Acupuncture Improves Heart Rate Variability, Oxidative Stress Level, Exercise Tolerance, and Quality of Life in Tracheal Collapse Dogs

Effect of combined Zhuang medicine treatment on tricuspid annular displacement and heart rate variability in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objectives To assess the benefits of Zhuang medicine in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a focus on cardiac tricuspid annulus displacement and heart rate variability (HRV), thereby providing evidence supporting Zhuang medicine theories.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed echocardiographic data and HRV of 30 healthy subjects and 60 RA patients. RA patients were divided into two groups for a 6-month treatment: 30 received iguratimod (control group), and 30 underwent combined Zhuang medicine and needle-pricking therapy (test group). Echocardiographic assessments and HRV measures were recorded both before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Compared to the healthy group, RA patients showed increased late diastolic tricuspid annular velocity. However, early diastolic tricuspid annular velocity to late diastolic tricuspid annular velocity ratios, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and the standard deviation of average normal RR intervals (SDANN) were significantly lower (all P<0.05). After treatment, the test group exhibited higher clinical efficacy (90% vs. 56.67% in the control group). Significant improvements were observed in TAPSE and HRV indices [SDANN, standard deviation of the RR intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD), and the percentage of adjacent RR interval differences greater than 50 milliseconds (PNN50)] in the test group (all P<0.05). Additionally, a positive correlation was noted among these measurments.

CONCLUSION

Zhuang medicine significantly enhances right ventricular function and autonomic balance in RA patients, thus affirming its therapeutic potential.

Differences in Levels of Mitochondrial DNA Content at Various Stages of Canine Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in small-breed dogs, often leading to heart failure. Oxidative stress in MMVD can harm mitochondria, decreasing their DNA content. This study assesses dogs' oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA at different MMVD stages. Fifty-five small-breed dogs were categorized into four groups, including: A-healthy (n = 15); B-subclinical (n = 15); C-heart failure (n = 15); and D-end-stage MMVD (n = 10). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and mitochondrial DNA in peripheral blood were analyzed. Quantitative real-time PCR measured mitochondrial DNA, and PCR data were analyzed via the fold-change Ct method. Serum MDA levels were assessed using competitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mitochondrial DNA was significantly lower in group B (-0.89 ± 2.82) than in group A (1.50 ± 2.01), but significantly higher in groups C (2.02 ± 1.44) and D (2.77 ± 1.76) than B. MDA levels were notably elevated in groups B (19.07 ± 11.87 µg/mL), C (23.41 ± 12.87 μg/mL), and D (19.72 ± 16.81 μg/mL) in comparison to group A (9.37 ± 4.67 μg/mL). Nevertheless, this observed difference did not reach statistical significance. It is noteworthy that mitochondrial DNA content experiences a decline during the subclinical stage but undergoes an increase in cases of heart failure. Concurrently, oxidative stress exhibits an upward trend in dogs with MMVD. These findings collectively suggest a potential association between mitochondrial DNA, oxidative stress, and the progression of MMVD in small-breed dogs.

Effect of feeding toy and the presence of a dog owner during the feeding time on dog welfare

Background and Aim

A conventional feeding bowl is the primary method that dog owners use to feed their dogs, but this may not encourage natural behaviors and may even exacerbate unwanted behaviors. This study aimed to compare a conventional feeding bowl to a feeding toy in relation to behavior, cortisol levels, and heart rate variability (HRV).

Materials and Methods

The behaviors of four dogs were recorded and analyzed while being fed using either a stainless bowl (B) or a feeding toy (T) and either alone (A) or accompanied by a dog owner (O) for 30 min with each treatment (BA, BO, TA, and TO treatments). The dogs that were fed alone with the stainless bowl (BC) or the feeding toy (TC) were fed for 15 min/day for 7 days with their treatment, and serum cortisol levels measured on the first and last days of treatment. The dogs fed by the stainless bowl (BH) or the feeding toy (TH) with the owner present for 15 min for each treatment had their heart rate (HR) and HRV recorded by Polar® H10 during feedings The results were compared using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), repeated measure ANOVA, and Student's t-test.

Results

The dogs spent more time eating and interacting with the feeding toys than stainless bowls. The activity of the dogs was higher when using feeding toys, particularly with the TO treatment. Cortisol levels were significantly lower on day 7 than on day 1 of the TC treatment. The dogs' HR was higher during TH treatment than during BH treatment. All HRV parameters were decreased significantly when feeding the dog with the toys.

Conclusion

The results of this study support the idea that feeding enrichment supports the natural feeding behaviors of dogs as they mimic hunting and playing behaviors. This reduced unwanted behavior, cortisol levels, and HRV, and increased food consumption, eating duration, and active behaviors. The presence of the dog's owner is important because it can enhance feeding and active behaviors, and feeding enrichment can improve the dog's welfare and the dog-human relationship.