Elder Animals Research Articles

Diet-induced and age-related changes in rats: the impact of N-stearoylethanolamine intake on plasma lipoproteins, adiponectin, and adipocyte cholesterol-phospholipid composition

Adiponectin is secreted by adipose tissue, associated with lipoprotein (LP) metabolism, down-regulated­ in insulin resistance states, and reduced in individuals suffering from obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Phospholipids and cholesterol are the main components of cell membranes and play a critical role in storage and secretory adipocyte functions. N-stearoylethanolamine (NSE) is a minor lipid affecting cell membrane lipids’ composition. Our study aimed to investigate plasma levels of adiponectin and cholesterol of low- and high-density LP (LDL and HDL) and adipocyte cholesterol-phospholipid (Chol-PL) composition of different age rats with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and insulin resistance and their changes under NSE administration. Our study demonstrated that chronic dietary fat overloading leads to obesity accompanied by impairment of glucose tolerance, a manifestation of dyslipidemia, and changes in plasma adiponectin levels in rats from two age groups (10-month-old and and 24-month-old). Prolonged HFD led to a reduction in plasma adiponectin levels and the growth of adipocyte cholesterol content in rats of different ages. A significant increase in plasma LDL-Chol level and main adipocyte PLs (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, and lysophosphatidylcholine) was observed in younger rats, whereas not detected in elder animals after dietary fats overloading. The decrease in the content of anionic phospholipids (phosphatidylinositol + phosphatidylserine) was also detected in 10-month-old HFD rats compared to the control animals. NSE administration positively affected the normalization of adiponectin levels in both age HFD groups. It significantly impacted the reduction of LDL-Chol levels and the growth of HDL-Chol concentration in the blood plasma of 10-month-old rats as well as PL-composition of young HFD rats and anionic PL restoring in 24-month-old rats. The positive effect on investigated parameters makes NSE a prospective agent for treating diet-induced and age-related metabolic disorders threatening cardiovascular diseases. Keywords: adiponectin, adipose tissue, aging, cholesterol, dyslipidemia, lipoproteins, N-stearoylethanolamine, phospholipids

Neurotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles and Non-Linear Development of Adaptive Homeostasis with Age.

For the first time in the world, the behavioral functions of laboratory mammals exposed to silver nanoparticles were studied with regard to age. Silver nanoparticles coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone with a size of 8.7 nm were used in the present research as a potential xenobiotic. Elder mice adapted to the xenobiotic better than the younger animals. Younger animals demonstrated more drastic anxiety than the elder ones. A hormetic effect of the xenobiotic in elder animals was observed. Thus, it is concluded that adaptive homeostasis non-linearly changes with age increase. Presumably, it may improve during the prime of life and start to decline just after a certain stage. This work demonstrates that age growth is not directly conjugated with the organism fading and pathology development. Oppositely, vitality and resistance to xenobiotics may even improve with age at least until the prime of life.

Impact of Maturation on Myocardial Response to Ischemia and the Effectiveness of Remote Preconditioning in Male Rats.

Aging attenuates cardiac tolerance to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) associated with defects in protective cell signaling, however, the onset of this phenotype has not been completely investigated. This study aimed to compare changes in response to I/R and the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in the hearts of younger adult (3 months) and mature adult (6 months) male Wistar rats, with changes in selected proteins of protective signaling. Langendorff-perfused hearts were exposed to 30 min I/120 min R without or with prior three cycles of RIPC (pressure cuff inflation/deflation on the hind limb). Infarct size (IS), incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and recovery of contractile function (LVDP) served as the end points. In both age groups, left ventricular tissue samples were collected prior to ischemia (baseline) and after I/R, in non-RIPC controls and in RIPC groups to detect selected pro-survival proteins (Western blot). Maturation did not affect post-ischemic recovery of heart function (Left Ventricular Developed Pressure, LVDP), however, it increased IS and arrhythmogenesis accompanied by decreased levels and activity of several pro-survival proteins and by higher levels of pro-apoptotic proteins in the hearts of elder animals. RIPC reduced the occurrence of reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias, IS and contractile dysfunction in younger animals, and this was preserved in the mature adults. RIPC did not increase phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt)/total Akt ratio, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein kinase Cε (PKCε) prior to ischemia but only after I/R, while phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) was increased (inactivated) before and after ischemia in both age groups coupled with decreased levels of pro-apoptotic markers. We assume that resistance of rat heart to I/R injury starts to already decline during maturation, and that RIPC may represent a clinically relevant cardioprotective intervention in the elder population.

Prevalence of Balantidium coli (Malmsten, 1857) infection in swine reared in South Italy: A widespread neglected zoonosis.

Background and Aim:Balantidiasis, caused by Balantidium coli (syn. Neobalantidium coli or B. coli), represents a neglected parasitic infection of zoonotic significance affecting a variety of hosts, including domestic pigs that are the main reservoir. B. coli has a direct life cycle with a fecal-oral route transmission that occurs mainly by the ingestion of food and water contaminated with cysts. The ingestion of meat contaminated during inappropriate slaughtering processes may represent a new potential route of transmission. Only a few studies have investigated the prevalence of B. coli in domestic pigs in Italy, despite its high prevalence and zoonotic significance. This study aimed to improve the knowledge on B. coli prevalence in domestic swine reared both in intensive and “en plein air” breeding systems in the south of Italy.Materials and Methods:The infection rate of B. coli in pigs bred in 15 different pig farms and regularly slaughtered in South Italy, in the Calabria region, was investigated. From 2017 to 2019, 177 terminal parts of the rectums of pigs, of which 91 commercial hybrids and 86 autochthonous (Nero Calabrese), reared, respectively, in intensive and “en plein air” breeding system, were tested for parasite detection. After the slaughtering, the terminal part of the rectum was sampled and transported to the laboratories and immediately processed. For the detection of trophozoites, fresh smears of feces were examined at light microscopy. Moreover, flotation was performed using a sodium chloride solution, then smears of feces were dispersed on microscope slides and examined at light microscopy. The observed parasites were identified at the species level using morphological characteristics.Results:B. coli was detected in a total of 83 (i.e., 46.89%) pigs, with a significantly higher prevalence (p<0.0001) found in commercial hybrid (i.e., 59/91-64.84%) pigs rather than in autochthonous ones (i.e., 24/86-27.91%). It follows that the infection was more common in pigs reared in the intensive breeding system than in “en plein air” ones (p<0.0001). The infection prevalence was higher in males than in females and lower in elder animals than in younger ones (p=0.012 and p<0.0001, respectively).Conclusion:The breeding system is likely the main discriminant for the parasite spread as well as the hygienic condition of the farms. Good manufacturing and hygiene practices along the food production chain are crucial in preventing human balantidiasis transmission by meat consumption. The high B. coli prevalence, the wide spectrum of host species, and its zoonotic significance push toward a greater public interest.

ВОЗРАСТНЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ ОКИСЛИТЕЛЬНОГО СТРЕССА И СОДЕРЖАНИЯ АНТИОКСИДАНТОВ В ПЕЧЕНИ МОРСКОГО ЕРША SCORPAENA PORCUS ИЗ ПРИБРЕЖЬЯ БОЛЬШОГО КАВКАЗА

Comparative study of size-weight characteristics, lipid peroxidation (LPO) parameters and antioxidants content in the liver of marine scorpion fish Scorpaena porcus caught in the coastal waters of the Caucasus at the region of Shepsy village demonstrated age-related differences. The increase of the size and weight, the mass of the liver and gonads was observed in the elder fish, while the condition index varied less. Liver somatic index (LSI) increased in 2-3 years old animals, in the elder fish the growth of this parameters was slowly. Significant increase of gonadosomatic index (GSI) was noted in 4-5 years old animals, while the differences between 2 and 3 years groups were not observed. Lipid oxidation index and relative concentration of the ketodiens did not vary in age. Content of dien conjugates in hepatic lipids was significantly lower (p&lt;0,001) in 3-4 years old fish as compared with the parameters of other studied age groups. TBA-reactive products concentration in the hepatic lipids increased with age and the highest values were observed in 5-6 years old animals. Significant correlation was shown between the content of TBA-reactive products in fish liver and the animals age (r = 0,88, p&lt;0,05), while between the other studied parameters and fish age no significant relations were noted. Vitamin A and carotenoids concentration did not vary with age, however the tendency to increase was observed in 4 years old fish. The reasons of the growth of reactive oxygen species processes (ROS) and the increase of lipid peroxidation compounds concentration can be connected with the decrease of the defense mechanisms of the organism and the damage biomolecules, genetic defects, cell pathologies, tissues and organs and accumulation of xenobiotics in the fish, which impact the organism, accompanied with the oxidative stress. In elder animals the concentration of toxic substances is greater, and together with the decrease of the defense systems the cumulative toxic effect becomes mote considarable. The obtained results in this study provide the additional information for the understanding of the mechanisms of ROS theory of aging at the case of vertebrates of the natural populations. Further investigations could be strengthening to the study the role of endo- and exogenous conditions, modulating the age processes in aquatic organisms, which is important for the ontogenesis mechanisms and they dependence on natural and anthropogenic factors.

Eccrine and Apocrine Carcinoma in Dogs

Background: Sweat gland carcinomas divide into eccrine, apocrine, mixed origin (eccrine and apocrine). Eccrine carcinoma (EC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the sweat glands that can affect dogs, cats, and humans. EC can present itself as a solitary swelling in the pads, digits, or distal limbs. EC is more common in elder animals, and exhibits no predisposition according to breed. In humans, EC is more frequent in the head and neck, and is more likely to occur in mid-aged people; metastases can develop in any site of the body. A diagnosis of this type of tumor can be determined by histopathological examination. Apocrine carcinomas occur most frequently in the axillary areas even though they may occur in other regions of the body, and affect mainly elder animals.Case: A 13-year-old male mongrel dog with a history of presence of smooth reddish infiltrative nodule in the skin of the thorax, but with no history of progression, was examined. After running complementary tests, a fragment of the skin on the thorax was taken for biopsy. The second animal was an 8-year-old female Golden Retriever, which was presented with a history of presence of a nodule on the right digital pad. After running complementary tests, a fragment of this nodule was collected. In both cases, the excised fragments were placed in 10% buffered formalin and routinely processed for the preparation of histological slides, which were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and subjected to histopathological evaluation. Light microscopy analysis revealed, in both cases, the presence of a poorly delimited, non-encapsulated mass infiltrating the muscle and adipose tissue. Necrotic areas, and presence of eosinophilic material in the nucleus were observed. Additionally, the samples from both cases were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin (CK Pan).Discussion: A definitive diagnosis of sweat gland carcinoma was achieved by means of the histopathological analysis. Sweat gland neoplasms are uncommon and difficult to diagnose; distinguishing eccrine carcinoma from apocrine carcinoma requires knowledge on the site of origin of the tumor. Some authors assert that, in spite the growing number of reports on tumors of cutaneous glands in dogs, there are only few immunohistochemical studies on cutaneous gland neoplasms in these animals. There is no specific immunohistochemical marker to distinguish eccrine carcinoma from apocrine carcinoma. Consequently, investigation on the anatomical origin of the tumor is important. In the cases describe herein, involvement of the thorax (apocrine) and digital pad (eccrine) are reported. However, there are accounts of the occurrence of sweat gland tumors in axillary and inguinal regions, as well as in the limbs. Both biopsy samples tested positive for cytokeratin (CK) after immunohistochemical examination. This marker is specific for simple epithelium and, according to some authors, can distinguish an eccrine carcinoma from basal cell carcinoma. The antibody used did not stain the innermost are of the tumor, where cells may be negative for CK. Some tumors may not have specific markers, which makes a combination of clinical data and complementary histopathological and immunohistochemical exams necessary for the determination of a diagnosis, as is the case for eccrine and apocrine carcinomas. In view of the scarcity of reports on eccrine carcinoma in the literature, and considering the small number of immunohistochemical studies on cutaneous gland tumors in dogs and cats, this work can help the determination of the diagnosis of cutaneous neoplasms, which are frequently observed in the clinical routine.

Features of group growth for gray sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus interme¬dius) at the northwestern coast of the Japan Sea

Comparative study of growth rate and size-age structure of gray sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius is conducted for six its aggregations along Primorye coast on the data collected in diving surveys in 2015–2017. Some aspects of the method of the sea urchin individual age determination by concentric growth bands on interambulacral plates of its carapace are discussed (the plates are processed by M. Jensen method). The group growth is described with Bertalanffy equation. Considerable spatial variability of the growth rate is found between the aggregations that provides some distinctions in size structure of the sea urchins. The highest growth rate is observed for three habitats: Kreyser Rock Island — Cape Lisuchenko, Oprichnik Bay — Cape Grozny, and Cape Sosunov — Plitnyak Bay, where the sea urchins reach the commercial size mostly at the age from 3.5+ to 4.5+. On the contrary, 50 % of the sea urchins become large enough for commercial fishery at the age of 6+ in the Ezhovaya Bay, and the lowest growth rates are noted at Cape Yuzhny and Cape Nadezhda where the majority of sea urchins never reach the commercial size. The maximum age of S. intermedius (19 years) is registered for a specimen with size 73 mm caught at Cape Sosunov. Mean and maximum sizes of individuals in the aggregations of slow-growing S. intermedius are lower than in the aggregations with comparatively high growth rates; such aggregations are also distinguished by lack of commercially-sized individuals. Age structure of all aggregations shows strong irregularity of annual recruitment, particularly low portion of the sea urchins at the age of 1+ is noted. Anyway, the frequency goes down from the age of 7+...9+ that indicates mass elimination of elder animals.

Cephalic Conformation in Young Pyrenean Catalan Horses Shows no Differences between Sexes

‘Sexual dimorphism’ defines differences in dimensions and proportions between males and females and in case it appears, researches must be done to see if they are the result of ontogenetic scaling, heterochronic processes or allometric variations. In order to fill this gap in an Iberian local horse, breed, we studied nineteen fresh heads. They belonged to young purebred (registered) animals (11 males and eight females; average age 457 ± 37 days) of the Pyrenean Catalan Horse breed, nine linear parameters were obtained: (1) cranium width, (2) cephalic width, (3) face width, (4) cranium length, (5) frontal length, (6) head length, (7) ear length, (8) head height and (9) mandible length. Parameters (2) and (9) showed a non-N distribution. A Mann-Whitney test reflected no statistically significant sexual dimorphism. Having all studied horses under 36 months of age, it would be interesting to do more research with more and elder animals in order to have a better understanding of the growth dynamics for this breed.

Survey on Sarcocystis in bovine carcasses slaughtered at the municipal abattoir of El-Kharga, Egypt.

Aim:The main objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of Sarcocystis sp. infection in cattle and buffalo carcasses slaughtered at El-Kharga abattoir, New Valley Governorate, Egypt.Materials and Methods:The slaughtered animals were daily inspected for Sarcocystis macrocysts through a year (2015). Macroscopic Sarcocystis was detected from a total of 2120 cattle and buffalo carcasses. In addition, 100 meat samples were collected from female cattle and buffalo (50 each) and were examined microscopically for sarcocystosis.Results:The overall incidence of Sarcocystis macrocyst among bovine carcasses was 159/2120 (7.5%). Total incidence in cattle was 149/2000 (7.45%), whereas it was 10/120 (8.33%) in buffalo carcasses. Concerning gender, the overall prevalence of Sarcocystis infection was 127/1790 (7.09%) in male and 32/330 (9.69%) in females bovine carcasses. The highest detection rate of Sarcocystis lesions was from the esophagus (76.3%) followed by throat muscles (35.3%), tongue (33.8%), and diaphragm muscles (18.71%). Macrocysts from cattle were identified to Sarcocystis hirsuta, whereas Sarcocystis fusiformis was identified from buffalo carcasses. By microscopic examination, 18 (36%) of 50 female cattle carcasses harbor Sarcocystis sp., whereas 11 (22%) of buffalo carcasses were harbored Sarcocystis microcysts.Conclusion:A high incidence of Sarcocystis infection was detected among slaughtered bovines in El-Kharga abattoir, Egypt. Sarcocystis macrocysts were a higher incidence in female elder animals macrocysts were identified to S. hirsuta in cattle and S. fusiformis in buffaloes. Sarcocystosis constitute a major cause of economic losses at El-Kharga abattoir. Beef meat may carry health risks to consumers.

Uso do exame radiográfico no diagnóstico de Osteopatia Hipertrófica Pulmonar (OHP): relato de três casos em cães

A Osteopatia Hipertrófica Pulmonar (OHP) é uma patologia caracterizada por uma neoformação óssea decorrente da resposta periosteal nos ossos longos e nas extremidades, secundária a doenças intratorácicas como tumores primários ou metastáticos; doenças pielogranulomatosas e neoplasias primárias em órgãos pélvicos. Pode afetar várias espécies e não possui predisposição racial e nem relação com o biótipo; porém, é comumente encontrada em animais idosos. Os sinais clínicos comuns são: aumento da temperatura e edema nos membros acometidos, relutância ao movimento e claudicação; contudo, alguns sinais podem estar ligados à doença primária. A fisiopatologia ainda não está totalmente esclarecida; porém, existem diferentes teorias para explicar a ocorrência. O presente trabalho relata três casos, observados em cães atendidos, e diagnosticados como Osteopatia Hipertrófica Pulmonar em centros de Diagnóstico por Imagem.

Following dietary polyphenols' fate after oral administration: A map of distribution of pterostilbene and one of its prodrugs in major organs of rat

Pterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene, Pts) is a natural dietary compound and the major polyphenolic component of blueberries. Several recent papers report that Pts contrasts inflammation and cancer and improves cognitive performance and short-term memory impaired by old age or neurodegeneration. The biological effects of polyphenols in vivo are now attributed mainly to interactions with proteins. Recent literature suggests that those of Pts may be ascribed to effects on epigenetic regulation, possibly mediated by MTA-1 and sirtuins, and perhaps by phosphodiesterases. Pharmacokinetic studies performed so far with Pts have focused on plasma levels, while none have reported tissue distribution, which is obviously most relevant for biological action in vivo. This study aimed to investigate tissue distribution of Pts and its metabolite(s) after oral administration in rats. The pharmacokinetic behaviour of Pts was then compared to that of a Pts-prodrug, developed in our lab with the aim of increasing the overall levels of non-metabolized Pts. After a single oral administration of Pts to rats, in all organs both Pts and its main in vivo metabolite, Pts-sulfate, reached a maximum concentration about 2h (tmax) after administration. The pharmacokinetic profile was very different in blood compared to the other tissues. When Pts-prodrug was administered, the tmax for Pts and Pts-sulfate was generally shifted to about 8 hours after administration. The absolute concentration (nmoles/gram) of Pts was significantly higher in the latter case for all organs except the liver, with AUC values approximately doubling, for example, in the brain, and Pts-sulfate concentrations reduced in all the organs examined. The increased non-metabolized Pts concentration in most of the organs, and especially in the brain, after administration of the Pts-prodrug suggest that it can be tested in in vivo cancer models and/or to ameliorate symptoms in elder animals showing cognitive deficits.

Feasibility study of veterinary antibiotic consumption in Germany - comparison of ADDs and UDDs by animal production type, antimicrobial class and indication

BackgroundWithin a feasibility study the use of antibiotics in pigs and cattle was determined in 24 veterinary practices in Lower Saxony and on 66 farms in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Focus was laid on the comparison of the Used Daily Doses (UDD) (dose per animal and day prescribed by the veterinarians) with the Defined Animal Daily Doses (ADD) (dose per animal and day calculated by means of recommended dosages and estimated live weights).ResultsFor piglets and calves most of the UDD (50% and 46% of nUDD, respectively) were above the ADD (i.e. UDD/ADD-ratio above 1.25). Regarding sows, fattening pigs, dairy and beef cattle, most of the UDDs (49% to 65% of nUDD) were lower than the respective ADD (i.e. UDD/ADD-ratio below 0.8). In pigs, the UDDs of beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, and in cattle, those of macrolides and beta-lactams were often below the ADDs. Tetracyclines were frequently used above the recommended dose.Enteric diseases were more often treated below the recommended dose than respiratory diseases, possibly due to overestimation of the live weight (diarrhea in young animals, respiratory diseases in elder animals) and consequently overestimation of the recommended dose.ConclusionComparisons between UDD and ADD can be used to observe differences between antimicrobials and trends in the usage of antibiotics. But individual treatment comparisons of UDD and ADD must be interpreted carefully, because they may be due to lower live weights than estimated. Correlating such data with data on the occurrence of resistant bacteria in future may help to improve resistance prevention and control.

Increased vulnerability with aging to MPTP: the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dynamics

Objective:The risk and vulnerability of Parkinson disease (PD) are especially high in the elderly. However, the underlying causes are unknown. 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mice are useful tools to some extent for investigating PD-related problems due to their PD-like symptoms. The study is aimed to determine whether and what mitochondrial-events during aging are related with the increased vulnerability of the elderly to MPTP.Methods:The MPTP mice were established by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP, control animals were injected with saline. Mice of different ages were divided into six groups: 4-month old control group, 4-month old MPTP group, 8-month old control group, 8-month old MPTP group, 15-month old control group, and 15-month old MPTP group. The behavior ability and pathology were assessed for each mouse. Mitochondrial functions were measured and compared among different groups. Mitochondrial fusion/fission-related proteins and autophagic proteins were analyzed by western blotting.Results:The elder animals were impaired more severely in behavior and pathology than the young ones. Then, we revealed that aging is associated with the degeneration of several mitochondrial functions, disturbed balance of fusion/fission as well as decreased activity of autophagic proteins. More importantly, mitochondria in the elderly are more vulnerable to MPTP treatment than that in the young, which may contribute to the increased risk and vulnerability of the elderly to MPTP.Conclusion:We identified several changes of mitochondrial-events with aging MPTP mice that could be related to the MPTP susceptivity and vulnerability, which would provide significant instructions for future in developing proper interventions that lower the vulnerability, or slow the progression of PD in the elderly.

Increase in Alzheimer's related markers preceeds memory disturbances: Studies in vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro rat

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. For more effective therapy early diagnostic markers could be beneficial. Therefore we compared one year old rats with adults and examined if changes in possible brain markers of AD preceeded memory decline. We also tested if vasopressin-deficient animals were useful model of AD as vasopressin has well known positive effect on memory and AD patient has decreased vasopressin production. We compared adult (3 month) and old (12 month), normal and vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro rats. To receive a comprehensive picture about their memory we examined their social discrimination, object discrimination and conditioned learning abilities (shuttle box). Amyloid precursor protein (APP), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), β-actin and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (TDO2) mRNA levels was measured by quantitative PCR. There was no difference between the memory of adult and aged groups. The vasopressin-deficient rats at both ages showed a weaker performance in the course of social and object discrimination tests and a higher escape failure during the shuttle box experiment. The brain marker mRNAs of the elder animals were higher than the levels of the adults, but the absence of vasopressin had no influence on them. Thus, the one year old rats showed elevated levels of AD-related markers, but memory deficits were observable only in vasopressin deficient animals. Vasopressin does not seem to have pathogenic role in AD. Changes in the studied markers might predict later symptoms, although further studies are required for confirmation.

Lipopolysaccharide administration in the dominant mouse destabilizes social hierarchy

Sickness behavior is a set of behavioral changes that are part of an adaptive strategy to overcome infection. Mice that interact with conspecifics displaying sickness behavior also show relevant behavioral changes. In this work we sought to determine the role of sickness behavior display by a dominant mouse as a promoter of hierarchy instability. We treated the dominant mouse within a dyad with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (400 μg/kg, i.p.) for three consecutive days and assessed social dominance behavior. Since elder animals display increased inflammatory responses and the behaviors toward conspecifics are influenced by kinship we also assessed whether kinship and age, might influence sickness related hierarchy instability. Our results show that administration of LPS in the dominant mouse promotes social instability within a dyad, and indicates that this instability could be influenced by kinship and age.

Prevalence of Parasitic Infections in Buffaloes in and around Ludhiana District, Punjab, India: A Preliminary Study

A total of 598 buffaloes were sampled for both coprological (210) and haematological (388) investigations at the Large Animal Clinics, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Coprological examination revealed that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections was 23.33% (49/210). Among the revealed parasites, amphistomes, Fasciola spp., Eimeria spp., Balantidium coli and strongyles were in 4.29, 3.33, 0.95, 2.86 and 15.71% of the examined buffaloes. Except coccidiosis, there was no significant variation of GI infections in relation to sex. Eimeria spp. was significantly higher in males. The present work emphasized that strongyles were the most prevalent gastrointestinal parasites found during coprological examination of buffaloes in Punjab, India. Examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears exhibited that 4.9% (19/388) of buffaloes were infected with haemoparasites comprising Theileria annulata (2.32%), Trypanosoma evansi (1.8%), Babesia bigemina (0.26%) and Anaplasma marginale (0.77%). Mixed infection appeared in one (0.26%) animal. Trypanosomosis was predominant in elder animals with no infection recorded in males.

Prevalence of Parasitic Infections in Buffaloes in and around Ludhiana District, Punjab, India: A Preliminary Study

A total of 598 buffaloes were sampled for both coprological (210) and haematological (388) investigations at the Large Animal Clinics, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Coprological examination revealed that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections was 23.33% (49/210). Among the revealed parasites, amphistomes, Fasciola spp., Eimeria spp., Balantidium coli and strongyles were in 4.29, 3.33, 0.95, 2.86 and 15.71% of the examined buffaloes. Except coccidiosis, there was no significant variation of GI infections in relation to sex. Eimeria spp. was significantly higher in males. The present work emphasized that strongyles were the most prevalent gastrointestinal parasites found during coprological examination of buffaloes in Punjab, India. Examination of Giemsa- stained peripheral blood smears exhibited that 4.9% (19/388) of buffaloes were infected with haemoparasites comprising Theileria annulata (2.32%), Trypanosoma evansi (1.8%), Babesia bigemina (0.26%) and Anaplasma marginale (0.77%). Mixed infection appeared in one (0.26%) animal. Trypanosomosis was predominant in elder animals with no infection recorded in males.

Cardiac extrinsic apoptotic pathway is silent in young but activated in elder mice overexpressing bovine GH: interplay with the intrinsic pathway

Apoptosis may occur through the mitochondrial (intrinsic) pathway and activation of death receptors (extrinsic pathway). Young acromegalic mice have reduced cardiac apoptosis whereas elder animals have increased cardiac apoptosis. Multiple intrinsic apoptotic pathways have been shown to be modulated by GH and other stimuli in the heart of acromegalic mice. However, the role of the extrinsic apoptotic pathways in acromegalic hearts is currently unknown. In young (3-month-old) acromegalic mice, expression of proteins of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway did not differ from that of wild-type animals, suggesting that this mechanism did not participate in the lower cardiac apoptosis levels observed at this age. On the contrary, the extrinsic pathway was active in elder (9-month-old) animals (as shown by increased expression of TRAIL, FADD, TRADD and increased activation of death inducing signaling complex) leading to increased levels of active caspase 8. It is worth noting that changes of some pro-apoptotic proteins were induced by GH, which seemed to have, in this context, pro-apoptotic effects. The extrinsic pathway influenced the intrinsic pathway by modulating t-Bid, the cellular levels of which were reduced in young and increased in elder animals. However, in young animals this effect was due to reduced levels of Bid regulated by the extrinsic pathway, whereas in elder animals the increased levels of t-Bid were due to the increased levels of active caspase 8. In conclusion, the extrinsic pathway participates in the cardiac pro-apoptotic phenotype of elder acromegalic animals either directly, enhancing caspase 8 levels or indirectly, increasing t-Bid levels and conveying death signals to the intrinsic pathway.

Interference of age and repetition of the same noxious stimulus on hyperalgesia

Pain in animals has been recognized for less than one century. Several authors confirm that animals are capable to process, register and modulate nociceptive stimuli in a very similar way to human kind and there are several evidences registering the impact of pain sensation over vital systems interfering on disease outcome. Nevertheless, despite some evidences that animals, as human beings, can store information from past painful experiences less is known about how this so called pain memory works. The aims of this study were: to evaluate if the response to a painful stimuli differs during different stages of life and if repetition of a same acute stimuli in the same animal interferes with expression of hyperalgesia. Thus, 60 rats were selected and arranged in 3 equal groups: 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months of age. All animals were injected 5% formalin solution in the plantar face of hind paw under volatile general anesthesia. Von Frey filaments were applied at 1h, 24h and 48h after sensitization. Injection was repeated twice with a 30-day interval, each time in a different hind paw. Results showed that younger rats express lower hyperalgesia thresholds in the first stimulation compared to elder animals and that repetition of same stimulus diminishes hyperalgesia thresholds when it begins during infant period and augments hyperalgesia thresholds when it begins during elder ages.

Trace Elements and Metallothionein in Liver and Kidney of Felis catus

Trace metals such as Zn, Cu, and Fe are essential for life; differently, no biochemical function is known for Cd. Changes in dietary metal concentrations can cause deficiency or toxicity. Studies on trace elements in cat are lacking. This paper aimed to analyze Zn, Cu, Fe and Cd concentrations in liver and kidney of pathological domestic cat and to isolate metallothionein (MT) in these tissues. It was not possible to explore a possible correlation between metal concentrations and pathologies because the incidence for each of them was too low. Fe was the most abundant metal; in particular, the liver accumulates average Fe concentrations one order of magnitude higher than Zn and Cu, ranging from 66.75 and 1,444.23 microg/g. Significantly, higher levels of Fe were found in the liver of elder animals. Zn concentrations varied between 26.31 and 84.78 microg/g in the liver whereas in the kidney, ranged between 7.69 and 71.15 microg/g. Cu concentrations were between 2.37 and 112.91 microg/g in liver and between 2.12 and 9.85 microg/g in kidney. Cd was the least abundant metal with the exception of the kidney of the oldest cats where it reached a maximum of 13.71 microg/g. Gel-filtration metal distribution profiles from cytosolic extracts revealed the presence of Cd, Cu, Zn thioneins either in the liver or in the kidney. Because tissue samples were taken from pathological cats from different breed and age, care must be taken to use these data as a baseline profile of trace elements in healthy animals. Our results are indicative that for some specimens the feed levels of Fe and Cu could be higher than the optimal dietary intake and in few cats, there was also an exposure to Cd that was counteracted by MT biosynthesis.