Effect of acetylcysteine on experimental corneal wounds in dogs.

The effects of 3, 10 and 20% concentrations of acetylcysteine on experimental corneal wound healing in dogs were evaluated. Experimental corneal wounds were induced surgically, up to the depth of the anterior third of the stroma, in both eyes of 18 dogs. One of the eyes was treated topically with 0.9% NaCl solution three times a day. The contralateral eye was treated topically with acetylcysteine (3, 10 and 20% concentrations) in each of 6 cases separately. Corneal wounds were measured by fluorescein staining every day. The mean time of healing in the 3% group was significantly different from control eyes (6.17 +/- 1.94 days). It was 7.19 +/- 0.75 days in the 20% group and 7 +/- 2 days in the 10% group. The last two groups were not significantly different from the controls (9.67 +/- 3.01 days and 8.17 +/- 3.60 days, respectively).

Evaluation of low level laser therapy on primary healing of experimentally induced full thickness teat wounds in dairy cattle.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on sutured wounds of the teat in dairy cattle. STUDY DESIGN: By using the Latin square design, the effect of LLLT was evaluated by radiography, measurement of microcirculation flow, histopathology, tensiometry, and hydroxyproline analysis. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Sixteen teats of four dairy cattle. METHODS: Full thickness wounds were made on the cranial surface of the teats. Teats were distributed into four groups; group A and B wounds were closed with a Gambee pattern, group C and D wounds were closed with three-layers of continuous suture pattern. Group B and D wounds were treated with 3.64 J/cm2 of LLLT using a helium-neon system continuous wave (632.8 nm) output of 8.5 nW. RESULTS: The teat wall in non-LLLT groups was significantly thicker than in LLLT groups on day 7, 14 and 21. The mean blood flow differences between control and sutured sites in LLLT groups were significantly lower than those in non-LLLT groups. The morphology of the epidermis in LLLT groups more closely resembled the normal epidermis than that of non-LLLT groups. Collagen fibers in LLLT groups were denser, thicker, better arranged and more continuous with existing collagen fibers than those in non-LLLT groups. The mean tensile strength was significantly greater in LLLT groups than in non-LLLT groups. CONCLUSION: The LLLT affects various aspects of the healing process, including minimizing inflammation, formation of edema, improvement of skin regeneration and enhancement of collagen synthesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The LLLT could accelerate healing of sutured wounds of the teat in dairy cattle.

Evaluation of wound healing of the teat with and without low level laser therapy in dairy cattle by laser Doppler flowmetry in comparison with histopathology, tensiometry and hydroxyproline analysis.

Perforated teat wounds in eight lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were closed by four suture patterns with or without low level laser therapy (LLLT). Wound healing was evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), tensiometry and hydroxyproline analysis, and compared with histopathological examination. The three-layer pattern provided the best healing of the entire teat. Mucosal hyperplasia was observed in Gambee and continuous two-layer pattern while eversion of the skin, presence of suture tracts and a greater amount of granulation tissue were observed with the continuous and interrupted two-layer patterns. The epidermis in LLLT groups more closely resembled the normal epidermis, and collagen fibres were denser, thicker and better arranged in LLLT than in non-LLLT groups. LDF, tensiometry and hydroxyproline analysis correlated well with histopathological examination. The results suggest that LDF, a more rapid, less invasive and painless procedure, can replace tensile strength measurement or hydroxyproline analysis to assess the progress of teat wound healing.

Histopathological effect of low-level laser therapy on sutured wounds of the teat in dairy cattle.

Perforating wounds were made on the cranial surface of 32 teats in eight dairy cattle. The teats were distributed into eight groups with four kinds of suture patterns. The used suture patterns were Gambee in Groups A and E, continuous 2-layer (Cushing for submucosal layer, continuous horizontal mattress for intermediate layer and skin) in Groups B and F, separated 2-layer (simple continuous for mucosal layer, vertical mattress for intermediate layer and skin) in Groups C and G, and 3-layer (simple continuous for mucosal and intermediate layers, simple interrupted for skin) in Groups D and H. The wounds of Groups E, F, G and H were subjected to 3.64 J/cm2 dose of low-level laser, using a helium-neon system with an output of 8.5 mW, continuous wave at 632.8 nm. Histopathologically, healing was different between various suture patterns and between low level laser therapy (LLLT) and non-LLLT-groups. The results suggest that the 3-layer pattern was the best and LLLT could accelerate healing of perforating wounds of the teat in dairy cattle.

Effect of different suture patterns on wound healing of the teat in dairy cattle.

Experimentally-induced perforating wounds in 4 Holstein Friesian lactating cows were sutured using Gambee, continuous 2-layer (Cushing for submucosal layer and continuous horizontal mattress for skin and intermediate layer), separated 2-layer (simple continuous for mucosal layer and vertical mattress for skin and intermediate layer) and 3-layer (simple continuous for mucosal and intermediate layers, simple interrupted for skin) suture patterns. Wound healing was evaluated by radiograph, blood flowmetry, tensiometry, measurement of hydroxyproline content and histopathology. The present results suggest that 3-layer pattern provided the best healing of the entire teat. Mucosal hyperplasia was observed in Gambee and continuous 2-layer pattern while eversion of the skin, presence of suture tracts and greater amount of granulation tissue were observed in continuous and separated 2-layer patterns.

Comparative evaluation of fatty infiltration of the liver in dairy cattle by using blood and serum analysis, ultrasonography, and digital analysis.

Blood samples were collected from 158 Holstein-Friesian cows and analysed for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and ornithine carabamoyltransferase activities and glucose, total bilirubin, triglyceride, cholesterol-ester and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations. Ultrasonography of the liver was performed, and hepatic ultrasonograms were evaluated subjectively or analysed digitally, and liver samples were examined histopathologically. The diagnostic rates for the different tests were compared. Of the 158 animals, 117 had a normal liver and 41 had fatty infiltration of the liver. For diagnosis of fatty infiltration, digital analysis had the highest sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values, followed by ultrasonography.