Serum amyloid A and muscle activity biomarkers in horses submitted to equestrian show jumping / Biomarcadores de amilóide sérica A e de atividade muscular em cavalos submetidos a salto equestre

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum amyloid A (SAA) and biomarkers of muscle activity of horses submitted to show jumping activity. To do this, the variables SAA, glucose, lactate and the biomarkers creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) were evaluated in 10 horses submitted to the show jumping exercise in a tournament for beginners. The evaluations occurred before exercise (T0), immediately after (T1), 30 minutes (T2), 60 minutes (T3) and 24 hours after the end (T4). Data were evaluated using analysis of variance for repeated measures. The statistical software SAEG 9.1 was used to verify the level of significance between the moments for P<0.05. Glucose presented a difference between the moments T0 (97.7±13.3mg/dL) and T1 (79.7±14.1mg/dL). Lactate presented elevation in T1 (15.3±6.1mmol/L) compared to the others T0 (3.8±0.8mmol/L), T2 (6.5±3.9mmol/L), T3 (5.3±2.2mmol/L) and T4 (5.1±1.6mmol/L). The CK showed a significant difference between T0 (82.8±51.2U/L) and T1 (140.1±58.5U/L) and between T4 (74.4±43.1U/L) with T1 (140.1±58.5U/L). The AST presented no difference between moments. The show jumping activity with one-meter obstacles did not induce changes in the SAA protein between the moments.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a amilóide sérica A (SAA) e biomarcadores de atividade muscular de equinos submetidos a atividade de salto, ou hipismo clássico. Para tanto, foram avaliadas as variáveis SAA, glicose, lactato e os biomarcadores creatina quinase (CK) e aspartatoaminotransferase (AST) em 10 equinos submetidos ao exercício de saltos em torneio para iniciantes. As avaliações ocorreram antes do exercício (T0), imediatamente após (T1), 30 minutos (T2), 60 minutos (T3) e 24 horas após o término (T4). Os dados foram avaliados utilizando análise de variância para medidas repetidas. O software estatístico SAEG 9.1 foi utilizado para verificar o nível de significância entre os momentos para P<0,05. A glicose diferenciou-se entre os momentos T0 (97.7±13.3mg/dL) e T1 (79.7±14.1mg/dL). O lactado apresentou elevação comparada com o momento T1(15.3±6.1mmol/L) e os demais T0 (3.8±0.8mmol/L), T2 (6.5±3.9mmol/L), T3 (5.3±2.2mmol/L) e T4 (5.1±1.6mmol/L). A CK mostrou diferença significativa entre T0 (82.8±51.2U/L) e T1 (140.1±58.5U/L) e entre T4 (74.4±43.1U/L) com T1 (140.1±58.5U/L). A AST não apresentou diferença entre os momentos. A atividade de hipismo clássico com obstáculos de um metro não induziu alterações na proteína SAA entre os momentos.(AU)

Some serum acute phase proteins and immunoglobulins concentrations in calves with rotavirus, coronavirus, E. coli Fs and Eimeria species

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the serum concentrations of haptoglobin [Hp], serum amyloid A [SAA] and IgG, IgA in calves with diarrhea caused by rotavirus, coronavirus, Escherichia coli F5 and Eimeria species. The experiment was carried out on 40 diarrhoeic and 10 non-diarrhoeic calves [group C]. A total of 13 calves were infected with rotavirus or coronavirus [group V], 12 calves with E. coli F5 [group B] and 15 calves with Eimeria species [group P]. SAA and Hp levels of calves in groups V, B and P were statistically higher than group C [P<0.05]. SAA and Hp levels of the group B and group P were significantly higher than the group V [P<0.05]. SAA and Hp levels in group B were not significantly higher than the group P. The levels of IgG and IgA were found to be lower in groups B and V compared to other groups. There was a negative correlation between immunoglobulins and the levels of serum Hp and SAA in groups B and V [r=-0.315 and r=-0.369, respectively, P<0.05]. Serum SAA, Hp, IgA and IgG levels could be useful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of diarrhea caused by rotavirus, coronavirus, E. coli F5 and Eimeria species

Serum amyloid a and leptin levels and insulin resistance in relation to steatosis in chronic hepatitis C patients

Chronic hepatitis C [CHC] was found to be closely related to insulin resistance [IR] and may increase risk of liver steatosis and fibrosis. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain HCV-induced IR; including obesity, steatosis, leptin hormone and serum amyloid -A [SAA]. The aim of the present work was to assess serum amyloid -A and leptin levels and insulin resistance in normal weight and obese patients with chronic hepatitis C, and their relation to the steatotic changes and grade of inflammation and fibrosis according to Metavir scoring system. The present study was earned out on thirty patients with chronic hepatitis C [Group II], and thirty male-control subjects of matched age and body built [Group I]. Both groups were further divided according to body mass index [BMI] into normal-weight [Ia and IIa] and over-weight and obese [Ib and IIb] subgroups. All studied subjects were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination and ultrasound of the abdomen. Percutaneous ultrasound assisted tru cut needle liver biopsy was done to HCV patients and assessed for tile grade of the necro-inflammatory changes and fibrosis, according to Metavir scoring system, and steatosis. Laboratory investigations included the evaluation of fasting serum amyloid-A, leptin, glucose and insulin levels and insulin resistance index [assessed by HOMA equation]. In addition; HBs-Ag, HCV-antibodies, and HCV-RNA by PCR and serum anti-sehistosomal antibodies were also evaluated. All patients and controls were negative for HBs-Ag and schistosomal antibodies. It was found that SAA was significantly higher in the patients group [subgroups Ia, IIb] than controls. Fasting serum amyhoid-A, leptin, glucose and insulin levels and HOMA, were significantly higher in the obese subjects [subgroups Ib and IIb] than in normal weight subjects [subgroups Ia and IIa]. There was a significant positive correlation between HOMA and both serum amyloid-A and leptin levels in obese subjects. Moreover, serum amyloid-A, leptin and insulin were positively correlated with increased BMI and waist/hip ratio in obese subjects [subgroups Ib and IIb]. Steatotic changes were significantly higher in obese patients [group IIb] than in normal weight patients [groups IIa]. Steatosis and necroinflammatory grades in CHC patients showed a positive significant correlation with serum amyloid-A, leptin and HOMA. Moreover steatosis was significantly correlated with fasting serum glucose, while necroinflammatory grade was significantly correlated with fasting serum insulin level. From the present work, it could be concluded that - Serum amyloid A, leptin hormone and insulin resistance were significantly correlated with both steatosis and the severity of Metavir necroinflammatory grade in CHC patients. - SAA is a feature of obesity in both HCV patients and controls as an inflammatory marker. Also, it seems to be altered by viral factors as it was significantly increased in CHC patients than controls. Thus, SAA might be a missing link between enhanced adipose tissue mass, low grade inflammatory state and insulin resistance in CHC patients. Therefore it is recommended for CHC patients to undergo weight reduction programs and follow up investigations including SAA and leptin levels

Evaluation of serum and milk amyloid A in some inflammatory diseases of cattle

This study was designed to evaluate serum and milk amyloid A [SAA] as an inflammatory indicator in inflammatory diseases. Twenty clinically healthy cows and 100 cows with various inflammatory diseases were selected for this study. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein of both healthy and diseased groups. Milk samples were taken from four quarters of both groups. Milk samples of four quarters from each cow were mixed, then one sample was taken from pooled milk. There was significant difference in concentrations of serum and milk AA between clinically healthy cows and diseased cows [P<0.05]. The difference of SAA and MAA between cows with subclinical mastitis and other inflammatory disease of cows was also significant [P<0.05]. In conclusion, serum and milk amyloid A are useful diagnostic indicators in the inflammatory diseases of cows

Why does diabetes mellitus increase the risk of cardiovascular disease?

The main etiology for mortality and a great percentage of morbidity in patients with diabetes mellitus is atherosclerosis. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetes is multifactorial and can be affected by metabolic and other factors. A hypothesis for the initial lesion of atherosclerosis is endothelial dysfunction, defined pragmatically as changes in the concentration of the chemical messengers produced by the endothelial cell and/or by blunting of the nitric oxide-dependent vasodilatory response to acetylcholine or hyperemia. Endothelial dysfunction has been documented in patients with diabetes and in individuals with insulin resistance or at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The way endothelial function altered in diabetic patients is not yet fully understood, but the loss of normal endothelial function could be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic angiopathy, as endothelial dysfunction is associated with diabetic microangiopathy and macroangiopathy. Factors associated with endothelial dysfunction in diabetes include activation of protein kinase C, overexpression of growth factors and/or cytokines, and oxidative stress. Changes in endothelium function may lead to the coronary artery circulation being unable to cope with the increased metabolism of myocardial muscle independently of a reduced coronary artery diameter. Finally, recent reports indicate that an improved metabolic control in diabetic patients, whatever the treatment used, is associated with near normalization or restoration of normal endothelial function.

Study of serum amylin in liver cirrhosis with diabetes mellitus

This study aimed to evaluate plasma amylin level in patients with chronic liver disease with and without diabetes. The study included 20 patients with liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus [12 males and eight females], ten patients with liver cirrhosis and normal glucose tolerance [eight males and two with a mean age of 49.5 +/- 12.9 years] and ten patients with NIDDM without liver disease [two males and eight females with a mean age of 56.1 +/- 7.4 years] in addition to ten healthy individuals as controls [six males and four females with a mean age of 39.4 +/- 4.1 years]. In all patients and controls, an oral glucose tolerance test was done and the levels of plasma C-peptide and amylin [using RIA kits] were measured