The effect of budesonide on the expression of Ki-67 and PCNA and the apoptotic index in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of budesonide on the expression of Ki-67 and PCNA proliferative antigens and the apoptotic index in the course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to evaluate the applicability of these markers in monitoring IBD treatment in dogs. The experiment was performed on 28 dogs of different breeds and both sexes, with body weight of 6 to 20 kg, aged 6 to 10 years. The animals diagnosed with IBD were divided into four groups of 7 dogs each, including three experimental groups characterized by various severity of IBD and a control group. The dogs from the experimental groups were administered budesonide (Entocort, Astra-Zeneca, Sweden) in daily doses depending on body weight of animal - 1.0 mg (6-10 kg), 1.5 mg (11-15 kg) or 2.0 mg (16-20 kg) and control group dogs were orally administered empty gelatin capsules (placebo) for 30 days. The expression of Ki-67 and PCNA antigens was determined immunohistochemically, and the apoptotic index was expressed as the number of TUNEL-positive lamina propria cells in duodenal, jejunal and colonic mucosa before and after 30 days of budesonide therapy. The results of the study point to the limited applicability of Ki-67 and PCNA proliferation markers and high applicability of the apoptotic index in monitoring IBD progression and treatment in dogs. Budesonide exerted significant anti-apoptotic effects in canine patients with various severity of IBD, which indicates that next-generation glucocorticosteroids can be effectively used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases characterized by high values of the apoptotic index, including IBD.

Clinical, endoscopic and histopathological evaluation of the efficacy of budesonide in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs

This study evaluates the efficacy of budesonide in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs based on the results of clinical, endoscopic and histopathological examinations. The severity of clinical symptoms was assessed based on CIBDAI scores, and macroscopic and histopathological changes were described in accordance with the recommendations of the WSAVA Gastrointestinal Standardization Group for 2008. The results of the experiment revealed that budesonide does not offer effective treatment for canine IBD. The tested drug failed to alleviate the clinical symptoms of disease, lower CIBDAI scores, or improve the macroscopic appearance of intestinal mucosa. The effectiveness of budesonide was most highly evaluated in the histopathological picture of duodenal, jejunal and colonic mucosa.

Somatostatin as an Active Substance of Enteroendocrine Cells in the Canine Digestive Tract in Physiological Conditions and during Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The aim of the present investigation is to examine the changes in the number of somatostatin-like immunoreactive (SOM-LI) enteroendocrine cells in various parts of the canine gastrointestinal (GI) tract during canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The distribution of SOM-LI enteroendocrine cells was studied using the double-labeling immunofluorescence technique with antisera against chromogranin A (CgA; used here as a marker of enteroendocrine cells) and somatostatin (SOM). Evaluation of the number of CgA-positive cells, which also contained SOM in the mucosal layer of canine stomach, duodenum, jejunum and descending colon was based on the counting of such cells per unit area (0.1 mm2). In physiological conditions, the number of SOM-LI enteroendocrine cells has been shown to constitute 5.30±2.07 in the stomach, 2.23±0.56 in the duodenum, 1.86±0.48 in the jejunum and 1.19±0.36 in the descending colon. Canine IBD caused an increase in the number of cells studied in the stomach (to 9.55±1.46) and the jejunum (to 3.84±1.16), while the changes observed in the duodenum and the descending colon have not been statistically significant. The obtained results suggest that SOM-LI enteroendocrine cells, as well as somatostatin, may be involved in pathological processes during canine IBD. Moreover, this study can be treated as the first step of application of SOM and/or its analogues in the treatment of canine IBD in the future.

Usefulness of laparoscopy guided renal biopsy in dogs

Renal biopsies were carried out in 25 mixed-breed dogs of both sexes, aged 6 to 11 years, using an automatic, laparoscopy-guided method. The aim of the study was to apply and evaluate the usefulness of this technique in the diagnosis of renal pathologies in dogs. Twenty biopsy specimens were obtained from the right kidney and five--from the left kidney. As many as 24 of the 25 effectively collected biopsy specimens were classified as excellent (96%). Significant histopathological changes were found in 23 of the 25 biopsies performed. The results of histopathological analyses show a predominance of glomerular lesions over interstitial lesions, mostly mesangial glomerulonephritis, membranous and membrane-proliferative glomerulonephritis. The study confirmed that laparoscopy-guided biopsy of the kidney in dogs is a safe and a highly useful diagnostic technique. The results of histopathological analyses of biopsy specimens correlated with clinical history, clinical examination results, blood and urine tests and ultrasound examination results have a great diagnostic value and they significantly affect treatment and prognosis. Laparoscopy-guided biopsy supports the diagnosis and differentiation of glomerular and interstitial lesions and renal neoplasia in dogs.

Macroscopic and histopathological examination of the gastric mucosa in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with mesalazine

The objective of this study was to carry out a macroscopic and histopathological examination of the gastric mucosa in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and to evaluate the effect of mesalazine therapy on histopathological changes in the gastric mucosa. The treatment was performed on 18 dogs with histopathologically confirmed inflammation of the duodenum and the jejunum. The animals were administered mesalazine at 12.5 mg/kg b.w. bid over a six-week period. The dogs investigated were diagnosed with chronic catarrhal gastritis with intense lymphocytic/plasmocytic infiltration. In 83% of the dogs, intestinal metaplasia had been noted in bioptates before examination. The results of macroscopic and microscopic examinations revealed that the applied treatment had a positive effect on gastric mucosal morphology. Cellular infiltration of the gastric mucosa was significantly inhibited, most probably, due to the anti-inflammatory effect of mesalazine.

Usefulness of endoscopic examination for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in the dog

The usefulness of endoscopic examination for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic enteritis in dogs was determined in this study. It was demonstrated, based on a clinical case, that endoscopy is essential for IBD diagnosis in dogs. Endoscopy also helps to estimate the efficiency of the treatment strategy applied. Nonspecific clinical examination results as well as a predominating lack of deviation in laboratory parameters make endoscopy the basic examination technique in mild and moderately advanced forms of chronic enteritis in the dog.

Effect of metabolic disorders accompanying gastroenteritis on the pancreatic exocrine function in piglets. B. Disturbances of the pancreatic exocrine function in piglets with gastroenteritis

The study was performed on 90 piglets of both sexes, aged from 21 to 42 days. The control group consisted of 30 healthy piglets, the experimental one included 60 piglets with symptoms of gastroenteritis. Clinical and biochemical tests were performed on all the animals at the age of 21 and 35 days, and 7 days after weaning. Biochemical examinations allowed to determine the total serum activity of amylase and lipase, and the amylase salivary and pancreatic fractions. The total activity of amylase and lipase was also determined in pancreatic homogenates. A biochemical feces analysis (pH and fat content) and a D-xylose test were made in 20 piglets from each of the groups. The results obtained revealed failure of the pancreatic exocrine function in the piglets with gastroenteritis. A decrease in the total amylase activity, resulting from hypoactivity of its pancreatic fraction, was observed in the experimental animals. It was also found that indirect function tests cannot be applied to evaluate the pancreatic exocrine function in piglets with diarrhea.

Effect of metabolic disorders accompanying gastroenteritis on the pancreatic exocrine function in piglets. A. Metabolic disturbances in piglets with gastroenteritis

The study were performed on 90 piglets of both sexes, divided into two groups, i.e. control, consisting of 30 healthy animals, and experimental, including 60 piglets with symptoms of gastroenteritis. Clinical, hematological and biochemical tests were performed in all the animals at the age of 21 and 35 days, and 7 days after weaning. Hematological investigations included the determination of Hb, Ht, Erys, Lkcs, MCHC and MCV. Biochemical analyses allowed to determine the serum activity of ALT, ALP, LDH and its isoenzymes, the serum level of Na+, K+ and Cl-, as well as the serum content of glucose, cholesterol and total protein. Indices of the acid-base equilibrium were determined in whole blood. The results obtained show that anemia and a tendency towards metabolic acidosis observed in healthy piglets may have a negative effect on homeostasis. Hypotonic dehydration, metabolic acidosis and energy deficits found in piglets with gastroenteritis may cause damage of some organs including the liver and pancreas. It was also found that isoenzymatic separation of LDH together with indices of the so called hepatic profile may be helpful to diagnose hepatocellular damage.

Effect of metabolic disorders accompanying gastroenteritis on the pancreatic exocrine function in piglets. C. Histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the pancreas of piglets with gastroenteritis

The study was performed on 20 piglets of both sexes. The control group consisted of 10 healthy piglets, the experimental, group included 10 piglets with symptoms of gastroenteritis. All the animals were subjected to euthanasia at the age of 21 or 35 days (weaning), or 7 days after weaning, and immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations were performed on all of them. Immunohistochemical examinations of the experimental piglets included additional tests made on five piglets with gastroenteritis, characterized by poor general condition. Histopathological examinations of the pancreas revealed retrogressive changes, which might result from hemodynamic disorders. Changes in the localization of SOM and VIP found in the pancreas suggested inhibition of pancreatic enzyme synthesis in piglets with diarrhea. The co-localization of GAL and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (D beta H--a key enzyme of the noradrenaline synthesis pathway) in perivascular nerve fibers could lead to considerable vasospasms in the pancreas, resulting in deeper hypoxia of the organ. Immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations confirmed the results of biochemical analyses, indicating failure of the pancreatic exocrine function in piglets with gastroenteritis.