Reactive oxygen species, glutathione, and vitamin E concentrations in dogs with hemolytic or nonhemolytic anemia

Oxidative stress in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy treated with allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells

The search for new biomarkers in patients with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) is ongoing in the human and veterinary medicine fields. Oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione [GSH], and albumin) have been studied in humans with chronic enteropathies, but among them, only albumin has been studied in dogs with CIE. Moreover, the effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) treatment with or without prednisone on these parameters has never been studied in dogs with CIE. These parameters were compared between healthy dogs (n = 12) and dogs with CIE, and before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment with MSCs alone (n = 9) or together with prednisone (n = 11). The relationship between the Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index (CIBDAI) and oxidative stress was evaluated. Albumin was the only parameter that significantly differed between dogs with CIE and healthy dogs (p = 0,037). Differences were observed only in albumin values after combined treatment with MSCs and prednisone. No differences were observed in MDA and GSH after treatment with MSCs with or without prednisone. Albumin could help stage canine CIE, as well as its prognosis, as has already been demonstrated, although it is essential to evaluate this parameter for its antioxidant capacity, and therefore it could be a good biomarker of oxidative stress in this pathology. However, the treatment with MSCs seems unable to modify any of the analyzed oxidative stress parameters.

Effects of Spinach Extract and Licorice Extract on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

Anemia and weaning stress are important factors affecting piglet growth performance. Spinach extract and licorice extract have been used to improve anemia and antioxidant capacity, respectively. However, whether they have synergistic effects has not been reported. To evaluate the effects of mixed spinach extract and licorice extract on growth performance, serum biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota in weaned piglets, a total of 160 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to four treatments with four replications of 10 piglets each. The four treatments were as follows: control (CON) group (basal diet), spinach extract (SE) group (basal diet + 1.5 kg/t spinach extract), licorice extract (LE) group (basal diet + 400 g/t licorice extract), and spinach extract and licorice extract (MIX) group (basal diet + 1.5 kg/t spinach extract + 400 g/t licorice extract). The results showed that, compared with the CON group, diets supplemented with spinach extract and licorice extract significantly increased the average daily gain (p < 0.05), while considerably reducing the feed-to-gain ratio (p < 0.05). Moreover, the MIX group exhibited a significant up-regulation of serum total protein, globulin, albumin, glucose, and triglyceride levels in comparison to the CON group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, both the anemia and antioxidant capacity of piglets were effectively improved. Notably, the MIX group achieved even better results than the individual supplementation in terms of enhancing growth performance, which could potentially be attributed to the increased abundance of the Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. These results demonstrated that the supplementation of diets with spinach extract and licorice extract improves the absorption of nutrients from the diet and antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets.

Hemolysis, icterus and lipemia interfere with the determination of two oxidative stress biomarkers in canine serum

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress has been proven to play a role in numerous human and canine diseases. Among the biomarkers of oxidative stress, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) and Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) are two of the most widely used. Preanalytical factors are crucial for obtaining accurate results in these assays. Hemolysis, icterus and lipemia (HIL) are common sources of preanalytical errors in the laboratory; however, limited information is available regarding the considerations for canine specimens. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential interferences of HIL in the determination of TBARS and TAS in canine serum.

METHODS

Solutions of pooled canine serum samples were prepared by adding increasing concentrations of hemolysate, bilirubin and a synthetic lipid emulsion. TBARS and TAS were determined, and biases from the control value caused by the interfering substances were calculated.

RESULTS

Hemolysis, icterus and lipemia induced significant interferences on TBARS and TAS, albeit to varying degrees depending on the specific biomarker and interfering substance. TBARS appeared to be more susceptible to interferences in this study. Slight hemolysis, moderate icterus and slight lipemia caused notable deviations in TBARS values, surpassing the acceptable threshold for interference. TAS assay was also affected by HIL, although to a lesser extent compared to TBARS. Significant biases from TAS control value were observed when icterus was moderate, and when hemolysis and lipemia were more pronounced.

CONCLUSIONS

In light of our results, we conclude that hemolyzed, icteric and lipemic specimens are not suitable for TBARS and TAS determination in canine serum. Our findings hold considerable practical utility, as a simple visual inspection would be sufficient for identifying and excluding such specimens.

Antioxidant Effect of a Dietary Supplement Containing Fermentative S-Acetyl-Glutathione and Silybin in Dogs with Liver Disease

Oxidative stress is often involved in liver disease progression. Liver is the primary site for the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), the major intracellular antioxidant. GSH erythrocyte concentration can decrease in case of liver damage. So, the use of food supplements with antioxidant capacity has been reported in the veterinary literature. In this case-control study, we tested a new supplement containing S-acetyl-glutathione (SAG), silybin, and other antioxidant ingredients in dogs affected by liver disease. After two weeks of supplement administration, we were able to report a significant increase in the level of erythrocyte GSH in the treated (TRT) group, nearly reaching the physiological limit at the end of the study. In addition, most of the key liver parameters are significantly reduced in the TRT group by the end of the trial. The results of this study support the effectiveness of the tested complementary feed, which may be helpful in managing dogs with liver conditions.

Mechanism of Shiliu Buxue Syrup for anemia using integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology

For many years, Shiliu Buxue Syrup (SLBXS) has been used in the treatment of anemia in Xinjiang, China. However, the potential therapeutic mechanism of SLBXS in the treatment of anemia remains unclear. We qualitatively analyzed the ingredients of SLBXS and predicted the underlying mechanisms by network pharmacology. A mice model of anemia was established by subcutaneous injection of 1-Acetyl-2-phenylhydrazine (APH). Spleen metabolomics was performed to screen potential biomarkers and pathways related to anemia. Furthermore, core targets of crucial pathways were experimentally validated. Finally, molecular docking was used for predicting interactions between compositions and targets. Network pharmacology indicated that the 230 SLBXS ingredients may affect 141 target proteins to regulate the PI3K/AKT and HIF-1 signaling pathways. Metabolomics revealed that SLBXS could mediate 30 biomarkers, such as phosphoric acid, l-pyroglutamic acid, alpha-Tocopherol, 1-stearoyl-rac-glycerol, and dihydroxyacetone phosphate, to regulate drug metabolism-other enzymes, glutathione metabolism, glycolysis or gluconeogenesis, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and purine metabolism. Western blot indicated that SLBXS can regulate the protein expression levels of AKT1, Bcl2, Caspase3, HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and NOS2. The molecular docking revealed that most of the compositions had a good binding ability to the core targets. Based on these findings, we speculate that SLBXS treats anemia mainly by modulating the PI3K/AKT and HIF-1 pathways and glutathione and glycolytic metabolisms.

Spectrophotometric assays for evaluation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in serum: general concepts and applications in dogs and humans

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are reactive compounds derived from oxygen. In biological systems, an excessive amount of ROS can cause oxidative damage to biological macromolecules being involved in different diseases. Several assays have been developed in the last 30 years for ROS evaluation. The objective of this article will be to provide an update about the spectrophotometric methods currently used in the assessment of ROS in serum. The chemical basis of four different techniques will be reviewed, and examples of their possible applications will be provided. A particular emphasis about the practical applications of these assays in the dog will be made, but selected information about their use in humans will also be presented for comparative purposes, following a One-Health approach. The information about the spectrophotometric assays presented in this paper should be interpreted with caution once limited information about them is available yet, and further studies should be performed to clarify what they measure and their clinical application. Ideally, when applied to evaluate a sample's oxidative status, they should be incorporated in a panel of analytes where other oxidants, antioxidants, and biomarkers of inflammation were also included.

Reactive oxygen species, glutathione, and vitamin E concentrations in dogs with hemolytic or nonhemolytic anemia

BACKGROUND

Red blood cells (RBC) are uniquely susceptible to oxidative injury. Oxidative stress is both a cause for, and effect, of anemia in people but this has been minimally documented in dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To describe direct and indirect markers of oxidative stress in anemic dogs.

HYPOTHESIS

Anemic dogs will have oxidative stress when compared to healthy dogs.

ANIMALS

Forty-seven dogs with anemia (10 with hemolytic anemia) and 70 healthy control dogs.

METHODS

Prospective, cross-sectional study. Anemic dogs were identified from the patient population, and medical records were reviewed to classify the anemia as hemolytic or nonhemolytic. Flow cytometry was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) in erythrocyte isolates. Reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations were measured in both plasma and hemolysate samples, and vitamin E was measured in serum.

RESULTS

Anemic dogs (both hemolytic and nonhemolytic) had significantly lower median RBC hemolysate GSH concentrations (3.1 μM [0.4-30.8]) when compared to healthy dogs (7.0 μM [0.5-29.7]; P = .03). Dogs with hemolytic anemia had significantly higher median plasma GSH (7.6 μM [0.4-17.8]) when compared to dogs with nonhemolytic anemia (1.6 μM [0.01-7.1]; P = .04) and healthy dogs (2.8 μM [0.1-29.9]; P < .0001). Reactive oxygen species were detectable in all samples, but there was no difference in ROS or vitamin E between groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Oxidative stress is present in anemic dogs. Derangements in biomarkers of oxidative stress are different in dogs with hemolytic anemia and nonhemolytic anemia.