Basics for the potential use of saliva to evaluate stress, inflammation, immune system, and redox homeostasis in pigs.

The use of saliva as a biological sample has many advantages, being especially relevant in pigs where the blood collection is highly stressful and painful, both for the animal and the staff in charge of the sampling. Currently one of the main uses of saliva is for diagnosis and detection of infectious diseases, but the saliva can also be used to measure biomarkers that can provide information of stress, inflammation, immune response and redox homeostasis. This review will be focused on the analytes that can be used for such evaluations. Emphasis will be given in providing data of practical use about their physiological basis, how they can be measured, and their interpretation. In addition, some general rules regarding sampling and saliva storage are provided and the concept of sialochemistry will be addressed. There is still a need for more data and knowledge for most of these biomarkers to optimize their use, application, and interpretation. However, this review provides updated data to illustrate that besides the detection of pathogens in saliva, additional interesting applicative information regarding pigs´ welfare and health can be obtained from this fluid. Information that can potentially be applied to other animal species as well as to humans.

Use of acute phase proteins for the clinical assessment and management of canine leishmaniosis: general recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Dogs with canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum can show a wide spectrum of clinical and clinicopathological findings at the time of diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to describe the possible application of acute phase proteins (APPs) for the characterization and management of this disease, based on previously published information on the utility of APPs in CanL and the experience of the authors in using APPs as analytes in the profiling of canine diseases. MAIN BODY: Dogs diagnosed with L. infantum infection by serology, polymerase chain reaction, cytological or histopathological identification, can be divided into three groups based on their clinical condition at physical examination and their APPs concentrations: Group 1: dogs with no clinical signs on physical examination and APPs in reference range; Group 2: dogs with changes in APPs but no clinical signs on physical examination; Group 3: dogs with clinical signs and changes in APPs. This report describes the main characteristics of each group as well as its association with the clinical classification schemes of CanL. CONCLUSION: APPs concentration can be a useful clinical tool to characterize and manage CanL.

New strategies to classify canine pleural effusions and the diagnostic value of acute phase proteins, amylase, and adenosine deaminase in pleural exudates.

BACKGROUND: In dogs, simplified Light's criteria can discriminate transudates from exudates. Other tests used in human medicine are pleural effusion cholesterol (CHOLPE) and butyrylcholinesterase [BChEPE], the pleural effusion/serum ratio of these analytes (CHOLratio and BChEratio), and the serum albumin minus pleural effusion albumin gradient (SEAG). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracies of different biomarkers in dogs with pleural effusion in differentiating exudates from transudates. Secondarily, we evaluated the potential diagnostic utility of pleural effusion acute phase proteins, amylase, and adenosine deaminase in discriminating causes of exudative effusions. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 68 client-owned dogs with pleural effusion. RESULTS: There were 48 exudates (10 septic, 16 neoplastic, 9 hemorrhagic, and 13 classified as other exudates) and 20 transudates. All the variables analyzed, except SEAG, were significantly different between exudates and transudates. Using the cut-off values adopted in human literature, accuracies for CHOLPE, CHOLratio, BChEPE, and BChEratio were between 82.35% and 85.29%; all values were significantly lower compared with the previously published simplified Light's criteria accuracy (i.e., 98%, p < .001 for all comparisons). We found the accuracy of the simplified Light's criteria to be similar to what has been previously reported (95.59%, p = .238). Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1PE) activity and the pleural effusion/serum paraoxonase-1 ratio (PON-1ratio) were significantly lower in exudative neoplastic effusions than in exudative hemorrhagic (p = .004 and p = .001) and septic (p = .004 and p < .001) effusions. CONCLUSION: Simplified Light's criteria were the best method for discriminating transudates from exudates, and a low PON-1PE activity and PON-1ratio in exudative effusions may suggest an underlying neoplasia.

Changes in cortisol, cortisone and 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II activity in saliva during pregnancy and lactation in sows.

The activity of the enzyme 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (11ß-HSD type II), which can be estimated by the combined measurement of cortisol and cortisone, is gaining importance as a marker for the assessment of stress in pigs. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of this enzyme and the salivary concentrations of cortisol and cortisone in pigs during pregnancy, farrowing and lactation and to compare it with other stress-related biomarkers such as Chromogranin A (CgA), S100A12 and alpha-amylase. Salivary cortisone concentrations and 11ß-HSD type II activity decreased after farrowing, while cortisol concentrations increased. Enzyme activity did not show significant correlations with any of the other stress-related biomarkers measured in this study. Overall, the results of this report indicate a different regulation of 11ß-HSD type II activity and of cortisol and cortisone during pregnancy and lactation, which should be considered when evaluating these analytes in saliva during these periods.

Automated assays for trace elements and ferritin measurement in saliva of pigs: Analytical validation and a pilot application to evaluate different iron status.

The aim of this study was to validate automated methods to measure iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and ferritin in pig saliva samples. A complete analytical validation was performed of all assays. In addition, these methods were applied to saliva of Fe supplemented (n = 22) and non-supplemented (n = 20) piglets. All assays were able to measure these biomarkers in pig saliva with adequate precision, accuracy and high sensitivity and, in case of trace elements without needing a deproteinization pre-process. The group of piglets supplemented with Fe presented significantly higher levels of ferritin and Zn in saliva. In conclusion, the automated assays evaluated were able to measure Fe, Zn, Cu and ferritin in saliva of pigs, and in case of trace elements, they have the advantage of not needing a deproteinization pre-treatment and thus these analytes can be measured in a simple and fast manner.

Effects of orchidectomy in selective biochemical analytes in Beagle dogs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of orchidectomy and associate hormonal changes on circulating concentrations of acute-phase proteins (APPs) (CRP--C-reactive protein; Hp--haptoglobin; Cp--ceruloplasmin), adiponectin and IGF-1 in dogs. For this, a total of five adult Beagle dogs were subjected to orchidectomy. Blood samples were taken before neutering, during six consecutive days and on weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 after surgery. Appropriate diet regime was maintained to keep stable body weight of the dogs. Concentrations of APPs significantly increased on days 2-3 for CRP and 2-7 for Hp and Cp. On days 3-4 after neutering, adiponectin levels were significantly lower than before surgery (p<0.05 and <0.01, respectively). After this initial change, adiponectin did not show any significant alteration during the 3 months. Serum IGF-1 concentrations were significantly decreased at days 2-5 after neutering. In addition, on weeks 8 and 12 serum IGF-1 levels were significantly lower (p<0.001 and <0.01 respectively) in comparison with those before surgery. In conclusion, orchidectomy induced a short-term inflammatory process that was associated with the increase in serum levels of APPs and decrease in IGF-1 and adiponectin levels. However, orchidectomy did not result in long-term changes of circulating concentrations of APPs or adiponectin. Although a decrease in IGF-1 levels was recorded 2 months after surgery, possibly as a consequence of associated decrease in androgen levels or food restriction.

Changes in saliva analytes during pregnancy, farrowing and lactation in sows: A sialochemistry approach.

Salivary biomarkers were studied in 17 healthy Large White sows from early gestation to the end of lactation. Saliva samples were obtained at 34 ± 3 days from insemination (G30), 24 ± 4 days before farrowing (G90), within the first 24 h after farrowing (L1) and at the end of a lactation period of 21 days (L21). The measurements in saliva included stress-related biomarkers (cortisol, chromogranin A, α-amylase, butyrylcholinesterase [BChE] and lipase [Lip]), inflammatory biomarkers (adenosine deaminase isoenzymes 1 [ADA1] and 2 [ADA2], and haptoglobin [Hp]) and oxidative stress biomarkers (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing ability, uric acid, advanced oxidation protein products [AOPP] and hydrogen peroxide [H2O2]), as well as routine biochemistry analytes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], γ-glutamine transferase [GGT], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], creatine kinase [CK], urea, creatinine, triglycerides, lactate, calcium and phosphorus). The main changes were observed at farrowing, with increases in biomarkers of stress (cortisol and BChE), inflammation (ADA isoenzymes and Hp) and oxidative stress (AOPP and H2O2), as well as muscle and hepatic enzymes (CK, AST, ALP, GGT and LDH). Lactate and triglycerides increased at the end of gestation and remained at high concentrations until the end of lactation. Lip was higher in gestation than at lactation. Thus, changes in biomarkers of stress, immune function, oxidative stress, hepatic and muscle integrity, and energy mobilization occur in sow saliva during pregnancy, farrowing and lactation. These changes, caused by physiological conditions, should be taken into consideration when these biomarkers are used for the evaluation of sow health and welfare.

Effect of reduction and alkylation treatment in three different assays used for the measurement of oxytocin in saliva of pigs.

Oxytocin is a hormone that is increasingly being used for welfare evaluation in animals. Although several types of samples have been used for oxytocin measurement, saliva can be a suitable option for pigs producing less stress than blood sampling. In this study, 3 different methods for oxytocin measurements, 2 based on alphaLISA technology (one with a monoclonal and other with a polyclonal antibody) and one commercially available kit, were compared in saliva of pigs. These methods were used in saliva samples obtained from female pigs at 3 different days during gestation and lactation, with and without a reduction/alkylation (R/A), which is a procedure for breaking the links between oxytocin and proteins of the sample. The assays showed a different behavior after the R/A procedure, with no significant changes in the oxytocin results in case of the alphaLISA monoclonal method, a significant decrease with the alphaLISA polyclonal method, and a significant increase with the commercial kit. Although all assays showed a similar tendency in detecting the changes in oxytocin during gestation and lactation, they showed changes of different magnitude and statistical signification. This report indicates that different assays can measure different forms of oxytocin present in saliva and can have a different behavior after R/A of the sample and when are used to measure oxytocin in gestation and lactation.

Insulin in the saliva of pigs: Validation of an automated assay and changes at different physiological conditions.

This study aimed to evaluate whether insulin could be measured in the saliva of pigs and if its concentration changes in some physiological conditions. For this purpose, a validation of an automated heterologous immunoassay for measuring insulin in the saliva of pigs was performed. In addition, the possible changes of salivary insulin concentration in sows after food intake and during gestation and lactation were studied. The evaluated immunoassay was able to detect insulin in the saliva of pigs in a precise and accurate way when species-specific calibrators were used. There was no correlation in insulin concentrations between serum and saliva. Insulin concentrations showed a significant increase in the saliva of sows after feeding. Sows at farrowing and lactation presented higher salivary insulin levels as compared with those in gestation. In conclusion, the results showed that insulin could be measured in the saliva of pigs, and changes in its concentration can be detected due to food intake and different physiological conditions.

Measurement of cortisol, cortisone and 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity in hair of sows during different phases of the reproductive cycle.

Two sensitive assays based on AlphaLISA technology were developed and validated for the measurement of cortisol and cortisone in hair of pigs, that also enabled estimation of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity. These assays were applied to hair samples from sows (n = 32) collected at 5 days before, and at 23 and 59 after farrowing, in reproductive cycles in two different periods: spring-summer (n = 16) and winter-spring (n = 16). The assays were precise (imprecision <12%) and accurate (recovery range, 80-115%) for cortisol and cortisone determination. Hair cortisone concentrations and the cortisone/cortisol ratio (an estimate of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzyme type 2 activity) increased after farrowing more than cortisol, being these changes of higher magnitude during periods of higher atmospheric temperature. The measurement of hair cortisone concentrations and estimations of the activity of the 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzyme type 2, measured by the assays developed in this study, are complementary biomarkers to hair cortisol, and can increase at periods associated with stress, such as farrowing and lactation, especially at high atmospheric temperatures. .

Salivary alpha-amylase activity and concentration in horses with acute abdominal disease: Association with outcome.

BACKGROUND: Salivary biomarkers could be useful to objectively evaluate critical illness and prognosis for survival in horses with acute abdominal disease. OBJECTIVES: To compare salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity and concentration in healthy horses and horses with acute abdominal disease, and evaluate the association between sAA activity and concentration with disease severity and outcome. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort. METHODS: sAA activity, measured using a colorimetric commercial kit, and concentration, measured using a Time-resolved immunofluorometric assay, in 25 healthy horses and in 33 horses with acute abdominal disease was compared using an ANOVA. Associations between survival to discharge and sAA activity and concentration and other clinical parameters were examined using univariable logistic regression and Spearman correlation. RESULTS: sAA activity and concentration were different between healthy (median = 4.3 [2.6-11.2] IU/L and 58.4 [53.4-80.6] ng/mL, respectively) and diseased (median = 29.8 [14.2-168.9] IU/L and 388.3 [189.1-675.8] ng/mL, respectively) (P<0.001). The sAA activity was higher in non-survivors (median = 479.0 [78.7-2064.0] IU/L, n = 8) compared to survivors (median = 19.3 [12.1-103.7] IU/L, n = 25, P<0.001) and sAA activity and concentration correlated (P<0.001) moderately with HR (r = 0.66 and r = 0.61, respectively). sAA activity correlated weakly with salivary cortisol (r = 0.45, P<0.001) and systemic inflammatory response syndrome score (r = 0.43, P<0.05), while activity and concentration correlated (P<0.001) moderately with plasma lactate concentration (r = 0.57 and r = 0.60, respectively). The sAA activity was significantly (P = 0.01) associated with increased risk of nonsurvival. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Pain scores were not recorded. The sample population was small. CONCLUSIONS: The sAA activity, but not concentration, shows potential as a biomarker of prognosis for survival in horses with acute abdominal disease. The summary is available in Spanish - see Supporting Information.

Evaluation of new biomarkers of stress in saliva of sheep.

Some routine handling procedures can produce stress in farm animals, and an adequate control of these stressors is important to avoid the negative effects on animal health and production. The measurement of biomarkers in saliva can be a suitable tool for the evaluation and control of stress. In this report, lipase, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), total esterase (TEA) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities in the saliva of sheep were evaluated as biomarkers of stress. For this purpose, they were measured after inducing stress by facing a dog (experiment 1) and shearing (experiment 2), and comparing them to other stress salivary biomarkers such as α-amylase (sAA) and cortisol, as well as heart rate (HR). Each analyte was measured at the basal time, and during and just after the end of the stressful stimulus, and at various times for the first hour after the period of stress induction. Values were compared with those obtained from a control group. Lipase was the only analyte that showed significant changes between the stress and the control group in both experiments. Although TEA and ADA increased after stress, no significant differences were seen compared with the control group. Lipase was correlated highly with sAA and HR, in experiment 1; and correlated moderately with cortisol and HR in experiment 2. Lipase showed the greatest percentage increase after the stressful stimuli and less overlap with the control group in the two experiments. From the results of this study it can be concluded that lipase, TEA, BChE and ADA are enzymes present in the saliva of sheep and that they can be measured by using simple and fast colorimetric methods. Further studies should be undertaken with regard to the possible application of lipase as a biomarker of stress in sheep.

Biochemical changes in saliva of cows with inflammation: A pilot study.

Saliva contains a variety of compounds that can change in local and systemic pathologies including inflammation. Although changes in acute phase proteins and markers of oxidative stress in saliva during inflammation in humans and different animal species have been described, no data exist about possible changes during inflammation in analytes in saliva of cows. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in selected salivary biomarkers of stress, inflammation and immune system, and oxidative stress in cows with inflammation. For this purpose, bovine mastitis was used as model. Saliva and serum from 18 clinically healthy cows and 18 cows with clinical mastitis were used in the study. A panel of analytes integrated by alpha-amylase, cortisol, haptoglobin, adenosine deaminase, cholinesterase, total antioxidant capacity, lactate, and uric acid was measured in all samples and differences between the two groups of animals were evaluated. Significant increases in cortisol, alpha-amylase, uric acid, lactate and significant decreases in cholinesterase were detected in saliva of cows with mastitis. These results indicate that that cows with mastitis show changes in salivary biomarkers that reflect presence of stress, inflammation and oxidative stress in the animals.

Evaluation of adenosine deaminase in saliva and serum, and salivary α-amylase, in canine pyometra at diagnosis and after ovariohysterectomy.

An assay for adenosine deaminase (ADA) was validated in serum and saliva in dogs. Changes in ADA and salivary α-amylase activities were analysed in 26 bitches diagnosed with pyometra and compared with activities in 19 healthy bitches. All animals were classified according to the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) scoring for physical status. In the validation study, the ADA assay had an imprecision<12% and determination coefficients>0.90 in linearity under dilution experiments, with recoveries of 99.2-114.4%. On the day of presentation, salivary ADA activity was significantly higher in dogs with pyometra than in healthy dogs (median values 7.1IU/L vs. 0.8IU/L, respectively; P<0.01). ADA had a moderate positive correlation with leucocyte and band neutrophil counts, haptoglobin, salivary α-amylase and ASA score, and a low positive correlation with C-reactive protein. There were no significant differences in salivary α-amylase activity between dogs with pyometra and healthy dogs (57.3IU/L vs. 27.4IU/L, respectively). Salivary α-amylase had a low correlation with ASA grade, and leucocyte and band neutrophil counts. In 7/26 bitches with pyometra that were sampled 3 and 10days after ovariohysterectomy, there were no significant changes in α-amylase or ADA activities. These results indicate that ADA activity is increased in the saliva of bitches with pyometra, probably related to systemic inflammation.

Comparison of two automated spectrophotometric methods for ceruloplasmin measurement in pigs.

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) determination could provide an objective measure of the health status of an animal and could be used as marker of animal health and welfare (Skinner, 2001) (Skinner, J. G., 2001. Special report. International standardization of acute phase proteins. Veterinary Clinical Pathology 30, 2-7.) but only manual methods have been reported to determine Cp concentrations in pigs (McCosker, 1961; Toussaint et al., 1995; Eckersall et al., 1996) (McCosker, P. J., 1961. Paraphenylenediamine oxidase activity and copper-levels in mammalian plasmas. Nature. 190, 887-889; Toussaint, M. J. M., Van Ederen, A. M., Gruys, E., 1995. Implication of clinical pathology in assessment of animal health and in animal production and meat inspection. Comparative Haematology International 5, 149-157; Eckersall, P. D., Saini, P. K., McComb, C., 1996. The acute phase response of acid soluble glycoprotein, alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and C-reactive protein, in the pig. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 51, 377-385). In the present study two automated methods based on the use of two different substrates for the determination of serum ceruloplasmin in pigs were developed, evaluated and compared. Both methods showed a good precision and detection limits, with no signs of inaccuracy and could be applied to biochemical autoanalyzers usually found in clinical laboratories using only minimal amounts of serum. Additionally the behaviour of Cp in experimental and clinical situations was studied showing an increase of around two fold after turpentine administration and significantly higher values in cases of pigs with inflammatory conditions when compared with healthy pigs.

Analytical validation of commercially available methods for acute phase proteins quantification in pigs.

The aim of this study was to validate commercially available methods for porcine haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and major acute phase protein (Pig-MAP) determinations. Intra and inter assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were lower than 20% in all cases with exception of inter assay CVs for CRP and Pig-MAP assays with samples of low acute phase proteins concentration, and for SAA assay at any acute phase proteins concentration. All methods showed good linearity and detection limits were low enough to detect APPs levels in healthy animals. Hp and SAA were very affected by haemolysis. Lipaemia influenced mainly on SAA determination. Over 15-fold increase was observed in CRP and SAA concentrations after artificially induced inflammation by a single subcutaneous dose of turpentine, whereas Hp and Pig-MAP increased less than 5-fold.

Validation of a commercially available human immunoturbidimetric assay for haptoglobin determination in canine serum samples.

Haptoglobin is a positive acute-phase protein with a valuable role as a marker of inflammation in both human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to validate a commercially available immunoturbidimetric method designed for human haptoglobin determination (Izasa SA, Barcelona, Spain) for its use in canine samples. Cross-reactivity between anti-human haptoglobin antiserum and canine haptoglobin was found when agarose gel immunodiffusion and ELISA tests were performed. The use of canine pooled serum with haptoglobin concentration of 6.3 g/L as standard provided higher analytical range than commercially available standards. Intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 2.49% and 4.60%, respectively. A linear regression model between immunoturbidimetric results and a previously validated spectrophotometric method (Tridelta Development Limited, Ireland) yielded a slope at 95% confidence interval of 0.94 (0.86, 1.02) and y-intercept at 95% confidence interval of 0.11 (-0.59, 0.82). No significant differences were produced by anticoagulants, lipaemia and bilirubinaemia, although haemolysis significantly decreased haptoglobin. A significant increase of haptoglobin concentration was detected in inflammatory conditions such as pyometra and leishmaniasis, in neoplastic conditions, and after glucocorticoid administration. Canine serum haptoglobin concentration can be reliably measured using the commercially available Izasa immunoturbidimetric method developed for human haptoglobin determination. This method is precise and accurate, provides a wider analytical range than previous reported methods, and can be easily automated and used for routine haptoglobin determination in canine samples.

Homocysteine measurement in pig saliva, assay validation and changes after acute stress and experimental inflammation models: A pilot study.

High homocysteine (Hcy) concentration in serum has been associated to stress and inflammation in humans, but this association has not been studied in saliva in any animal species. The purpose of this research was to study salivary Hcy levels in pigs under stressful and inflammatory conditions. A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for Hcy determination in pigs was adapted and validated in saliva, yielding reproducible and accurate results. Hcy was measured in paired serum-saliva samples and no correlation was observed between serum and salivary Hcy. Salivary Hcy was measured in two experimental models of stress induction in pigs: restraint with a nasal snare and isolation. Homocysteine concentration and the homocysteine to total protein (Hcy/TP) ratio significantly increased 15min after restraining and decreased after some days of isolation. Significant correlation was observed between Hcy and chromogranin A. After an experimentally induced inflammation by subcutaneous turpentine injection, salivary Hcy increased only 3h after turpentine administration; however, the Hcy/TP ratio did not show any change. No correlation was found between salivary Hcy and serum C-reactive protein. In conclusion, salivary Hcy concentration increased when pigs were restrained with a nasal snare or stressed by isolation, probably reflecting an increase in the sympathetic activity. On the other hand, Hcy increased after an experimental inflammation induced by turpentine administration but in this case probably reflects an increase in total protein production in saliva.

Preliminary studies of serum acute-phase protein concentrations in hematologic and neoplastic diseases of the dog.

Serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins (APPs): haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), serum amyloid A (SAA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in healthy dogs (n = 15) and dogs with different diseases grouped as acute inflammation (I, n = 12), hematologic neoplasias (HT, including leukemia and lymphoma, n = 16), nonhematologic neoplasias (NHT, including epithelial, mesenchymal, and mixed, n = 20), and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA, n = 8). SAA and CRP were analyzed using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and Hp and Cp were measured using colorimetric methods, all previously validated for use in dogs. Increased concentrations of all APPs were observed in all groups of diseased dogs, but statistical significance only was observed with Hp (I, P < .001; HT, P < .05), Cp (I, P < .05; AIHA, P < .01), and CRP (I, P < .001; HT, P < .001; AIHA, CRP P < .05). High variability in individual APPs within each group of diseases was found with no significant differences between leukemia and lymphoma as well as among different types of neoplasia. The AIHA group had smaller increases in Hp, SAA, and CRP but higher concentrations of Cp. When follow-up of individual cases was possible, a decrease in APPs generally was found in cases with favorable outcome. The results of this study suggest that neoplasia and hematologic diseases such as AIHA should be considered as possible causes of mild increases in APPs in dogs. Measurement of APPs may be helpful to assess clinical evolution and monitor treatment of these processes.

Changes in saliva biomarkers of stress and immunity in domestic pigs exposed to a psychosocial stressor.

A combination of salivary biomarkers measured at the same time, reflecting the different systems that are involved in the stress mechanism, could be the best tool for its evaluation. In this study, changes in a panel of salivary biomarkers of stress and immunity including chromogranin A (CgA), IgA, cortisol, testosterone, haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (CRP), were evaluated. A total of 14 (7 control and 7 test) crossbred Duroc × (Landrace × Large White) males of 190 days of age were used for this experiment. The stress mechanism was evaluated after applying a psychosocial stressor model in 7 pigs, based on isolation and regrouping. Our results show that after of isolation, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in salivary CgA and IgA. However, after regrouping, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in salivary cortisol, testosterone and CgA. Salivary Hp and CRP concentrations did not significantly change after applying this stress model. This panel of salivary biomarkers could be used as a practical and non-invasive tool for reflecting the activity of different physiology systems involved in the stress response.