Transepidermal water loss in cats: comparison of three differently clipped sites to assess the influence of hair coat on transepidermal water loss values.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is one of the parameters that can be used to assess skin barrier function. The variability and reliability of TEWL measurements in dogs have been controversial, and the hair coat has been considered as one of the factors that may cause variation of TEWL values. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to establish a suitable procedure for measuring feline TEWL, to evaluate the influence of hair coat on TEWL measurements and to assess variations of TEWL at different anatomical sites. METHODS: Transepidermal water loss was measured using a closed-chamber evaporimeter, the VapoMeter(®). We compared three adjacent sites in the groin area of 10 clinically normal, domestic short hair cats. One site was unclipped, the second was trimmed with scissors and the third was shaved using electric clippers. Values of TEWL were obtained for 48 h after trimming with scissors and clippers. Five sites were clipped (upper back, lumbar back, lateral thigh, axillae and groin), and the TEWL was measured. RESULTS: The mean and SD of TEWL values of the clipper-trimmed site were the smallest, followed in order by the site trimmed with scissors and the unclipped site. The TEWL values were statistically constant in the clipper-trimmed site, while the values in the unclipped sites were not. There was no statistically significant difference in TEWL values between all of the anatomical sites except for the axillae. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Hair clipping of sites with electric clippers is recommended for TEWL measurement in cats.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in dogs affected with neoplasia or inflammation.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a member of the C-C family chemokines, which mobilizes monocytes from bone marrow to the site of inflammation. To evaluate the clinical utility of canine MCP-1 as a blood test item, we measured serum MCP-1 concentrations in normal and ill dogs. Reference interval of canine MCP-1 was established as 115.6-176.9 pg/ml. Serum MCP-1 concentrations increased in the dogs affected with neoplastic (518.0 ± 84.8 pg/ml), inflammatory (257.0 ± 42.5 pg/ml) or other diseases (360.3 ± 45.2 pg/ml). The results showed high sensitivity of MCP-1 to detect neoplasia and inflammation. Moreover, MCP-1 increased in some cases in which C-reactive protein didn't increase. MCP-1 might be helpful as a screening blood test marker for detection of neoplasia and inflammation in dogs.

Continuous intake of a high-fat diet beyond one generation promotes lipid accumulation in liver and white adipose tissue of female mice.

Lipid metabolism in a child may be altered when the mother has a high-fat diet (HFD), but it is unclear whether the lipid metabolism of future offspring (grandchildren) is also changed under these circumstances. In this study, we examined the influence of intake of an HFD beyond one generation on offspring in normal mice. Parent mice fed an HFD were bred and the resultant second and third generations were also fed an HFD. The diets used in the study had approximately 20% more energy than a standard chow diet. Changes in lipid metabolism were examined in each generation. Intake of an HFD from generation to generation promoted lipid accumulation in the white adipose tissue of female mice, increased lipid, glucose and insulin levels in the serum, increased the activities of enzymes associated with fatty acid metabolism in the liver, promoted lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and adipocytes and increased the mRNA levels of Cdkn1a in the liver and white adipose tissue. These results suggest that activation of Cdkn1a promoted lipid accumulation in the liver and white adipose tissue of third-generation female mice that were offspring from earlier generations fed HFDs. Moreover, intake of a high-energy diet beyond one generation led to offspring with obesity, fatty liver and hyperinsulinemia.

Establishment and characterization of canine rhabdomyosarcoma cell line CMS-C.

A novel canine tumor cell line designated as the CMS-C cell line was established from pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) raised in the prostate gland of a 14-year-old intact male mixed-breed dog. CMS-C cells displayed the same immunohistochemical characteristics (positive for vimentin and desmin and negative for cytokeratin and smooth muscle actin) as the original tumor cells and express myoD1 and UCP3, known as striated muscle-specific molecules, as shown by RT-PCR assay. Therefore, the established CMS-C cell line appears to be of rhabdomyoblast cell origin. The CMS-C cell line established from pleomorphic RMS will be a useful tool for further studies about canine RMS.