ScienceRise: Biological Science

The pathogenetic role of glycoproteins and proteoglycans in dog glomerulonephritis

2022-10-26T17:28:22+03:00

The aim: to determine the main pathogenetic links of glomerulonephritis in dogs with the participation of connective tissue biopolymers.

Materials and methods The research was conducted by analyzing the sources of scientific literature (PubMed, Elsevier, electronic resources of the V. I. Vernadskyi National Library) and the clinical experience of the authors, thanks to which a scheme of the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis in dogs with the participation of connective tissue biopolymers was developed.

Results. According to the results of our research, it was established, that chronic glomerulonephritis in dogs is accompanied by neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, as well as urinary and nephrotic syndromes, the progression of which causes a violation of the functional state of the kidneys and liver. Sick dogs develop a nephrotic symptom complex – persistent proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, dysproteinemia, and hyperlipidemia. Clinically, edema was not observed, because it is known, that in dogs they are rarely detected with nephrotic syndrome. Inflammation in the kidneys is accompanied by an increase in the concentration of glycoproteins and sialic acids in the blood serum. After treatment, there was a decrease in the inflammatory process in the kidneys, which was manifested by a decrease in neutrophilia and lymphocytosis, as well as the content of glycoproteins and sialic acids in the blood serum. The content of total chondroitin sulfates and the fractional composition of glycosaminoglycans did not change, and the level of excretion of oxyproline and uronic acids decreased compared to the indicators before the start of treatment. This, in our opinion, is due to the slowing down of fibrotic processes in the kidneys. Thus, biochemical indicators of the state of connective tissue in the blood serum and urine of dogs with glomerulonephritis allowed us to evaluate the functional state of the kidneys for their inflammation (oxyproline and uronic acids), as well as to determine the violation of proteoglycan synthesis in nephrotic syndrome.

Conclusions. For glomerulonephritis in dogs on the background of depression, decreased appetite, polydipsia, pain during palpation in the lumbar region, periodic vomiting, neutrophilic leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, nephrotic syndrome (hypoalbuminemia, increase in α2- and β-globulins, cholesterol, β-lipoproteins), growth activity of ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase, a decrease in Veltman's test, hyperazotemia, hyperphosphatemia, proteinuria, microhematuria, and cylindruria, there is an increase in the content of glycoproteins, sialic acids, and chondroitin sulfates, as well as heparan sulfate in the blood serum of dogs. The increase in the blood serum of patients with canine glomerulonephritis, as a marker of connective tissue – glycoproteins, sialic acids, chondroitinsulfates, and urinary excretion of oxyproline and uronic acids is due to inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the basal membranes of the kidney glomeruli

Diabetes mellitus in domestic cats: clinical cases from veterinary practice

2022-11-02T14:03:58+02:00

The aim: to analyze clinical cases of diabetes mellitus in cats and establish the effectiveness of clinical and laboratory research and treatment of animals with the help of insulin therapy.

Materials and methods. The material for the study were domestic cats admitted to the veterinary medicine clinic "Doctor Vet" (Lviv).

Results. Clinical case 1. Cat Bonya, age 10 years, body weight 4 kg. symptoms: polyuria/polydipsia and weight loss. Examination: cachexia, weakness, pale mucous membranes, unsteady gait. Blood glucose - 20.4 mmol/l, urine analysis - pH=6.0, glucose ++++, no ketones detected. Diagnosis: diabetes. For glycemic control - caninsulin at 0.25 IU/kg every 12 hours. After the start of insulin therapy, the animal's condition improved, after 2 months - an attack of hypoglycemia, blood glucose 3.0 mmol/l. The introduction of insulin was stopped for 10 days, after 10 days the cat's appetite is normal, polyuria and polydipsia are not observed, body weight gain is 300 g, blood glucose without insulin therapy is 8.0 mmol/l.

Clinical case 2. Cat Eva, age 12 years, body weight 6.7 kg, symptoms: polyuria/polydipsia during the last two weeks, increased appetite, diet - raw meat, meatballs, buckwheat porridge, boiled carrots, beets. Blood glucose 22.9 mmol/l, urine analysis – pH = 6.0, glucose ++++, ketones +. Diagnosis: diabetes. Treatment: Lantus 2 IU subcutaneously every 12 hours. After the start of insulin therapy, the condition improved, after 2 months, blood glucose was 9.00 - 13.0 mmol/l; 15.00 – 8.0 mmol/l, 21.00 – 12.0 mmol/l, glucose and ketones are absent in the urine.

Conclusions. In the first clinical case, the cat there was a decrease in demand in insulin “Caninsulin” on the background of insulin therapy. In the second clinical case, insulin therapy with the help of "Lantus" insulin allows you to reach a level of glycemia at which diabetes stops progressing, the clinical condition of the animal normalizes, which indicates the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. Thus, we can say that diabetes in small domestic animals is a rather severe endocrine pathology, which has typical clinical and laboratory symptoms and can be successfully treated with the help of a complex medical and diagnostic approach, based on insulin therapy

Prevalence of feline cardiomyopathy phenotypes and arterial thromboembolism

2022-12-30T18:06:21+02:00

The aim: To investigate the prevalence of cardiomyopathy (CMP) phenotypes and the weight of cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism (ATE) as a complication in cats. To determine the influence of age, breed and sex on the frequency of detection of CMP and ATE. Animals: One hundred and seventeen cats with various phenotypes of cardiomyopathies.

Materials and methods: the database of the veterinary center was analyzed. From 1066 studied cats, 117 stories of animal diseases were selected, in which the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy was established.

Results: In the experimental group, the prevalence of CMP was 11 % (HCMP - 94 %; DCMP - 3.4 %; RCMP - 2.6 %). Males were affected more often and had a more severe course. As the age of the animals increased, the relative frequency of heart failure increased slightly, but CMP was diagnosed more often in young animals. The Scottish Straight, Scottish Fold, European Shorthaired, European Longhaired, British Longhaired, and Canadian Sphynx can be considered susceptible breeds in Vinnytsia. There have been no cases of cardiomyopathy in Maine Coons. 57 % of cats with HCMP phenotype were asymptomatic. Arterial thromboembolism occurred in 14.5 % of animals with various CMP phenotypes. The lethality of ATE before discharge was 17.6 %, euthanized (different time period after the incident) 29 %.

Conclusion: HCMP phenotype is the most common. Probably, genetic factors related to sex and breed have a significant influence on the development of cardiomyopathy. More often, CMP phenotypes were diagnosed in younger animals. Heart failure develops more often in older animals. The number of animals with ATE and HCMP phenotype is high, but relative to the number of animals with heart failure, cats with DCMP were more prone. ATE occurred more often in females. Thromboembolism is more common in the European Longhair breed.

Pharmacological study of original extracts of corn silk

2022-12-31T04:18:59+02:00

Aim: the aim of the research is a pharmacological study of the original extracts of corn silk.

Materials and methods. The object of the study were 4 original extracts of corn silk, obtained by extraction with water and ethanol of different concentrations, namely: aqueous extract of corn silk (ACSE), extract of corn silk, extracted with ethanol 30 % (ECSE 30 %) , extract of corn silk, extracted with ethanol 50 % (ЕCSЕ 50 %), extract of corn silk, extracted with ethanol 70 % (ЕCSЕ 70 %). A screening study of the antioxidant properties of corn silk extracts was carried out in vitro using models of spontaneous and ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) in rat liver homogenate.

Results. As can be seen from the given data, ECSE 50 % at a dose of 20 mg/kg showed a pronounced protective effect on the hepatotoxicity of TСM. Its use led to a probable restoration of the bile-forming function of the liver against the background of tetrachloromethane hepatitis: in response to an increase in the cholesterol content (by 43 %, p<0.05), the content of bile acids increased 2 times (p<0.05), as a result of which cholate -cholesterol ratio approached the level of indicators of intact animals, the rate of bile secretion normalized. Based on the analysis of the results of the study, it can be concluded, that in terms of bile-forming and choleretic activity on the tetrachloromethane hepatitis model, ECSE 50 % was not inferior to silibor and superior to quercetin (р<0.05).

Conclusions. Biologically active substances of corn silk affect not only the diffusion and filtration processes of the liver parenchyma, but also the biosynthesis and transport of its organic components, that is, they affect the bile-forming function

Some biological, behavioral and social aspects of the perfumery use in the Ukrainian population sample (part 1. age associations)

2022-12-30T23:54:05+02:00

The aim. The study encompassed some aspects related to perfumes use, which can potentially influence the individual perfume choice, in particular, among different age groups of the Ukrainian population. Factors related to perfumes choice, the state of awareness of respondents regarding quality, safety, and existing stereotypes regarding the characteristics of perfumes and potential harmful effects on the human body were investigated.

Materials and methods. The analysis was performed on a sample of 124 residents of Ukraine. Respondents, who were randomly selected, were offered a questionnaire, developed by us, which included 15 items on the demographic characteristics of the subjects and questions related to the perfume use of and stereotypes about them. The Pearson chi-squared (χ²) test was used to analyze the relationships between qualitative characteristics.

Results and discussion. About 98 % of surveyed persons in Ukraine use perfumery. Associations were found between age and the probability of purchase by the study participants of non-original perfume products and awareness of the safety of various perfume products. It has been established, that the determining factors when choosing a perfume is a certain scent, while the brand is given secondary importance. An increase in the effect of the brand in older age groups of the population has been demonstrated. Behavioral features of perfume use have been established: in younger women, it is associated with increased self-esteem and the influence of social networks, with age, the focus shifts to the desire for a positive effect on the mood from the use of a certain fragrance. However, in all age groups, the main purpose of perfume using was to improve the emotional state. Middle-aged women are more democratic in choosing perfumery with a specific gender orientation.

Conclusions. For the first time in Ukraine, a pilot study was conducted to find possible associations between some biological, behavioral and demographic characteristics and the perfume use. Such factors as age and education level are promising for further analysis of the selected issues