Thickness In Animals Research Articles

Histological indicators of sheep skin of different directions of productivity

The purpose of the research was to study the histological indicators of sheep skin of different directions of productivity and to identify the effectiveness of using sheep of foreign breeds on the breeding stock of domestic fine-wooled sheep of the meat-wool direction of productivity. An analysis of histological indicators of sheep skin in diff erent areas of productivity, including the histostructure of the skin of sheep breeds of foreign selection such as Poll Dorset, Charolais and Ile de France, sheep breeds of domestic selection Stavropol, Manych merino and Dzhalginsky merino has been presented in the article. The study of the mechanism of growth and development of wool fi bers is one of the main tasks of increasing the quantity and improving the quality of wool. In studying the morphology of the skin, it is important to establish the breed and age features of the structure of the root, glandular systems, collagen structures that ensure the quality of sheep skin and wool fi bers. Thus, in sheep of Poll Dorset breed the total skin thickness was 10,3 and 3,6 % higher than in Charolais and Ile-de-France animals, respectively. At the same time, the thickness of the epidermis was almost 1,0 % of the total thickness of the skin, while the pilar layer averaged 61,8 %, the reticular layer 37,23 %, which is consistent with the breed parameters. The biggest density of follicles was observed in sheep of Ile-de-France and Charolais breeds. The superiority over animals of Poll Dorset breed was 17,5 and 10,0 %, respectively. By the ratio of secondary follicles/primary follicles animals of Poll Dorset and Ile-de-France breeds had superiority over Charolais breed by an average of 12,4 and 11,2 %. Sheep of domestic selection had an advantage in skin thickness in animals of Manych merino breed. They surpassed their herdmates of Stavropol breed by 5,2 % and Dzhalginsky merino breed by 11,2 %. In terms of the total density of follicles, animals of Stavropol breed had a slight advantage. The animals of Manych merino breed were 3,2 % inferior to them and Dzhalginsky merino by 1,4 %. There was no diff erence between the breeds by the ratio of secondary follicles/primary follicles.

Aktivitas Antiinflamasi Ekstrak Metanol Kulit Batang Sengkuang pada Tikus Wistar yang Diinduksi CFA (Complete Freund’s Adjuvant)

One of the plants found in East Kalimantan is the Drancotomelon dao (sengkuang) plant. Previous tests demonstrated the presence of anti-inflammatory activity of D. Dao leaf extract through the reduction of proinflammatory mediators such as TNF-?, IL-1?, and IL-6 which were induced by bacteria. This study aims to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract of the stem bark of the Sengkuang plant in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis induced by complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of other parts of the sengkuang plant. In this test, rat models of rheumatoid arthritis induced using CFA were divided into 4 treatment groups: negative group (NaCMC), positive group (methyl prednisolone), test group 1 (sengkuang extract 50 mg/KgBW/day), test group 2 (lengkuang extract). 200 mg/KgBB/day). Observation of its anti-inflammatory effect was observed for 14 days. Analysis of the data in this study used a one-way ANOVA with joint thickness dependent variable and zinc dose independent variable. Sengkuang extract at doses of 50 and 200 mg/KgBW/day can reduce joint thickness in animals induced with CFA. The activity of reducing joint thickness showed significance in zinc extract at a dose of 50 mg/KgBW/day on the 14th day. Methanol extract of sengkuang has anti-inflammatory activity in CFA-induced rheumatoid arthritis rats at an optimal dose of 200 mg/KgBW/day, has an anti-inflammatory effect that is good enough to reduce edema volume in arthritis rats.

Body condition index in beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) carcasses derived from morphometric measurements

AbstractConservation efforts of the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) of the St. Lawrence estuary include a mortality surveillance program which has the objective of documenting the causes of mortality. The evaluation of the animal's body condition is a key component in the diagnostic process. There is currently no consensual method to measure or calculate body condition indices in beluga whales. Morphological measurements recorded during necropsy were used to design a scaled mass body condition index that was compared to currently used visual evaluation, and to alternative morphological indices. Beluga whales were separated into two size‐based groups. The scaled mass index was well correlated with analog‐visual‐scale derived scores in beluga whale >290 cm, but not in animals <290 cm. Both methods showed almost perfect agreement regarding the categorization of carcasses belonging to the first quartiles. The alternative indices that were best correlated with the scaled mass index were those calculated using the sacral circumference and the ventral adipose thickness in animals <290 cm and the epaxial muscle mass and maximum circumference in beluga whales >290 cm. These scaled indices could provide objective tools to evaluate body condition of stranded beluga whales.

Antipsoriatic activity of ethanolic extract of Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz flowers in a novel in vivo screening model.

Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the antipsoriatic activity of ethanolic extract of Woodfordia fruticosa flowers (EEWF) using a novel in vivo screening model.Materials and Methods:For induction of psoriasis, 0.1 ml of prepared complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and formaldehyde mixture (1:10 ratio) was topically applied for 7 days on the dorsum surface of the skin of Swiss albino mice. Psoriasis severity index (PSI) was evaluated by phenotypic (redness, erythema, and scales) and histological features (epidermal thickness). Therapeutic effect of 0.05% and 0.1% (w/w) ointments of EEWF was evaluated after the induction of psoriasis. Ointments of EEWF flowers were applied once daily for 3 weeks, and antipsoriatic activity was evaluated by scoring the PSI and histological examination.Results:We observed the phenotypic and histological features and found a progressive reduction (P < 0.05) in the severity of psoriatic lesions (redness, erythema, and scales) from day 7 to 21st day and decreased epidermal thickness in animals treated with 0.05% and 0.1% (w/w) ointments of EEWF.Conclusions:The results showed that 0.05% and 0.1% (w/w) ointments of EEWF have dose-dependent beneficial effects in CFA and formaldehyde-induced psoriasis. The present investigation revealed that W. fruticosa flowers possess potent antipsoriatic activity and can be used for psoriasis treatment.

Analgesic and anti-Inflammatory effect of UP3005, a botanical composition Containing two standardized extracts of Uncaria gambir and Morus alba.

Background:Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic debilitating degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation exhibited by clinical symptoms such as joint swelling, synovitis, and inflammatory pain. Present day pain relief therapeutics heavily relies on the use of prescription and over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as the first line of defense where their long-term usage causes detrimental gastrointestinal and cardiovascular-related side-effects. As a result, the need for evidence based safer and efficacious alternatives from natural sources to overcome the most prominent and disabling symptoms of arthritis is a necessity.Materials and Methods:Describe the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of UP3005, a composition that contains a standardized blend of two extracts from the leaf of Uncaria gambir and the root bark of Morus alba in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, abdominal constriction (writhing’s) and ear swelling assays in mouse with oral dose ranges of 100–400 mg/kg.Results:In vivo, statistically significant improvement in pain resistance, and suppression of paw edema and ear thickness in animals treated with UP3005 were observed compared with vehicle-treated diseased rats and mice. Ibuprofen was used a reference compound in all the studies. In vitro, enzymatic inhibition activities of UP3005 were determined with IC50 values of 12.4 μg/ml, 39.8 μg/ml and 13.6 μg/ml in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-1), COX-2 and lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme activity assay, respectively.Conclusions:These data suggest that UP3005, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent of botanical origin with balanced dual COX-LOX inhibition activity, could potentially be used for symptom management of OA.

Combination of Pitavastatin and melatonin shows partial antineoplastic effects in a rat breast carcinoma model

Our previous results indicated significant tumor-suppressive effects of different statins in rat mammary carcinogenesis. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the chemopreventive effects of Pitavastatin alone and in combination with the pineal hormone melatonin in the model of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Pitavastatin was administered dietary (10mg/kg) and melatonin in an aqueous solution (20μg/ml). Chemoprevention began 7 days prior to carcinogen administration and subsequently continued for 15 weeks until autopsy. At autopsy, mammary tumors were removed and prepared for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Compared to controls, Pitavastatin alone reduced average tumor volume by 58% and lengthened latency by 8 days; on the other hand, the drug increased tumor frequency by 23%. Combined administration of Pitavastatin with melatonin decreased tumor frequency by 23%, tumor volume by 44% and lengthened tumor latency by 5.5 days compared to control animals. The analysis of carcinoma cells showed significant increase in caspase-3 expression in both treated groups and a tendency of increased caspase-7 expression after Pitavastatin treatment alone. Significant expression decrease of Ki67 was found in carcinoma cells from both treated groups. Compared to control carcinoma cells, Pitavastatin alone increased VEGF expression by 41%, however melatonin totally reversed its undesirable effect. Pitavastatin combined with melatonin significantly increased femur compact bone thickness in animals. Pitavastatin alone decreased plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol levels, however it significantly increased levels of glucose. In summary, our results show a partial antineoplastic effect of Pitavastatin combined with melatonin in the rat mammary gland carcinoma model.

EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-ARTHRITIC EFFECT OF &lt;I&gt;STERCULIA TRAGACANTHA&lt;/I&gt; (LINDL.) LEAF EXTRACT IN RATS

Sterculia tragacantha leaves for years have been used by traditional hea lers in eastern Nigeria in the treatment of arthritis, edema, gout, whitlow and cold. The ai m of this study was to evaluate the folkloric claim s of Sterculia tragacantha leaf extract in relieving arthritic conditions. Th e effects of Sterculia Tragacantha methanol leaf Extract (STEX) on formaldehyde and adjuvant-induced arthritis were studied in rats. Paw thickness, White Blood Cell Count (WBC) count, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin Concentration (HB), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), lipid peroxidation, Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) activity and catalase activity were studied post induction of ar thritis. In both formaldehyde and adjuvant-induced arthritis studies, mean paw thickness in animals given 300 mg kg -1 STEX was significantly (p<0.05) lower on days 7 and 14 compared to that of normal saline group. Mean WBC of 100 and 300 mg kg -1 v STEX groups were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of normal sa line group. Mean ESR of normal saline and 100 mg kg -1

Abstract 3076: Microthrombosis and Microcirculatory Constriction after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) accounts for about 6% of cases of stroke and afflicts more than 50,000 individuals annually in North America. Cerebral angiographic vasospasm has been recognized as being commonly associated with aneurysmal SAH for many years. However, recent studies showed that angiographic vasospasm does not always predict the location of infarction, and alleviation of vasospasm did not result in better outcome in SAH patients. One hypothesis gaining more attention is that separate or interacting pathways may cause delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after SAH, and that these, in combination with angiographic vasospasm, lead to poor outcome. Postulated mechanisms include acute brain injury, microcirculatory dysfunction, microthromboembolism, and cortical spreading ischemia. The focus of this study is to determine first, if experimental SAH is associated with microcirculatory constriction and thrombosis, second, to determine if any microthromboemboli are thrombi or emboli and third, to determine if these changes correlate with brain injury. We used a prechiasmatic cistern injection model of SAH. 15 mice (n = 5 for each group) underwent sham surgery or injection of 100 μl 0.9% NaCl or autologous blood into the prechiasmatic cistern. Mice were sacrificed 2 days later and brains were examined by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by immunohistochemistry for fibrinogen and P-selectin. Neuronal apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. Nitric oxide (NO) was measured with 4,5-diaminofluorescein-2-diacetate. TEM and SEM demonstrated that mice with SAH had significantly more arterioles filled with lesions consistent with microthrombi. Quantification of microvessel constriction showed significantly decreased microvessel lumen area but increased micrvessel wall thickness in animals with SAH compared to sham or saline-injected controls (P &lt; 0.01, ANOVA). This was accompanied by decreased concentration of NO in mice with SAH compared to saline and sham mice. There are a significantly increased number of TUNEL positive cells in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus (p &lt; 0.01). Marked increase of fibrinogen positive microvessels are found in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus (p &lt; 0.05 in cortex, p &lt; 0.001 in hippocampus). The number of microthrombi correlates with the number of apoptotic neurons in cerebral cortex (R 2 =0.98). Cell membrane P-selectin is increased in the endothelium of arterioles in mice with SAH. This correlates with decreased NO in the brain. In conclusion, SAH causes microthrombosis and constriction of arterioles, which correlates with neuronal death. Increased P-selectin and decreased NO suggest a mechanism for microthrombosis and arteriolar constriction.

Age is a risk factor for maladaptive changes in rats exposed to increased pressure loading of the right ventricular myocardium

To study the adaptive potential of the right ventricular myocardium after 30 days of mechanical-induced overload in rats from two different age groups. We banded the pulmonary trunk, so as to increase the systolic work load of the right ventricle, in 19 adult Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 10 weeks, and 16 weanlings when they were 3 weeks-old, using 10 adults and 10 weanlings as controls. We analysed the functional adaptation and structural changes of the right ventricular myocardium, blood vessels and interstitial tissue after 30 days of increased afterload. The increased workload induced an increase of the right ventricular weight and free wall thickness in animals from both age groups when compared to controls. These changes were mostly related to cardiomyocytic hypertrophy, as confirmed by the expression of myocardial hypertrophic markers, without any apparent increase of their number, a "reactive" fibrosis especially evident in the adult rats, with p-value less than 0.0001, and a more extensive neocapillary network in the weanlings compared to the adults aubsequent to banding, the p-value being less than 0.0001. In response to right ventricular afterload, weanlings showed a higher adaptive capillary growth, which hampered the development of fibrosis as seen in the adult rats. Age seems to be a risk factor for adverse structural-functional changes of right ventricle subjected to increased workload.

Polyfluoroalkyl Compounds in Free-Ranging Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean

Polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAs) have been used for decades in industrial and commercial products and are now detected worldwide. Concentrations of two major PFA groups, carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and sulfonic acids (PFSAs), were assessed in plasma of bottlenose dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico (Sarasota Bay, FL) and the Atlantic Ocean (Delaware Bay, NJ, Charleston, SC, Indian River Lagoon (IRL), FL, and Bermuda). Eight PFAs were detected in the plasma of all dolphins. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant compound at all locations (range from 49 ng/g wet weight (w.w.) in dolphins from Bermuda to 1171 ng/g w.w. in plasma of animals from Charleston). Sum of PFA concentrations were significantly higher in animals from Charleston compared to IRL, Sarasota Bay, and Bermuda. Concentrations of several PFAs were negatively associated with age in animals from IRL and Charleston. No differences between gender were observed for all compounds at all locations. An increase in PFA concentrations was associated with a decrease of blubber thickness in animals from Sarasota Bay and IRL. Fluorotelomer 8:2 and 10:2 unsaturated carboxylic acids (FTUCAs), known degradation products of fluorotelomer alcohols and suspected precursors to PFCAs, were detected for the first time at low concentrations in plasma of dolphins.

Endocrine Measurements and Calving Performance of Swedish Red and White and Swedish Holstein Dairy Cattle with Special Respect to Stillbirth

During 3 consecutive calving seasons, calving performance, placental characteristics and endocrine profiles of total 98 pregnancies of late pregnant Swedish Red and White (SRB) and Swedish Holstein (SLB) dairy heifers and cows, were investigated. Ninety-four singleton pregnancies and 4 sets of twins were recorded. In animals with singleton pregnancy, 8 stillbirths, 7 weak calves, 3 premature parturitions and 1 abortion were registered. In the SLB heifers, 19% of stillbirth (5/26) were observed, while 5% (2/42) were noted for the SRB heifers. One stillborn calf derived from the SRB cows and none was found from the SLB cows. In the heifers and cows delivering a normal living calf with unassisted parturition, the placentome thickness monitored by ultrasonography was constant towards the end of pregnancy. The numbers of foetal cotyledons varied individually between animals but in total, fewer cotyledons were found in the foetal membranes of the SRB animals than in the SLB animals (69 ± 19) vs. (88 ± 29) (p < 0.05). No morphological and numerical differences of the placentome thickness in animals delivering a stillborn or weak calf, compared to animals delivering a normal living calf, could be observed. In animals with unassisted parturition and without birth complications, the levels of progesterone (P4), PGF2α metabolite (PG-metabolite), cortisol, oestrone sulphate (E1SO4) and pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) were not different by breeds and parities. In animals carrying stillbirth, higher levels of E1SO4 were found in 3 SRB animals and 1 SLB heifer, whereas lower levels of E1SO4 were recorded in 3 SLB heifers during the last week of pregnancy, compared to the profiles found in animals with unassisted parturition. Additionally, the levels of PAGs remained low and constant in 1 SRB cow (delivering a stillborn calf), 1 SRB heifer (giving birth prematurely), 4 animals (carrying twins) and 1 aborting SRB cow. Our results show a very high rate of stillbirth in especially SLB heifers and deviating profiles of E1SO4 and PAGs in animals with impaired parturition were recorded.

Leptin directly regulates bone cell function in vitro and reduces bone fragility in vivo.

Fat mass is an important determinant of bone density, but the mechanism of this relationship is uncertain. Leptin, as a circulating peptide of adipocyte origin, is a potential contributor to this relationship. Recently it was shown that intracerebroventricular administration of leptin is associated with bone loss, suggesting that obesity should be associated with low bone mass, the opposite of what is actually found. Since leptin originates in the periphery, an examination of its direct effects on bone is necessary to address this major discrepancy. Leptin (>10(-11) m) increased proliferation of isolated fetal rat osteoblasts comparably with IGF-I, and these cells expressed the signalling form of the leptin receptor. In mouse bone marrow cultures, leptin (>or=10(-11) m) inhibited osteoclastogenesis, but it had no effect on bone resorption in two assays of mature osteoclasts. Systemic administration of leptin to adult male mice (20 injections of 43 micro g/day over 4 weeks) reduced bone fragility (increased work to fracture by 27% and displacement to fracture by 21%, P<0.001). Changes in tibial histomorphometry were not statistically significant apart from an increase in growth plate thickness in animals receiving leptin. Leptin stimulated proliferation of isolated chondrocytes, and these cells also expressed the signalling form of the leptin receptor. It is concluded that the direct bone effects of leptin tend to reduce bone fragility and could contribute to the high bone mass and low fracture rates of obesity. When administered systemically, the direct actions of leptin outweigh its centrally mediated effects on bone, the latter possibly being mediated by leptin's regulation of insulin sensitivity.

Basal Cell Proliferation in Female SKH-1 Mice Treated with α- and β-Hydroxy Acids

α- and β-Hydroxy acids are compounds that have been used extensively in cosmetic and dermatological formulations. Clinical and qualitative effects of α- and β-hydroxy acids have been well characterized, but little is known about their mechanism of action or acute and chronic biochemical effects. In the present study, we examined the acute proliferative effects of glycolic and salicylic acids on cell proliferation in the epidermis of SKH-1 female mice, using BrdU incorporation as a marker of epidermal proliferation. In preliminary experiments, we observed an increase in the rate of proliferation after 3 days of treatment with 10% glycolic acid-containing cream and this was sustained throughout a 6.5-week (treatment 5 days/week) time course compared with untreated control animals. After each treatment with cream containing glycolic acid there was a wave of proliferation that was maximal 12 to 16 h (significant at p < 0.05) after treatment, followed by a subsequent increase in epidermal thickness at 18 to 20 h (significant at p < 0.05). The effects of the concentration and pH level of glycolic acid- and salicylic acid-containing creams on the rate of proliferation and increases in skin thickness in SKH-1 epidermis were also investigated. We observed a dose-dependent increase in epidermal proliferation of animals treated with either glycolic or salicylic acid. A similar time-dependent response was observed in the epidermal thickness in animals treated with salicylic acid, but not with glycolic acid. Differences in pH (3.5 or 4.0) had no significant effect on either epidermal proliferation or skin thickness. The data that we present here should be useful in characterizing not only the beneficial but also the adverse effects that occur following acute or chronic usage of α-hydroxy acids.