Equilíbrio acidobásico, parâmetros urinários e sanguíneos de gatos induzidos ao estresse e suplementados com composto antioxidante / Acid-base balance, urinary and blood parameters of cats stress-induced cats and supplemented with antioxidant compound

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a suplementação do composto antioxidante comercial EconomasE (Alltech, Brasil ( AOX) sobre o equilíbrio acidobásico, os parâmetros urinários, o hemograma completo e a fragilidade osmótica de eritrócitos (FOE) de gatos estressados. Foram utilizados 24 gatos adultos (3,49±0,87kg), distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro níveis (0, 250, 500, 750mg de AOX/kg de alimento na matéria seca) e seis repetições, durante o período de 80 dias. Os gatos foram induzidos ao estresse por meio da presença de cães próximo ao recinto experimental (agente estressor; AE), do 61º dia até o final do experimento. A pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono (pCO2) e o bicarbonato (HCO3 -) aumentaram linearmente (P<0,05) conforme o aumento da ingestão de AOX. Os maiores valores de dióxido de carbono total (tCO2) (P<0,05) foram observados nos gatos alimentados com 500 e 750mg de AOX/kg de dieta. As concentrações de hemoglobina foram maiores nos animais alimentados com 250 e 500mg de AOX/kg de dieta. Os parâmetros urinários e da FOE foram semelhantes nos gatos em todas as dietas. Esses dados indicam que a suplementação com AOX apresenta efeitos benéficos no equilíbrio acidobásico e na concentração de hemoglobina de gatos induzidos ao estresse.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation of a commercial antioxidant EconomasE (Alltech, Brazil - AOX) on the acid-base balance, urinary parameters, red blood count (RBC) and erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) of stressed cats. Twenty-four adult cats (3.49±0.87kg) were distributed in a completely randomized design with four levels (0, 250, 500, 750mg AOX/kg feed dry matter) and six replicates for a period of 80 days. Cats were induced to stress through the presence of dogs in the experimental environment (stressor agent; AE) from the 61th day to the end. Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and bicarbonate (HCO3) increased linearly (P<0.05) with increased intake of AOX. The highest values of total carbon dioxide (tCO2) (P<0.05) were observed in cats fed the 500 and 750mg AOX/kg diet. Hemoglobin concentration was higher (P<0.05) in animals fed the 250 and 500mg AOX/kg diet. The urinary parameters and EOF were similar among all diets. These data indicate that AOX supplementation has beneficial effects in acid-base balance and hemoglobin concentration of stress-induced cats.(AU)

Tratamento alternativo em gatos acometidos por DITUIF / Alternative treatment in cats affected by FLUTD

This report describes two cases of male cats affected by FLUTD (Feline lower urinary tract disease). The first patient had been affected by numerous relapses after passing through various therapeutic treatments and surgical interventions, and was subjected to the alternative protocol after being recommended for euthanasia, the second patient had no history of urinary tract disorders in the past, and was not subjected to any kind of previous treatment. The two patients had a significant improvement in their clinical condition, were not affected by relapses after participation in the alternative design, and were accompanied for about a year after their treatment.(AU)

Effect of ractopamine on the chemical and physical characteristics of pacu(Piaractus mesopotamicus) steaks / Efeito da ractopamina sobre as características físicas e químicas de filés de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

The objective was to evaluate the use of ractopamine (RAC) in the diet for pacu (Piaractus mesopotaminus) in the finishing phase on some quality parameters of the fillets. Thirty-five animals weighing 0.868±0.168kg were distributed in a completely randomised design with five treatments (0.0 - control; 11.25, 22.50, 33.75 and 45 ppm of RAC) and seven replicates with two fillets obtained from the same animal. The diets were isocaloric and isoprotein and experimental time was 90 days. RAC did not affect (P>0.05) the initial pH or ph after 24 hours of the fillets. Compared to the control, RAC increased (P<0.05) the moisture content of the fillets in natura and lipid oxidation of samples stored for 12 days in the refrigerator or freezer for 60 days. The RAC in 11.25 ppm reduced (P<0.05) the lipid content, while 45 ppm reduced (P<0.05) the crude protein in the fillets. Considering only RAC, there was a linear increase (P<0.05) in the lipid content (P<0.05) and a linear reduction in crude protein and weight loss after cooking the fillets. There was a quadratic effect (P<0.05) on the ash content, weight loss and lipid oxidation in fillets stored in the refrigerator or freezer. A RAC dose of 33.75 ppm resulted in a lower lipid oxidation index. In conclusion, ractopamine at 11.25 ppm is effective for reducing the fat content in fillets of pacu, although it increases the formation of peroxides in samples kept in the freezer for longer than 60 days. At 33.75 ppm, ractopamine is effective in reducing the effect of oxidation during storage in the refrigerator or freezer.

O objetivo foi avaliar a influência do uso de ractopamina na alimentação de pacus (Piaractus mesopotaminus) na fase de terminação sobre alguns parâmetros de qualidade dos filés. Trinta e cinco animais com peso de 0,868±0,168kg foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com cinco tratamentos (0,0 - controle; 11,25; 22,50; 33,75 e 45ppm de ractopamina) e sete repetições, sendo a parcela representada por dois filés provenientes de um animal. As rações foram isoenergéticas e isoproteicas, e o tempo experimental foi de 90 dias. A ractopamina não influenciou (P>0,05) o pH inicial dos filés e nem após 24 horas. Comparado ao controle, a RAC aumentou (P<0,05) a umidade dos filés in natura e a oxidação lipídica dos mesmos quando armazenados por 12 dias em geladeira ou 60 dias em freezer. Na dose de 11,25 reduziu (P<0,05) o teor de extrato etéreo e, na dose de 45 ppm, reduziu (P<0,05) o de proteína bruta dos filés. Considerando somente a RAC, houve aumento linear (P<0,05) do teor de gordura e redução linear (P<0,05) da proteína bruta e perda de peso por cocção. Houve efeito quadrático (P<0,05) sobre o teor de cinzas, perda de peso por descongelamento e oxidação lipídica para os filés armazenados em geladeira ou em freezer, sendo 33,75 ppm o nível de RAC que resultou em menor índice de oxidação lipídica. Conclui-se que a ractopamina a 11,5 ppm é efetiva em reduzir o teor de lipídeos em filés de pacu, embora aumente a formação de peróxidos em amostras mantidas em freezer após 60 dias. A 33,75 ppm a ractopamina é efetiva em reduzir os efeitos da oxidação durante o armazenamento em geladeira ou freezer.

Avaliação preliminar in vivo do efeito hipocolesterolêmico do polvilho da fruta-de-lobo (Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil. ) / Preliminary evaluation of in vivo hypocholesterolemic effect of the flour of fruit-of-wolf (Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil. )

O polvilho da fruta-de-lobo é um produto extraído da polpa da fruta-de-lobo verde (Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil.), popularmente utilizado. Pouco se conhece a respeito desse polvilho, mas são atribuídos a ele vários efeitos terapêuticos, dentre eles a redução do colesterol. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de verificar a ação da administração do polvilho da fruta-de-lobo sobre animais hipercolesterolêmico. Utilizou-se 24 ratos Wistar fêmeas distribuídas em delineamento ao acaso, em três grupos contendo 8 animais em cada grupo. Estes grupos foram definidos como: controle normal (CN), controle hipocolesterolêmico (CH) e hipocolesterolêmico tratado (HT). O grupo CN recebeu dieta comercial, os grupo CH e HT receberam a dieta comercial enriquecida de colesterol e ácido cólico e o grupo HT recebeu também, 100 mg de polvilho da fruta-lobo, diariamente, por sonda orogástrica. O experimento teve uma duração de 6 semanas onde se avaliou o colesterol total sérico semanalmente, peso dos animais semanalmente e o consumo diário de ração. Ao término do experimento, foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: frações séricas de colesterol HDL, LDL+VLDL, peso do fígado, colesterol total hepático, lipídeos totais hepático e lâminas de microscopia foram feitas para avaliação dos hepatócitos. Não houve diferença significativa em relação ao peso corporal dos animais, ao consumo da dieta e nas análises de colesterol total sérico entre os grupos estudados. Avaliando-se a relação VLDL +LDL/HDL, os níveis encontrados no grupo HT foram significativamente menores que o grupo CH. Já em relação ao colesterol hepático, o grupo HT mostrou níveis menores de colesterol que o CH. Observou-se nos lipídeos hepáticos que não houve diferença significativa entre os grupo CH e HT, e no peso do fígado houve diferença significativa entre os grupos avaliados. Em relação à microscopia, os grupos hipercolesterolêmicos apresentaram discreta vacuolização no citoplasma dos hepatócitos. Concluiu-se, que o polvilho da fruta-de-lobo não influenciou o colesterol sérico dos animais, entretanto, reduziu os níveis de colesterol hepático.

The fruit-of-wolf flour is a product extracted from the pulp of green fruit-of-wolf (Solanum lycocarpum A. St .- Hil.) and is commonly used. Little is known about this flour, but several therapeutic effects, including cholesterol reduction, are attributed to it. This study aimed to verify the action of the administration of fruit-of-wolf flour to hypercholesterolemic animals. We used 24 female Wistar rats allocated in randomized design to three groups containing 8 animals each. These groups were defined as normal control (CN), hypocholesterolemic control (CH) and hypocholesterolemic treated rats (HT). The CN group received a commercial diet, while the CH and the HT group received the commercial diet enriched with cholesterol and cholic acid; the HT group also received 100 mg of fruit-of-wolf flour, daily, by orogastric tube. The experiment lasted for six weeks and the following characteristics were evaluated: weekly total serum cholesterol, weekly weight of animals and daily food intake. At the end of the experiment, we assessed the following parameters: serum cholesterol fractions HDL, LDL + VLDL, liver weight, liver total cholesterol, liver total lipids and microscopic slides were prepared for the evaluation of hepatocytes. There was no significant difference in body weight of animals, diet consumption and analysis of serum total cholesterol among the studied groups. Assessing the relationship VLDL + LDL / HDL, the levels found for the HT group were significantly lower than those for the CH group. As regards liver cholesterol, the HT group showed lower cholesterol levels than the CH group. For liver lipids there was no significant difference between the CH and the HT group, and for liver weight there was no significant difference among the studied groups. As to microscopy, the hypercholesterolemic groups showed slight vacuolization in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. It was concluded that fruit-of-wolf flour did not influence the serum cholesterol of animals but reduced the levels of liver cholesterol.

Avaliação da adequação legal de receitas e notificações de receita de medicamentos sujeitos a controle especial dos setores públicos e privados / Evaluation of the legal prescription and notifications adequacy for special control medicinesin the public and private sectors

Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram avaliar a adequação legal de receitas de controle especial e notificações de receitas dispensadas em uma Drogaria de Varginha ? MG, estabelecer uma comparação entre as prescrições provenientes da rede pública e privada e detectar as classes de medicamentos mais prescritas. Analisaram-se 960 prescrições através de um formulário com itens obrigatórios de acordo com a legislação vigente. Os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo Teste Qui-quadrado, utilizando a origem das notificações e receitas como desfecho. Considerando as receitas; a única variável que apresentou diferença entre os setores público e privado foi a descrição por extenso da quantidade de medicamento, que foi mais adequadamente cumprida pelo setor privado. Em relação às notificações, a legibilidade foi significativamente mais freqüente em notificações provenientes de centros públicos, enquanto a designação da Unidade Federativa e a descrição por extenso da quantidade de medicamento foram mais presentes no setor privado. Por outro lado, a descrição completa da posologia, da data da notificação, a presença de carimbo e descrição da forma farmacêutica foram mais adequadas no setor público. Nenhuma das prescrições foi considerada totalmente adequada aos dados exigidos pela Portaria 344/98. As classes medicamentosas mais prescritas foram os benzodiazepínicos em notificações de receita e os antidepressivos em receituário de controle especial. Concluiu-se que a prescrição de medicamentos sujeitos a controle especial apresenta falhas de acordo com a legislação vigente.

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the legal prescription adequacy in one drugstore located in the south of Minas Gerais state, in order to establish comparisons between the prescriptions of public and private services and to detect the most commonly classes of medicines prescribed. It was analyzed 960 prescriptions in accordance with the current law. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and compared using frequency distribution test(Chi-square test) considering private and public sources of prescription as the dependent variable. Considering special control prescriptions, the extensive description of the amount of medicine was fulfilled more frequently by the private sector. However, for the notifications; legibility, dosage, pharmaceutical form, date of issue and presence of stamp were more frequently present in the public service, while assignment of the Federative Union, the extensive description of the amount of medicine and the dosage was more present in the private sector. None of the evaluated prescriptions was considered totally adjusted with law 344/98. The prescribed medicines more commonly found were benzodiazepines for prescription notifications and antidepressants in special control prescriptions. It was concluded that the medicine prescriptions subjected to special control are frequently not adequate to the current law.

Hypoglycemic activity of polysaccharide fractions containing ß-glucans from extracts of Rhynchelytrum repens (Willd.) C.E. Hubb., Poaceae

ß-Glucans are soluble fibers with physiological functions, such as interference with absorption of sugars and reduction of serum lipid levels. The objective of the present study was to analyze the distribution of ß-glucans in different tissues of the African grass species Rhynchelytrum repens and also to evaluate their hypoglycemic activity. Leaf blades, sheaths, stems, and young leaves of R. repens were submitted to extraction with 4 M KOH. Analysis of the fractions revealed the presence of arabinose, glucose, xylose, and traces of rhamnose and galactose. The presence of ß-glucan in these fractions was confirmed by hydrolyzing the polymers with endo-ß-glucanase from Bacillus subtilis, followed by HPLC analysis of the characteristic oligosaccharides produced. The 4 M KOH fractions from different tissues were subjected to gel permeation chromatography on Sepharose 4B, with separation of polysaccharides with different degrees of polymerization, the highest molecular mass (above 2000 kDa) being found in young leaves. The molecular mass of the leaf blade polymers was similar (250 kDa) to that of maize coleoptile ß-glucan used for comparison. The 4 M KOH fraction injected into rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes showed hypoglycemic activity, reducing blood sugar to normal levels for approximately 24 h. This performance was better than that obtained with pure ß-glucan from barley, which decreased blood sugar levels for about 4 h. These results suggest that the activity of ß-glucans from R. repens is responsible for the use of this plant extract as a hypoglycemic drug in folk medicine.

Development of bovine embryos reconstructed by nuclear transfer of transfected and non-transfected adult fibroblast cells

An association of two techniques, nuclear transfer (NT), and transfection of somatic animal cells, has numerous potential applications and considerable impact, mainly in agriculture, medicine, pharmacy, and fundamental biology. In addition, somatic cell nuclear transfer is the most efficient alternative to produce large transgenic animals. We compared in vitro and in vivo developmental capacities of NT using fibroblast cells isolated from a 14-month-old cloned Simmental heifer (FCE) vs the same line transfected with a plasmid containing neomycin-resistant genes (TFCE). There were no significant differences (P > 0.5) in either fusion (116/149 = 78% vs 216/301 = 72%), cleavage (78/116 = 67% vs 141/216 = 65%) and blastocyst (35/116 = 30% vs 52/216 = 24%) rates or in pregnancy rate at 30 to 35 days after embryo transfer (2/17 vs 3/17) between NT using FCE and TFCE, respectively. Transfection and long-term in vitro culture of transfected cells did not affect developmental capacity of NT embryos up to 40 days of gestation

Isolation of transfected fibroblast clones for use in nuclear transfer and transgene detection in cattle embryos

Transgenesis in cattle has provided numerous opportunities for livestock production. The development of nuclear transfer (NT) technology has improved the production of transgenic livestock. However, the isolation of pure colonies from a single transfection event remains laborious and can be a constraint in the production of transgenic livestock. We used 96-well cell culture plates to isolate cell lineages obtained from a single fibroblast transfected with the pCi-Neo plasmid. Since single mammalian cells do not grow well in fresh medium, we evaluated the use of conditioned medium. The neomycin phosphotransferase gene was detected in isolated colonies and NT embryos were produced from these cells. Multiplex-PCR assays were performed to detect the transfected fragment as well as autosomal satellite DNA in single NT embryos. This approach provided a reliable method for isolating transfected mammalian cells and for diagnosing the incorporation of desirable vectors in NT embryos. This method can reduce the time and cost of transgenic livestock production.

Composiçäo de ácidos graxos da gordura na carcaça de frangos de corte sob dietas com diferentes fontes de energia / Carcass fatty acid composition of broiler fed different sources of energy

Avaliaram-se os níveis de energia metabolizável normalmente utilizados nas raçöes de frangos de corte, obtidos pela inclusäo de óleos vegetais (soja, canola e palma) e seus efeitos sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos da pele e dos músculos da coxa e do peito, levando-se em consideraçäo a linhagem e o sexo. Foram utilizados 2400 pintos de um dia, machos e fêmeas, das linhagens comerciais Hubbard e Avian Farms. As aves receberam raçäo inicial e final com níveis de energia metabolízavel de 3050 e 3150kcal/kg, respectivamente, obtidos pela inclusäo dos óleos vegetais, fornecedores de ácidos graxos, inclusive "w-3". Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em um arranjo fatorial com 16 tratamentos (4 raçöes x 2 sexos x 2 linhagens) com duas repetiçöes cada. Diferenças entre médias foram testadas pela dms. Näo houve efeito significativo da inclusäo de óleos na raçäo sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos na carcaça. O mesmo ocorreu quanto ao efeito de sexo e de linhagem