ABSTRACT
The presence and molecular characterization of Clostridium perfringens in healthy Merino lambs over a six-month period was investigated in this study. Overall, a high prevalence of C. perfringens was detected, even in day-old lambs. Even though the majority of the isolates were characterized as being of type A, types C and D were also isolated. Furthermore, a high genetic diversity was observed by PFGE among the type A isolates.
Subject(s)
Clostridium Infections/veterinary , Clostridium perfringens/genetics , Gastrointestinal Diseases/veterinary , Genetic Variation , Sheep Diseases/microbiology , Animals , Argentina/epidemiology , Clostridium Infections/epidemiology , Clostridium Infections/microbiology , Clostridium perfringens/isolation & purification , Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field/veterinary , Female , Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/microbiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Prevalence , Sheep , Sheep Diseases/epidemiologyABSTRACT
In order to know whether IFN alpha prevents in vivo oncogenesis in the very-early-stage cancer cells, we evaluated the action of IFN alpha-2b on preneoplastic foci in rats. Animals were divided into six groups: subjected to an initiation-promotion model of cancer development (G1), treated with IFN alpha-2b during: a) initiation-promotion (G2), b) initiation (G3), promotion (G4); subjected only to an initiation stage (G5) and treated with IFN alpha-2b during this period (G6). The number and area of rGST P-positive foci were reduced and the Apoptotic index was increased in G2, 3 and 6. Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL protein levels were decreased in IFN alpha-2b-treated rats. Increased levels of mitochondrial Bax protein were observed in G2, 3 and 6. In conclusion, preneoplastic hepatocytes in the IFN alpha-2b-treated rats undergo programmed cell death as a result of a significant increase of Bax and its translocation to the mitochondria.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Apoptosis/drug effects , Interferon-alpha/pharmacology , Liver Neoplasms/prevention & control , Precancerous Conditions/prevention & control , Animals , Apoptosis/physiology , Blotting, Western , Interferon alpha-2 , Liver/enzymology , Liver/pathology , Male , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/analysis , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Recombinant ProteinsABSTRACT
In order to know whether IFN alpha prevents in vivo oncogenesis in the very-early-stage cancer cells, we evaluated the action of IFN alpha-2b on preneoplastic foci in rats. Animals were divided into six groups: subjected to an initiation-promotion model of cancer development (G1), treated with IFN alpha-2b during: a) initiation-promotion (G2), b) initiation (G3), promotion (G4); subjected only to an initiation stage (G5) and treated with IFN alpha-2b during this period (G6). The number and area of rGST P-positive foci were reduced and the Apoptotic index was increased in G2, 3 and 6. Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL protein levels were decreased in IFN alpha-2b-treated rats. Increased levels of mitochondrial Bax protein were observed in G2, 3 and 6. In conclusion, preneoplastic hepatocytes in the IFN alpha-2b-treated rats undergo programmed cell death as a result of a significant increase of Bax and its translocation to the mitochondria.
