Lameness in fattening pigs - Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, osteochondropathy and reduced dietary phosphorus level as three influencing factors: a case report

Regenerative Response 35 Days After Esophageal Replacement in a Porcine Model; Technical Difficulties and Attempts to Achieve Optimal Tissue Remodeling

BACKGROUND

In previous articles, a porcine model for bridging circumferential defects in the intrathoracic esophagus was developed. The aims of this present study were to evaluate the continued healing response after 35 days, avoid stent migration of the esophageal stent, and to investigate whether it would be beneficial to add new extracellular matrix (ECM) to the healing area after 20 days.

METHODS

Surgery was performed in twelve piglets, and five different types of stents were used. In two piglets, new ECM was added by endoscope to the area of healing after 20 days. After the animals were euthanized, the esophageal tissue was examined.

RESULTS

Histologic examination after 35 days showed clusters of desmin-positive smooth muscle cells and the sprouting of nerves in the area that was healing. Generally, there were fewer M1 classically activated macrophages in specimens after 35 days when we compared them with the 20-day study. The CD 163 positive macrophages (M2-macrophages) were seen in all specimens. Four piglets did not survive to the end of the study period because of adverse events. Out of the eight piglets that were euthanized after 34 to 35 days, six had stents that had migrated to the stomach. Only in two piglets, who had large rilled stents, did the stents remain in place throughout the study period.

CONCLUSION

After 35 days, the area of healing did not show more signs of regenerative healing than the 20 days study. A procedure to add a new biomatrix by re-stenting endoscopically after 20 days was performed on two pigs. The procedure was feasible, but due to limb pain in the animals, they had to be euthanized prior to the plan, which prevented the evaluation of the effect on the regenerative response. The regenerative healing that was started needs to be further orchestrated in other ways to produce a more functional outcome with time.

Dietary supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol as an alternative to cholecalciferol in swine diets: A review

25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD₃ ) formed via hepatic hydroxylation from vitamin D, cholecalciferol, represents the precursor of the biologically active vitamin D hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Due to a higher absorption rate and the omission of one hydroxylation, dietary supplementation of 25-OHD₃ instead of vitamin D₃ is considered to be more efficient as plasma concentrations of 25-OHD₃ are increased more pronounced. The present review summarises studies investigating potential beneficial effects on mineral homeostasis, bone metabolism, health status and performance in sows, piglets and fattening pigs. Results are inconsistent. While most studies could not demonstrate any or only a slight impact of partial or total replacement of vitamin D₃ by 25-OHD₃ , some experiments indicated that 25-OHD₃ might alter physiological processes when animals are challenged, for example, by a restricted mineral supply.

The Influence of Nesfatin-1 on Bone Metabolism Markers Concentration, Densitometric, Tomographic and Mechanical Parameters of Skeletal System of Rats in the Conditions of Established Osteopenia

Simple Summary

Nesfatin-1 is an adipokine with little known effect on the skeletal system. In this study, we examined the effect of 8-wk administration of nesfatin-1 on densitometric, tomographic, and mechanical parameters of bones, as well as the concentration of bone metabolism markers in rats with experimentally induced established osteopenia.

Abstract

Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of nesfatin-1 administration on bone metabolism and properties in established osteopenia in ovariectomized female rats. In total, 21 female Wistar rats were assigned to two groups: sham-operated (SHAM, n = 7) and ovariectomized (OVA, n = 14). After 12 weeks of osteopenia induction in the OVA females, the animals were given i.p. physiological saline (OVA, n = 7) or 2 µg/kg body weight of nesfatin-1(NES, n = 7) for the next 8 weeks. The SHAM animals received physiological saline at the same time. Final body weight, total bone mineral density and content of the skeleton were estimated. Then, isolated femora and tibias were subjected to densitometric, tomographic, and mechanical tests. Bone metabolism markers, i.e., osteocalcin, bone specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), and crosslinked N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) were determined in serum using an ELISA kit. Ovariectomy led to negative changes in bone metabolism associated with increased resorption, thus diminishing the densitometric, tomographic, and mechanical parameters. In turn, the administration of nesfatin-1 led to an increase in the value of the majority of the tested parameters of bones. The lowest bALP concentration and the highest NTx concentration were found in the OVA females. The bALP concentration was significantly higher after nesfatin-1 administration in comparison to the OVA rats. In conclusion, the results indicate that nesfatin-1 treatment limits bone loss, preserves bone architecture, and increases bone strength in condition of established osteopenia.