Gender-dependent difference in serum paraoxonase 1 levels of Hanwoo, Korean native cattle, and a positive association with meat quality

The Pathological and Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Chemical Castration in Dogs using Calcium Chloride Injection

Many researchers have been curious about the chemical sterilization method, which may be a choice of castration. The 20% calcium chloride ethanolic solution can prevent animals from some tumors and control the side effects of surgical castration. This experiment divided 12 male mixed-breed dogs into sham and chemical groups (n=6). Normal saline and 20% calcium chloride (20 ml/testis) were injected in the sham and chemical group's testis, respectively. Ultrasonography and related scoring were operated at 0-, 7-, 14-, and 2-days post-injection to evaluate echogenicity and measure the left testes' dimensions. Blood samples were taken on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 of the experiment evaluating the superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and testosterone levels. The semen in the left epididymis of the chemical group was aspirated on day 21 post-injection for counting the sperm numbers. The testes of all dogs were surgically removed at 21 days post-injection, and the left one was put in formaldehyde for tissue processing. The intertubular edema, necrosis of the seminiferous tubules, neutrophil infiltration, and calcification was scored. The average dimensions of the chemical groups' left testes significantly decreased 7, 14, and 21 days after injection. The echogenicity of the testes decreased in the chemical group. A significant echogenicity difference was observed between the first day and the 7th and 14th day in ultrasonography. Calcium chloride injection failed to reduce the mean testosterone levels on all experimental days compared to day zero. Otherwise, the sperm number in the left testes of the chemical group decreased on day 21 post-injection. The degree of intertubular edema with neutrophil infiltration and severe tubular necrosis in the chemical group was significantly higher than in the sham group on the experimental days, including 7, 14, and 21. The mild calcification in the chemical group is likely the reason for higher echogenicity on day 21. The scrotum was swelled and ulcerated in the chemical group. Ultrasound is effective in demonstrating the castration ability of calcium chloride in the chemical method. Due to the inflammatory clinical effects, the chemical method is recommended in dogs only when surgical methods are unavailable.

Assessment of hepatic oxidative damage, paraoxonase-1 activity, and lipid profile in cattle naturally infected with Ba7besia bigemina

Naturally occurring Babesia bigemina infection in cattle is associated with changes in the status of oxidative stress, trace elements, sialic acid, and cholinesterase activity in blood. However, to date there is no description of hepatic damage in the infected animals. More importantly, the majority of the above-mentioned causative factors are synthesized or stored in the liver. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate biomarkers of hepatic function, paraoxonase-1 activity, and lipid profile in 13 cattle infected with B. bigemina which did not respond to standard treatment. The animals were necropsied and the histopathology of the liver and DNA damage of hepatocytes were examined. Blood analysis revealed a significant parasitemia burden-dependent increase in the activities of hepatic enzymes and total bilirubin and a decrease in albumin concentrations in the infected cattle compared to the control ones. Paraoxonase-1 activity was remarkably lower in the infected animals than the control. A significant decrease in the blood concentrations of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein and a significant increase in the triglyceride concentration were observed in the infected animals. Severe oxidative damages were also recorded in the haptic tissue evidenced by significant alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, suppression of total antioxidant capacity, and oxidation of biomolecules. Congestion of blood vessels, bile duct hyperplasia, and hepatocyte necrosis were the evident histopathologic findings. Our results revealed significant changes in the indices of liver function in the diseased cattle, leading to the conclusion that the parasite can potentially cause liver dysfunction.

An association of blood mercury levels and hypercholesterolemia among Korean adolescents

PURPOSE

A few experimental studies have suggested that mercury exposure might be associated with dyslipidemia, possibly through its interference with the activities of genes and enzymes involved in lipid metabolism. Mercury exposure has been associated with the risk of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease in previous adult studies. However, only a few studies have been conducted in pediatric populations. We aimed to assess the associations between total blood mercury concentrations and lipid profiles in Korean adolescents.

METHODS

The study population comprised 1890 adolescents (963 males and 927 females; age: 10-19 years) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2013 and 2016 and whose fasting blood samples were obtained to determine their blood mercury concentrations and lipid profiles. We analyzed the distribution of lipid profiles and the prevalence of dyslipidemia based on the total blood mercury concentrations.

RESULTS

The geometric mean of the blood mercury concentration was 1.89 μg/L and was significantly higher in males (1.96 μg/L) than in females (1.83 μg/L). The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels significantly increased as the blood total mercury concentration increased in males, not in females. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not show significant associations with total blood mercury levels. The prevalence of hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia also significantly increased in the highest blood mercury quartile group compared with that in the lowest blood mercury quartile group in males (P-for-trend <0.001). Male adolescents in the highest total blood mercury quartile group were found to be at higher risk of hypercholesterolemia than those in the lowest quartile group after adjusting for the covariates including obesity [odds ratios (95% confidential interval): 3.72 (1.03-13.4)]. Total blood mercury quartile showed a positive linear relationship with the risk of hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia after controlling for the covariates in males.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest the potential association between mercury exposure and the risk of hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia in male adolescents.