RESUMO
Background and Aim: Heat stress is a major challenge for animals, impairing their welfare and performance. This study aimed to determine the effect of heat stress on the vital and hematobiochemical parameters of healthy dogs. Materials and Methods: The experimental subjects comprised 10 dogs, encompassing seven males and three non-pregnant females between 2 and 3 years of age. Ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded 2 hourly during the day and the temperature humidity index was calculated. Vital parameters [i.e., rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate, and heart rate (HR)] were assessed and blood was collected from each dog daily for hematobiochemical analysis. Results: The RT (38.5±0.2°C) of dogs exposed to high AT and high RH (HA/HR) conditions was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of dogs exposed to HA and low RH (LR) conditions (37.2±0.11°C). Under HA/HR conditions, packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentrations, and white blood cell counts were significantly lower than those of the same dogs exposed to HA/LR conditions. Conversely, under HA/HR conditions, the lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and cortisol values were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the values obtained in dogs exposed to HA/LR conditions. Meanwhile, the alkaline phosphatase, urea, and glucose levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in dogs exposed to HA/HR conditions. Conclusion: The exposure of healthy dogs to HA/HR conditions induced heat stress, which may have an adverse effect on their immune status, thereby affecting their health and welfare.
RESUMO
We investigated serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-6 and IL-8) in rats undergoing pancreatic wound healing after partial pancreatectomy. In addition, we studied the effects of partial pancreatectomy on the insulin and the electrocardiography (ECG). We proposed that vitamin C (VitC) could have maintenance impact on TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, insulin, and ECG parameters of pancreatic wound healing of Wistar rats that had partial pancreatectomy surgery, if administered in large dose. Thirty-five male adult Wistar rats (180-250 g) were randomized into 7 groups, with 5 rats in each group. Group 1 was control. Groups 2, 3, and 4 (phase 1) received oral 1,000 mg/kg VitC, while groups 5, 6, and 7 (phase 2) received only water and feed ad libitum postoperatively for 14 days. One-quarter (») pancreatectomy was performed in groups 2 and 5, half (½) pancreatectomy was performed in groups 3 and 6, and three-quarter (¾) pancreatectomy was performed in groups 4 and 7. Significant (P < 0.5) decrease in IL-6 was observed in phase 1 when compared with the control. Significant increase in IL-6 was observed when compared with control. Significant increase in IL-8 was observed in phase 1 (groups 2 and 3) and phase 2 when compared with the control. Significant decrease in TNF-α was observed in phase 1 when compared with the control. Significant decrease in TNF-α was observed in phase 2 (groups 6 and 7) when compared with the control. Insulin level decreased and increased insignificantly in phase 2 and phase 1, respectively, when compared with the control. Although atrial fibrillation was recorded in phase 2 (group 7), normal ECG was seen in the control and phase 1 (group 2). Large dose vitC may be helpful in the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines as well as elevation of insulin and normalization of ECG in rats that had undergone partial pancreatectomy.
