Resveratrol sustains intestinal barrier integrity, improves antioxidant capacity, and alleviates inflammation in the jejunum of ducks exposed to acute heat stress.

Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory plant extract, was found to have a protective effect in poultry subjected to heat stress. In this study, we strove to characterize resveratrol on intestinal of duck exposed to acute heat stress and investigate the underlying mechanism. A total of 120 Shan-ma ducks (60 days old) were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group was fed a basal diet, and the resveratrol group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg resveratrol. Animals in 2 groups were kept at a temperature of 24°C ± 2°C for 15 d. Then, animals of both groups were placed in an artificial climate room at 39°C. Twelve ducks of each group were sacrificed for sampling at 0, 30, and 60 min, respectively. Results indicated that resveratrol increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, increased the number of goblet cells, and reduced the histopathological damage of jejunum caused by acute heat stress. Furthermore, the gene expression of heat shock proteins (HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90) and tight junction proteins (CLDN1 and OCLN) was significantly increased in the resveratrol group compared to that in the control groups. Simultaneously, resveratrol significantly activated the SIRT1-NRF1/NRF2 signaling pathways, improved ATP level of jejunum, and increased SOD and CAT antioxidant enzymes activities. In addition, we found that the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways were repressed under acute heat stress. Meanwhile, supplement resveratrol further inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, decreased protein level of NLRP3 and caspase1 p20, reduced the secretion of IL-1ß. Taken together, our results indicate that resveratrol against the oxidative damage and inflammation injury in duck jejunum induced by heat stress via active SIRT1 signaling pathways.

Geographic Disparities in Clinical Characteristics of Duodenitis-Proximal Jejunitis in Horses in the United States.

Duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) is an idiopathic and potentially fatal disease of horses characterized by abdominal pain, proximal intestinal inflammation, and subsequent gastric and small intestinal fluid accumulation. Although this disease is known to be costly and life threatening in the equine industry, the severity of clinical signs can vary widely, and an exact etiology has yet to be elucidated. This study looked to identify differences in clinical parameters of horses with DPJ between geographic regions in an effort to corroborate anecdotal reports and support theories of differing etiologies. Case records were compared from veterinary academic referral hospitals in three different geographic locations in the United States to determine if significant differences in clinical, clinicopathologic, and prognostic characteristics exist among horses with DPJ. Clinical measurements on presentation that were significantly different between regions included heart rate, peritoneal total protein, albumin, anion gap, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, sodium, chloride, potassium, and creatinine. Duration of hospitalization and maximum body temperature while hospitalized were also different between regions. There were no significant differences in peritoneal cell count, total white blood cell count, neutrophil count, band neutrophils, calcium, total plasma protein, temperature on presentation, duration of reflux, total reflux volume, or age between hospitals. The mortality rates between hospitals were not significantly different. Increased severity of clinical signs and biochemical abnormalities were identified in the Southeastern United States hospital compared with the Northeastern and Western hospitals. A prospective, multicenter case-control study could identify risk factors contributing toward regional differences in this disease in the future.

Comparison of two different barbed suture materials for end-to-end jejuno-jejunal anastomosis in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Hand-sewn intestinal anastomoses are a fundamental procedure in both open and laparoscopic intestinal surgery. Self-retaining barbed suture devices have been tested for a variety of surgical applications. With the exception of clinical reports and various experimental studies on enterotomy, little has been published so far on the use of barbed suture for end-to-end intestinal anastomoses. The aim of the study was to compare two different barbed suture materials for end-to-end jejuno-jejunal anastomosis in pigs. End-to-end jejuno-jejunal anastomosis were performed with unidirectional barbed (A group), bidirectional barbed (B group) or normal (C group) sutures in each animal. A comparison was then made between the groups based on adhesions scoring, suturing time, bursting pressure and histopathology. RESULTS: Mean construction times in the A group (518 ± 40 s) and in the B group (487 ± 45 s) were significantly lower than in the C group (587 ± 63 s) but were not different between A and B group (P = 0.10). Mean bursting pressures were significantly higher in the intact intestine (197 ± 13 mmHg) than in any other group (group A 150 ± 16 mmHg, group B 145 ± 22 mmHg, group C 145 ± 24 mmHg). Among anastomotic techniques, the bursting pressures were not significantly different. Histologically no difference could be detected in the grade of inflammation, collagen deposition and neovascularization at the anastomotic sites. CONCLUSIONS: Barbed sutures can be effectively used for handsewn end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomosis in pigs. They are comparable to normal suture but could provide a shorter surgical time.

Radiographic features of congenital segmental dilation of the intestine in a german shepherd dog.

A 10-week-old spayed female German Shepherd Dog was presented for acute vomiting and diarrhea. There was no reported foreign body or toxin ingestion. Radiographs showed a severely (∼11 × 7 cm), focally distended right abdominal intestinal segment containing gas and soft tissue material. Other small intestinal segments were segmentally gas distended. Celiotomy identified a ∼9 cm focally dilated segment at the jejunoileal junction with no aborad luminal obstruction. Resection and anastomosis of the dilation was performed. Histopathology showed mild mucosal inflammation, but otherwise normal wall layering and autonomic ganglia. Radiographic and histopathologic findings were consistent with congenital segmental dilation of the intestine.

Equine duodenitis-proximal jejunitis: A review.

Duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) is an inflammatory process of the proximal part of the small intestine and occurs sporadically in horses. It is clinically characterized by an acute onset of ileus and nasogastric reflux leading to systemic signs of toxemia. This review discusses the definition of the disease, potential etiologic agents, clinical findings, epidemiological features, histopathologic and clinico-pathological findings, and medical management of this condition. Salmonella spp., mycotoxins, Clostridium perfringens, and Clostridium difficile have all been associated with the disease but there is limited supporting evidence for any agent other than C. difficile. Particular attention, however, was given to etiological investigations and the data available to support the proposed etiological agents. The potential role of C. difficile as the etiological agent of DPJ, possible pathogenesis, and recent efforts to support this hypothesis are highlighted, but it is recognized that there could be more than one agent that causes the disease.

L'entérite proximale chez le cheval: revision. L'entérite proximale est un processus inflammatoire de la portion proximale du petit intestin qui se présente sporadiquement chez le cheval. Cliniquement, elle est caractérisée par un début soudain d'iléus et de reflux nasogastrique menant à des signes systémiques d'endotoxémie. Cet article discute de la définition de la maladie, des agents étiologiques potentiels, des signes cliniques, des caractéristiques épidémiologiques, des trouvailles histopathologique et clinique et du traitement médical de cette condition. Salmonella spp., les mycotoxines, Clostridium perfringens et Clostridium difficile ont tous été associés avec la maladie, mais les preuves sont limitées pour tout autre agent que C. difficile. Une attention particulière a été mise sur l'étude étiologique et sur les données disponibles pour supporter les agents étiologiques proposés. Le rôle potentiel de C. difficile comme étant l'agent étiologique de l'entérite proximale, la possible pathogénèse et les efforts récents pour supporter cette hypothèse sont soulignés, mais il est reconnu qu'il pourrait y avoir plus d'un agent causatif de la maladie.(Traduit par Dr Marie-Soleil Dubois).

Effect of lidocaine on inflammation in equine jejunum subjected to manipulation only and remote to intestinal segments subjected to ischemia.

OBJECTIVE To examine effects of continuous rate infusion of lidocaine on transmural neutrophil infiltration in equine intestine subjected to manipulation only and remote to ischemic intestine. ANIMALS 14 healthy horses. PROCEDURES Ventral midline celiotomy was performed (time 0). Mild ischemia was induced in segments of jejunum and large colon. A 1-m segment of jejunum was manipulated by massaging the jejunal wall 10 times. Horses received lidocaine (n = 7) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (7) throughout anesthesia. Biopsy specimens were collected and used to assess tissue injury, neutrophil influx, cyclooxygenase expression, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression at 0, 1, and 4 hours after manipulation and ischemia. Transepithelial resistance (TER) and mannitol flux were measured by use of Ussing chambers. RESULTS Lidocaine did not consistently decrease neutrophil infiltration in ischemic, manipulated, or control tissues at 4 hours. Lidocaine significantly reduced circular muscle and overall scores for cyclooxygenase-2 expression in manipulated tissues. Manipulated tissues had significantly less HIF-1α expression at 4 hours than did control tissues. Mucosa from manipulated and control segments obtained at 4 hours had lower TER and greater mannitol flux than did control tissues at 0 hours. Lidocaine did not significantly decrease calprotectin expression. Severity of neutrophil infiltration was similar in control, ischemic, and manipulated tissues at 4 hours. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Manipulated jejunum did not have a significantly greater increase in neutrophil infiltration, compared with 4-hour control (nonmanipulated) jejunum remote to sites of manipulation, ischemia, and reperfusion. Lidocaine did not consistently reduce neutrophil infiltration in jejunum.

Jejunal fibroplasia in a rat.

A jejunal nodular mass was identified in an aging rat. Histologically, the boundaries between the lesion and surrounding normal tissue as well as between the inner circular muscle and outer longitudinal muscle were indistinct. The lesion consisted of abundant eosinophilic matrix and cells with a large round to oval nucleus and indistinct cytoplasm. There was no characteristic proliferating pattern, nuclear polymorphism and a low mitotic figure count. Masson's trichrome stain revealed that the intestinal smooth muscles were replaced by the abundant collagen fiber. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the cells with a large round to oval nucleus were labeled with anti-vimentin antibody and not with anti-α smooth muscle actin antibody, suggesting that these cells were fibroblasts. The mass was diagnosed as jejunal fibroplasia.

Duodenitis-Proximal Jejunitis in Horses After Experimental Administration of Clostridium difficile Toxins.

BACKGROUND: Duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) is an acute sporadic gastrointestinal disorder of horses of unknown cause. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: We hypothesize that Clostridium difficile toxins are involved in the pathogenesis of DPJ in horses. The objective of this study was to determine whether experimentally delivered C. difficile toxins cause clinical signs and histologic lesions similar to those of naturally occurring DPJ. ANIMALS: Six healthy mature mixed breed horses. METHODS: Experimental study: animal model of animal disease. Fasted horses were administered crude C. difficile toxins via gastroscopy and monitored for up to 48 hour. Blood was collected for complete blood cell count, biochemistry profile, and plasma fibrinogen assay, and abdominal fluid was collected for cytologic analysis and total solids before and after toxin administration. Physical examination and abdominal ultrasonography were performed throughout the study period. Tissues were collected from the gastrointestinal tract and processed for routine histologic analysis, and lesions were scored. RESULTS: Clinical signs were observed in 2 of 6 horses that are typical although not specific for horses with naturally occurring DPJ. Histopathologic lesions were observed in 6 of 6 horses and were similar to those reported in horses with naturally occurring DPJ. Two horses were severely affected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Duodenitis-proximal jejunitis is likely a syndrome with multiple causes that result in the same clinical and pathologic findings, and our data suggest that the toxins of C. difficile represent one cause of this syndrome. Toxin dose and variation in individual animal susceptibility might affect the clinical signs and lesions after administration of C. difficile toxins.

Intestinal epidermoid cyst in a cat.

A 3-year-old cat was presented with anorexia and vomiting. Palpation revealed a caudal abdominal mass. Ultrasound and explorative abdominal surgery revealed a cystic mass in the jejunum. Histopathologic findings were consistent with an epidermoid cyst. The cyst was likely of congenital origin, since the cat had not undergone previous abdominal surgery, and gradually grew to reach a size that caused intestinal obstruction. Extrapolating from findings in people, intestinal epidermoid cysts are considered benign with a good long-term prognosis when completely excised.

End-to-Side Versus Side-to-Side Jejunocecostomy in Horses: A Retrospective Analysis of 150 Cases.

OBJECTIVES: To determine factors associated with postoperative reflux, postoperative colic, repeat celiotomy, and survival in horses after end-to-side (E2S) or side-to-side (S2S) jejunocecostomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, multicenter study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Horses (n = 150). METHODS: Admissions, intra- and postoperative data were collected from medical records of horses that had E2S or S2S jejunocecostomy. Descriptive statistics were calculated and data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests, linear and multivariate logistic regression with significance set at P < .05. Kaplan-Meier estimate of the survival function was performed. RESULTS: One hundred fifty horses (S2S = 90, E2S = 60) were included. S2S procedures were performed using staples (n = 57) or hand-sewn (33). Method of anastomosis was not significantly associated with development of postoperative reflux or colic, repeat celiotomy, whether the horse was alive at hospital discharge or 12 months after discharge. The number of years that the principal surgeon was boarded by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons significantly affected whether the horse was discharged from the hospital alive (P = .003). Age (P = .006) was significantly associated with 12-month survival. Increased age (P = .013) and administration of prokinetic medication (P = .0006) were significantly associated with development of postoperative reflux. Sixty-eight (76%) horses with S2S and 52 (87%) horses with E2S were discharged alive. CONCLUSION: Age, patient related variables, and surgeon experience may influence morbidity and mortality more than method of jejunocecostomy.

Imaging diagnosis--muscular hypertrophy of the small intestine and pseudodiverticula in a horse.

A 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was presented for chronic colic and weight loss. Transcutaneous and transrectal abdominal ultrasonography revealed distended, thickened small intestine with primary thickening of the muscularis and a focally more thickened loop with an echoic structure crossing the wall from the mucosa to the serosa. Visualization of diffuse thickening of the muscularis (muscular hypertrophy of the small intestine) and a focal lesion (pseudodiverticulum) helped clinicians make informed decisions. This case illustrates the importance of transabdominal and transrectal ultrasonography in horses with chronic colic and the relevance of considering the abnormalities in layering pattern of the intestinal wall.

Effects of experimental mechanical manipulations on local inflammation in the jejunum of horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine characteristics of the inflammatory reaction in the jejunum of horses in response to various mechanical manipulations. ANIMALS: 12 adult warm blood horses without gastrointestinal tract disorders. PROCEDURES: The proximal aspect of the jejunum in each horse was divided into 5 segments, and the following manipulations were performed: manual emptying, placement of Doyen forceps, enterotomy alone, enterotomy with mucosal abrasion, and serosal abrasion. Jejunum samples were collected before (control), immediately after, and 30 minutes after the end of manipulations and histologically evaluated to determine distribution of neutrophils and eosinophils. RESULTS: Macroscopically, all manipulations resulted in jejunal hemorrhage and edema. Compared with control samples, neutrophil numbers were significantly higher after manipulations in the serosa (after all manipulation types), circular muscle layer (after manual emptying), submucosa (after placement of Doyen forceps), and mucosa (after all manipulations except enterotomy alone). Eosinophil numbers were significantly higher in the submucosa after mechanical abrasion of the serosa and manual emptying versus control samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated mechanical manipulation of the jejunum resulted in local inflammatory reactions characterized predominantly by infiltration of neutrophils. This could contribute to the development of postoperative ileus or adhesions in horses without macroscopically detectable injury of the jejunum during surgery.

Jejunal hematoma in cattle: a retrospective case analysis.

Sixteen years of adult cattle submissions to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System were examined and data captured from cases with anaerobic cultures of intestinal content. Analysis was performed to determine if there were statistical differences between case submission types (nonbloody intestinal content [129 cases], bloody intestinal content [134 cases], and jejunal hematoma [JH; 51 cases]) for the presence of Clostridium perfringens (314 cases), C. perfringens toxinotypes (35 cases), and C. perfringens toxins (51 cases) in the content. Across submission types, significant differences were found in the isolation of C. perfringens between different specimen types (live cow, dead cow, or tissue from a field necropsy) with field samples being the most likely to have C. perfringens detected and live animals the least likely (P = 0.001). In cases of JH, detection of C. perfringens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was more likely when a live or dead animal was submitted (P = 0.023) or when a live animal was submitted (P = 0.019) compared with submission of field necropsy tissues. These differences were not observed when cultures were performed to detect C. perfringens in cases of JH. There were no statistical differences between submission types with regard to any other variables evaluated. Detailed histologic examination of 21 cases of JH suggested disturbance of normal vascular or lymphatic function as the underlying problem in this entity.

Use of a hand-assisted laparoscopic surgical technique for closure of an extensive mesojejunal rent in a horse.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 7-year-old 573-kg (1,261 -lb) Swiss Warmblood gelding was evaluated because of signs of acute abdominal pain. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination revealed a markedly distended abdomen with subjectively reduced borborygmi in all abdominal quadrants. A large, gas-distended viscus was present at the pelvic brim preventing complete palpation of the abdomen per rectum. Ultrasonographic evaluation could not be safely performed in the initial evaluation because of severe signs of abdominal pain. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Ventral midline celiotomy was performed, and right dorsal displacement of the ascending colon was corrected. Progressive signs of abdominal pain after surgery prompted repeat ventral midline celiotomy, and small intestinal incarceration in a large, radial mesojejunal rent was detected. The incarceration was reduced, but the defect was not fully accessible for repair via the celiotomy. Repair of the mesenteric defect was not attempted, and conservative management was planned after surgery; however, signs of colic returned. A standard laparoscopic approach was attempted from both flanks in the standing patient, but the small intestine could not be adequately mobilized for full evaluation of the rent. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) allowed identification and reduction of jejunal incarceration and repair of the mesenteric rent. Although minor ventral midline incisional complications were encountered, the horse recovered fully. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: HALS techniques should be considered for repair of mesenteric rents in horses. In the horse of this report, HALS facilitated identification, evaluation, and repair of a large radial mesenteric rent that was not accessible from a ventral median celiotomy.

The rabbit as an infection model for equine proliferative enteropathy.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the susceptibility of rabbits to Lawsonia intracellularis obtained from a case of clinical equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). This is a preliminary step toward developing a rabbit infection model for studying pathogenesis and therapy of EPE in horses. Nine does were equally assigned to 3 groups. Animals in 2 groups (Group 1 and Group 2) were orally inoculated with different doses of cell-cultured L. intracellularis. Controls (Group 3) were sham-inoculated. Feces and blood were collected before the rabbits were infected and at 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection (DPI). Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers were measured using an immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA) and fecal samples were analyzed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). A doe from each group was euthanized at 7, 14, and 21 DPI for collection and evaluation of intestinal samples. Tissues were stained by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) method and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with L. intracellularis-specific mouse monoclonal antibody. At 14 DPI, serologic responses were detected in both infected groups, which maintained high titers through to 21 DPI. Lawsonia intracellularis DNA was detected in the feces of Group 2 on 7 DPI and in both infected groups on 14 DPI. Gross lesions were apparent in Group 1 and Group 2 on 14 DPI. Immunohistochemistry confirmed L. intracellularis antigen within cells of rabbits in Group 1 and Group 2 on 7, 14, and 21 DPI. No lesions, serologic response, shedding, or IHC labeling were found in Group 3 rabbits. This study describes an EPE rabbit model that simulates natural infection, as typical lesions, immune response, and fecal shedding were present.

Cette étude visait à démontrer la susceptibilité des lapins à Lawsonia intracellularis obtenu d'un cas clinique d'entéropathie proliférative équine (EPE). Ceci est une étape préliminaire dans le développement d'un modèle d'infection chez le lapin pour étudier la pathogénie et le traitement de l'EPE chez les chevaux. Neuf lapines ont été assignées également à 3 groupes. Les animaux dans deux groupes (Groupe 1 et Groupe 2) ont été inoculés oralement avec différentes doses de L. intracellularis cultivés sur cellules. Les témoins (Groupe 3) étaient faussement inoculés. Des fèces et du sang ont été prélevés avant que les lapins soient infectés et aux jours 7, 14 et 21 post-infection (DPI). Les titres sériques d'immunoglobulines G (IgG) ont été mesurés par une épreuve d'immunoperoxydase en monocouche (IPMA) et les échantillons de fèces ont été analysés par réaction quantitative d'amplification en chaîne par la polymérase (qPCR). Une lapine de chaque groupe a été euthanasiée 7, 14 et 21 DPI pour prélèvement et évaluation d'échantillons intestinaux. Les tissus étaient colorés à l'aide d'hématoxyline et éosine (H&E) et en immunohistochime (IHC) avec un anticorps monoclonal de souris spécifique à L. intracellularis. Au jour 14 post-infection, une réponse sérologique a été détectée chez les animaux des deux groupes infectés, et des titres élevés ont été maintenus jusqu'à 21 DPI. De l'ADN de L. intracellularis fut détecté dans les fèces du Groupe 2 au jour 7 PI et dans les 2 groupes infectés au jour 14 PI. Des lésions macroscopiques étaient apparentes dans le Groupe 1 et le Groupe 2 au jour 14 PI. L'immunohistochime a confirmé la présence d'antigène de L. intracellularis à l'intérieur des cellules de lapins dans les Groupes 1 et 2 aux jours 7, 14 et 21 PI. Aucune lésion, réponse sérologique, excrétion, ou marquage en IHC n'ont été trouvés chez les lapins du Groupe 3. La présente étude décrit un modèle lapin d'EPE qui imite l'infection naturelle, étant donné la présence de lésions typiques, de réponse immunitaire et d'excrétion fécale.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Understanding jejunal hemorrhage syndrome.

Jejunal hemorrhage syndrome (JHS) is an acute, highly fatal enterotoxemic disorder in dairy cattle that has been reported during the last few decades. No specific cause of this syndrome has been identified; however, several studies have revealed a strong association between JHS and infection with Clostridium perfringens type A. A common mold, Aspergillus fumigatus, has also been implicated as a potential causative agent in this disease syndrome. Clinical signs of JHS (including sudden decreases in feed intake and milk production, rapid loss of condition, a right-sided ping audible during simultaneous auscultation and percussion of the abdomen, abdominal distension, and melena or bloody feces) usually develop early during lactation when cattle receive rations that are high in energy and low in fiber. Appropriate preventive strategies have not yet been determined, and intensive medical management with or without surgical intervention is rarely successful. The use of commercially available vaccines that are directed against C perfringens types C and D is of questionable efficacy and not likely to be helpful as a preventative measure. This article highlights the potential etiologic and risk factors, describes common clinical signs, outlines relevant diagnostic testing, and summarizes treatment options and their outcomes.