ABSTRACT
Very little is known about the occurrence of immune system cells in the canine uterus. The aim of this study was to generate information about lymphocyte subsets that are present in the healthy canine uterus and that are recruited under inflammatory conditions caused by pyometra. Using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, a significant influx of γδ T lymphocytes was found in pyometra samples mainly due to recruitment of γδ(+)/CD8(-) T lymphocytes. The relative expression of genes encoding selected cytokines/chemokines was evaluated in samples from healthy and pyometra-affected uteri. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17 and IFN-γ) and chemokines (including CXCL10, CCL4 and CCL5) was upregulated in pyometra samples confirming the presence of inflammation. In contrast, the expression of the homeostatic chemokine CCL25 and of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was downregulated and unchanged, respectively.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/immunology , Dogs/immunology , Pyometra/veterinary , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , Uterus/immunology , Animals , Chemokines/genetics , Chemokines/immunology , Chemokines/metabolism , Cytokines/genetics , Cytokines/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism , Dog Diseases/metabolism , Dogs/genetics , Dogs/metabolism , Female , Flow Cytometry/veterinary , Gene Expression Regulation , Immunohistochemistry/veterinary , Pyometra/immunology , Pyometra/metabolism , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism , Uterus/metabolism , Uterus/physiopathologyABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate the relationship between lipoproteins, fibrinogen and sudden sensorineural hearing loss in a Croatian population. Since pathological derangement of lipoproteins and fibrinogen could be one of the causes of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, we hypothesised that patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss would have more abnormal fibrinogen and lipoprotein concentrations, compared with subjects with normal hearing. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of cholesterol, fibrinogen and triglycerides in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss were compared with those in a control group (i.e. subjects with normal hearing function). RESULTS: Patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss had significantly higher plasma concentrations of cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Higher cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were found in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss, within a Croatian population. Cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations may be important factors in the pathogenesis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and should be assessed during the investigation of patients with this condition.
