The Multicomponent, Multitarget Therapy SUC in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational, Nonrandomized Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

We compared the natural multicomponent, multitarget therapy SUC (Solidago compositum ad us. vet., Ubichinon compositum and Coenzyme compositum, Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany) to the well-known angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor benazepril in a prospective, observational, nonrandomized, two-arm cohort study of cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective was to assess the tolerability and the effectiveness of SUC in cats with CKD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred thirty-six cats were screened for CKD, and 70 cats were eligible for the study. Thirty-three cats were assigned to the SUC treatment, and 35 cats received benazepril. All cats were diagnosed with CKD. The follow-up period was 168 days. Response was assessed as an improved or stable serum creatinine from baseline to the end of the study. Additionally, a clinical summary score, as measure of quality of life, was evaluated.

RESULTS

Serum creatinine remained close to baseline in both study groups with slightly improved values in the SUC group. The clinical summary score improved significantly in the SUC group on days 3, 7, 28, 56 and 112, but not on day 168.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of the study, the results carry implications for the usefulness of SUC as an interesting new treatment option for feline CKD. The results indicate that SUC might be more effective if given at least twice weekly.

The Effect of 0.5% Timolol Maleate on Corneal(Lymph)Angiogenesis in a Murine Suture Model

PURPOSE

To investigate the anti(lymph)angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of 0.5% timolol maleate in a murine corneal suture model.

METHODS

Corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis were compared in groups of mice that underwent corneal suture and were subsequently administered a subconjunctival injection of 0.5% timolol maleate, dexamethasone, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Immunohistochemical staining and analysis were performed in each group. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to quantify the expression of inflammatory cytokines [TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6], vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-C, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2, and VEGFR-3.

RESULTS

When corneas from the timolol-treated group were compared to the PBS-treated group, we observed decreases in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and inflammatory infiltration in the timolol-treated group (P value <0.05 in all respective comparisons). Corneas from the timolol-treated group showed reduced expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, TNF-alpha, IL-6, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 compared to corneas from the PBS group (P value <0.05 in all respective comparisons).

CONCLUSION

Blocking adrenergic signaling in the cornea with 0.5% timolol maleate decreased corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis.

Diapause in a tropical oil-collecting bee: molecular basis unveiled by RNA-Seq

BACKGROUND

Diapause is a natural phenomenon characterized by an arrest in development that ensures the survival of organisms under extreme environmental conditions. The process has been well documented in arthropods. However, its molecular basis has been mainly studied in species from temperate zones, leaving a knowledge gap of this phenomenon in tropical species. In the present study, the Neotropical and solitary bee Tetrapedia diversipes was employed as a model for investigating diapause in species from tropical zones. Being a bivoltine insect, Tetrapedia diversipes produce two generations of offspring per year. The first generation, normally born during the wet season, develops faster than individuals from the second generation, born after the dry season. Furthermore, it has been shown that the development of the progeny, of the second generation, is halted at the 5th larval instar, and remains in larval diapause during the dry season. Towards the goal of gaining a better understanding of the diapause phenomenon we compared the global gene expression pattern, in larvae, from both reproductive generations and during diapause. The results demonstrate that there are similarities in the observed gene expression patterns to those already described for temperate climate models, and also identify diapause-related genes that have not been previously reported in the literature.

RESULTS

The RNA-Seq analysis identified 2275 differentially expressed transcripts, of which 1167 were annotated. Of these genes, during diapause, 352 were upregulated and 815 were downregulated. According to their biological functions, these genes were categorized into the following groups: cellular detoxification, cytoskeleton, cuticle, sterol and lipid metabolism, cell cycle, heat shock proteins, immune response, circadian clock, and epigenetic control.

CONCLUSION

Many of the identified genes have already been described as being related to diapause; however, new genes were discovered, for the first time, in this study. Among those, we highlight: Niemann-Pick type C1, NPC2 and Acyl-CoA binding protein homolog (all involved in ecdysteroid synthesis); RhoBTB2 and SASH1 (associated with cell cycle regulation) and Histone acetyltransferase KAT7 (related to epigenetic transcriptional regulation). The results presented here add important findings to the understanding of diapause in tropical species, thus increasing the comprehension of diapause-related molecular mechanisms.