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Rossi G, Di Nisio V, Chiominto A, Cecconi S, Maccarrone M. Endocannabinoid System Components of the Female Mouse Reproductive Tract Are Modulated during Reproductive Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087542. [PMID: 37108704 PMCID: PMC10144466 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has gained ground as a key modulator of several female fertility-related processes, under physiological/pathological conditions. Nevertheless, its modulation during reproductive aging remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of the main receptors (cannabinoid receptor 1,CB1; cannabinoid receptor 2, CB2; G-protein coupled receptor, GPR55; and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 channel, TRPV1) and metabolic enzymes (N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D, NAPE-PLD; fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH; monoacylglycerol lipase, MAGL; and diacylglycerol lipase, DAGL-α and -β) of this system in the ovaries, oviducts, and uteri of mice at prepubertal, adult, late reproductive, and post-reproductive stages through quantitative ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The ELISA showed that among the receptors, TRPV1 had the highest expression and significantly increased during aging. Among the enzymes, NAPE-PLD, FAAH, and DAGL-β were the most expressed in these organs at all ages, and increased age-dependently. Immunohistochemistry revealed that, regardless of age, NAPE-PLD and FAAH were mainly found in the epithelial cells facing the lumen of the oviduct and uteri. Moreover, in ovaries, NAPE-PLD was predominant in the granulosa cells, while FAAH was sparse in the stromal compartment. Of note, the age-dependent increase in TRPV1 and DAGL-β could be indicative of increased inflammation, while that of NAPE-PLD and FAAH could suggest the need to tightly control the levels of the eCB anandamide at late reproductive age. These findings offer new insights into the role of the eCB system in female reproduction, with potential for therapeutic exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianna Rossi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Nisio
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Sandra Cecconi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- European Center of Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00164 Rome, Italy
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Fallahi S, Bobak Ł, Opaliński S. Hemp in Animal Diets—Cannabidiol. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192541. [PMID: 36230282 PMCID: PMC9559627 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, interest in hemp use has grown owing to its chemical and medicinal properties. Several parts of this plant, such as seeds, leaves, flowers, and stems are used in medicine, industry, and environmental preservation. Although there were legal restrictions on hemp exploitation in some countries due to the trace presence of THC as a psychoactive element, many countries have legalized it in recent years. Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid that can activate the endocannabinoid system and its receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system in bodies of different species. Cannabidiol has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, analgesic, and anti-depressant effects. This review investigates various aspects of cannabidiol use and its potential in animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Fallahi
- Department of Environmental Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Łukasz Bobak
- Department of Functional Food Products Development, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Sebastian Opaliński
- Department of Environmental Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
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della Rocca G, Re G. Palmitoylethanolamide and Related ALIAmides for Small Animal Health: State of the Art. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091186. [PMID: 36139024 PMCID: PMC9496254 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ALIAmides are a family of fatty acid amides whose name comes from their mechanism of action, i.e., the Autacoid Local Injury Antagonism (ALIA). Actually, the ALIAmide parent molecule, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), is locally produced on demand from a cell membrane precursor in order to control immune-inflammatory cell responses, avert chronic non-resolving inflammation, and limit the resulting clinical signs. ALIAmide sister compounds, such as Adelmidrol and palmitoylglucosamine, share mechanisms of action with PEA and may also increase endogenous levels of PEA. Provided that their respective bioavailability is properly addressed (e.g., through decreasing the particle size through micronization), exogenously administered ALIAmides thus mimic or sustain the prohomeostatic functions of endogenous PEA. The aim of the present paper is to review the main findings on the use of ALIAmides in small animals as a tribute to the man of vision who first believed in this “according-to-nature” approach, namely Francesco della Valle. After briefly presenting some key issues on the molecular targets, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics of PEA and related ALIAmides, here we will focus on the preclinical and clinical studies performed in dogs and cats. Although more data are still needed, ALIAmides may represent a novel and promising approach to small animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia della Rocca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Centro di Ricerca sul Dolore Animale (CeRiDA), University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giovanni Re
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
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Polidoro G, Galiazzo G, Giancola F, Papadimitriou S, Kouki M, Sabattini S, Rigillo A, Chiocchetti R. Expression of cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors in the oral mucosa of healthy cats and cats with chronic gingivostomatitis. J Feline Med Surg 2021; 23:679-691. [PMID: 33174485 PMCID: PMC10812186 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x20970510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is an oral disease. Cats with FCGS experience intense oral pain. Some cats remain refractory to current therapies based on dental extraction and adjuvant medical treatment; it is therefore necessary to investigate alternative therapeutic targets involved in inflammatory mechanisms and pain, namely the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The present study investigated the expression of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1R) and 2 (CB2R), and cannabinoid-related receptors G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and serotonin 1a receptor (5-HT1aR), in the oral mucosa of healthy cats to determine whether there was altered expression and distribution in cats with FCGS. METHODS Samples of caudal oral mucosa were collected from eight control cats (CTRL cats) and from eight cats with FCGS (FCGS cats). Tissue samples were processed using an immunofluorescence assay with cat-specific antibodies, and the immunolabelling of the receptors studied was semiquantitatively evaluated. RESULTS The mucosal epithelium of the CTRL cats showed CB1R, TRPA1 and 5-HT1aR immunoreactivity (IR), while CB2R and GPR55 IR were generally not expressed. In the CTRL cats, the subepithelial inflammatory cells expressed CB2R, GPR55 and 5-HT1aR IR. In the FCGS cats, all the receptors studied were markedly upregulated in the epithelium and inflammatory infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors are widely expressed in the oral mucosa of healthy cats and are upregulated during the course of FCGS. The presence of cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors in healthy tissues suggests the possible role of the ECS in the homeostasis of the feline oral mucosa, while their overexpression in the inflamed tissues of FCGS cats suggests the involvement of the ECS in the pathogenesis of this disease, with a possible role in the related inflammation and pain. Based on the present findings, ECS could be considered a potential therapeutic target for patients with FCGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Polidoro
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Giorgia Galiazzo
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fiorella Giancola
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Serafeim Papadimitriou
- Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Kouki
- Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Silvia Sabattini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Rigillo
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Chiocchetti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Taylor AH, Tortolani D, Ayakannu T, Konje JC, Maccarrone M. (Endo)Cannabinoids and Gynaecological Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 13:E37. [PMID: 33375539 PMCID: PMC7795647 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gynaecological cancers can be primary neoplasms, originating either from the reproductive tract or the products of conception, or secondary neoplasms, representative of metastatic disease. For some of these cancers, the exact causes are unknown; however, it is recognised that the precise aetiopathogeneses for most are multifactorial and include exogenous (such as diet) and endogenous factors (such as genetic predisposition), which mutually interact in a complex manner. One factor that has been recognised to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of gynaecological cancers is the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS consists of endocannabinoids (bioactive lipids), their receptors, and metabolic enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation. In this review, the impact of plant-derived (Cannabis species) cannabinoids and endocannabinoids on gynaecological cancers will be discussed within the context of the complexity of the proteins that bind, transport, and metabolise these compounds in reproductive and other tissues. In particular, the potential of endocannabinoids, their receptors, and metabolic enzymes as biomarkers of specific cancers, such as those of the endometrium, will be addressed. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of targeting selected elements of the ECS as new action points for the development of innovative drugs will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony H. Taylor
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; (A.H.T.); (T.A.)
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Daniel Tortolani
- European Centre for Brain Research, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00164 Rome, Italy;
| | - Thangesweran Ayakannu
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; (A.H.T.); (T.A.)
- Gynaecology Oncology Cancer Centre, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK
| | - Justin C. Konje
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; (A.H.T.); (T.A.)
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Centre for Brain Research, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00164 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
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Della Rocca G, Di Salvo A. Hemp in Veterinary Medicine: From Feed to Drug. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:387. [PMID: 32850997 PMCID: PMC7399642 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is an angiosperm plant belonging to the Cannabaceae family. Its cultivation dates back to centuries. It has always been cultivated due to the possibility of exploiting almost all the parts of the plant: paper, fabrics, ropes, bio-compounds with excellent insulating capacity, fuel, biodegradable plastic, antibacterial detergents, and food products, such as flour, oils, seeds, herbal teas, and beer, are indeed obtained from hemp. Hemp flowers have also always been used for their curative effects, as well as for recreational purposes due to their psychotropic effects. Cannabis contains almost 500 chemical compounds, such as phytocannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and macro-, and micro-elements, among others. When utilized as a food source, hemp shows excellent nutritional and health-promoting (nutraceutical) properties, mainly due to the high content in polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially those belonging to the ω-3 series), as well as in phenolic compounds, which seem effective in the prevention of common diseases such as gastrointestinal disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and others. Moreover, hemp oil and other oils (i.e., olive oil and medium-chain triglyceride–MCT–oil) enriched in CBD, as well as extracts from hemp dried flowers (Cannabis extracts), are authorized in some countries for therapeutic purposes as a second-choice approach (when conventional therapies have failed) for a certain number of clinical conditions such as pain and inflammation, epilepsy, anxiety disorders, nausea, emesis, and anorexia, among others. The present review will synthetize the beneficial properties of hemp and hemp derivatives in animal nutrition and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Della Rocca
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Centro di Ricerca sul Dolore Animale (CeRiDA), Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Salvo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Centro di Ricerca sul Dolore Animale (CeRiDA), Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Palmitoylethanolamide and Related ALIAmides: Prohomeostatic Lipid Compounds for Animal Health and Wellbeing. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7020078. [PMID: 32560159 PMCID: PMC7355440 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7020078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Virtually every cellular process is affected by diet and this represents the foundation of dietary management to a variety of small animal disorders. Special attention is currently being paid to a family of naturally occurring lipid amides acting through the so-called autacoid local injury antagonism, i.e., the ALIA mechanism. The parent molecule of ALIAmides, palmitoyl ethanolamide (PEA), has being known since the 1950s as a nutritional factor with protective properties. Since then, PEA has been isolated from a variety of plant and animal food sources and its proresolving function in the mammalian body has been increasingly investigated. The discovery of the close interconnection between ALIAmides and the endocannabinoid system has greatly stimulated research efforts in this field. The multitarget and highly redundant mechanisms through which PEA exerts prohomeostatic functions fully breaks with the classical pharmacology view of “one drug, one target, one disease”, opening a new era in the management of animals’ health, i.e., an according-to-nature biomodulation of body responses to different stimuli and injury. The present review focuses on the direct and indirect endocannabinoid receptor agonism by PEA and its analogues and also targets the main findings from experimental and clinical studies on ALIAmides in animal health and wellbeing.
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Cecconi S, Rapino C, Di Nisio V, Rossi G, Maccarrone M. The (endo)cannabinoid signaling in female reproduction: What are the latest advances? Prog Lipid Res 2019; 77:101019. [PMID: 31862482 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2019.101019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis extracts like marijuana have the highest consumption rate worldwide. Yet, their societal acceptance as recreational and therapeutic drugs could represent a serious hazard to female human reproduction, because cannabis ingredients [termed (phyto)cannabinoids] can perturb an endogenous system of lipid signals known as endocannabinoids. Accumulated evidence on animal models and humans has demonstrated a crucial role of these endogenous signals on different aspects of female reproduction, where they act through an ensamble of proteins that synthesize, transport, degrade and traffic them. Several reports have recently evidenced the potential role of endocannabinoids as biomarkers of female infertility for disease treatment and prevention, as well as their possible epigenetic effects on pregnancy. The purpose of this review is to provide an update of data collected in the last decade on the effects of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids on female reproductive events, from development and maturation of follicles and oocytes, to fertilization, oviductal transport, implantation and labor. In this context, a particular attention has been devoted to the ovary and the production of fertilizable oocytes, because recent studies have addressed this hot topic with conflicting results among species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Cecconi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Rapino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Valentina Di Nisio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Gianna Rossi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy; European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64 - 00143 Rome, Italy.
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Miragliotta V, Ricci PL, Albanese F, Pirone A, Tognotti D, Abramo F. Cannabinoid receptor types 1 and 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α: distribution in the skin of clinically healthy cats and cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis. Vet Dermatol 2018; 29:316. [PMID: 29920828 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabinoid receptors and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) are gaining recognition as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of skin disorders. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of cannabinoid type 1 and 2 receptors (CBR1 and CBR2) and PPAR-α in feline skin and verify whether changes occur in the course of hypersensitivity dermatitis. ANIMALS Twelve privately owned cats. Skin samples were obtained from five healthy cats with no skin lesions and seven cats clinically diagnosed with hypersensitivity dermatitis. METHODS AND MATERIALS Haematoxylin and eosin stained skin sections were investigated for histopathological changes. Indirect immunofluorescence for CBR1, CBR2 and PPAR-α was performed on paraffin-embedded sections, and antibody specificity tested by Western blot analysis. RESULTS Skin samples from cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis were all histopathologically diagnosed with eosinophilic dermatitis. CB receptors and PPAR-α were distributed throughout the skin in both healthy and allergic cats. In normal feline skin, these receptors were mainly distributed in the epithelial compartment. Receptor expression increased in hypersensitivity compared to healthy skin, with the main distribution changes being suprabasal for CBR1, dermal for CBR2 and marked expression of PPAR-α in hyperplastic epidermis and perivascular infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Increased expression of cannabinoid receptors in the skin of cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis suggests an endogenous protective strategy and may support the use of natural cannabinoid receptor or PPAR-α agonists to treat feline hypersensitivity dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Miragliotta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Pier Luca Ricci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Albanese
- Private Veterinary Laboratory "LaVallonea", Via Giuseppe Sirtori, 9, 20017, Passirana di Rho, Italy
| | - Andrea Pirone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Danika Tognotti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Abramo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
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