscle size and strength in rodent models and human clinical trials. The objective of this study was to evaluate a dog-specific myostatin antagonist (CAP-031) in a pilot study to test its safety and efficacy in dogs with CHF and cardiac cachexia. ANIMALS: Dogs with CHF and cardiac cachexia. METHODS: Eligible dogs received four weekly subcutaneous injections of CAP-031. Endpoints were body weight, body condition score (BCS, on a 1-9 scale), muscle condition score (MCS, on a five-point scale, where 0 = no muscle loss and 4 = severe muscle loss), appetite, and a quality of life (QOL) score. RESULTS: Seven dogs with CHF and moderate-to-severe cachexia were enrolled in the study. For the six dogs that completed the study, the median age was 8.8 years (range 6.4-10.6). At baseline, the median body weight was 27.0 kg (range 17.3-62.0), the median BCS was 4 (2-5), and median MCS was 3 (3-4). There were no significant changes in body weight, BCS, appetite, or QOL score. The change in MCS (from a median of 3 at baseline to a median of 2.5 at week 4) was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The myostatin antagonist appeared to be well tolerated in most dogs. Earlier identification of cachexia is important, and randomized, controlled trials of myostatin antagonists or other drugs to treat cardiac cachexia are needed.

[Pathology of South American Camelids: a retrospective study of necropsies at the Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Leipzig, Germany]. / Sektionsbefunde von Neuweltkameliden. Eine retrospektive Analyse des Sektionsgutes des Leipziger Instituts für Veterinär-Pathologie.

OBJECTIVE: The number of South American Camelids (New World Camelids) housed in Germany has increased in the recent years. While these species were formerly kept solely in zoological gardens, ever more private and commercial livestock is being established. Compared to indigenous livestock animals, they bear some distinctive differences, particularly in terms of digestive tract anatomy and physiology. Therefore, it is of considerable interest for veterinarians working with South American Camelids to obtain knowledge about the distinguishing features of these animals and the typical diseases affecting them in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this purpose, the necropsy reports, including the anamnestic data, and their diagnostic usefulness, from 1995 to 2012 were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Du- ring this period, a total of 233 New World Camelids were examined (195 alpacas and 38 llamas). Anamnestic data of diagnostic usefulness regarding the cause of disease were only submitted in a limited number of cases, because most of the animals died without specific symptoms. The following were the most frequent pathological findings: enteritis (n = 91), gastritis (n = 76), cachexia (n = 73), pneumonia (n = 30), stomatitis (n = 27), azotaemia (n = 22) and anaemia (n = 9). An endoparasitosis occurred in 107 cases and was considered the predominant cause of enteritis. CONCLUSION: As with indigenous ruminants, llamas and alpacas primarily suffered from diseases of the digestive and respiratory tracts. Other organ systems were affected to a lesser extent. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Even in cases with severe alterations in the affected organs, South American Camelids do not show or show too late diagnostically indicative clinical symptoms. Therefore, a detailed clinical examination of these animals is important.

Isolation of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (O: 4, 5: i) and Salmonella enterica subsp. Typhimurium from free-living domestic pigeons (Columba livia) / Detecção de Salmonella enterica subsp enterica (O: 4, 5: i) e Salmonella enterica subsp. Typhimurium em pombo doméstico de vida livre (Columba livia)

The present study reports the isolation of Salmonella enterica in organs of free-living domestic pigeons. In the clinic examination, the presence of feces in the peri-cloacal and abdominal regions were observed, as well as symptoms such as cachexy, incoordination and opisthotonos. Before any therapeutic protocol was applied the bird died and a necropsy was then performed for the removal of spleen, liver, kidney and intestine for bacteriological examination and antibiotic sensitivity test. Salmonella enterica subsp.enterica (O:4,5:i-) and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium were isolated from the liver and intestine and the sensitivity test demonstrated that these strains are sensitive to several antibiotics...

O presente trabalho relata o isolamento de Salmonella enterica em órgãos de um pombo doméstico de vida livre. No exame clínico foi observada a presença de fezes pericloacal na região ventral, caquexia, incoordenação motora e opistótono. Antes de iniciar um protocolo terapêutico, a ave foi a óbito, e, em seguida, foi realizada uma necropsia para remoção do baço, fígado, rim e intestino para exame bacteriológico e teste de sensibilidade a antibióticos. Foi isolado Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (O:4,5:i-) e Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica sorovar Typhimurium do fígado e intestino, e o teste de sensibilidade demonstrou que essas cepas são sensíveis a vários antimicrobianos...

Autoimmune/autoinflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA syndrome) in commercial sheep.

We describe a form of the autoimmune/autoinflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA syndrome) in commercial sheep, linked to the repetitive inoculation of aluminum-containing adjuvants through vaccination. The syndrome shows an acute phase that affects less than 0.5% of animals in a given herd, it appears 2-6 days after an adjuvant-containing inoculation and it is characterized by an acute neurological episode with low response to external stimuli and acute meningoencephalitis, most animals apparently recovering afterward. The chronic phase is seen in a higher proportion of flocks, it can follow the acute phase, and it is triggered by external stimuli, mostly low temperatures. The chronic phase begins with an excitatory phase, followed by weakness, extreme cachexia, tetraplegia and death. Gross lesions are related to a cachectic process with muscular atrophy, and microscopic lesions are mostly linked to a neurodegenerative process in both dorsal and ventral column of the gray matter of the spinal cord. Experimental reproduction of ovine ASIA in a small group of repeatedly vaccinated animals was successful. Detection of Al(III) in tissues indicated the presence of aluminum in the nervous tissue of experimental animals. The present report is the first description of a new sheep syndrome (ovine ASIA syndrome) linked to multiple, repetitive vaccination and that can have devastating consequences as it happened after the compulsory vaccination against bluetongue in 2008. The ovine ASIA syndrome can be used as a model of other similar diseases affecting both human and animals. A major research effort is needed in order to understand its complex pathogenesis.

Hyperlipidaemia in trypanosomiasis of naturally infected horses: possible cachexia-anorexia syndrome?

Trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma evansi commonly produces wasting disease with signs of emaciation and cachexia mainly at the end stage. The present study was conducted to explore the possible hyperlipaemia or hyperlipidaemia and its association with cachexia-anorexia in equine trypanosomiasis. Out of the fifteen confirmed animals, none of the plasma sample was opaque. There was a significant increase in plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen and a highly significant increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. A mild increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low-density lipoprotein levels were observed, while the relative percentage of HDL and LDL was altered with high significance. A moderate increase in triglyceride and highly significant increase in LDL might be the reasons for retention of appetite and lipolysis. Possible protein breakdown and presence of lipolysis might be the reasons for cachexia in equine trypanosomiasis.

Efecto de las inflorescencias de Brassica oleraceae italica "brócoli" sobre la caquexia en cáncer de colon inducido en Rattus norvegicus albinus / Effect of the inflorescences of Brassica oleraceae italica (Brocoli) on cachexia in colon cancer induced in Ratus norvegicus albinus

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de las inflorescencias de Brassica oleraceae italica "Brócoli" sobre la caquexia en cáncer de colon inducido en Rattus norvegicus albinus. Se trabajó con 18 especímenes machos adultos, divididos aleatoriamente en tres grupos de seis especímenes cada uno: control, blanco y problema (que recibió 60 mg/100 g p.c de liofilizado de inflorescencias de B. oleraceae, vía oral). Se utilizó 1,2-Dimetilhidrazina (DMH) para inducir cáncer de colon en los grupos control y problema a la dosis de 21 mg/kg p.c/ semana, vía subcutanea durante 18 semanas. Las ratas albinas fueron pesadas semanalmente durante ocho meses, obteniéndose un promedio del peso corporal mensual por espécimen de cada grupo y el promedio mensual por grupo de estudio. Los parámetros que se consideraron para evaluar la caquexia fueron: adelgazamiento, astenia, alopecia incipiente y xerosis conjuntival; asimismo los resultados los resultados muestran evidentemente perdida de peso corporal en el grupo control y mínima pérdida en el grupo que recibió Brassica oleraeceae italica (**p<0,01). Se conluye que las inflorescencias de Brassica oleraceae itálica a la dosis de 60 mg/100g p.c evita la pérdida de peso corporal y disminuye la afectación caquéctica en Rattus norvegicus albinus con cáncer de colon inducido con 1,2-dimetilhidrazina.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the effect of the inflorescences of Brassica oleraceae italica on cachexia in colon cancer induced in Rattus norvegicus albinus. Specimens were 18 adult males albino rats, randomly divided into three groups of six spcecimens each: control, white and problem (which received 60 mg/100 g bw of lyophilized B. oleraceae inflorescences, orally). We used 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) to induce colon cancer in the control and problem group at a dose of 21 mg/kg bw/ week, subcutaneously for 18 weeks. The parameters considered to assess cachexia were: weight loss, asthenia, alopecia incipient and conjunctival xerosis, likewise the results show evident loss of body weight in the control group and minimal loss in the group receiving B. oleraceae (**p<0.01). We conclude that the inflorescences of Brassica oleraceae italic at the dose of 60 mg/100 g bw prevents loss of body weight and decreased involvement in Rattus norvegicus cachectic albinus colon cancer induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine.