Levels Of Acute Phase Proteins Research Articles

Systemic inflammation and nutritional insufficiency in palliative cancer patients

Aim. To study the relationship between the symptoms of nutritional insufficiency and systemic inflammation in cancer palliative patients.
 Methods. 106 palliative cancer patients were examined at Chelyabinsk Regional Clinical Center of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine: 54 (50.9%) men and 52 (49.1%) women aged 61 [54; 67] years. All patients underwent laboratory and instrumental examination within the approved standards of specialized medical care. Systemic inflammation was assessed by the levels of acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen). The study of integrated clinical and laboratory, somatometric parameters was carried out. The nutritional risk index was assessed.
 Results. Palliative cancer patients showed a statistically significant decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin, lymphocytes, and albumin. The activation of systemic inflammation that manifested by hyperfibrinogenemia and an increase in the level of C-reactive protein was revealed. The study of somatometric parameters revealed a statistically significant decrease in body mass index, shoulder circumference, subscapular skinfold thickness, and a tendency to reduce lean body mass. The nutritional risk index assessment showed mild nutritional insufficiency in 22 (20.8%) of the examined patients and severe nutritional insufficiency in 28 (26.4%) patients. The maximum diagnostic significance of the level of C-reactive protein for prediction the nutritional insufficiency was achieved at 80.4% sensitivity and 52.7% specificity (AUC=0.671, 95% confidence interval [0.573; 0.759], p=0.001), which corresponded to a C-reactive protein threshold of 31 mg/l.
 Conclusion. 50 (47.2%) of the examined patients showed signs of nutritional insufficiency, a statistically significant decrease in hemoglobin and albumin concentration, as well as lymphocyte count, activation of systemic inflammation, manifested by hyperfibrinogenemia, and an increase in the level of C-reactive protein; it was revealed a statistically significant relationship between C-reactive protein level and malnutrition.

Variations in the levels of acute-phase proteins and lactoferrin in serum and milk during bovine subclinical mastitis.

Variations in the levels of acute phase proteins and lactoferrin in serum and milk for diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows are described in this research paper. Milking animals from two organized dairy farms in Kerala, India, were screened by California Mastitis Test (CMT), Electrical Conductivity test (EC) and Somatic Cell Count (SCC) test to identify animals affected with sub clinical mastitis (SCM). The concentrations of acute phase proteins (APP) Haptoglobin (Hp), C- reactive protein (CRP), Albumin, Lactoferrin (Lf) and α- 1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) in milk and Hp, Albumin, Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and CRP in the serum of 40 normal cows and 40 cows affected with sub clinical mastitis were assessed. Solid phase ELISA was employed for assessment of all parameters except the albumin levels, for which spectrophotometry was used. The values of Hp in milk; and SAA, AGP and Lf in serum, were significantly elevated in the group with sub clinical mastitis. Such variations were found to be independent of the specific bacterial organism causing the disease. These results show that significant variations exist in the levels of acute phase proteins Hp, AGP and Lf in milk, and SAA in serum of animals affected with subclinical bovine mastitis that are not affected by specific bacterial etiology.

Profiling the Expression of Circulating Acute-Phase Proteins, Cytokines, and Checkpoint Proteins in Patients with Severe Trauma: A Pilot Study.

PurposeSevere trauma may lead to the systemic release of inflammatory mediators into the circulation with profound acute-phase responses; however, the understanding of the expression of these mediators remains limited. This study aimed to characterize the alterations in the expression of circulating acute-phase proteins, cytokines, and checkpoint proteins in patients with severe trauma injuries.Patients and MethodsThe study population included trauma patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with an injury severity score equal to or greater than 16 and who had used a ventilator for 48 hours. A total of 12 female and 28 male patients were recruited for the study; six patients died and 34 survived. Blood samples collected at acute stages were compared with those drawn at the subacute stage, the time when the patients were discharged from the ICU, or before the discharge of the patients from the hospital.ResultsThe study identified that the expression of acute-phase proteins, such as alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and C-reactive protein, and cytokines, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, was elevated in the circulation after severe trauma. In contrast, the levels of acute-phase proteins, such as alpha-2-macroglobulin, serum amyloid P, and von Willebrand factor, and cytokines, including interleukin-4 and interferon gamma-induced protein 10, were reduced. However, there were no significant differences in the expression of checkpoint proteins in the circulation.ConclusionThe dysregulated proteins identified in this study may serve as potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers for treating patients with severe trauma. However, the related biological functions of these dysregulated factors require further investigation to validate their functions.

Modified-Live Feline Calicivirus Vaccination Reduces Viral RNA Loads, Duration of RNAemia, and the Severity of Clinical Signs after Heterologous Feline Calicivirus Challenge.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common cat virus causing clinical signs such as oral ulcerations, fever, reduced general condition, pneumonia, limping and occasionally virulent-systemic disease. Efficacious FCV vaccines protect against severe disease but not against infection. FCV is a highly mutagenic RNA virus whose high genetic diversity poses a challenge in vaccine design. The use of only one modified-live FCV strain over several decades might have driven the viral evolution towards more vaccine-resistant variants. The present study investigated the clinical signs, duration, and amount of FCV shedding, RNAemia, haematological changes and acute phase protein reaction in SPF cats after subcutaneous modified-live single strain FCV vaccination or placebo injection and two subsequent oronasal heterologous FCV challenge infections with two different field strains. Neither clinical signs nor FCV shedding from the oropharynx and FCV RNAemia were detected after vaccination. After the first experimental infection, vaccinated cats had significantly lower clinical scores, less increased body temperature and lower acute phase protein levels than control cats. The viral RNA loads from the oropharynx and duration and amount of RNAemia were significantly lower in the vaccinated animals. No clinical signs were observed in any of the cats after the second experimental infection. In conclusion, FCV vaccination was beneficial for protecting cats from severe clinical signs, reducing viral loads and inflammation after FCV challenge.

Influence of the combined method of air-plasma flows and NO-therapy on the blood system parameters in treatment of infectious wound complications in cardiac surgery

Nitric oxide (NO) is a universal biological mediator that has a multifaceted effect on physiological and pathological processes in various organs and systems of the body. It is known that NO-therapy is a powerful stimulator of a positive effect on the course of the wound process, especially in complicated wounds.Objective: to evaluate the use of the combined effect of NO-containing air-plasma flows on the parameters of the blood system in the treatment of infectious wound complications in cardiac surgery patients.Materials and methods. A total of 60 patients were included in the study: 31 (52%) men and 29 (48%) women aged 29 to 79 years (mean 63.67 ± 7.6 years). All patients were divided into two groups: Group I – 30 patients who received treatment for sternomediastinitis using a combined exposure to air-plasma flow and exogenous nitric oxide; Group II – 30 patients who were treated for sternomediastinitis according to the clinical guidelines for the surgical treatment of patients with postoperative mediastinitis and osteomyelitis of the sternum and ribs.Results. The use of the combined effect of NO-containing air-plasma flows for the treatment of sternomediastinitis is accompanied by a decrease in the level of acute phase proteins already by 3 days, normalization of leukocytes and neutrophils by 10 days after the start of therapy, and prevents hyperaggregation and spontaneous aggregation of platelets.Conclusion. The use of the combined method of low-temperature plasma and exogenous nitrogen monoxide in the local treatment of infectious wound complications after cardiac surgery is justified and effective. No reliable confirmation of the cytotoxic effect of exogenous nitric oxide in the applied dosage on the elements of red blood was found in this study

Systemic Inflammation and Microbial Translocation Are Characteristic Features of SARS-CoV-2-Related Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children.

BackgroundMultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare manifestation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children that can result in increased morbidity and mortality. The inflammatory underpinnings of MIS-C have not been examined in detail.MethodsWe examined the plasma levels of acute phase proteins and microbial translocation markers in children with MIS-C, children with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, SARS-CoV-2-seropositive children, and controls.ResultsMIS-C children exhibited significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha2 macroglobulin (α2M), serum amyloid P (SAP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), sCD14, and LPS binding protein (LBP) and significantly lower levels of haptoglobin (Hp) in comparison with seropositive, control, and/or COVID-19 children. In addition, COVID-19 children exhibited significantly higher levels of most of the above markers in comparison with seropositive and control children. Principal component analysis using a set of these markers could clearly discriminate MIS-C and COVID-19 from seropositive and control children. MIS-C children requiring pediatric intensive care unit admission and COVID-19 children with severe disease had higher levels of CRP, SAP, and/or sCD14 at admission.ConclusionsOur study describes the role of systemic inflammation and microbial translocation markers in children with MIS-C and COVID-19 and therefore helps in advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of different presentations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children.

Hepatic response in COVID-19

Introduction: World is facing a pandemic by novel coronavirus termed as COVID-19. Patients shows symptoms of fever, respiratory discomfort and myalgia along with liver injury and GI symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. GI symptoms were also common during the previous outbreak of coronavirus family. Hepatic injury was assessed with abnormal serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, concentration of cytokine and acute phase protein. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out in Govt. Medical College, Jalaun at Department of Biochemistry. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was made by at least one positive SARS-CoV-2 (RDRP) or Beta CoV (E-gene) or COVID-19 (E-gene/Orf1A) Truenat test performed on nasopharyngeal swab samples. 10 ml of fasting venous blood was collected from the antecubital vein in a plain, fluoride and EDTA vacutainers. The blood sample was centrifuged and stored at 40 C for biochemical and immunological investigations. The study group consisted of four groups Normal (Group I) n=50 and COVID-19 positive patients (Total) (Group II) in two groups, Stable Patients (Group III) n=25 and Unstable patients (Group IV) n=25 are critically ill patients requiring ICU admission or intensive support of either sex aged between 40-65 years. The diagnosis of Liver disease was done by ultrasonographic examination of liver. Serum levels of ALT, AST, Total Bilirubin, Cytokine (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and acute phase protein (CRP) were estimated. Results: Mean value of ALT 20.10 ± 5.60, 110.34 ± 48.02, 158.6 ± 51.24* and 200.61± 58.35*, AST 28.50 ± 7.50, 104.20± 38.55*, 144.35 ± 46.60* and 193.15 ± 52.43* T.Bil 0.80 ± 0.15, 167.5 ± 84.13*, 143.3 ± 47.81* and 220.37 ± 119.73** Concentration of cytokine IL-6 9.24±1.20, 14.14±1.50*, 15.34±1.40* and 36.76±11.56** acute phase protein CRP 0.90±1.10 1.96±0.50*, 1.99±0.54* and 2.18±0.90 was significantly elevated in Group II, III, IV as compared to Group I. Conclusion: Results of the present study indicates that the levels of ALT, AST, Total Bilirubin, CRP and IL-6 increased in parallel with the progression of covid-19 positive patients which indicates COVID-19 might end with hepatic injury.

Acute-phase proteins: As a diagnostic tool in pneumonic dromedary Camel

Determining the health of animals is important. So, acute-phase proteins consider as important markers of animal health. The acute-phase response is characterized by increased circulating levels of acute-phase proteins released by the liver. In addition, pneumonia is an emerging problem in dromedary camels, with no data available on the diagnostic significance of the markers of acute phase proteins in pneumonic camels. In this report, 44 pneumonic camels were diagnosed by histopathologic analysis of lung tissue from a total of 65 camels. In addition, five healthy camels were used as control groups. Interstitial pneumonia and fibrinous bronchopneumonia were revealed by histopathology. Blood samples were collected from both groups for determination of haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen. The result revealed highly significant elevations in haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen (1.00±0.06 g/l, 13.49±0.16mg/l, and 5.47±0.47g/l respectively) in case of interstitial pneumonia, and also the result revealed highly significant elevations in haptoglobin, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen (1.04±0.05g/l, 13.64±0.21mg/l, and5.25±0.33g/l respectively) in case of fibrinous bronchopneumonia than in controls. The present study concluded that haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen that serve as diagnostic parameters for pneumonia in camels.

Relationship between Changes in Hematological Parameters, Levels of Acute Phase Proteins and Redox Homeostasis during Acute Babesia canis Infection in Dogs

Abstract Hemolysis and systemic acute inflammation characterize canine babesiosis caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite Babesia canis. Our hypothesis was that blood redox homeostasis of patients that suffered acute B. canis infection might be disturbed even after treatment with imidocarb-dipropionate and successful clinical recovery. Eight owner dogs with acute B. canis infection were used for this study. We analyzed the complete blood count, acute phase proteins (ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, paraoxonase-1) in the serum, antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione peroxidase) in the erythrocytes, and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde in erythrocytes and thiol groups in serum) at presentation and 15 days after treatment. Results were evaluated by corresponding statistical tests. At presentation, anemia, low/normal leukocyte count and severe thrombocytopenia occurred together with increased ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin levels within the reference interval, decreased paraoxonase-1 and compromised antioxidant defense in the red blood cells. After treatment and successful clinical recovery, hematological values generally fitted within the reference intervals, acute phase proteins were within the physiological levels in the majority of cases and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were increased. However, elevated malondialdehyde levels indicated increased oxidative damage of erythrocytes that remained as a deleterious sequel despite a successful clinical recovery of the dogs.

Ipilimumab, nivolumab and tocilizumab as first-line therapy for advanced melanoma.

TPS9589 Background: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) functions in the maintenance of hepatocytes, haemotopoietic progenitor cells, a variety of other tissues, and regulates the innate and adaptive immune system. IL-6 may play a role as a chronic inflammatory mediator in altering levels of acute phase proteins synthesized by the liver and circulating myeloid cells which have been shown to be associated with short survival with checkpoint inhibition and which are immune suppressive. The immunomodulatory properties of interleukin-6 may in part also be responsible for immune related adverse events, given the reversal of those toxicities observed with IL-6 receptor blockade in clinical practice. To assess if blockade of IL-6 binding is associated with a decrease in irAEs and/or an increase in efficacy defined as overall response rate (ORR) at week 24 in patients receiving ICB, we added tocilizumab to ipilimumab and nivolumab therapy. Methods: The current phase II trial is a two-stage design to assess the safety, tolerability, and grades 3-5 immune related toxicities of tocilizumab administered every 6 weeks up to week 24 in combination with ipilimumab at 1 mg/kg and nivolumab at 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for 4 doses each during a 12 week induction period, then administered every 6 weeks with nivolumab at 240 mg flat dose every 2 weeks in maintenance for up to 24 weeks, and nivolumab alone will be given at 480 mg flat dose every 4 weeks thereafter for up to 2 years. Eligible patients include those age 18 or older with measurable and unresectable stages III/IV melanoma (cutaneous, acral, mucosal), without prior systemic treatment for metastatic disease. Adjuvant therapy (IFN-alpha, ipilimumab and/or nivolumab, or pembrolizumab) is allowed. Patients with metastatic melanoma of brain are allowed, if neurologically stable and off immunosuppressive steroids. A total of 18 patients will be treated in the first stage, and 49 additional patients in the second stage for a total of 67. The comparator data are from the N3I1 arm of Checkmate-511 trial, in which treatment-related grades 3-5 irAEs were 33.9% with a 45.6% response rate (1). Prespecified activity goal for the first stage of accrual has been met; second stage accrual began in January 2021.

Features of the immunological profile in various phenotypes of occupational bronchial asthma

Introduction. Occupational asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease. Development of personalized treatment and prevention tactics becomes feasible due to phenotyping, which means identifying of markers to combine cases of occupational asthma with similar manifestations (clinical, instrumental, laboratory) and prognosis to phenotypes. The study aims to determination and comparative analysis of spirographic and immunological parameters for different phenotypes of occupational asthma. Materials and methods. In this study, we included 170 patients with different phenotypes of occupational asthma and 50 participants in control group. The spirographic examination was performed using computer spirograph with determination of the following parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume during the first second (FEV1), Tiffeneau-Pinelli index (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal expiratory flow at 75 %, 50 %, 25 % of the forced vital capacity (MEF75 %VC, MEF50 %VC, MEF25 %VC). Quantification of the immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, and IgG in human serum was conducted by Mancini method; levels of IgE, C-reactive protein and fibronectin were determined using a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. Fibrinogen concentration in plasma was measured by an automatic coagulometer. Haptoglobin concentration in serum was determined by spectrophotometry. Results. According to spirometry and laboratory results obtained, there is a strong evidence, that the phenotype «occupational asthma — occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease» has the lowest values in pulmonary function tests and the most significant changes in immunoglobulins, fibronectin and acute phase proteins levels among other studied phenotypes of occupational asthma.

The Intrasubject Variability in the Acute Phase Protein (Orosomucoid) Levels and their Influenced by Breast Malignancy

Background: The major healthcare burden is breast cancer, screening services are expensive and difficult to organize, requiring major issues of administrative and quality control. however a potential biomarker that could help in the screening of the disease progress might improve the available routine mode of diagnosis. This study was aimed to examine the variability of Orosomucoid levels in breast cancer patients also to review the background documents on the state of the art of the scientific literature in this area of work.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conduct on a breast cancer patients which were collected from oncology unit , Al-Hussein teaching Hospital in Kerbala / Iraq. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay system (ELISA) was performed using Sandwich method to measure the concentrations of serum Orosomucoid protein levels. Results: The primary stage of breast cancer was shown a wide spread range of the protein levels ( 95.4- 664.5 ng/ml) compared to the metastasis stage range (59.0- 376.3 ng/ml). The effect of disease duration and drug therapy also examine. Long term of duration of the disease with chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy might decrease the level of protein, but, no significant differences were found.Conclusion: Since rosomucoid protein works as transporter, the protein may be used as an indication of the drug response due to decreased level in patients who were taking both chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Determination of serum rosomucoid protein could guide treating oncologist to have an idea to what extent the patients have response.

Nanofiber Wound Dressing Materials-A Comparative Study of Wound Healing on a Porcine Model.

Nanofiber wound dressings remain the domain of in vitro studies. The purpose of our study was to verify the benefits of chitosan (CTS) and polylactide (PLA)-based nanofiber wound dressings on a porcine model of a naturally contaminated standardized wound and compare them with the conventional dressings, i.e., gauze and Inadine. The study group included 32 pigs randomized into four homogeneous groups according to the wound dressing type. Standardized wounds were created on their backs, and wound dressings were regularly changed. We evaluated difficulty of handling individual dressing materials and macroscopic appearance of the wounds. Wound swabs were taken for bacteriological examination. Blood samples were obtained to determine blood count values and serum levels of acute phase proteins (serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein, and haptoglobin). The crucial point of the study was histological analysis. Microscopic evaluation was focused on the defect depth and tissue reactions, including formation of the fibrin exudate with neutrophil granulocytes, the layer of granulation and cellular connective tissue, and the reepithelialization. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software. The analysis was based on the Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test followed by Bonferroni correction. Significance was set at P < .05. Macroscopic examination did not show any difference in wound healing among the groups. However, evaluation of histological findings demonstrated that PLA-based nanofiber dressing accelerated the proliferative (P = .025) and reepithelialization (P < .001) healing phases, while chitosan-based nanofiber dressing potentiated and accelerated the inflammatory phase (P = .006). No statistically significant changes were observed in the blood count or acute inflammatory phase proteins during the trial. Different dynamics were noted in serum amyloid A values in the group treated with PLA-based nanofiber dressing (P = .006). Based on the microscopic examination, we have documented a positive effect of nanofiber wound dressings on acceleration of individual phases of the healing process. Nanofiber wound dressings have a potential to become in future part of the common wound care practice.

Comparative Characteristics Of Ferrokinetic Parameters And Their Relationship With Inflammation In Patients With CHF In Advanced And Senile Age

To perform a comparative analysis of anemia of chronic disease (ACD) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in late middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) by ferrokinetic parameters, inflammation indexes, and their associations. Materials and methods. 65 patients with ischemic heart disease were evaluated, including 35 patients with CHF and ACD, 10 patients with CHF and IDA, and 20 patients without CHF, ACD, and IDA (control group, CG). Results. Patients with CHF and IDA had true iron deficiency whereas 54% of patients with CHF and ACD had functional iron deficiency, and 46% of patients had no iron deficiency. Levels of acute phase proteins, ferritin and hepcidin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were highly significantly different in patients with CHF and ACD and patients with CHF and IDA; positive and significant correlations were found for levels of IL-6 and ferritin, IL-6 and CRP, and CRP and hepcidin. In patients with CHF and IDA, levels of acute phase proteins, ferritin and hepcidin, CRP, and IL-6 were low and correlations of IL-6 with ferritin, IL-6 with CRP, and CRP with hepcidin were non-significant. Concentrations of erythropoietin were significantly higher in patients with CHF and ACD and patients with CHF and IDA compared to the control group; however, significant differences between them were absent.

Діагностичні критерії гострого деструктивного панкреатиту

The relevance of the emergence of innovative technologies, more sophisticated diagnostics methods, opportunities for intensive therapy, antibacterial prophylaxis, surgical methods of treatment involving minimally invasive surgery, does not solve the problem of high overall mortality in severe acute pancreatitis at this time. This indicator for the last ten years remains at a high level (10-30%), and in case of inflammatory forms of severe pancreatitis, reaches 85%. Traditional laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of pancreatic necrosis may involve leukocytosis with the destruction of the leukocyte formula and appearance of myelocytes and metamylocytes in it; improvement of leukocyte index of intoxication; improvement of the nuclear index of the destruction; blood glucose growth; growth of blood urea; growth of neutrophil-lymphocytic coefficient; change in endogenous creatinine clearance; improvement of blood transaminases. The indicator enzymes have the greatest value for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal pancreatitis in the diagnostic plan. The determining of α-amylase activity is a sensitive and valuable criterion for diagnostics of gastrointestinal pancreatitis and control over the effectiveness of treatment. Also, talking about laboratory diagnostics of acute pancreatitis it is worth noting about acute-phase proteins. The increase in the level of acute-phase proteins in inflammation is a compensatory reaction associated with the ability to inhibit cells released during destruction and cause secondary tissue damage by proteolytic enzymes, as well as to suppress autoimmune aggression. Due to this, the inflammatory process in the body is limited and autoaggression is restrained. The purpose of the study was to study the proteins of the acute phase in the blood of patients with acute pancreatitis of varying severity. Materials and methods. The study is based on the results of examination of 88 patients with acute pancreatitis of varying severity who were treated at the V.T. Zaytsev Institute of the General and Urgent Surgery of Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kharkiv, as well as 45 donors (control group). Results and discussion. The determination of the activity of serum enzymes in the dynamics of acute destructive pancreatitis was carried out. The parameters were verified before the operation and after the operative treatment in dynamics, as well as before and after the second operation in the dynamics. Markers of tissue destruction can simultaneously serve as indicators of the severity of the inflammatory process in the pancreas and determine the quality of the performed surgical intervention. The diagnostic value of ferritin and lactofferin as markers of an acute destructive process was proved on the basis of a significant increase in their level in blood serum and exudates of patients. It has been shown that ferroproteins are reliable markers of the inflammatory process, among others, including classical acute phase proteins. At the same time, their identification is distinguished by its explicitness in the diagnosis of not only latent destructive states. Conclusion. The detected changes in the concentration of clinical and laboratory parameters of alpha-2-macroglobulin, lactoferrin, C-reactive protein, ferritin in the blood serum correlate with the degree of the inflammatory process and purulent-destructive changes in the pancreas

Effects of the Administration of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Their Synbiotic Combination With Galacto-Oligosaccharides Against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 in an Early Weaned Piglet Model

We evaluated the potential of multi-strain probiotic (Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001) with or without galacto-oligosaccharides against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4 infection in post-weaning pigs. Ninety-six piglets were distributed into 32 pens assigned to five treatments: one non-challenged (CTR+) and four challenged: control diet (CTR−), with probiotics (>3 × 1010 CFU/kg body weight each, PRO), prebiotic (5%, PRE), or their combination (SYN). After 1 week, animals were orally inoculated with ETEC F4. Feed intake, weight, and clinical signs were recorded. On days 4 and 8 post-inoculation (PI), one animal per pen was euthanized and samples from blood, digesta, and tissues collected. Microbiological counts, ETEC F4 real-time PCR (qPCR) quantification, fermentation products, serum biomarkers, ileal histomorphometry, and genotype for mucin 4 (MUC4) polymorphism were determined. Animals in the PRO group had similar enterobacteria and coliform numbers to the CTR+ group, and the ETEC F4 prevalence, the number of mitotic cells at day 4 PI, and villus height at day 8 PI were between that observed in the CTR+ and CTR− groups. The PRO group exhibited reduced pig major acute-phase protein (Pig-MAP) levels on day 4 PI. The PRE diet group presented similar reductions in ETEC F4 and Pig-MAP, but there was no effect on microbial groups. The SYN group showed reduced fecal enterobacteria and coliform counts after the adaptation week but, after the inoculation, the SYN group showed lower performance and more animals with high ETEC F4 counts at day 8 PI. SYN treatment modified the colonic fermentation differently depending on the MUC4 polymorphism. These results confirm the potential of the probiotic strains and the prebiotic to fight ETEC F4, but do not show any synergy when administered together, at least in this animal model.

Plasma albumin-to-globulin ratio before dry-off as a possible index of inflammatory status and performance in the subsequent lactation in dairy cows

The dry-off of dairy cows represents an important phase of the lactation cycle, influencing the outcome of the next lactation. Among the physiological changes, the severity of the inflammatory response can vary after the dry-off, and this response might have consequences on cow adaptation in the transition period. The plasma protein profile is a diagnostic tool widely used in humans and animals to assess the inflammatory status and predict the outcome of severe diseases. The albumin-to-globulin ratio (AG) can represent a simple and useful proxy for the inflammatory condition. In this study, we investigated the relationship between AG before dry-off and inflammation, metabolic profile, and performance of 75 Holstein dairy cows. Blood samples were collected from -62 (7 d before dry-off) to 28 d relative to calving (DFC) to measure metabolic profile biomarkers, inflammatory variables, and liver function. Daily milk yield in the first month of lactation was recorded. Milk composition, body condition score, fertility, and health status were also assessed. The AG calculated 1 wk before dry-off (-62 DFC) was used to retrospectively group cows into tertiles (1.06 ± 0.09 for HI, 0.88 ± 0.04 for IN, and 0.72 ± 0.08 for LO). Data were subjected to ANOVA using the PROC MIXED program in SAS software. Differences among groups observed at -62 DFC were almost maintained throughout the period of interest, but AG peaked before calving. According to the level of acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, albumin, cholesterol, retinol-binding protein), bilirubin, and paraoxonase, a generally overall lower inflammatory condition was found in HI and IN than in the LO group immediately after the dry-off but also after calving. The HI cows had greater milk yield than LO cows, but no differences were observed in milk composition. The somatic cell count reflected the AG ratio trend, with higher values in LO than IN and HI either before dry-off or after calving. Fertility was better in HI cows, with fewer days open and services per pregnancy than IN and LO cows. Overall, cows with high AG before dry-off showed an improved adaptation to the new lactation, as demonstrated by a reduced systemic inflammatory response and increased milk yield than cows with low AG. In conclusion, the AG ratio before dry-off might represent a rapid and useful proxy to evaluate the innate immune status and likely the ability to adapt while switching from the late lactation to the nonlactating phase and during the transition period with emphasis on early lactation.

Evaluation of Inflammatory Acute Phase Protein Level and Different Leukocyte Counts in Chronic Periodontitis Normolipidemic Patients after Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy

To evaluate the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on periodontal parameters, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, total leukocyte count (TLC), and differential leukocyte count (DLC) in normolipidemic patients with generalized chronic periodontitis. A total of 60 subjects (38 males and 22 females) between 20 and 55 years of age were included in this study. Twenty subjects with generalized chronic gingivitis were assigned group I. Forty subjects with generalized chronic periodontitis were randomly divided into test groups, i.e., group II (n = 20) and control group, i.e., group III (n = 20). At baseline, clinical parameters (plaque and gingival indices, clinical attachment loss) were recorded and blood collected for lipid profile test, TLC, DLC, and CRP estimation. Patients with lipid values in the normal range continued the study. Groups I and II were provided nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Follow-up clinical examination and blood examination were done for CRP level, TLC, and DLC after 1 and 2 months. A significant improvement in the clinical parameters was evident following scaling and root planning in group II as compared to group III. A decrease in serum CRP and TLC count was also observed, but the difference was not significant. Moreover, a reduction was observed in neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils post therapeutically in group II but the decrease was significant only for monocyte count. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that nonsurgical periodontal therapy can reduce the inflammatory component. Periodontal diseases comprise a wide range of inflammatory conditions affecting the supporting structures of teeth. Effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on chronic periodontitis can be evaluated by measuring the CRP and leukocyte concentration.

The effects of lack of movement in sows during pregnancy period on cortisol, acute phase proteins and lymphocytes proliferation level in piglets in early postnatal period.

Prolonged exposure to stress may cause adverse effects on animal physiology. It is especially important during the gestation period as female physiology can affect the unborn offspring in the form of prenatal stress. Intensive pig farming industry developed gestation crates that enable to keep sows during gestation period in small stalls which do not allow animals to move freely for a maximum of 4 weeks after successful insemination (Council Directive 2008/120/EC). Although these crates have production advantages, many health and welfare issues have been raised recently. In this study we tested to what extent the lack of movement of sows kept in the gestation crates had an impact on some blood and saliva constituents of new-born piglets. In total, the samples were collected from 80 piglets when they were 3, 7 and 21 days of age and tested for cortisol levels in blood and saliva, acute phase proteins (amyloid A, C-reactive protein, haptoglobin) and lymphocytes proliferation index (in response to ConA, PHA and PWM). 40 piglets were from sows kept in free movement housing (FM group) from day 1 to day 100 of pregnancy and forty piglets were from sows in the movement restriction group (MR), in which the sows were kept in crates just allowing them to stand up and lie down from day 1 to day 100 of the pregnancy (research was conducted before the implementation Directive 2008/120/EC i.e. January 1,2013). The results of the study showed that the piglets delivered by sows kept under movement restriction conditions exhibited higher cortisol and acute phase protein levels as well as a lower lymphocytes proliferation index. This suggests that lack of movement in sows during the gestation period influences piglets' physiology and indicates that the piglets are suffering from prenatal stress caused by insufficient housing conditions of their mothers potentially leading to poor health and welfare of their offspring.

English

The aim of this study was to correlate the serum levels of acute phase proteins (APPs) and cytokines in response to treatment by various antimicrobial agents in feedlots calves (FL) naturally infected with Mannheimia haemolytica (M. haemolytica) and Histophilus somni (H. somni). 840 feedlot calves in one farm in Al-Kharg region, Saudi Arabia were clinically examined for the presence of respiratory disease manifestations. The infection was confirmed using nasopharyngeal swabs. Blood samples from diseased animals were collected before and after (7 days) treatment for biochemical analysis of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (HP) and cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-1 β (IL1β), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). FL that were positive for M. haemolytica and/or H. somni (n=69) received treatment with one antibiotic, including tulathromycin (Tula; n=26 cases), florfenicol (FFC; n=19), tilmicosin (Tm; n=13), or ceftiofur (CEF; n=11) and one non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Flunixin meglumine (FM; n=43) or phenylbutazone (PBZ; n= 26). We demonstrated the selective potent inhibitory effect of the administrated anti-inflammatory agents either FM or PBZ on the production of APPs and pro-inflammatory cytokines in FL infected with bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Our findings showed the antibacterial efficacy of FFC and Tm for the treatment of infected FL when administrated with either FM or PBZ. However, Tula was preferable to administrate in combination with FM for the treatment of FL with respiratory manifestations. Importantly, monitoring the sera level of Hp, IL-1β, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in feedlots treated with either FM combined with Tula, FFC, or Tm or PBZ combined with FFC, and Tm has been effective in predicting the disease prognosis