Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and Histiocytic Behaviour of Canine TVT using Alpha Antitrypsin

Abstract

Background: There is scanty literature on evaluation of oxidative stress and alpha antitrypsin marker expression in canine TVT to know its histiocytic behaviour. Since venereal transmissible tumor is one of most important tumor affecting large population of canine, thus, study was conducted to investigate the above based on clinicopathology. Methods: The study was conducted on dogs suffering from transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) for evaluation of clinicopathological alterations, oxidative stress and expression pattern of alpha antitrypsin. Ten bitches and five male dogs with tumour masses seen on the external genitalia were used for the study. Detailed alterations due to TVT with respect to haematobiochemistry, oxidative stress, pathomorphology, proliferation and expression pattern of alpha antitrypsin were assessed. Result: Grossly tumors on the genital area were either pedunculated or sessile and of various shape such as cauliflower, filiform and irregular. Hematological alterations such as normocytic normochromic type of anaemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and lymphocytopenia in TVT cases indicated immunosuppression. Significant alterations in liver enzymes, hypercalcemia and hypoglycaemia were also observed in TVT affected dogs. Increased level of MDA and decreased in concentration of antioxidant enzymes indicated association of oxidative stress in proliferation of tumor and reduction in number of T lymphocytes. Cytological examination revealed characteristic punctuate basophilia and vacuolation in tumour cells. Histopathological examination showed characteristic round cells with a little fibrous septa in a sheet like manner. AgNOR staining indicated moderate proliferative capacity as evidenced by scattered AgNOR dots. TVT cells showed moderate type of immunoreactivity with alpha anti-trypsin confirming its histiocytic origin upon immunohistochemistry.