Maternal Hyperthyroidism in Rats Alters the Composition and Gene Expression of the Matrix Produced In Vitro by Chondrocytes from Offspring with Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

Herein, we aimed to evaluate cultures of femoral chondrocytes from offspring of rats with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) induced by maternal hyperthyroidism. Fourteen adult female Wistar rats were divided into two groups, a control group and a group treated with daily L-thyroxine administration using an orogastric tube (50 µg/animal/day) during pregnancy. Three days after birth, the offspring were euthanized for chondrocyte extraction. At 7, 14, and 21 days, viability and alkaline-phosphatase (ALP) activity were assessed using the MTT assay and BCIP/NBT method, respectively, in a 2D culture. Pellets (3D cultures) were stained with periodic acid Schiff (PAS) to assess the morphology and percentage of PAS+ areas. The gene transcripts for Col2, Col10, Acan, Sox9, and Runx2 were evaluated by qRT-PCR. The MTT and ALP-assay results showed no significant differences between the groups. Maternal hyperthyroidism did not alter the chondrocyte morphology, but significantly reduced the percentage of PAS+ areas, decreased the expression of the gene transcripts of Col2 and Acan, and increased Sox9 expression. Maternal hyperthyroidism in rats alters the composition and gene expression of the matrix produced by chondrocytes from offspring with IUGR. This may be one of the mechanisms through which excess maternal thyroid hormones reduce offspring bone growth.

Versican expression in myoepithelial cells from carcinomas in canine mixed mammary tumors.

The matrix of canine mixed mammary tumors (CMMTs) consists of proliferating spindle cells of possible myoepithelial origin, as well as myxomatous tissue, cartilage matrix and/or bone. Among the multiple components of this tumor extracellular matrix, versican probably plays a prominent role due to its importance in tumor progression, cell proliferation and differentiation. However, there are few data related to a possible association between versican expression and the state of myoepithelial cell differentiation in CMMTs. Using immunohistochemistry and histochemistry, the objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of versican, sulfated proteoglycans and mucopolysaccharides in myoepithelial cells at different stages of differentiation and to explore a potential relationship with p63 and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression. A significant difference in versican expression was observed among the different stages of myoepithelial cell differentiation with an inverse correlation between versican and p63/SMA expression. These results suggest that at an early stage of proliferation, myoepithelial cells acquire a phenotype consistent with a role in chondrogenesis. Moreover, myoepithelial cells showed an affinity for safranin and periodic acid-Schiff staining at different stages of proliferation supporting the myoepithelial origin of spindle cells from CMMTs.

Expressão da COX-2 nos carcinomas mamários de cadelas / Expression of COX-2 in canine mammary tumors

Na cadela, a freqüência dos tumores mamários espontâneos é duas a três vezes superior à observada na mulher. A identificação de marcadores tumorais é um método valioso para predizer o comportamento da neoplasia e determinar o prognóstico da doença. Alguns trabalhos relacionam a elevada expressão da ciclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) ao aumento da capacidade proliferativa das células neoplásicas, diminuição da taxa apoptótica, e neovascularização, fatores que indiscutivelmente ampliam o potencial metastático das células tumorais, representando um prognóstico extremamente desfavorável. Foram selecionadas e acompanhadas 30 cadelas apresentando neoplasia mamária atendidas do HOSPMEV-UFBA no período de agosto/2007 a Junho/2008. Foi realizado o esta¬diamento clínico, classificação e graduação histológica e imunomarcação para COX-2. A partir do diagnóstico histopatológico, os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: carcinoma evoluindo em tumor misto benigno (CATMB) e outros carcinomas (CA). Foi observada uma freqüência signi¬ficativamente maior de CATMB. A comparação da imunomarcação ainda que maior no segundo grupo, não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa. A COX-2 apresentou correlação significativa e positiva com tamanho tumoral (p=0,042) e envolvimento linfonodal (p=0,005). A maior taxa de sobrevida global foi observada em cadelas cujos tumores apresentavam menor quantidade de células positivas para COX-2. Com base nos resultados observados podemos concluir que a COX-2 apresenta-se como um marcador potencial para câncer de mama da cadela trazendo perspectivas para desenvolvimento de novas terapias anti-tumorais(AU)

In the female dog, the frequency of the spontaneous mammary tumors is two to three times higher than that observed in women. The identification of tumors markers is a valuable method for predicting the behavior of the tumor and determine the prognosis of the disease. Some studies relate the high expression of ciclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) to the increase of the proliferation capacity of the cancer cells, decrease apoptosis and angiogenesis, factors which undoubtedly increased the metastatic potential of tumors cells, representing an extremely poor prognosis. Were selected and monitored 30 female dog with mammary cancer attended the UFBA HOSPMEV-in period of August/2007 to June/2008. Were carried clinical tumor evolution, classification and histological grade and immunoreactive for COX-2. From the histopathologic diagnosis, the animals were divided into two groups: carcinomas develop in benign mixed tumor (CATMB) and other carcinomas (CA). There was a significantly higher frequency of CATMB. A comparison of immunoreactive even higher in the second group, showed no statistically significant difference. COX-2 showed significant and positive correlation with tumor size (p = 0.042) and lymph node involvement (p = 0005). The highest rate of overall survival was observed in bitches whose tumors had fewer cells positive for COX-2. Based on the observed results can conclude that the COX-2 is a potential marker for breast cancer the dog bringing new prospects for development of anti-tumor therapy(AU)

Expressão da COX-2 nos carcinomas mamários de cadelas / Expression of COX-2 in canine mammary tumors

Na cadela, a freqüência dos tumores mamários espontâneos é duas a três vezes superior à observada na mulher. A identificação de marcadores tumorais é um método valioso para predizer o comportamento da neoplasia e determinar o prognóstico da doença. Alguns trabalhos relacionam a elevada expressão da ciclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) ao aumento da capacidade proliferativa das células neoplásicas, diminuição da taxa apoptótica, e neovascularização, fatores que indiscutivelmente ampliam o potencial metastático das células tumorais, representando um prognóstico extremamente desfavorável. Foram selecionadas e acompanhadas 30 cadelas apresentando neoplasia mamária atendidas do HOSPMEV-UFBA no período de agosto/2007 a Junho/2008. Foi realizado o esta¬diamento clínico, classificação e graduação histológica e imunomarcação para COX-2. A partir do diagnóstico histopatológico, os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: carcinoma evoluindo em tumor misto benigno (CATMB) e outros carcinomas (CA). Foi observada uma freqüência signi¬ficativamente maior de CATMB. A comparação da imunomarcação ainda que maior no segundo grupo, não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa. A COX-2 apresentou correlação significativa e positiva com tamanho tumoral (p=0,042) e envolvimento linfonodal (p=0,005). A maior taxa de sobrevida global foi observada em cadelas cujos tumores apresentavam menor quantidade de células positivas para COX-2. Com base nos resultados observados podemos concluir que a COX-2 apresenta-se como um marcador potencial para câncer de mama da cadela trazendo perspectivas para desenvolvimento de novas terapias anti-tumorais

In the female dog, the frequency of the spontaneous mammary tumors is two to three times higher than that observed in women. The identification of tumors markers is a valuable method for predicting the behavior of the tumor and determine the prognosis of the disease. Some studies relate the high expression of ciclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) to the increase of the proliferation capacity of the cancer cells, decrease apoptosis and angiogenesis, factors which undoubtedly increased the metastatic potential of tumors cells, representing an extremely poor prognosis. Were selected and monitored 30 female dog with mammary cancer attended the UFBA HOSPMEV-in period of August/2007 to June/2008. Were carried clinical tumor evolution, classification and histological grade and immunoreactive for COX-2. From the histopathologic diagnosis, the animals were divided into two groups: carcinomas develop in benign mixed tumor (CATMB) and other carcinomas (CA). There was a significantly higher frequency of CATMB. A comparison of immunoreactive even higher in the second group, showed no statistically significant difference. COX-2 showed significant and positive correlation with tumor size (p = 0.042) and lymph node involvement (p = 0005). The highest rate of overall survival was observed in bitches whose tumors had fewer cells positive for COX-2. Based on the observed results can conclude that the COX-2 is a potential marker for breast cancer the dog bringing new prospects for development of anti-tumor therapy

Systemic canine protothecosis

Protothecosis is a rare disease caused by achlorophyllic algae of the genus Prototheca. This case involved a 5 year-old intact female Cocker Spaniel, with a history of mild and persistent diarrhea that was not responsive to treatment. Clinical signs progressed to watery and bloody diarrhea followed by development of ocular signs, including complete and bilateral retinal displacement, glaucoma, synechia, and blindness. At necropsy, lesions observed consisted of necro-hemorrhagic enteritis, and multiple white nodular lesions in the heart, pancreas, kidneys, and thyroid gland. Microscopically, the nodular lesions were characterized by a chronic histiocytic inflammatory infiltrate associated with a severe accumulation of organisms with morphology and histochemical features compatible with Prototheca sp.