Assessment of brain injury in cattle with Theileria annulata: Neuron-specific biomarkers, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis

Evaluation of the Use of Different Sensitive Cardiac Biomarkers in Determining Myocardial Damage in Cows With Subclinical and Clinical Ketoses

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether the increase in BHBA concentration damages the myocardium in ketotic cows. Measurement of troponin is the gold standard in myocardial injury.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to explore the impact of elevated β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations on myocardial damage in cows diagnosed with subclinical ketosis (SCK) and clinical ketosis (CK). Additionally, the study aimed to elucidate the relationship between heart-type fatty acid-binding protein 3 (H-FABP 3) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentrations, as well as their correlation with various biochemical parameters that assess myocardial and metabolic health.

METHODS

The animal material used in this study consisted of 30 postpartum Holstein cows, aged between 2 and 5 years. The study group comprised 10 cows with SCK, 10 with CK and 10 cows in the control group (CG).

RESULTS

The concentration of hs-cTnI in cows with CK was significantly higher compared to both the CG (p < 0.005) and the SCK group (p < 0.019). Similarly, the H-FABP 3 concentration in the CK and SCK groups was significantly elevated compared to the CG (p < 0.001). The creatinine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) levels were significantly higher in cows with CK compared to the CG (p < 0.010). Furthermore, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the CK group were significantly elevated compared to the CG (p < 0.011). A significant positive correlation was observed between BHBA concentration and the levels of both hs-cTnI and H-FABP 3 in ketotic cows. Additionally, significant correlations were found between various biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], AST, CK-MB and phosphorus) and the concentrations of H-FABP 3 and hs-cTnI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that high BHBA concentrations in ketosis cows may indirectly cause myocardial damage. However, future studies need to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant concentrations and troponin.

Pathological Investigation of the Effect of Bovine Colostrum Against 5-FU-Induced Liver, Kidney, and Heart Toxicity in Rats

This study aimed to investigate the possible histopathological and immunohistochemical effects of bovine colostrum (BC) against the toxic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the liver, kidney, and heart of Wistar Albino rats. Animals were divided into three groups: control, 5-FU, and 5-FU+BC. The control group received 2 mL/kg i.p. saline, the 5-FU group 100 mg/kg i.p. 5-FU, and the 5-FU+BC group received 100 mg/kg i.p. saline on the first day of the study. The 5-FU and 5-FU+BC groups received 100 mg/kg i.p. of 5-FU and 1000 mg/kg BC orally each day of the study. Liver, kidney, and heart tissues were examined histopathologically for lesions and the expression of TNF-α, HSP-27, CASP-3, and 8-OHdG. No pathologic lesions were observed in the control group, whereas severe pathologic lesions were observed in the 5-FU group. In the 5-FU+BC group, the lesions were less severe than in the 5-FU group. In immunohistochemical examination, biomarker expression was not observed in the control group, whereas it was severe in the 5-FU group and less severe in the 5-FU+BC group. At the end of the study, it was observed that 5-FU-induced pathological findings in liver, kidney, and heart tissues decreased with the use of bovine colostrum. The difference between the control group and the 5-FU and 5-FU+BC groups was significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Although the BC addition did not show any statistical significance in the pathological scores of 5-FU in liver, kidney, and heart tissues, it was observed that it improved the lesions of these tissues. Nevertheless, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses showed visible improvements in the 5-FU+BC group. Although more studies are needed, it is hoped that BC will improve prognosis by both reducing the side effects of 5-FU, a good chemotherapeutic agent, and its antineoplastic properties.