Treatment success in cats with chronic enteropathy is associated with a decrease in fecal calprotectin concentrations

Feline chronic enteropathies (FCE) are challenging to diagnose and monitor for progression and response to treatment. Fecal calprotectin might be a useful non-invasive marker to evaluate clinical endpoints of therapeutic monitoring in FCE. We evaluated fecal calprotectin concentrations in cats with FCE before and after initiation of treatment comprised of immunomodulation and/or dietary intervention. Included were 17 cats with FCE and 18 healthy controls. Clinical investigation of FCE cases included clinical severity grading (feline chronic enteropathy activity index, FCEAI) in all cats, abdominal ultrasonography in 15 cats, and gastrointestinal biopsies in 6 cats. Fecal calprotectin was measured in samples from 12 cats with FCE before treatment, all 17 FCE cats ≥6 weeks after treatment initiation, and all healthy controls. Fecal calprotectin concentrations in FCE cases before treatment (median: 61 μg/g) were significantly higher than after treatment initiation (median: 15 μg/g; p = 0.0098) and compared to controls (median: 6 μg/g; p = 0.0235) and correlated with the FCEAI scores (ρ = 0.54, p = 0.0316). Fecal calprotectin concentrations after treatment initiation were higher with more severe duodenal/proximal jejunal pathology (ρ = 0.83, p = 0.0427) and shorter intervals between sampling time points (ρ = -0.54, p = 0.0250). Relevant decreases in initially increased fecal calprotectin concentrations are seen in cats with FCE on varying treatment strategies that significantly improve or have remission of clinical signs. This supports the utility of fecal calprotectin as a surrogate biomarker to assess disease severity in FCE cases. Further studies need to evaluate fecal calprotectin concentrations longitudinally in relation to mucosal healing vs. clinical response.

Aspects of transition cow metabolomics-Part I: Effects of a metaphylactic butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin treatment on the metabolome in liver, blood, and urine in cows with different liver metabotypes

Dairy cows in modern production systems are at risk to develop metabolic disorders during the transition period. Reasons for individual differences in susceptibility, as well as the underlying pathomechanisms, are still only partially understood. The development of metaphylactic treatment protocols is needed. In this context, an on-farm prospective 3-fold blinded randomized study involving 80 German Holstein cows was performed throughout 1 yr. The trial involved a thorough recording of the production and clinical traits, clinical chemistry, and liver biopsies and blood and urine sampling at d 14 (mean: 12 d, range: 1-26 d) antepartum (AP), and d 7 (7, 4-13) and 28 (28, 23-34) postpartum (PP) for metabolomics analyses. Two groups received a treatment with butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin (BCC) at either the dosage recommended by the manufacturer or the double dosage (5 or 10 mL/100 kg of body weight 10% butaphosphan and 0.005% cyanocobalamin (Catosal, Bayer Animal Health), n = 20 in each group, parity: 4.2 ± 2.0 and 3.4 ± 1.3, respectively (mean ± SD)] and one group a placebo treatment (NaCl 0.9%, n = 40, parity: 4.0 ± 1.9). The animals were treated at 6 time points (7, 6, and 5 d AP, and 1, 2, and 3 d PP) via intravenous injection. Mass spectroscopy-based targeted metabolomics analysis of blood plasma and liver samples were performed using the AbsoluteIDQ p180 kit (Biocrates Life Sciences), whereas the urine samples were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate [partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA)] and univariate methods (linear mixed model). Multivariate data analysis (PLS-DA plots) of the liver metabolome revealed 3 different metabotypes (A = medium, B = minor, C = large alterations in liver metabolome profile between AP and PP status). Metabotype B animals were characterized by higher PP lipomobilization (stronger PP body condition decrease and higher blood bilirubin, fatty acids, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and triglyceride levels) and a higher occurrence of transition cow diseases, compared with the animals in metabotype C. Analysis of the feeding data showed that the period of metabotype B animals (calving in a distinct time frame) was characterized by a decreased grass silage quality. The PP liver metabolome of the metabotype C animals was characterized by higher concentrations of AA, acylcarnitines, lysoPC and sphingomyelins compared with metabotype B. For the metaphylactic treatment with BCC a dose-dependent effect was confirmed, differing between the metabotypes. In all matrices and metabotypes at various time points significant treatment effects were observed, with different profiles in clinical chemistry and as well in metabolomics data. The most clear-cut treatment effect was observed in metabotype B in the liver at 7 d PP, characterized by an increase in several acylcarnitines and phosphatidylcholines, indicating a more efficient influx and oxidation of fatty acids in mitochondria and thereby an increase in energy supply and more efficient triglyceride export in the liver. The results from the liver metabolomics analysis support the application of an indication-based metaphylactic treatment with BCC.

Aspects of transition cow metabolomics-Part III: Alterations in the metabolome of liver and blood throughout the transition period in cows with different liver metabotypes

The liver plays a central role in the postpartum (PP) energy metabolism of the transition dairy cow; however, studies describing the liver metabolome during this period were lacking. The aim of the presented study was therefore to compare the alterations in the liver and blood metabolome of transition dairy cows. For this purpose, an on-farm trial with 80 German Holstein cows (mean lactation number: 3.9; range: 2-9) was performed, with thorough documentation of clinical traits and clinical chemistry, as well as production data. Liver biopsies and blood samples were collected at d 14 (mean: 12 d, range: 1-26 d) antepartum (AP), d 7 (7, 4-13) and 28 (28, 23-34; mean, earliest-latest) PP for targeted mass spectroscopy-based metabolomics analysis using the AbsoluteIDQ p180 kit (Biocrates Life Sciences). Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate (partial least squares discriminant analysis) as well as univariate methods (linear mixed model). Multivariate data analysis of the liver metabolome revealed 3 different metabotypes (A = medium, B = minor, C = large alterations in the liver metabolome profile between AP and PP). In metabotype C, an increase of almost all acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPC), sphingomyelins, and some phosphatidylcholines (PC, mainly at 7 d PP) was observed after calving. In contrast to metabotype C, the clinical data of the metabotype B animals indicated a higher PP lipomobilization and occurrence of transition cow diseases. The liver metabolome profile of these animals most likely mirrors a failure of adaptation to the PP state. This strong occurrence of metabotypes was much less pronounced in the blood metabolome. Additionally, differences in metabolic patterns were observed across the transition period when comparing liver and blood matrices (e.g., in different biogenic amines, acylcarnitines and sphingolipids). In summary, the blood samples at 7 d PP showed lower acylcarnitines and PC, with minor alterations and a heterogeneous pattern in AA, biogenic amines, and sphingomyelins compared with 14 d AP. In contrast to 7 d PP, the blood samples at 28 PP revealed an increase in several AA, lysoPC, PC, and sphingomyelins in comparison to the AP state, irrespective of the metabotype. In the liver biopsies metabotype B differed from metabotype C animals ante partum by following metabolites: higher α aminoadipic acid, lower AA, serotonin, taurine, and symmetric dimethylarginine levels, lower or higher concentrations of certain acylcarnitines (higher: C2, C3, C5, C4:1; lower: C12:1, C14:1-OH, C16:2), and lower lysoPC (a C16:0, C18:0, C20:3, C20:4) and hexose levels. In blood samples, fewer differences were observed, with lower serotonin, acylcarnitine C16:2, lysoPC (a C16:0, C17:0, C18:0 and C18:1), PC aa C38:0, and PC ae C42:2. The results show that the use of only the blood metabolome to assess liver metabolism may be hampered by the fact that blood profiles are influenced by the metabolism of many organs, and metabolomics analysis from liver biopsies is a more suitable method to identify distinct metabotypes. Future studies should investigate the stability and reproducibility of the metabotype and phenotypes observed, and the possible predictive value of the metabolites already differing AP between metabotype B and C.

Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides and Chlorobenzenes in Strawberries by Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction Combined with Sorptive Enrichment and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

An analytical scheme for the determination of several organochlorine pesticides like hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and DDX compounds (p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, and p,p′-DDT) as well as chlorobenzenes in strawberries has been developed. The procedure is based on aqueous accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) followed by solidphase microextraction (SPME) or stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and subsequent thermodesorption–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. A 65 μm polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene fiber was chosen for the SPME experiments. Significant SPME and ASE parameters were optimized using spiked water and strawberry samples. For the ASE of the organochlorine compounds, a water–acetone mixture (90 + 10, v/v) as the extraction solvent, an extraction temperature of 120°C, and 2 cycles of 10 min extraction proved optimal. The developed method was evaluated with respect to precision and limits of detection (LOD). The relative standard deviations of replicate ASE–SPME determinations (n = 5) were in the range of 4–24%. LOD values between 1 and 10 μ g/kg were achieved with the exception of DDT and DDE (40 μg/kg). Using SBSE, the LOD of these compounds could be improved (2 and 5 μg/kg). The main advantages of this method are the avoidance of cleanup and concentration procedures as well as the significant reduction of the required volume of organic solvents. The described method was applied to the determination of the pollutants in strawberry samples collected from different allotment gardens in a potentially polluted area, the Bitterfeld-Wolfen region (Germany).

[Reference ranges of insulin, insulin like growth factor-1 and adrenocorticotropic hormone in ponies]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to validate a chemiluminescence immunometric assay using the IMMULITE 2000® for the determination of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) from which reference ranges were calculated for ponies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Blood samples of 130 ponies aged 3-32 years were collected in the afternoon. The reference ranges were calculated according to the Guideline EP28-A3C of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) from 2010.

RESULTS

The determined intraday precision for insulin was 3.28%, for ACTH 3.35% and for IGF-1 1.84%. The interday precision (insulin: 3.45%; IGF-1: 2.89%; ACTH: 9.77%) was determined on three consecutive days, where the samples were stored at 4   °C. There was no significant loss of insulin activity nor of ACTH or IGF-1 concentration during this time. The reference ranges of insulin and IGF-1 (2.0-21.2 mU/l and 50.2-357.2 mU/l, respectively) were age independent, whereas for ACTH, an age-dependent reference range was established. Ponies aged 3-12 years had a significantly lower reference range (4.2-19.8 pg/ml) than ponies aged 13-32 years (5.0-22.6 pg/ml).

CONCLUSION

The method used is suitable for the determination of ACTH, IGF-1 and insulin in serum of ponies, but the lowest detection limit for insulin is 2.0 mU/l.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The calculated reference ranges of insulin and ACTH are helpful for the diagnosis and clinical monitoring of equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).

[Relationship between natal course and metabolic parameters during the peripartal period in cattle]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate metabolic disorders in high-yielding cattle du- ring the peripartal period, the relationship between the course of the delivery and relevant metabolic parameters (insulin-like growth fac-tor 1 [IGF-1], cortisol and non-esterified fatty acids [NEFA]) were examined.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 28 heavily pregnant cows (13 primiparous and 15 multiparous) with normal and difficult natal courses, respectively, were included in the study. Serum IGF-1, NEFA and cortisol were analysed between day 14 ante partum (a. p.) and day 14 post partum (p. p.), IGF-1 and cortisol were also determined in the newborn calves.

RESULTS

An elevated stress situation was present for all heifers primarily at birth, because their serum IGF-1 levels were lower (114 ± 11 vs 158 ± 28 ng/ml) while NEFA and cortisol values were higher (896 ± 76 vs 705 ± 58 µmol/l, p = 0.05; 6.51 ± 1.14 vs 4.67 ± 0.46 ng/ml, p = 0.039, respectively) than those of the cows. During the entire examination period, metabolic disorders could be found in animals with difficult birth, based on significantly lower IGF-1 values (p = 0.003; heifers: p < 0.001), significantly higher NEFA levels (at birth p = 0.05) and higher cortisol values compared to the animals with a normal birth. Similar to their mothers, newborn calves of heifers with dystocia had significantly higher cortisol (p = 0.003) at birth and lower IGF-1 levels (p = 0.002) p. p. compared to calves with a normal natal course.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Identification and prevention of natal disorders in cattle is very important, especially with regard to animal welfare and economics. In this study, difficult natal courses were associated with altered blood serum concentrations of IGF-1, NEFA and cortisol, which consequently reflect an elevated stress situation during the peripartal period. Furthermore, with regard to these results, it can be concluded that heifers with dystocia are affected by an increased metabolic stress situation mainly during the antepartal period, while multiparous cows suffer from metabolic disorders primarily in the period after birth.

Zusammenhang zwischen Geburtsverlauf und stoffwechselrelevanten Parametern im peripartalen Zeitraum beim Rind

Gegenstand und Ziel: Zur differenzierten Beurteilung metabolischer Belastungen bei Hochleistungskühen im peripartalen Zeitraum wurden mögliche Zusammenhänge zwischen Geburtsverlauf und stoffwechselrelevanten Parametern (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 [IGF-1], Cortisol und freie Fettsäuren [FFS]) untersucht. Material und Methoden: In die Studie wurden 28 adulte hochträchtige Kühe (13 primi pare, 15 multipare) mit Normalbzw. Schwergeburt einbezogen. Die Analyse von IGF-1, FFS und Cortisol im Blutserum erfolgte zwischen dem 14. Tag ante partum (a. p.) und 14 Tagen post partum (p. p.). Die IGF-1- und Cortisolkonzentration wurde auch bei den neugeborenen Kälbern gemessen. Ergebnisse: Für alle Färsen bestand vor allem zum Zeitpunkt der Geburt eine verstärkte Stresssituation, da die IGF-1-Konzentrationen im Blut niedriger lagen als bei den Milchkühen (114 ± 11 vs. 158 ± 28 ng/ml), die FFS- und Cortisol-Werte jedoch höher (896 ± 76 vs. 705 ± 58 µmol/l, p = 0,05 bzw. 6,51 ± 1,14 vs. 4,67 ± 0,46 ng/ml, p = 0,039). Bei allen Tieren mit Schwergeburt ließen sich für den gesamten Untersuchungszeitraum Stoffwechselstörungen bestätigen, basierend auf signifikant niedrigeren IGF-1- (p = 0,003; Färsen: p < 0,001), signifikant höheren FFS-Werten (zur Geburt p = 0,05) und höheren Cortisol-Konzentrationen im Vergleich zu Tieren mit normaler Geburt. Wie die Muttertiere hatten die neugeborenen Kälber von Färsen mit erschwerter Geburt signifikant höhere Cortisolspiegel (p = 0,003) zur Geburt und postpartal niedrigere IGF-1-Werte (p = 0,002) im Vergleich zu den Kälbern aus komplikationslosen Geburten. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Die Erkennung und Vermeidung von Geburtsstörungen bei Hochleistungsrindern ist ein wichtiger Beitrag für die Tiergesundheit. In der Studie spiegelten sich gestörte Geburtsabläufe in veränderten Blutserumkonzentrationen an IGF-1, FFS und Cortisol wider, die somit eine verstärkte Stresssituation im peripartalen Zeitraum reflektieren. Ferner kann aus den erhobenen Daten abgeleitet werden, dass Färsen mit Geburtsstörungen hauptsächlich antepartal, multipare Kühe mit Schwergeburt hingegen vor allem postpartal von einer erhöhten metabolischen Belastung betroffen sind.

Clinical evaluation of serum alcohol dehydrogenase activity in horses with acute intestinal obstruction

OBJECTIVES

To measure serum alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity in horses with acute intestinal obstruction and to determine the diagnostic and prognostic utility of this analyte.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

University Veterinary Hospital.

ANIMALS

Thirty healthy horses (control group) and 77 horses with acute intestinal obstruction, including 36 horses with nonstrangulating obstruction (23 with left ventral colon impaction and 13 with left dorsal displacement [G1], 22 with small intestinal strangulation [G2], and 19 with colon torsion [G3]).

INTERVENTIONS

Serum ADH activity was assayed spectrophotometerically in all horses. Serum lactate concentration and hepatic enzyme (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glutamate dehydrogenase) activities were measured using an automatic analyzer.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The median [interquartile range] serum ADH activity in healthy horses was 10.5 [8.7-11 U/L]. ADH activity was significantly increased (P<0.05) in G1=16.5 [13.8-18 U/L], G2=40 [20-74.9 U/L], and G3=63.2 [40-78 U/L] compared with healthy controls. Aspartate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities were also significantly increased in G3 in comparison with controls. ADH activity was correlated with serum lactate concentration in G1 and G3, respectively (P<0.01, r=0.55 and 0.8). Other liver enzymes did not show any significant correlation with lactate. ADH activity was directly related to the probability of strangulation; odds ratio=1.11. ADH activity >20 U/L had 80.6% specificity and 80.5% sensitivity for discriminating horses with strangulating obstruction. Twelve horses euthanized before surgery were excluded from the outcome analysis. Increasing ADH activity was associated with nonsurvival; odds ratio=1.03. ADH activity <80 U/L had 94.44% specificity and 66.67% sensitivity for survival.

CONCLUSION

Serum ADH activity may be a useful clinical parameter in detecting intestinal strangulation in horses and may provide some prognostic value in horses with acute intestinal obstruction.

[Free hemoglobin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the blood of horses with colic or acute colitis]

A total of 50 adult horses were classified into 4 groups: healthy horses (group 1, n = 14), horses with non-strangulation obstruction (group 2, n = 13), horses with strangulation obstruction (group 3, n = 11) and horses with acute colitis and severe inflammation (peritonitis or thrombophlebitis) (group 4, n = 12). Eleven euthanized horses recreated from group 3 (4 horses with small intestinal strangulation obstruction and hemolytic peritoneal fluid) and group 4 (7 horses with septic peritonitis) were taken as group 5. Free hemoglobin (fr. Hb) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) were measured by method of Kahn and by Duo Set ELISA Development Kit. The concentrations of fr. Hb and TNF-a were significantly higher (p <0.01) in group 3 (medians: 8.0 micromol/l; 14665 pg/ml) and group 4 (9.1; 15081) in comparison to healthy horses (0.61; 573) and group 2 (0.5; 821), whereas group 2 showed no significant difference with group 1.There was a positive correlation between fr. Hb and TNF-alpha (r = 0.82; P = 0.01) in group 4. Concentrations of both fr. Hb and TNF-alpha were significantly (p <0,01) higher in euthanized horses of group 5 than in medically treated horses of group 2.The high concentration of fr. Hb could be a proinflammatory mediator to stimulate high production ofTNF-alpha known as a proinflammatory cytokine. Both of these parameters could contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome: fever, tachycardia, tachypnoe, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and lactic acidosis. Based on this, increased concentrations of both fr. Hb and TNF-alpha could be a guarded prognostic indicator in horses with strangulation obstruction, acute colitis or septic peritonitis.

Comparison of ELISA and capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection in the analysis of Ochratoxin A in low volumes of human blood serum

In this paper the determination of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in low volumes of human blood serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is compared with an appropriate capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) method. In order to use ELISA for high-throughput analysis in epidemiological studies no sample cleanup was performed. Both methods showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 ng/mL. Comparing the precisions of both methods, the data show that the quantified concentrations in ELISA are higher than the corresponding concentrations in the CE-LIF method. Using a matrix calibration curve instead of a standard calibration curve the reproducibilities of both methods are comparable. No additional matrix effect could be observed by adding phenylalanine as probable matrix compound to the serum.

Determination of Ochratoxin A in small volumes of human blood serum

A new simple and rapid method for analysing Ochratoxin A (OTA) in small volumes of human blood serum using capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to laser-induced fluorescence is described. The clean-up procedure solely consists of a double extraction step. To improve the reproducibility of migration times and quantification, two internal standards were used. The limit of detection was 0.55 ng/ml, with a linear range of 1-100 ng/ml of OTA in spiked human blood serum. The method is used to rapidly screen suspected patients.

Mycotoxins in house dust problems and analytical Approaches

People in developed countries spend up to 90% of their time indoors. This led to an increased awareness for problems regarding indoor environment in the recent years. It is known that mycotoxins formed by moulds can be harmful to human health.The body burden of mycotoxins is caused primarily by the uptake of cereals and related products but sometimes also by animal products. However the health effects caused by indoor moulds are currently under investigation. Therefore the aim of an investigation program is to study mould-dependent health effects in a burdened population of the city of Leipzig, Germany. To estimate exposure situation house dust samples are collected from loaded apartments. To realise the measurements of selected mycotoxins in house dust the development of a suitable analytical method was necessary. Capillary electrophoresis in combination with a special clean up of the samples was found to be an useful tool for these investigations.

Determination of organochlorine pesticides and chlorobenzenes in strawberries by using accelerated solvent extraction combined with sorptive enrichment and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

An analytical scheme for the determination of several organochlorine pesticides like hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and DDX compounds (p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDT) as well as chlorobenzenes in strawberries has been developed. The procedure is based on aqueous accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) followed by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) or stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and subsequent thermodesorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. A 65 microm polydimethylsiloxane/ divinylbenzene fiber was chosen for the SPME experiments. Significant SPME and ASE parameters were optimized using spiked water and strawberry samples. For the ASE of the organochlorine compounds, a water-acetone mixture (90 + 10, v/v) as the extraction solvent, an extraction temperature of 120 degrees C, and 2 cycles of 10 min extraction proved optimal. The developed method was evaluated with respect to precision and limits of detection (LOD). The relative standard deviations of replicate ASE-SPME determinations (n = 5) were in the range of 4-24%. LOD values between 1 and 10 microg/kg were achieved with the exception of DDT and DDE (40 microg/kg). Using SBSE, the LOD of these compounds could be improved (2 and 5 microg/kg). The main advantages of this method are the avoidance of cleanup and concentration procedures as well as the significant reduction of the required volume of organic solvents. The described method was applied to the determination of the pollutants in strawberry samples collected from different allotment gardens in a potentially polluted area, the Bitterfeld-Wolfen region (Germany).

Peroxidative degradation of selected PCB: a mechanistic study

The enzyme-induced decomposition and biodegradation of PCB were investigated. 2,5-Dichlorobiphenyl (PCB 9) and 2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 52) were used as example compounds to study efficiency and mechanism of the degradation processes. It was found that the application of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) together with defined amounts of hydrogen peroxide removed 90%, of the initial concentration of PCB 9 and 55% of the initial concentration of PCB 52 from an aqueous solution after a reaction period of 220 min. Dechlorination was observed as the initial step. Although the metabolites identified were mainly chlorinated hydroxybiphenyls, benzoic acids and non-substituted 1,1'-biphenyl, some higher chlorinated biphenyl isomers also appeared. The biodegradation of PCB 9 using the white rot fungus Trametes multicolor took about four weeks and reduction was about 80%, of the initial concentration. The metabolites produced (dichlorobenzenes, chlorophenols and alkylated benzenes) were not quite the same as those observed upon incubation with HRP.