Lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and apolipoprotein profile were investigated in canine pancreatitis induced by infusion with oleic acid (OA) into the accessory pancreatic duct. Pancreatitis was ...diagnosed by physical, hematological, biochemical and pathological examinations. In OA-treated dogs, serum triglyceride (TG) concentration was increased; however, there were no changes in serum total cholesterol (TC) and phospholipid (PL) concentrations. Serum concentrations of TG, TC, PL and total lipids (TL) in beta lipoprotein and those of TC, PL and TL in pre-beta lipoprotein were increased and those of TC, PL and TL in alpha1 lipoprotein were decreased. In apolipoprotein profile, the proportions of apolipoprotein B100 in low density lipoprotein fraction and apolipoprotein A-IV in high density lipoprotein fraction were increased. In addition, decreased proportion of apolipoprotein A-I and the appearance of serum amyloid A protein in high density lipoprotein fraction were observed. These results suggest that lipoprotein profiles observed in canine acute pancreatitis are attributed to the alterations in apolipoprotein compositions.
A thyroid gland tumor, showing unusual histology, was identified in a 13-year-old male Andalusian horse. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of neoplastic proliferation of C-cell (parafollicular ...cell) with cytoplasmic fine granules, containing diffusely distributed, variously sized colloid-containing follicles. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic C-cell were positive for calcitonin and follicle-forming epithelial cells showed a positive reaction for thyroglobulin. Ultrastructurally, membrane-bound secretory granules up to 250 nm in diameter were found in the cytoplasm of the parafollicular cells, whereas the follicular epithelial cells had microvilli, junctional complex, and well-developed endoplasmic reticulum.
A castrated 13-year-old male papillon had difficulty defecating. Echography revealed the presence of a huge mass in the pelvic cavity. Based on the needle biopsy findings and clinical history, the ...mass was suspected to be a seminoma that had metastasized to a medial iliac lymph node. Because the tumor was close to several large blood vessels and urethral tubes, it was considered to be difficult to resect. We performed radiation therapy first (4 MV X-ray, 5.4 Gy/fraction, 3 times/week, total 37.8 Gy). As a result, the tumor decreased to 47% of its primary size on the last day of radiation therapy, and to 29% after another 14 days. Fourteen days after the last radiation therapy, we surgically resected the remaining tumor. The canine has had a benign course. Preoperative irradiation can be very effective for canine seminoma metastasized to a medial iliac lymph node, which is difficult to resect.
The mammary tumor is one of the popular neoplastic diseases in female dogs. In the present study, the expression of canine c-kit proto-oncogene in mammary tumor specimens was investigated to evaluate ...its potential usefulness as a tumor marker. By comparing the homology among the nucleotide sequences reported for human, mouse, rat and feline c-kit c-DNA, a pair of primers was synthesized for the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The RT-PCR product of canine spleen total RNA was shown to have 756 bp in size and to be highly homologous to the corresponding sequences reported for the mammalian species. The expression of c-kit transcript was detected in 11 mammary tumors of different histopathology including adenocarcinomas, benign and malignant mixed tumors. The level of the transcription in adenocarcinomas was significantly higher than those in malignant mixed tumors. Fifteen canine tumor specimens originated from various tissues were also tested for their c-kit transcript. In all of the mastocytoma samples examined, high expression of the mRNA was detected. Of other 12 tumors, only low level of RT-PCR products were detected in 5 samples, whereas no apparent amplification was observed in 7 tumors. These results indicate that the high expression of c-kit transcript is helpful for the diagnosis of canine mammary tumors.
Arthritis was produced in beagles by the immunological reaction to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Dogs immunized with BSA showed the development of delayed type-hypersensitivity response to BSA and the ...significant increase in the titer of serum anti-BSA antibodies. The development of arthritis and the increase in a number of nucleated cells in synovial fluid were observed by the injection with BSA into the knee joints of immunized dogs. The synovial membrane of BSA-injected joints revealed a remarkable villous hyperplasia of membrane, and an infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells around vessels, resulting in a lymphoid nodule-like formation. The depositions of IgG and C3 on the surface of the synovial membrane were also observed in BSA-injected joints. Histopathological and immunopathological findings indicated that the immune response to BSA in the knee joints could induce a rheumatoid arthritis like chronic synovitis in dogs.
A six-month-old male Golden Retriever with a three-month history of polyuria and polydipsia was examined. Hematological examinations revealed nonregenerative anemia, azotemia, high serum creatinine ...level, hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperamylasemia, and low level of total serum protein. Urinalysis indicated mild proteinuria, and low specific gravity. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations revealed bilateral small sized kidneys. Histological examination by renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of renal dysplasia. Treatment with a dietary protein restriction, oral adsorbents, and dried aluminum hydroxide gel have been performed in this dog, and then, azotemia, high serum creatinine level, hypercalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia were improved. During 10 months after the initiation of treatments, no significant clinical change except polydipsia and polyuria has been observed.
PDF
