Changes in biomarkers of the redox status in whole blood and red blood cell lysates in canine hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the most commonly diagnosed endocrine disease in dogs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the redox status in canine hypothyroidism using whole blood (WB) and red blood cell (RBCs) lysates. For this purpose, a panel of five antioxidants and five oxidants biomarkers was measured in WB and RBCs lysates of 30 dogs with hypothyroidism, 26 dogs with non-thyroidal illnesses and 15 healthy dogs. The antioxidants measured were cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), thiol and paraoxonase type-1 (PON-1). Oxidants measured include the total oxidant status (TOS), peroxide-activity (POX-Act), reactive oxygen-derived metabolites (d-ROMs), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). WB showed a significant decrease of the antioxidants CUPRAC, TEAC and thiol, and also an increase in TBARS and a decrease in AOPP in dogs with hypothyroidism compared to healthy dogs. Meanwhile, RBCs lysates showed a significant increase in FRAP and PON-1 in dogs with hypothyroidism. The changes in the redox biomarkers in this study show that WB in canine hypothyroidism had a higher number of changes in biomarkers of the redox status than RBCs lysates, making it a promising sample type for the evaluation of the redox status in this disease. In addition, WB is easier and simpler to process than RBCs lysates and unlike serum, it does not have any hemolysis interference.

Comparison of the Effect of Two Different Handling Conditions at Slaughter in Saliva Analytes in Pigs

In this report, different handling conditions at slaughterhouse were studied to assess changes in salivary biomarkers. For this purpose, finishing pigs were divided into two groups, one in which handling was improved to minimize stress (Group A, n = 24, transported and stabled at the slaughterhouse at low density without mixing with unfamiliar animals throughout the whole process) and another one in which animals had a more stressful handling process (Group B, n = 24, transported and stabled at high density with unfamiliar animals). Saliva samples were taken the day before transport to the slaughterhouse at 8:00 a.m. (B0) and 12:00 a.m. (B4), and the day of slaughter just after unloading animals at the slaughterhouse at approximately 8:00 a.m. (S0) and after 4 h of lairage at approximately 12:00 a.m. (S4). Group B showed significantly higher cortisol, total esterase activity, oxytocin, adenosine deaminase and haptoglobin levels than the Group A at both S0 and S4 sampling times, and higher levels of calprotectin and creatine kinase at S4 sampling time. This report indicates that differences in the way in which the pigs are handled at the slaughterhouse can lead to changes in salivary biomarkers and opens the possibility of the use of biomarker at slaughter to monitor handling conditions.

Changes of the salivary and serum proteome in canine hypothyroidism

In this study, changes in salivary and serum proteome of dogs with hypothyroidism were studied using tandem mass tags (TMT) labelling and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Saliva and serum proteome from 10 dogs with hypothyroidism were compared with 10 healthy dogs. In saliva, a total of seven proteins showed significant changes between the two groups, being six downregulated and one upregulated, meanwhile, in serum, a total of six proteins showed significant changes, being five downregulated and one upregulated. The altered proteins reflected metabolic and immunologic changes, as well as, skin and coagulation alterations, and these proteins were not affected by gender. One of the proteins that were downregulated in saliva, lactate dehydrognease (LDH), was measured by a spectrophotometric assay in saliva samples from 42 dogs with hypothyroidism, 42 dogs with non-thyroid diseases and 46 healthy dogs. The activity of LDH was lower in the saliva of hypothyroid dogs when compared to non-thyroid diseased dogs and healthy controls. This study indicates that canine hypothyroidism can produce changes in the proteome of saliva and serum. These two sample types showed different variations in their proteins reflecting physiopathological changes that occur in this disease, mainly related to the immune system, metabolism, skin and coagulation. In addition, some of the proteins identified in this study, specially LDH in saliva, should be further explored as potential biomarkers of canine hypothyroidism.

Saliva Sampling Material Matters: Effects on the Results of Saliva Analysis in Pigs

The use of saliva as a biological sample from pigs is of high practical interest because blood collection from pigs is difficult and stressful. In this study, the influence of two different materials, a cotton roll and a polypropylene sponge, in porcine saliva collection was evaluated. For this purpose, the effect of the material used for sampling was evaluated in a panel of 13 analytes, including those related to stress (cortisol and oxytocin), inflammation and immunity (adenosine deaminase, haptoglobin and myeloperoxidase), redox homeostasis (the cupric reducing ability of saliva, the ferric reducing activity of saliva, and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), and sepsis (procalcitonin), as well as other routine analytes related to metabolism and different tissues and organs, such as lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, urea, and total protein concentration. The polypropylene sponge provided a higher sample volume than the cotton roll. Although the results of some salivary analytes were equivalent for both materials, other analytes, such as creatine kinase, haptoglobin and total proteins, showed significant differences depending on the material used for saliva collection. Therefore, the type of material used for salivary collection in pigs should be considered when interpreting the results of analyses of the salivary analytes.

Validation of assays for measurement of oxidant compounds in saliva of pigs: Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyls and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are oxidant compounds that can provide useful information on the oxidative status. Pigs can be affected by oxidative stress in different situations including physiological conditions such as lactation and also in different diseases, and the measurement of these three analytes in saliva could be potentially useful as biomarkers of the redox status in this species. Assays for the measurement of TBARS and carbonyls by spectrophotometry and ROS by luminol-based chemiluminescence in pigs' saliva were analytically validated and were applied in saliva of pigs after an in vitro incubation with different doses of ascorbic acid (AA). All the assays showed a satisfactory analytical precision and accuracy. The 240 h-incubation of saliva samples with 60 mM of AA induced to an increased TBARS and carbonyls production. TBARS, carbonyls and ROS can be estimated in saliva of pigs by the assays validated in this report. In addition, these assays can detect changes in the concentration of these analytes associated to incubation of saliva samples with AA.

Serum Ferritin in Obese Dogs: Changes and Comparison with Other Analytes

Canine obesity is the most common nutritional disorder and is associated with decreased quality of life and longevity as well as comorbidities including cardiorespiratory, endocrine, oncologic, or orthopaedic disorders. Ferritin is a major acute-phase protein in dogs, increasing during inflammation; however, it could also be affected by other conditions, including trauma, iron metabolism dysregulations, neoplasia, or hypoxia. Higher ferritin levels have been reported in obese humans, but ferritin has not been explored in canine obesity. To evaluate the possible changes in serum ferritin in canine obesity, ferritin levels from lean/normal weight (CG, n = 55) and overweight/obese dogs (OG, n = 37) were measured, together with complete hemogram and biochemical analyses. Statistically significant higher ferritin levels (1.2-fold) were found in OG (median, (interquartile range), 204 (166-227.5) µg/L) in comparison to CG animals (172 (137-210) µg/L)), with median levels of ferritin in OG dogs above the reference range for healthy animals in our laboratory (60-190 µg/L). In addition, statistically significant higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total proteins, globulins, haptoglobin, total ferric fixation capacity (TIBC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), triglycerides, and calcium were observed in OG in comparison to CG. The higher levels in ferritin, together with higher TBIC, haematocrit, and MCV, could indicate tissue hypoxia in obese dogs.

Evaluation of a Comprehensive Profile of Salivary Analytes for the Diagnosis of the Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

In this report, the measurement of salivary biomarkers as an aid for diagnosis of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) was studied. A comprehensive panel of 23 salivary analytes was measured in the saliva of horses affected by EGUS and compared to healthy animals and horses with other diseases clinically similar to EGUS but with a negative diagnosis at gastroscopic examination. A total of 147 horses were included in the study and divided into heathy population (n = 12), the EGUS group (n = 110), and the group of horses with other diseases (n = 25). From the 23 analytes studied, 17 showed increased values in EGUS horses when compared to healthy ones, and uric acid, triglycerides, and calcium were significantly increased in horses with EGUS compared to the group of other diseases. The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed a modest but significant discriminatory power of those three analytes to identify EGUS from other diseases with similar symptoms. The discriminatory power enhanced when the results of the three analytes were combined. In conclusion, the results showed that selected salivary analytes could have potential use as biomarkers in horses with EGUS.

Effects of pen faeces and feed contamination in biomarkers determination in oral fluid of pigs

The present study aims to evaluate the possible effects of the presence of pen faeces and feed on the measurement of a panel of biomarkers in porcine oral fluid. For this, clean porcine oral fluid was pooled and incubated with two different concentrations of pen faeces or feed representing a high or low level of contamination with each material. In addition, these pools were aliquoted and subjected to centrifugation, filtration or chemical clarification to evaluate if these techniques could revert the effects of those contaminants in biomarker evaluation. A panel of 21 biomarkers that assessed stress, inflammation, immune system and redox homeostasis among others, were measured for all aliquots. Changes of statistical relevance (p < 0.05) in oral fluid contaminated with pen faeces or feed versus untreated samples were observed for all methods employed with the exception of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and creatine kinase (CK) in oral fluid contaminated with pen faeces or feed. Pen faeces did not affect the measurement of haptoglobin, superoxide dismutase, CK, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ADA and cortisol (when the latter is measured by chemiluminescence); while uric acid, LDH, CK, ADA, and hydrogen peroxide methods were not affected by the presence of feed in oral fluid. The effects of centrifugation, filtration or chemical clarification with chitosan in these contaminated samples were modest and for most cases did not caused baseline levels on the measured biomarkers. In conclusion, the presence of pen faeces or feed in porcine oral fluid can interfere with the results obtained when analytes are measured.

Evaluation of the Effect of Sampling Time on Biomarkers of Stress, Immune System, Redox Status and Other Biochemistry Analytes in Saliva of Finishing Pigs

This study aims to evaluate the possible variations due to the sampling time in the day in 26 analytes of pigs’ saliva, related to stress, the immune system, redox status and other biomarkers related to metabolism and selected tissues and organs, in order to know the possible effects of the hour of the day in their interpretation. These analytes were measured in saliva obtained from a population of 40 clinically healthy pigs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., every 4 h in the same day. In our experimental conditions, daily variations were observed in cortisol, salivary α-amylase, total esterase activity, butyrylcholinesterase, lipase, adenosine deaminase isoenzyme 1, uric acid, superoxide dismutase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, lactate and triglycerides. These changes appeared in both sexes, except for adenosine deaminase isoenzyme 1 and superoxide dismutase which only showed differences in females. In conclusion, this report indicates that, in the experimental conditions of this trial, the time of the day and sex can influence the values obtained in various salivary analytes in pigs. These variations should thus be taken into consideration for an adequate interpretation of these analytes when used for the evaluation of health and welfare in this species.

Changes in salivary analytes in cows due to the in vitro presence of feed

BACKGROUND

The effect in a sialochemistry profile of the presence of usually available feed in dairy cows was evaluated by an in vitro experiment. For this purpose, a pooled clean saliva from five healthy dairy cows was incubated five times with a standard feed based on a total mixed ration (F), wheat hay (H), and grass (G). The salivary panel was integrated by biomarkers of stress (cortisol -sCor-, salivary alpha-amylase -sAA-, butyrylcholinesterase -BChE-, total esterase -TEA-, and lipase -Lip-), immunity (adenosine deaminase -ADA-), oxidative status (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity -TEAC-, the ferric reducing ability of saliva -FRAS-, the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity -CUPRAC-, uric acid, and advanced oxidation protein products -AOPP-), and enzymes, proteins, and minerals of general metabolism and markers of liver, muscle, and renal damage (aspartate aminotransferase -AST-, alanine aminotransferase -ALP-, γ-glutamyl transferase -gGT-, lactate dehydrogenase -LDH-, creatine kinase -CK-, creatinine, urea, triglycerides, glucose, lactate, total protein, phosphorus, and total calcium).

RESULTS

Most of the evaluated analytes showed a coefficient of variations (CV) higher than 15% and/or significant changes compared with the clean saliva when feed was present. Some analytes, such as the oxidative status biomarkers (CV > 80%), AST (CV > 60%), or glucose (CV > 100%), showed significant changes with all the feed types tested. Others showed significant differences only with certain types of feed, such as LDH with F (CV > 60%) or triglycerides with F (CV > 100%) and H (CV > 95%). However, sCor or gGT remained unchanged (CV < 15%, P > 0.05) in all the treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of feed can produce changes in most of the analytes measured in cows' saliva, being of high importance to consider this factor when saliva is used as a sample to avoid errors in the interpretation of the results.

Measurement of anti SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG in saliva: validation of a highly sensitive assay and effects of the sampling collection method and correction by protein

Objectives

To develop and evaluate a new highly sensitive assay to detect IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD in saliva samples.

Methods

A two-step sandwich type immunoassay based on the amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous technology was developed and an analytical validation was performed. As a part of this validation, the influence of factors, such as different sampling conditions (stimulated saliva and passive drool) and the correction of values by total protein content, in the ability of saliva to detect increases in antibodies after an immune stimulus and be an alternative to serum, was evaluated. For this purpose, paired samples of saliva and serum at different times after vaccination were used.

Results

Saliva concentrations were lower than serum, but both fluids showed similar kinetics, with higher correlations when saliva was obtained by passive flow and the results were not corrected by protein.

Conclusions

The developed method showed a good analytical performance and can properly measure antibody concentrations in saliva of vaccinated individuals. However, saliva could have a lower sensitivity compared to serum at initial stages of the immune response and also when the antibody response decreased after a stimulus.

Basics for the potential use of saliva to evaluate stress, inflammation, immune system, and redox homeostasis in pigs

The use of saliva as a biological sample has many advantages, being especially relevant in pigs where the blood collection is highly stressful and painful, both for the animal and the staff in charge of the sampling. Currently one of the main uses of saliva is for diagnosis and detection of infectious diseases, but the saliva can also be used to measure biomarkers that can provide information of stress, inflammation, immune response and redox homeostasis. This review will be focused on the analytes that can be used for such evaluations. Emphasis will be given in providing data of practical use about their physiological basis, how they can be measured, and their interpretation. In addition, some general rules regarding sampling and saliva storage are provided and the concept of sialochemistry will be addressed. There is still a need for more data and knowledge for most of these biomarkers to optimize their use, application, and interpretation. However, this review provides updated data to illustrate that besides the detection of pathogens in saliva, additional interesting applicative information regarding pigs´ welfare and health can be obtained from this fluid. Information that can potentially be applied to other animal species as well as to humans.

Analytical validation of an automated assay for the measurement of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and its isoenzymes in saliva and a pilot evaluation of their changes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to validate a commercially available automated assay for the measurement of total adenosine deaminase (tADA) and its isoenzymes (ADA1 and ADA2) in saliva in a fast and accurate way, and evaluate the possible changes of these analytes in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

METHODS

The validation, in addition to the evaluation of precision and accuracy, included the analysis of the effects of the main procedures that are currently being used for SARS-CoV-2 inactivation in saliva and a pilot study to evaluate the possible changes in salivary tADA and isoenzymes in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2.

RESULTS

The automated assay proved to be accurate and precise, with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation below 8.2%, linearity under dilution linear regression with R² close to 1, and recovery percentage between 80 and 120% in all cases. This assay was affected when the sample is treated with heat or SDS for virus inactivation but tolerated Triton X-100 and NP-40. Individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n=71) and who recovered from infection (n=11) had higher mean values of activity of tADA and its isoenzymes than healthy individuals (n=35).

CONCLUSIONS

tADA and its isoenzymes ADA1 and ADA2 can be measured accurately and precisely in saliva samples in a rapid, economical, and reproducible way and can be analyzed after chemical inactivation with Triton X-100 and NP-40. Besides, the changes observed in tADA and isoenzymes in individuals with COVID-19 open the possibility of their potential use as non-invasive biomarkers in this disease.

Changes in Acute Phase Proteins in Bitches after Laparoscopic, Midline, and Flank Ovariectomy Using the Same Method for Hemostasis

Simple Summary

Ovariectomy is a common surgical procedure in veterinary medicine, with many techniques involved. The aim of this study is to objectively evaluate the acute phase response by measuring the changes in a panel of acute phase proteins after applying three different ovariectomy techniques. C-reactive protein values showed increases of lower magnitude after laparoscopic ovariectomy compared with other techniques, indicating that this surgical technique induces a reduced inflammatory response and tissue damage. The use of this procedure is in agreement with the current tendency to use minimally invasive procedures for ovariectomy.

Abstract

Acute phase proteins (APP) are biomarkers of systemic inflammation, which allow monitoring the evolution of diseases, the response to treatments, and post-operative complications. Ovariectomy (OVE) is frequently performed in veterinary medicine and can be a useful model to evaluate surgical trauma and inflammation in the bitch. The objective was to investigate and compare the acute phase response (APR) after applying three different OVE techniques by measuring serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), albumin (Alb), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1). Forty-five intact bitches were included in the study, being randomly distributed into three groups: laparoscopic OVE (L), midline OVE (M), and flank OVE (F). Serum CRP, Hp, Alb, and PON-1 were measured before surgery, 1, 24, 72, and 168 h post-intervention. CRP levels increased significantly 24 h post-surgery in the M and F groups, but no significant variation was observed in the L group at any time of the study period. Hp was significantly higher in group L than in group F 72 h post-surgery. Alb and PON-1 showed no statistical difference among groups or among sampling periods. CRP response suggests that the use of laparoscopic procedures produce lower inflammation compared to open conventional approaches when performing OVE in the bitch.

Application of a score for evaluation of pain, distress and discomfort in pigs with lameness and prolapses: correlation with saliva biomarkers and severity of the disease

A score system was used to evaluate pain, distress and discomfort in healthy pigs and pigs with two different diseases: lameness and rectal prolapse. In addition, correlations between the results of this score and a panel of salivary biomarkers and severity of disease were studied. This panel included biomarkers of stress (cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), total esterase activity (TEA), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and lipase (Lip)), immunity (adenosine deaminase isozymes 1 (ADA1) and 2 (ADA2)) and oxidative status (uric acid (UA), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing ability of saliva (FRAS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)). Based on their score, diseased animals were subdivided in those without and with evident pain. Lame pigs and prolapsed pigs with pain showed higher salivary levels of cortisol, sAA, TEA, BChE, ADA1 and ADA2 compared with the healthy pigs. In addition, the prolapsed pigs with pain showed higher levels of FRAS, AOPP and H₂O₂ compared with the healthy animals. Salivary cortisol, TEA, BChE, ADA isozymes 1 and 2, FRAS and AOPP correlated with the pain score. This five-point pain score system can be easily applied to lame and prolapsed pigs, and salivary biomarkers could be used as an additional tool for pain assessment in those pigs.

Acute phase proteins and biomarkers of oxidative status in feline spontaneous malignant mammary tumours

Acute phase proteins (APP) and biomarkers of oxidative status change in human and canine mammary tumours, however, they have not been studied in feline mammary tumours. The aims of this study were to investigate the APP and antioxidant responses in feline malignant mammary tumours, to evaluate their relation with tumour features, and to assess their prognostic value. Serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), albumin, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF1), paraoxonase1 (PON1), total serum thiols (Thiol), glutathione peroxidase (GPox) and total antioxidant capacity determined by different assays, including trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assessed by two different methodologies (TEAC1/2), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), were determined in serum of 50 queens with spontaneous mammary carcinomas and of 12 healthy female cats. At diagnosis, diseased queens presented significantly higher SAA and Hp, and lower albumin, BChE, GPox, TEAC1, TEAC2 and CUPRAC than controls. Different tumour features influenced concentrations of APP and antioxidants. Increases in serum Hp, and decreases in albumin, Thiol and FRAP were significantly associated with neoplastic vascular emboli, metastasis in regional lymph nodes and/or in distant organs. Distant metastasis development during the course of the disease was associated with increases in SAA and TEAC1. At diagnosis, decreased albumin was associated with a longer survival, and BChE <1.15 μmoL/mL.minute was associated with a shorter survival time on multivariate analysis. Feline malignant mammary tumours are associated with an APP response and oxidative stress, and different tumour features influence the inflammatory response and the oxidative damage. Furthermore, some of these analytes proved to have prognostic value.

Changes of salivary biomarkers under different storage conditions: effects of temperature and length of storage

Introduction

In this report, we aimed to examine the stability of various analytes in saliva under different storage conditions.

Materials and methods

Alpha-amylase (AMY), cholinesterase (CHE), lipase (Lip), total esterase (TEA), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), lactate (Lact), adenosine deaminase (ADA), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing ability (FRAS), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), uric acid (UA), catalase (CAT), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were colorimetrically measured in saliva obtained by passive drool from 12 healthy voluntary donors at baseline and after 3, 6, 24, 72 hours, 7 and 14 days at room temperature (RT) and 4 ºC, and after 14 days, 1, 3 and 6 months at – 20 ºC and – 80 ºC.

Results

At RT, changes appeared at 6 hours for TEA and H₂O₂; 24 hours for Lip, CK, ADA and CUPRAC; and 72 hours for LD, Lact, FRAS, UA and AOPP. At 4 ºC changes were observed after 6 hours for TEA and H₂O₂; 24 hours for Lip and CUPRAC; 72 hours for CK; and 7 days for LD, FRAS and UA. At – 20 ºC changes appeared after 14 days for AST, Lip, CK and LD; and 3 months for TEA and H₂O₂. At – 80 ºC observed changes were after 3 months for TEA and H₂O₂.

Conclusions

In short-term storage, the analytes were more stable at 4 ºC than at room temperature, whereas in long-term storage they were more stable at - 80 ºC than at – 20 ºC.

Evaluation of adenosine deaminase in saliva and serum, and salivary α-amylase, in canine pyometra at diagnosis and after ovariohysterectomy

An assay for adenosine deaminase (ADA) was validated in serum and saliva in dogs. Changes in ADA and salivary α-amylase activities were analysed in 26 bitches diagnosed with pyometra and compared with activities in 19 healthy bitches. All animals were classified according to the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) scoring for physical status. In the validation study, the ADA assay had an imprecision<12% and determination coefficients>0.90 in linearity under dilution experiments, with recoveries of 99.2-114.4%. On the day of presentation, salivary ADA activity was significantly higher in dogs with pyometra than in healthy dogs (median values 7.1IU/L vs. 0.8IU/L, respectively; P<0.01). ADA had a moderate positive correlation with leucocyte and band neutrophil counts, haptoglobin, salivary α-amylase and ASA score, and a low positive correlation with C-reactive protein. There were no significant differences in salivary α-amylase activity between dogs with pyometra and healthy dogs (57.3IU/L vs. 27.4IU/L, respectively). Salivary α-amylase had a low correlation with ASA grade, and leucocyte and band neutrophil counts. In 7/26 bitches with pyometra that were sampled 3 and 10days after ovariohysterectomy, there were no significant changes in α-amylase or ADA activities. These results indicate that ADA activity is increased in the saliva of bitches with pyometra, probably related to systemic inflammation.

Acute phase proteins and antioxidant responses in queens with pyometra

Acute phase proteins (APP) and biomarkers of oxidative status have proved to be clinically useful biomarkers of pyometra in different species. Despite pyometra is considered one of the most important feline reproductive diseases, information about the APP response and the oxidative status in queens with pyometra is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the APP and the antioxidant responses at diagnosis and in the post-operative period in feline pyometra. Serum concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), albumin, total serum thiols (Thiol) and total antioxidant capacity determined by different assays, including trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assessed by two different methodologies (TEAC1 and TEAC2), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), were determined in 23 queens with pyometra at diagnosis and in 13 healthy control queens submitted to elective ovariohysterectomy. The APP and antioxidants were also evaluated in 11 queens of the pyometra group at days two and 10 after surgery. At diagnosis, queens with pyometra had serum concentrations of SAA, Hp, and FRAP significantly higher (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively), and of albumin, Thiol, CUPRAC and TEAC2 significantly lower (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) than controls. Moreover, concentrations of APP and antioxidants were significantly different (with a tendency to return to physiologic levels) at day 10 after surgery than before surgery. Significant associations were found between APP and antioxidants. According to these results, an APP response and the development of oxidative stress were detected in queens with pyometra. In addition, APP and antioxidants tended to return to physiologic values after surgery in the queens that recovered from the disease. Therefore, our results suggest that APP and selected antioxidants, such as Thiol and CUPRAC, could be potentially useful biomarkers in diagnosis and assessment of the post-operative period in feline pyometra.

Selected serum oxidative stress biomarkers in dogs with non-food-induced and food-induced atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress (OS) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of human and canine atopic dermatitis (AD) through several distinct mechanisms. Selected serum biomarkers of OS (sbOS) have been validated in normal dogs and studied in several canine diseases. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the sbOS evaluated in this study have not previously been described in canine AD.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

The aims of the study were to evaluate a panel of sbOS in dogs with food-induced (FIAD) and non-food-induced (NFIAD) AD: cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX), ferric reducing ability of the plasma (FRAP), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and serum total thiol (THIOL). The aim was to compare these metabolites with those in healthy control dogs, and to correlate sbOS with validated pruritus and CADESI-04 severity scales in dogs with AD.

ANIMALS

Forty six healthy, nine NFIAD and three FIAD client-owned dogs were included.

METHODS

The study was designed as a cohort study.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in atopic dogs when compared to healthy dogs for all of the sbOS analysed.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that OS could play a role in the pathogenesis of canine NFIAD and FIAD. In addition, the evaluation of sbOS could be useful for precision medicine to help to detect atopic dogs that might benefit from antioxidant-targeted therapies.

Adenosine deaminase activity in pig saliva: analytical validation of two spectrophotometric assays

We validated 2 assays for the measurement of adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in the saliva of pigs: the Giusti-Galanti manual method (ADA-GG) and a commercial automated assay (Diazyme Laboratories; ADA-D). Intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were <7 and 9%, and interassay CVs were <12 and 5%, for ADA-GG and ADA-D, respectively. Accuracy was measured by 2 methods: recovery and linearity-under-dilution. Recovery was 82.4-106.8% for ADA-GG, and 92.8-107.9% for ADA-D. Serial dilutions showed R² > 0.95 and 0.99 for ADA-GG and ADA-D, respectively. Linear regression between the methods gave R² = 0.997 ( p < 0.0001), and a Bland-Altman plot showed a proportional bias of 112 IU/L (95% confidence interval of -99 to 322 IU/L) for ADA-D. No significant differences were observed between the results obtained by either method in saliva or serum. ADA activity was much higher in porcine saliva than in serum. Salivary ADA activity was significantly higher in lame pigs compared to healthy animals. However, serum ADA activity was significantly lower in lame pigs.

Evaluation of salivary oxidate stress biomarkers, nitric oxide and C-reactive protein in patients with oral lichen planus and burning mouth syndrome

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress factors and C-reactive protein in the saliva of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

METHODS

This consecutive, cross-sectional study included 20 patients with OLP, 19 with burning mouth syndrome (BMS), and 31 control subjects. The oral cavity of each patient was examined and patients responded to a quality of life questionnaire (OHIP-14) and the xerostomia inventory. The following parameters were measured in whole non-stimulated saliva: trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC); total antioxidant capacity (TAC); cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC); ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP); C-reactive protein (CRP); nitric oxide; nitrates; and nitrites.

RESULTS

The OLP group presented statistically significant differences in reactive oxygen species (ROS) (29 600 cps) in comparison with the control group (39 679 cps) (P < 0.05). In the BMS group, ROS was 29 707 cps with significant difference in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). Significantly higher salivary nitric oxide (145.7 μmol) and nitrite (141.0 μmol) levels were found in OLP patients in comparison with control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Increases in nitric oxide and C-reactive protein were found in the saliva of OLP patients in comparison with BMS and control patients. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.