Increases in serum carbonylated protein levels of dogs with hypercortisolism.

Protein carbonylation is an irreversible and degenerative modification that can be used to evaluate oxidative stress caused by glucocorticoids. In this study, we focused on protein carbonylation in dogs with hypercortisolism (HC). Sera samples were collected from 14 dogs diagnosed with HC and treated with trilostane, 12 dogs with inflammatory diseases (disease control group), and eight clinically healthy dogs. When the carbonylated protein levels were detected by the immunoblot analysis, one band of approximately 40 kDa was predominantly increased in the dogs with HC. The band was identified as haptoglobin using the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Furthermore, haptoglobin immune reactivity was higher in the dogs with HC. Although the average protein carbonylation level of the HC group was not significantly different from that of the other groups, the carbonylation level was significantly higher for the poorly controlled HC cases than for the well-controlled HC group. Additionally, the primary culture of canine hepatocytes was used to clarify the direct effect of glucocorticoids on protein carbonylation in dog livers. Both the carbonylated protein and haptoglobin clearly increased after 72 h. These findings suggest that haptoglobin and its carbonylated form are increased with canine HC, and that the protein carbonylation ratio and/or haptoglobin level could be related to disease management. These factors could be useful as biomarkers for an oxidative stress reaction, at least in the liver, and for treatment monitoring of HC.

Protease-Activated Receptor-2 Is Associated With Adverse Outcomes in Canine Mammary Carcinoma.

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is activated by serine proteases. In humans, PAR2 is highly expressed in various cancers, including breast cancer, and is associated with cancer progression and metastasis. However, the expression and roles of PAR2 in canine mammary carcinoma remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of PAR2 in canine mammary carcinoma, the association between PAR2 expression and clinical characteristics, and the role of PAR2 in the metastatic phenotypes of tumor cells. Mammary carcinoma from 31 dogs and 10 normal mammary glands were included in this study, and used for immunohistochemical analysis of PAR2 expression. Normal mammary glands did not express PAR2. In contrast, mammary carcinomas showed PAR2 immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm, and its expression level varied between specimens from negative to strongly positive. The overall survival of dogs with high PAR2 expression was shorter than that of dogs with low PAR2 expression. Moreover, PAR2 expression level was associated with the presence of lymph node involvement, advanced clinical stage, and high histopathological grade. In vitro analyses revealed that a PAR2 agonist accelerated cell migration and invasion in a canine mammary carcinoma cell line. In addition, the PAR2 agonist induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and actin polymerization. These results suggest that PAR2 expression plays a role in tumor progression and clinical outcomes in canine mammary carcinoma.

BRAFV595E Mutation Associates CCL17 Expression and Regulatory T Cell Recruitment in Urothelial Carcinoma of Dogs.

Regulatory T cells may serve as targets in cancer immunotherapy. A previous study showed that the chemokine CCL17 and the receptor CCR4 play roles in regulatory T cell recruitment in canine urothelial carcinoma. In this article, we show that the BRAFV595E mutation is associated with tumor-produced CCL17 and regulatory T cell infiltration in dogs with urothelial carcinoma. In comparison with healthy dogs, dogs with urothelial carcinoma showed increased CCL17 mRNA expression in the bladder and elevated CCL17 protein concentration in urine. Immunohistochemistry showed increased levels of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the tumor tissues of urothelial carcinoma. The density of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells was positively correlated with CCL17 concentration in urine, indicating that CCL17 is involved in regulatory T cell recruitment. Moreover, tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells and urine CCL17 concentration were associated with poor prognosis in dogs with urothelial carcinoma. The number of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells, CCL17 mRNA expression, and urine CCL17 concentration in cases with BRAFV595E mutation were higher than those in cases with wild-type BRAF. In vitro, high CCL17 production was detected in a canine urothelial carcinoma cell line with BRAFV595E mutation but not in an urothelial carcinoma cell line with wild-type BRAF. Dabrafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, decreased CCL17 production in the cell line with BRAFV595E mutation. These results suggest that BRAFV595E mutation induced CCL17 production and contributed to regulatory T cell recruitment in canine urothelial carcinoma.

Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Associated With CCL17/CCR4 Expression in Carcinomas of Dogs.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can be targeted in cancer immunotherapy. A previous study has shown that the chemokine CCL17 and the receptor CCR4 play a role in Treg recruitment in canine urothelial carcinoma. Here, we describe the association of tumor-infiltrating Tregs with CCL17/CCR4 expression in dogs with other carcinomas. In this study, we investigated 23 dogs with mammary carcinoma, 14 dogs with oral squamous cell carcinoma, 16 dogs with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, and 8 healthy control dogs. Immunohistochemistry showed that Foxp3+ Tregs and CCR4+ cells were increased in the tumor tissues of mammary carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and pulmonary adenocarcinoma, when compared with the healthy tissues. The number of CCR4+ cells was associated with that of Foxp3+ Tregs. Double immunofluorescence labeling confirmed that most tumor-infiltrating Foxp3+ Tregs expressed CCR4. In vitro, canine carcinoma cell lines expressed CCL17 mRNA. Quantitative RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) showed that CCL17 mRNA expression in canine carcinomas was increased approximately 10- to 25-fold relative to that of healthy tissues. These results suggest that the CCL17/CCR4 axis may drive Treg recruitment in a variety of canine carcinomas. CCR4 blockade may be a potential therapeutic option for tumor eradication through Treg depletion.

ErbB2 Copy Number Aberration in Canine Urothelial Carcinoma Detected by a Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay.

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the most common tumor affecting the urinary bladder of dogs. Protein overexpression of ErbB2 (the canine homolog of HER2) has been observed in dogs with UC. However, no study regarding ErbB2 copy number aberration (CNA) is reported in dogs with UC. In this study, a digital PCR assay for detecting CNA of canine ErbB2 was developed. DNA samples were isolated from 83 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded urinary bladder tissues (36 UC, 8 polypoid cystitis, and 39 normal) and 94 urinary sediments (54 UC, 30 nonneoplastic, and 10 normal). The copy number of canine chromosome 8 (CFA8) was used as a control. In the urinary bladder tissues, ErbB2 CNA was detected in 12 of 36 (33%) UC, 2 of 8 (25%) polypoid cystitis, and 0 of 39 (0%) normal controls. In the urinary sediments, ErbB2 CNA was also detected in 19 of 54 (35%) UC; however, no ErbB2 CNA was detected in nonneoplastic diseases or normal controls. The sensitivity and specificity of ErbB2 CNA in urinary sediment for the detection of UC were 35% and 100%, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the copy number ratios of ErbB2 to CFA8 in the urinary bladder tissues and urinary sediments. Our findings indicate that the digital PCR assay of urinary sediments may be a useful, noninvasive method for detecting ErbB2 CNA in dogs with UC.

Assessment of HER2 Expression in Canine Urothelial Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder.

Canine urothelial carcinoma (UC) has a poor prognosis and high metastatic rate. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell proliferation and differentiation regulation, has been attracting interest as a therapeutic target molecule for human breast cancer. This study investigated expression of the canine homolog of HER2 (ERBB2) in canine UC, and its association with clinical factors. Since it has been controversial whether commercial anti-human HER2 antibody (Dako A0485) correctly recognizes the canine homolog of HER2, an application of the antibody using a canine UC cell line was validated first. By Western blot, a single band at the appropriate size for canine HER2 (185 kDa) was recognized. Immunohistochemistry for HER2 was performed on 23 samples of UC, 8 samples of polypoid cystitis, and 8 samples of normal urinary bladder, and the results were scored as either 0, 1+, 2+, or 3+ with reference to the evaluation method for human UC. Intense membranous HER2 immunoreactivity was frequently observed in neoplastic cells, especially in grade 2 UC. Minor HER2 expression was found in the epithelial cells of polypoid cystitis and normal bladder. The incidence of HER2 positivity (scores of 2+ or 3+) was 14 of 23 (60.9%) in UC, 3 of 8 (37.5%) in polypoid cystitis, and 0 of 8 (0%) in normal bladder. There was no significant correlation between HER2 positivity and clinical factors. While increased HER2 expression was observed in a subset of urothelial carcinomas, further mechanistic studies are needed to determine its role in the pathogenesis and targeted therapy of this cancer.

Comprehensive gene expression analysis of canine invasive urothelial bladder carcinoma by RNA-Seq.

BACKGROUND: Invasive urothelial carcinoma (iUC) is a major cause of death in humans, and approximately 165,000 individuals succumb to this cancer annually worldwide. Comparative oncology using relevant animal models is necessary to improve our understanding of progression, diagnosis, and treatment of iUC. Companion canines are a preferred animal model of iUC due to spontaneous tumor development and similarity to human disease in terms of histopathology, metastatic behavior, and treatment response. However, the comprehensive molecular characterization of canine iUC is not well documented. In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of tissue samples from canine iUC and normal bladders using an RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) approach to identify key molecular pathways in canine iUC. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from bladder tissues of 11 dogs with iUC and five healthy dogs, and RNA-Seq was conducted. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was used to assign differentially expressed genes to known upstream regulators and functional networks. RESULTS: Differential gene expression analysis of the RNA-Seq data revealed 2531 differentially expressed genes, comprising 1007 upregulated and 1524 downregulated genes, in canine iUC. IPA revealed that the most activated upstream regulator was PTGER2 (encoding the prostaglandin E2 receptor EP2), which is consistent with the therapeutic efficiency of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in canine iUC. Similar to human iUC, canine iUC exhibited upregulated ERBB2 and downregulated TP53 pathways. Biological functions associated with cancer, cell proliferation, and leukocyte migration were predicted to be activated, while muscle functions were predicted to be inhibited, indicating muscle-invasive tumor property. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirmed similarities in gene expression patterns between canine and human iUC and identified potential therapeutic targets (PTGER2, ERBB2, CCND1, Vegf, and EGFR), suggesting the value of naturally occurring canine iUC as a relevant animal model for human iUC.

Augmentation of Metastin/Kisspeptin mRNA Expression by the Proestrous Luteinizing Hormone Surge in Granulosa Cells of Rats: Implications for Luteinization.

Variations in mRNA levels and sources of metastin/kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB), dynorphin, and kisspeptin receptor GPR54 were examined in the ovaries of cycling rats. Kisspeptin and dynorphin mRNAs dramatically increased at 2000 h of the proestrous day. NKB mRNA also increased, but the peak was delayed by 6 h. GPR54 mRNA declined inversely with kisspeptin. Whole-ovary expressions of kisspeptin and dynorphin mRNAs, but not of NKB mRNA, were augmented by the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). By means of laser-capture microdissection, kisspeptin mRNA was shown mostly in follicles at 2000 h of proestrus, whereas NKB and dynorphin were expressed mainly in interstitial tissues. GPR54 mRNA was detected equally in follicles, corpora lutea, and interstitial tissues. The hCG stimulated the follicular expression of kisspeptin and interstitial tissue expression of dynorphin mRNA. In primary cultures of granulosa cells prepared from equine chorionic gonadotropin-pretreated immature rats, hCG stimulated the expression of kisspeptin, dynorphin, and NKB mRNAs. Distortion of the corpus luteum and surrounding tissue borders was sometimes seen after intra-ovarian bursa administration of kisspeptin antagonist p234 for 3 days from proestrus. Progesterone production stimulated by hCG in granulosa cell culture was suppressed by p234. These data demonstrate that significant amounts of kisspeptin are synthesized in granulosa cells and dynorphin in interstitial tissues, in response to the proestrous luteinizing hormone surge, whereas granulosa cells also contain dynorphin and NKB, suggesting at least a role for kisspeptin in the luteinization of granulosa cells.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is prerequisite for the constitutive expression of pituitary annexin A5.

Annexin A5 (ANXA5), a member of the structurally related family of annexin proteins, is expressed in pituitary gonadotropes. We previously reported that ANXA5 expression is stimulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). In the present study, we investigated ANXA5 expression in the anterior pituitary gland of GnRH-deficient mutant hypogonadal (hpg) mice. RT-PCR demonstrated that luteinizing hormone ß subunit (LHß) and ANXA5 mRNA levels were both lower in the pituitary gland of hpg mice than in wild-type mice. Immunohistochemistry showed that ANXA5 expression throughout the pituitary gland was very low in hpg mice, suggesting that ANXA5 is diminished in gonadotropes and also in other cell types. Subcutaneous administration of a GnRH analogue, des-gly10 (Pro9)-GnRH ethylamide (1 µg/day for 7 days), augmented the expression of LHß and ANXA5 in the pituitary gland in hpg mice. However, LHß- and ANXA5-positive cells did not show exactly matched spatial distributions. These findings suggest that GnRH is necessary for constitutive ANXA5 expression in the pituitary gland, not only in gonadotropes but also in other pituitary gland cell types. A close relationship between ANXA5 and LHß expression was confirmed. It is suggested that a significant role of ANXA5 in the physiologic secretion of LH.

Myeloid derived suppressor cells in peripheral blood can be a prognostic factor in canine transitional cell carcinoma.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature cells with immunosuppressive properties found in the tumor microenvironment. MDSCs are divided into two major subsets: polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs) and monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs). Both MDSC subsets contribute to the creation of an immunosuppressive environment for tumor progression. In humans, patients with high levels of MDSCs show worse outcomes for several types of cancers. However, the association between MDSCs and clinical features has rarely been investigated in canine studies. In the present study, we measured the proportion of PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue of dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prostate cancer (PC), transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), lymphoma, and pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Additionally, we examined immunosuppressive ability of PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of TCC case on CD4+, CD8+ and interferon-γ+ cells and investigated the relationships of MDSCs with clinical features and outcomes. PMN-MDSCs increased in HCC, PC, TCC, and lymphoma. In contrast, M-MDSCs increased in the TCC. Both PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs exhibited immunosuppressive effects on CD8+, CD4+ and interferon-γ+ cells. In dogs with TCC, lymph node metastasis was associated with high level of PMN-MDSCs but not with M-MDSCs. High levels of both PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs were related to advanced tumor stage. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that high levels of both PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs were significantly associated with shorter overall survival. In addition, the Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that M-MDSCs and the tumor stage were independent prognostic factors for TCC. These results suggest that PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs may be involved in tumor progression and could be prognostic factors and promising therapeutic targets in dogs with TCC.

Effect of diazoxide on a cat with insulinoma.

Case summary: The patient was a castrated male American Shorthair cat, approximately 14 years old, weighing 3.4 kg. The patient had chronic kidney disease (CKD) (International Renal Interest Society stages 3-4) as an underlying disease. The cat was examined at a hospital for intermittent lethargy and seizures. Hypoglycaemia was repeatedly observed, and the insulin level was 1.78 ng/ml (reference interval 0.27-0.69) when the blood glucose was 49 mg/dl. Although the cat was tentatively diagnosed with insulinoma, surgery was not recommended because of the severe CKD. Although frequent feeding and prednisolone treatment were initially attempted, blood glucose decreased to 24-42 mg/dl. Diazoxide was additionally prescribed at a dose of 5.2 mg/kg q12h. The cat's clinical signs improved, and the blood glucose was in the range of 75-103 mg/dl during the first 2 months. It was maintained at >50 mg/dl until the patient died of renal failure 161 days after the start of diazoxide treatment. With regard to adverse events, vomiting once every 2-3 days without weight loss and non-regenerative anaemia were observed, which might have been at least partially caused by diazoxide treatment. An insulinoma was definitively diagnosed via pathological autopsy. Relevance and novel information: This is the first reported case of long-term treatment with diazoxide in a cat with insulinoma. Since it was effective in situations where conventional therapies were unsuccessful, diazoxide could be useful as a new therapeutic option for cats with insulinoma. Since adverse events, such as progression of vomiting frequency and non-regenerative anaemia, were observed, careful monitoring was required during administration.

Anti-tumour effects of lapatinib on HER2-positive canine prostatic carcinoma cell lines.

Background: Canine prostatic carcinoma (cPC) is a urogenital tumour with a poor prognosis, for which no effective treatment has been established. Recently, it has been shown that human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in cPC cells; however, the efficacy of HER2-targeted therapy remains unclear. Aim: Investigate the anti-tumour effect of lapatinib on HER2-positive cPC cell lines. Methods: Two cell lines (muPC and bePC) were established from two dogs with cPC and the effects of lapatinib treatment on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and HER2 downstream signalling were investigated. Furthermore, muPC was used to generate tumour-bearing mice, and the anti-tumour effects of lapatinib were examined in vivo. Results: Lapatinib treatment inhibited the proliferation and phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt, which are downstream signals of HER2. Furthermore, the TUNEL assay showed that lapatinib induced apoptosis in both cell lines. The muPC-engrafted nude mouse model showed that lapatinib significantly inhibited tumour growth and increased the area of necrotic tumour tissue compared to the vehicle-treated groups. Conclusion: Lapatinib exerts anti-tumour effects on cPC cells by inhibiting HER-2 signalling.

Lipid metabolites and nitric oxide production in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin and idiopathic epilepsy: a pilot study.

Introduction: Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) and meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO) are common causes of brain diseases leading to seizures in dogs. In this study, the concentrations of 196 lipid metabolites and nitrogen oxide (NO) production in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of dogs with MUO or IE were measured using a LC-MS/MS and a NOx analyzer, respectively. Methods: Nine clinically healthy dogs and 11 and 12 dogs with IE and MUO, respectively, were included in the study. Results: Lipid analysis revealed variations in the levels of four and six lipid metabolites in CSF and plasma, respectively, between the groups. The levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1α (PGF1α), 20-carboxy arachidonic acid (20-carboxy-AA), 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, and lyso-platelet-activating factor were high in the CSF of dogs with MUO. In addition, the plasma levels of 11,12-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, 20-carboxy-AA, and oleoylethanolamide were high in dogs with IE, and those of PGF1α were high in dogs with MUO. NO production levels were high in CSF but not in plasma in dogs with MUO or IE. Discussion: It remains unknown whether these changes represent the cause or effect of diseases of the central nervous system; however, lipid metabolites and NO production in CSF and plasma may be used as diagnostic biomarkers and could be exploited for treating idiopathic or inflammatory epilepsy in dogs.

Protective role of protease-activated receptor-2 in anaphylaxis model mice.

Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction induced by mast cell degranulation. Among the various mediators of mast cells, little is known about the role of tryptase. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the role of protease-activating receptor-2 (PAR-2), a receptor activated by tryptase, in murine anaphylactic models using PAR-2-deficient mice and newly generated tryptase-deficient mice. Anaphylaxis was induced by IgE-dependent and IgE-independent mast cell degranulation in mice. PAR-2 deficiency exacerbated the decrease in body temperature and hypotension during anaphylaxis; however, the number of skin mast cells, degree of mast cell degranulation, and systemic and local vascular hyperpermeability were comparable in PAR-2 knockout and wild-type mice. Nitric oxide, which is produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is an indispensable vasodilator in anaphylaxis. In the lungs of anaphylactic mice, PAR-2 deficiency promoted eNOS expression and phosphorylation, suggesting a protective effect of PAR-2 against anaphylaxis by downregulating eNOS activation and expression. Based on the hypothesis that the ligand for PAR-2 in anaphylaxis is mast cell tryptase, tryptase-deficient mice were generated using CRISPR-Cas9. In wild-type mice, the PAR-2 antagonist exacerbated the body temperature drop due to anaphylaxis; however, the effect of the PAR-2 antagonist was abolished in tryptase-deficient mice. These results suggest that tryptase is a possible ligand of PAR-2 in anaphylaxis and that the tryptase/PAR-2 pathway attenuates the anaphylactic response in mice.

Evaluation of antiseizure medications including zonisamide in feline idiopathic epilepsy at a referral hospital in Japan.

Background: Idiopathic epilepsy in cats is a more common disease than previously thought, but little information is available about the medical treatment of feline idiopathic epilepsy. Aim: To assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of antiseizure medication (ASM) for a minimum of 6 months, including zonisamide (ZNS), in feline idiopathic epilepsy at a referral hospital in Japan. Methods: Twenty cats diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy treated with ASMs were retrospectively included. Results: Nine cats that were finally treated with phenobarbital (PB) monotherapy reached the primary goal (the seizure frequency after the treatment intervention was less than one seizure every 3 months). Three cats were treated with ZNS monotherapy and two reached the primary goal. Eight cats finally received combination therapy. Two of the three cats receiving PB and ZNS therapy achieved the primary goal, but one was considered no responder. Five cats [PB + diazepam (DZP), ZNS + DZP, and ZNS + levetiracetam + DZP] decreased the seizure frequency and reached the primary goal in all but one cat reached the secondary goal. Adverse events were observed in eight patients, but these were curable. Two patients had vomiting after ZNS monotherapy, one had diarrhea, and another was an increase in sleeping hours. Conclusion: PB was frequently used and seemed effective as both monotherapy and combination therapy. Some cats were treated with ASM protocols containing ZNS. ZNS may be available to treat idiopathic epilepsy in cats. However, ZNS administration may cause adverse events, such as gastrointestinal toxicity, in cats.

8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde in plasma and their association with disease severity in 20 cats with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is associated with the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of oxidative stress markers, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA), in the plasma and urine of cats with different stages of CKD. METHODS: Plasma and urine samples were collected from cats with CKD that were referred to the Veterinary Medical Center of the University of Tokyo between April 2019 and October 2022. Plasma and urine samples were collected from healthy cats (n = 6 at most), cats with stage 2 CKD (n = 8) and stage 3-4 CKD (n = 12), and cats with idiopathic cystitis (disease control, n = 5). Plasma and urine concentrations of 8-OHdG and MDA were measured using ELISA and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay kits, respectively. RESULTS: The median plasma 8-OHdG concentrations were 0.156 ng/ml (<0.125-0.210 ng/ml) in the healthy group, <0.125 ng/ml (range <0.125 ng/ml) in the idiopathic cystitis group, 0.246 ng/ml (range 0.170-0.403 ng/ml) in cats with stage 2 CKD and 0.433 ng/ml (range 0.209-1.052 ng/ml) in cats with stage 3-4 CKD. Concentrations in stage 3-4 CKD were significantly higher than those in the healthy and disease control groups. Plasma MDA concentrations were low in the healthy and disease control groups and significantly higher in cats with stage 3-4 CKD. In every cat with CKD, plasma 8-OHdG and MDA concentrations were positively correlated with plasma creatinine concentrations (8-OHdG, rs = 0.68; MDA, rs = 0.67). Urinary 8-OHdG/urinary creatinine (u-CRE) and urinary MDA/u-CRE levels did not differ significantly between the groups; however, it was difficult to evaluate them because of the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This report shows that plasma 8-OHdG and MDA concentrations increase with the severity of feline CKD. These markers may be useful for assessing oxidative stress in cats with CKD.

Effects of high-dose docosahexaenoic acid supplementation as an add-on therapy for canine idiopathic epilepsy: A pilot study.

Background: The anti-epileptic effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in dogs and humans remain controversial. The dosage and efficacy of DHA were various in the previous reports. Aim: The effects of high-dose DHA supplementation as add-on therapy for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs were evaluated. Methods: An open-label clinical trial was designed in this pilot study. Six dogs (median age: 6 years) with idiopathic epilepsy were included. All the patients were diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy using magnetic MRI and cerebrospinal fluid examination (median: 2.0 years before the trial). They had 5-45 seizures and/or auras (median: 9.0) in the month before starting DHA supplementation. DHA was adjunctively administered at doses of 69-166 mg/kg/day without changing other prescriptions. Results: Four of the six patients completed the 6-month observation period. All the patients showed a decrease in seizure frequency of 50% or more within 2-3 months after the start of the administration, and three patients decreased to a frequency of 0-1 per month after 5-6 months. No clear adverse events were observed in the general condition or blood test results in any patients. Conclusion: Although the sample size was small and the study was not a randomized controlled trial, the data suggest that add-on supplementation of DHA could be useful in reducing the frequency of seizures in canine idiopathic epilepsy.

Toceranib phosphate (Palladia) reverses type 1 diabetes by preserving islet function in mice.

In recent years, strategies targeting ß-cell protection via autoimmune regulation have been suggested as novel and potent immunotherapeutic interventions against type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Here, we investigated the potential of toceranib (TOC), a receptor-type tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor used in veterinary practice, to ameliorate T1D. TOC reversed streptozotocin-induced T1D and improved the abnormalities in muscle and bone metabolism characteristic of T1D. Histopathological examination revealed that TOC significantly suppressed ß-cell depletion and improved glycemic control with restoration of serum insulin levels. However, the effect of TOC on blood glucose levels and insulin secretion capacity is attenuated in chronic T1D, a more ß-cell depleted state. These findings suggest that TOC improves glycemic control by ameliorating the streptozotocin-induced decrease in insulin secretory capacity. Finally, we examined the role of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) inhibition, a target of TOC, and found that inhibition of PDGFR reverses established T1D in mice. Our results show that TOC reverses T1D by preserving islet function via inhibition of RTK. The previously unrecognized pharmacological properties of TOC have been revealed, and these properties could lead to its application in the treatment of T1D in the veterinary field.

Mast Cell Dynamics in the Ovary Are Governed by GnRH and Prolactin.

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) facilitates the migration of mast cells (MCs) into the involuting mammary gland. As GnRH is also expressed in the ovary, we examined changes in ovarian MCs. MCs in the ovary were mainly in interstitial tissue and their number increased during the estrous cycle to produce 2 peaks, one at diestrus 2 (20:00 hours) and another at proestrus (17:00 hours). Laser microdissection demonstrated that GnRH mRNA is expressed throughout ovarian tissues (corpora lutea, follicles, and interstitial tissues). GnRH immunoreactivity was also ubiquitous, but MCs were the most strongly immunostained. Analysis of GnRH mRNA in the ovary showed it to fluctuate similarly to the variation in MC number during the estrous cycle, and MCs also expressed GnRH. Local administration of a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) into the hemilateral ovarian bursa increased MCs in the administered ovary. MC number and GnRH mRNA were significantly lowered in the pregnant ovary. Prolactin administration suppressed the normal peaks in MC number in the ovary at both diestrus and proestrus. By contrast, a dopamine agonist, administered when prolactin was elevated during pseudopregnancy, increased ovarian MC number. Furthermore, prolactin inhibited GnRHa-induced peritoneal MC migration in a Transwell assay. These data clearly demonstrate that ovarian MC number is regulated positively by local GnRH expression and negatively by prolactin. The suppressive effect of prolactin on GnRH and MCs would be part of its luteotrophic action.

Large-scale epidemiological study on feline autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and identification of novel PKD1 gene variants.

OBJECTIVES: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common inherited disease in cats. In most cases, the responsible abnormality is a nonsense single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 29 of the PKD1 gene (chrE3:g.42858112C>A, the conventional PKD1 variant). The aim of this study was to conduct a large-scale epidemiological study of ADPKD caused by the conventional PKD1 variant in Japan and to search for novel polymorphisms by targeted resequencing of the PKD1 using a next-generation sequencer. METHODS: A total of 1281 cats visiting the Veterinary Medical Center of the University of Tokyo were included in this study. DNA was extracted from the blood of each cat. We established a novel TaqMan real-time PCR genotyping assay for the conventional PKD1 variant, and all cases were examined for the presence of this variant. Targeted resequencing of all exons of the PKD1 was performed on the DNA of 23 cats with the conventional PKD1 variant, six cats diagnosed with cystic kidneys but without this variant, and 61 wild-type normal cats. RESULTS: Among the 1281 cats examined in this study, 23 (1.8%) harboured the conventional PKD1 variant. The odds of having the conventional PKD1 variant were significantly higher in Persian cats, Scottish Folds and Exotic Shorthairs than in the other breeds, although the number of cases in each breed was small. Furthermore, we identified four variants unique to cats with cystic kidneys that were not found in wild-type normal cats, all of which were in exon 15. In particular, two (chrE:g.42848725delC, pGly1641fs and chrE:g.42850283C>T, pArg2162Trp) were candidate variants. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study revealed that the conventional PKD1 variant was prevalent in Scottish Fold, Persian and Exotic Shorthair breeds in Japan, and variants in exon 15 of PKD1, in addition to the conventional variant in exon 29, would be key factors in the pathogenesis of ADPKD in cats.