Serum Concentrations Of Acute Phase Proteins Research Articles

Combination of β-mannanase plus multi-carbohydrase complex in simple or complex post-weaned pig diets on nutrient metabolism and gut health.

This study was conducted to evaluate whether adding β-mannanase alone or in combination with a multi-carbohydrase complex to simple and complex diets could improve diet digestibility, nutrient and energy metabolism, and gut health in weaned pigs. Thirty pigs (7.9 kg ± 0.851 kg) weaned at 28 days were randomly split into a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, considering a simple (corn and soybean meal-based diet) or complex diet (13% point reduction in inclusion of soybean meal, 5% of whey power, and 2.5% of spray-dried plasma compared to the simple diet) and diet without any addition (control) or the addition of β-mannanase (BM; 0.300 g/kg of the diet) or β-mannanase plus a multi-carbohydrase complex blend such as xylanase, β-glucanase, and arabinofuranosidases (BM + MCC; 0.300 + 0.050 g/kg of the diet) for 17 days post-weaned. Total fecal and urine samples were collected on days 11-17. Fecal samples were collected from all pigs to identify fecal biomarkers using commercial ELISA tests. Blood samples were collected from all pigs at the end of the experimental period to assess serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins. All pigs were euthanized on day 18 for intestinal tissue collection. The simple diet had greater (p < 0.05) protein digestibility and metabolizability coefficients than the complex diet. Greater (p < 0.05) energy digestibility and energy metabolizability coefficients were observed in the BM and BM+ MCC compared to the control diet. On average, BM improved by 64 kcal/kg and BM + MCC improved by 100 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy. Furthermore, the addition of BM and BM + MCC to the diets led to lower fecal moisture and fecal output. Moreover, the BM and BM + MCC diets also reduced fecal calprotectin concentrations by 29 and 46%, respectively, compared to control pigs (p < 0.001). We conclude that simple diets are a suitable alternative to complex diets, without compromising the nutrient digestibility and gut health of post-weaned pigs. The addition of exogenous enzymes improves nutrient and energy utilization, as well as the absorption area, and decreases calprotectin concentrations.

Apolipoprotein A1 and serum amyloid A in dogs with sepsis and septic shock.

Apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1) acts as a negative acute phase protein (APP) during inflammatory states, and has a potential prognostic value in people and dogs with sepsis. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the association of serum Apo-A1 concentration with disease severity, multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and outcome in a population of dogs with sepsis, and to assess its correlation with major canine APPs. Ninety-nine dogs with uncomplicated sepsis (n = 78) or septic shock (n = 21) were included. The serum concentration of Apo-A1, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were recorded, alongside the canine acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation fast (APPLEfast) score and the presence of MODS. Dogs with septic shock had significantly lower serum Apo-A1 concentrations (106.3 ± 22.7 mg/dl; reference interval: 123.0-142.3 mg/dl), higher APPLEfast score (30, 13-38) and greater frequency of MODS (67%) compared to those with uncomplicated sepsis (117.9 ± 19.3 mg/dl; 25, 6-33 and 8%, respectively) (P = 0.0201; P = 0.0005; P < 0.0001, respectively). Similarly, dogs with MODS had significantly lower serum Apo-A1 concentrations (104.1 ± 4.6 mg/dl) and higher APPLEfast score values (31, 13-38) compared to those without MODS (118.32 ± 2.1 mg/dl and 26, 6-33, respectively) (P = 0.0050 and P = 0.0038, respectively). Conversely, neither CRP nor SAA were different between these groups. No difference in serum APPs concentrations was detected between survivors and non-survivors. Significant negative correlations were detected between serum Apo-A1 and SAA (P = 0.0056, r = -0.277), and between serum Apo-A1 and the APPLEfast score (P = 0.0027, r = -0.3). In this population, higher values of the APPLEfast score and the presence of MODS were independently associated with a higher risk of death. Our study shows that Apo-A1 is a useful biomarker of sepsis severity in dogs, since it is decreased in those with septic shock and MODS. Further prospective investigations are deemed to evaluate the applicability of Apo-A1 to predict sepsis course and response to treatment in septic dogs.

Fecal microbiota and inflammatory and antioxidant status of obese and lean dogs, and the effect of caloric restriction.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in dogs, and is generally managed by caloric restriction. Gut microbiota alteration could represent a predisposing factor for obesity development, which has been associated with a low-grade inflammatory condition and an impaired antioxidant status. Besides, weight loss has been shown to influence the gut microbiota composition and reduce the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. However, these insights in canine obesity have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in serum and inflammatory parameters, antioxidant status, fecal microbiota and bacterial metabolites in 16 obese and 15 lean client-owned dogs and how these parameters in obese may be influenced by caloric restriction. First, for 30 days, all dogs received a high-protein, high-fiber diet in amounts to maintain their body weight; later, obese dogs were fed for 180 days the same diet in restricted amounts to promote weight loss. Before the introduction of the experimental diet (T0), small differences in fecal microbial populations were detected between obese and lean dogs, but bacterial diversity and main bacterial metabolites did not differ. The fecal Dysbiosis Index (DI) was within the reference range (< 0) in most of dogs of both groups. Compared to lean dogs, obese dogs showed higher serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins, total thyroxine (TT4), and antioxidant capacity. Compared to T0, dietary treatment affected the fecal microbiota of obese dogs, decreasing the abundance of Firmicutes and increasing Bacteroides spp. However, these changes did not significantly affect the DI. The caloric restriction failed to exert significative changes on a large scale on bacterial populations. Consequently, the DI, bacterial diversity indices and metabolites were unaffected in obese dogs. Caloric restriction was not associated with a reduction of inflammatory markers or an improvement of the antioxidant status, while an increase of TT4 has been observed. In summary, the present results underline that canine obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. This study highlights that changes on fecal microbiota of obese dogs induced by the characteristics of the diet should be differentiated from those that are the consequence of the reduced energy intake.

Evaluation of serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A) in the affected Arabian foals with rhodococcosis.

Early detection of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals is essential for horse health and for veterinarians. This study aimed to demonstrate the usefulness of assessing the serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (APPs) in the early diagnosis of pneumonia. The study evaluated APPs in 19 Arabian foals with R. equi pneumonia and compared them with 18 normal Arabian foals in equestrian clubs in Tabriz, Iran. Affected foals were identified through history, clinical findings and bacterial culture of tracheal washing. Biochemical methods and polymerase chain reaction tests were performed by examining the 16S rRNA and vapA genes to confirm the diagnosis of bacterial isolates. Blood samples were taken from all sick and healthy horses, and their serum was isolated. APPs in the serum were measured in all the samples. Rhodococcosis increased the serum concentration of haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) (p < 0.001). The relationship between SAA and Hp was meaningful in the infected group (r = 0.933) but not in the healthy group. In cases where there are clinical findings of R. equi pneumonia, the concentration of SAA and Hp can help the effectiveness of treatment. Serum concentration analysis of APPs can be helpful in early diagnosis and successfully treating foals with R. equi pneumonia.

Investigation of acute-phase protein concentrations in healthy and various diseased cats.

This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid-A (SAA) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in healthy and various diseased cats and establish reference intervals (RIs) for these acute phase proteins (APPs) in healthy cats. The animal material of the study consisted of 40 healthy cats and 152 cats with various diseases. The serum APPs in the diseased group were higher than those in the healthy group, and age affected Cp concentration in healthy cats. Also, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) positive (+) group had significantly higher AGP concentrations than the SIRS negative (-) group. In conclusion, this study contributes to the limited number of studies on RIs in serum APPs concentrations in healthy cats. The results of this study suggest that APPs are valuable diagnostic tools for identifying the inflammatory processes of various diseases, and AGP concentration could help determine the severity of the inflammatory condition.

Serum acute-phase protein concentrations following uncomplicated total hip arthroplasty in dogs.

To establish preoperative and postoperative serum C reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels in dogs undergoing uncomplicated total hip arthroplasty (THA). Prospective clinical trial. Eighteen client-owned dogs. Dogs undergoing THA were recruited. Serum CRP and SAA levels were measured in all dogs the day prior to surgery, and 3 and 6months following surgery. All dogs received a physical examination and underwent radiography at each visit, and dogs with complications were excluded from the study. For continuous numeric data, histograms were generated and evaluated for normality. A 1-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to find differences between time points. No complications were encountered in any of the recruited dogs. Median age was 30 months (12-66), and the median bodyweight was 27.3kg (22.3-40.2). Mean CRP concentrations in the preoperative, 3-month, and 6-month periods were 3.8mg/L ± 4.4, 0.8mg/L ± 1.9, and 1.4mg/L ± 1.4, respectively. The mean SAA concentrations in the preoperative, 3-month, and 6-month periods were 13.9mg/L ± 8.8, 14.1mg/L ± 12.6, and 18.4mg/L ± 15.1, respectively. There were no differences for each parameter between time points. C-reactive protein and SAA levels were consistent with levels previously established for noninflammatory and normal conditions in dogs. Postoperative CRP and SAA concentrations were low by 3months following uncomplicated THA.

Biomarkers, immune responses and cellular changes in vaccinated and non-vaccinated goats during experimental infection of M. haemolytica A2 under tropical conditions

BackgroundWe investigated the biomarkers, immune responses and cellular changes in vaccinated and non-vaccinated goats experimentally challenged with M. haemolytica serotype A2 under rainy and hot tropical conditions. A total of twenty-four clinically healthy, non-pregnant, female goats randomly allocated to 2 groups of 12 goats each were used for the study. The 12 goats in each season were subdivided into three groups (n = 4), which served as the control (G-NEG), non-vaccinated (G-POS), and vaccinated (G-VACC). In week-1, the G-VACC received 2 mL of alum-precipitated pasteurellosis vaccine while G-POS and G-NEG received 2 ml of sterile PBS. In week 2, the G-POS and G-VACC received 1 mL intranasal spray containing 105 CFU of M. haemolytica serotype A2. Inoculation was followed by daily monitoring and weekly bleeding for eight weeks to collect data and serum for biomarkers and immune responses using commercial ELISA test kits. The goats were humanely euthanised at the end of the experiments to collect lungs and the submandibular lymph nodes tissue samples for gross and histopathological examinations. ResultsRegardless of the season, we have observed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin, serum amyloid A), proinflammatory cytokines (interleukine-1β, interleukin-6), antibodies (immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G), and stress markers (cortisol and heat shock protein 70) in the G-POS goats compared to G-VACC and G-NEG. With regards to seasons, there was a significantly (p < 0.05) higher serum concentration with 1.5, 2 and 1-folds increase in the serum interleukin (IL)-1β, cortisol, and heat shock protein (HSP)-70 in the G-POS during rainy compared to the hot season. Histopathology of the lungs in G-POS goats revealed inflammatory cell infiltration, degeneration, haemorrhage/congestion, and pulmonary oedema in the alveoli spaces; thickening of the interstitium, and desquamation of bronchiolar epithelium. Cellular changes in the lymph node were characterized by a marked hypercellularity in G-POS goats. ConclusionHost responses to pneumonic mannheimiosis based on increased serum levels of biomarkers (cortisol, HSP70, IL-1β and IL-6) and severe cellular changes seen in the lungs and lymph nodes of G-POS goats compared to vaccinated goats and control group are influenced by the high environmental humidity recorded in the rainy season. Increased relative humidity in the rainy season is a significant stress factor for the higher susceptibility and severity of pneumonic mannheimiosis of goats in the tropics. Vaccination of goats using the alum precipitated Pasteurella multocida vaccine before the onset of the rainy season is recommended to minimise mortality due to potential outbreaks of pneumonia during the rainy season.

The effects of water deprivation-induced dehydration on serum acute phase protein concentrations in sheep

The effects of dehydration on serum acute phase proteins (APPs) concentrations are unknown in sheep. In this study, it was aimed to reveal the effect of dehydration on the blood concentrations of serum amyloid a (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp) and fibrinogen (Fb) in Kivircik cross-breeds sheep. The animal materials of the study consisted of 20 healthy sheep. They were divided into 4 equal groups: systemic inflammation group (SIG), a single dose of 5 ml Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) was administered intramuscularly, drinking water were provided as ad libitum; dehydration group (DEH), a single dose of 5 ml placebo 0.9% NaCl was administered intramuscularly and water was deprived for consecutive 5 days; systemic inflammation+dehydrationgroup (SIG+DEH), a single dose of 5 ml FCA was administered intramuscularly and water was deprived for consecutive 5 days; and the control group (CON), a single dose of 5 ml placebo 0.9% NaCl was administered intramuscularly and drinking water was provided as ad libitum. Also, feed was offered ad libitum throughout the experimental period in all study groups. Blood samples were collected on days 0 (baseline values), 1, 3, 5, and 7 while clinical examinations were performed daily during the study. Significant increases were found in serum Hp, SAA, Cp and plasma Fb concentrations in SIG and SIG+DEH groups. There was a significant increase only in serum Hp concentration over time in the DEH group. In conclusion, this study exhibited that Hp concentration increased as part of an acute phase reaction in water deprivation-induced dehydration in Kivircik cross-breeds sheep.

Correlation of serum acute-phase proteins with bone repair in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) submitted to partial radio ostectomy

ABSTRACT: Bone trauma triggers an acute inflammatory response, which can alter the serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (PFA). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PFA measurement as a laboratory biomarker for inflammation related to bone regeneration. A partial ostectomy of the right radius was performed on 22 young male rabbits. The complete blood count, albumin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, and transferrin levels were recorded and correlated with the radiographic evolution of bone healing. Statistically the best correlations with the inflammatory process and radiological findings were reported with haptoglobin and transferrin compared to the other measured PFAs. Haptoglobin and transferrin showed a maximum peak 24 and 36 hours after surgery, respectively. Transferrin displayed signs of decrease in the first 6 hours after surgery, in advance of the leukocyte response. The measurement of acute-phase proteins proved to be viable, considering the conditions in which the present study was carried out. Among all variables studied, haptoglobin and transferrin showed best correlation with the inflammatory process of bone healing. Additional studies are needed to determine the sensitivity of acute-phase proteins as predictors of complications in the treatment of fractures.

Studies on Biomarkers of Hepatic Lipidosis in Transition Cows with Special Reference to Liver Ultrasonograhy, Liver Specific Enzymes and Acute Phase Proteins

Background: Use of novel biomarkers is the need of hour for prediction and early diagnosis of bovine production diseases such as hepatic lipidosis (HL). Liver ultrasonography and estimation of liver specific enzymes activities have been successfully used for diagnosis of HL. However, use of inflammatory mediator like tumor necrosis factor-á (TNF–á) or acute phase proteins (APPs) like C reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) as biomarkers of HL has not been elucidated. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate liver ultrasonography and serum APPs concentrations as early predictive biomarkers of bovine HL. Methods: This study included one hundred one (101) multiparous crossbred cows in advanced pregnancy from dairy farm in Punjab, India. The cows were grouped according to their transition stage i.e., Far off dry (FOD), close up dry (CUD) and Fresh (F). Liver ultrasonography along with hemato-biochemical analysis and estimation of acute phase proteins was carried out during different stages of transition period. Result: This study included 101 cows, of which 71 (70.3%) had ultrasonographic features of normal liver and 30 (29.7%) had ultrasonographic features of HL (Grade I, 10 cows; Grade II, 12 cows; Grade III, 8 cows). Cows with HL had significantly lower levels of hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), total plasma protein (TPP), glucose, total calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) and significantly higher levels of plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), beta hydroxyl butyric acid (BHBA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), TNF–á, CRP, SAA and Hp compared to the negative controls. The APPs, liver ultrasonography, liver enzymes along with NEFA and BHBA could be used as biomarkers for prediction and early diagnosis of HL in cows.

Changes of acute-phase proteins during different physiological conditions in dairy Saanen goats

A wide range of physiologic and metabolic changes occur during late pregnancy to parturition and lactation because of increased fetal growth and colostrum and milk production. This study was aimed to investigate the changes of acute-phase proteins (APPs) during important physiological condition (late pregnancy and early lactation) in dairy Saanen goats. Twenty clinically healthy Saanen does with an age of 3 ± 0.5 years were used for the study. They were randomly selected from a larger herd according to singleton pregnancy. Samples were collected from jugular vein at three different physiological times which included T1, non-pregnancy non-lactation (before pregnancy); T2, late pregnancy (4-month pregnancy); and T3, early lactation (1 month after parturition). The assessment of the serum concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and plasma fibrinogen (Fib) were measured. The serum concentrations of Hp at T1 were significantly lower than T2 (P < 0.001) and also at T2 significantly lower than T3 (P < 0.01). The Cp levels were significantly higher at T2 compared with other times of sampling (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in SAA and Fib concentrations at different times of study. The determination of changes in serum concentrations of APPs can be helpful in monitoring animal health, finding the causes of physiological stress, and making a differential diagnosis from the pathological conditions.

Evaluation of the effect of β-mannanase supplementation and mannans on nursery pig growth performance and serum acute-phase protein concentrations

The objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary mannan and β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance and serum acute-phase proteins in nursery pigs. Pigs (n = 480) were blocked by initial body weight (6.6 ± 0.4 kg), and 12 pens per treatment were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for 28 d. Two levels of dietary mannan (0.4% vs. 2.8%) were offered with and without 0.05% endo-1,4-β-mannanase. Serum was collected (one pig per pen) for haptoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) analysis on days 0 and 28. There were no significant interactions between mannan level and β-mannanase supplementation. High-mannan diet decreased average daily gain (P = 0.027) and average daily feed intake (P = 0.024) compared with low-mannan diets with no effect of β-mannanase (P &gt; 0.10). Haptoglobin and CRP were not affected by mannan level or β-mannanase supplementation (P ≥ 0.160). Therefore, dietary β-mannans as high as 2.8% did not induce a systemic innate immune response. Thus, the levels of β-mannan found in practical diets (&lt;2%) are unlikely to induce an immune response; therefore, supplementation of β-mannanase to avoid this response is not warranted.

Influence of Obesity on Serum Concentrations of Acute-Phase Proteins in Horses

Obesity in human and veterinary medicine is one of the most complex challenges within emerging diseases in the context of health. The problem of obesity in horses results in severe comorbidities; therefore, acute-phase proteins should be investigated for fluctuations increasing or decreasing by at least 25% in response to inflammation; these are candidates for future biomarkers and might provide new perspectives on early diagnosis and prognosis. Serum samples were analyzed in nine healthy animals (C) and nine obese animals (O). The proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the concentrations determined by computerized densitometry; matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry/TOF mass spectrometry was performed to identify the proteins, and the results obtained were compared to the Equidae and Metazoa taxon protein database deposited in UNIPROT using the MASCOT application. Three proteins presented a difference between the groups; ceruloplasmin (Cp), α1-antitrypsin (α1-antitryp), and haptoglobin (Hp). The behavior of the Cp and Hp proteins was compatible with the available literature for obesity in other species. The α1-antitryp protein was positively correlated with leptin, demonstrating the need for further investigations. The initial study of these proteins was important due to the lack of information available on the influence of obesity on inflammatory biomarkers in horses in Brazil; therefore, we sought to verify a possible association between overweight and changes in the studied variables.

Evaluation of Serum Acute Phase Protein Concentrations in Dogs with Circumanal Gland Tumours

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs), including C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) in dogs with circumanal gland tumours. Investigations were conducted on 39 male dogs of mixed breed. The animals were divided into four groups depending on the degree of tumour malignancy and type of hormones that were dominant in the bloodstream. All measurements of serum APPs were conducted by the use of commercial diagnostic kits. In dogs with benign tumours, the concentrations of each APP decreased during therapy, while in dogs with malignant tumours, despite anti-tumour therapy, concentrations of APPs in serum increased markedly. The results of this study suggest that changes in serum concentrations of CRP, SAA and Hp during anti-hormone therapy may be a reliable marker for differentiating tumour grade and degree of malignancy. Including APPs in routine diagnostics may assist with formulating a prognosis for the outcome of the disease, before implementing anti-tumour therapy. Moreover, monitoring the effectiveness of therapy may be possible based on the determination of serum APP concentrations.

Prognostic Roles of C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate As Acute Phase Reactants in Mentally Challenged Subjects

Background: A mental disorder is a psychiatric disease that presents as mild or severe disturbances in a person’s behavior, mood, or thought. Mental illnesses are very common because of excessive stress. Recent studies show that mental illnesses are on the rise generally because of increasing stress. In Nigeria, medical records suggest an upsurge in mental health cases since the onset of the country’s economic downturn and the consequent trauma following it. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an indirect marker of serum acute-phase protein concentrations, whereas C-reactive protein (CRP) is a direct protein measurement and it is inherently more well-defined. This study thus evaluated the roles of ESR and CRP as sensitive markers of inflammation and correlated their levels with severity stratification and prognosis in schizophrenic patients.

Effect of two treatments on changes in serum acute phase protein concentrations in dogs with clinical leishmaniosis

The objective of this study was to compare changes in serum concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs) and paraoxanase (PON-1) in response to two treatments in dogs with leishmaniosis (CanL). For this purpose, 20 dogs with CanL were assigned to two treatment groups: antimonial plus allopurinol (Group G, n=12) and miltefosine plus allopurinol (Group M, n=8). Serum concentrations of PON-1 and APPs including C-reactive protein, haptoglobin (Hp), ferritin (Ft) and albumin were monitored over a period of 3 months after treatment.At the beginning of the study (day 0), most of the dogs had APP abnormalities. None of the variables differed significantly between groups in the first or subsequent visits. There was a significantly higher reduction in serum Ft in Group G than in Group M from day 0 to day 30 (P=0.0085), and also from day 0 to day 90 (P=0.0214). There was a higher increase in serum PON-1 in Group G than in than Group M from day 0 to day 30 (P=0.0039), and also from day 0 to day 90 (P=0.0404). This is the first report of APPs in dogs with natural clinical leishmaniosis treated with miltefosine. There was faster resolution of serum APP concentrations in dogs treated with antimonials (P<0.05).

Influence of Marcha Exercise on the Serum Concentrations of Acute-Phase Proteins in Mangalarga Marchador Horses

The acute-phase response (APR) is a rapid, nonspecific, systemic response occurring secondary to skeletal muscle damage and might be a protective physiological mechanism. The response has a number of components including increases in serum concentrations of the acute-phase proteins (APPs), which are primarily produced in the liver. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of marcha gait exercise on serum concentrations of the immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin (Alb), α1-antitripsin, haptoglobin (Hp), and α1-acid glycoprotein in 35 Mangalarga Marchador horses (18 geldings and 17 mares). The study also aimed to evaluate the differences between genders of the response to marcha gait exercise. Blood samples were assessed before and after official marcha contest. Acute-phase proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results were submitted to analysis of variance using the SAS statistical program, and means were compared by Student-Newman-Keuls test (P < .05). In both geldings and mares, APP concentrations did not increase in response to exercise. Significant differences of total serum protein concentration, Alb, Hp, IgA, and IgG between geldings and mares were noticed. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that marcha gait exercise performed during official contest is not intense enough to stimulate an APR, demonstrated by no change in serum concentrations of APPs in Mangalarga Marchador horses. The differences between genders in the present study warrant further investigation.

Serum concentrations of some acute phase proteins in cats with anaemia

Serum concentrations of acute phase proteins can provide valuable diagnostic information in the detection and monitoring of disease. The available information on the acute phase response in cats with anaemia is limited. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate serum concentrations of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, α1 acid glycoprotein and their clinical importance in cats with anaemia. Thirty-four anaemic cats and ten healthy cats were enrolled this study. After individual diagnoses had been established, the cats were divided into three groups (healthy group, haemolytic group and non-haemolytic group). Serum acute phase protein concentrations were analysed using specific commercially available test kits in an ELISA reader device. Serum amyloid A and serum α1 acid glycoprotein concentrations were significantly higher in the anaemic groups compared with the healthy group. Haptoglobin concentrations were significantly higher in cats from the non-haemolytic anaemia group than they were in healthy animals and those from the haemolytic anaemia group. Although serum haptoglobin concentrations were lower than in the healthy group, there was no significant difference between the haemolytic anaemia group and the healthy group. The results of this study suggest that serum amyloid A and α1 acid glycoprotein could be useful in the diagnosis and determination of inflammation in cats with anaemia. Serum haptoglobin depletion may be used for diagnosis of haemolysis in cats with haemolytic anaemia. In addition, this study has contributed to the limited data available on acute phase protein concentrations in cats with anaemia..

Acute-phase response and its biomarkers in acute and chronic urticaria.

IntroductionSince urticaria is a persisting inflammatory disease it is important to establish the prognostic factors for the duration and severity of the disease.AimTo evaluate serum concentrations of selected acute-phase proteins (APP) in patients with various forms of urticaria as compared to healthy volunteers and also to analyze these concentrations in different types of urticaria. Additionally, to evaluate the correlation between serum levels of selected APP and disease activity.Material and methodsSerum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), α1-antitrypsin (AT), ceruloplasmin (Cp), transferrin (Tf), α2-macroglobulin (α2M) and haptoglobin (Hp) were measured. Quantitative measurement was conducted using the rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Disease activity was assessed with the use of total symptom score.ResultsAnalysis of serum APP concentrations revealed statistically higher serum concentrations of CRP, AGP and ACT in the entire group of patients with urticaria in comparison with the control group. In the entire group of patients with urticaria, CRP, AGP, ACT, Cp and Hp correlated positively with disease activity, intensity of pruritus and the number and size of urticarial wheals. Statistically lower serum concentrations of CRP, ACT, Cp and Hp were detected in the group of patients with acute urticaria (AU) and angioedema together, compared to the patients suffering from AU only.ConclusionsPatients with symptoms of various forms of urticaria present a distinct profile of serum APP concentrations. A significant correlation observed between CRP, AGP, ACT, Cp, Hp and clinical activity score points to the potential role of APP as markers of the urticarial activity.

Ruminal pH, short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and serum acute phase protein concentrations during finishing for steers with and without rumen and liver pathology

This study was carried out to determine whether ruminal fermentation and serum acute phase protein concentrations differed between steers with and without pathology at slaughter. Ruminally cannulat...