Patrícia Rick Barbosa

Composição do sangue e do leite em ovinos leiteiros do sul do Brasil: variações na gestação e na lactação

Dairy sheep industry has increased intensively in southern Brazil, however, without the corresponding knowledge of variations on metabolic and hematological parameters and on milk composition, with application in research and clinical activities. This work was carried out on Lacaune sheep, intensively grazed in the county of Bento Goncalves (RS), in southern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein for metabolic profiles and hematology. Samples were taken randomly from 14 sheep in each of the following periods: nonpregnant ewes; at 60, 90 and 120 of pregnancy and at 7, 30, 60 and 140 days of lactation. During the lactation period, milk samples were also taken to assay the physico-chemical composition. Milk acidity, protein and fat levels were different from reference levels in another countries. The most relevant changes on metabolic profile were noticed at the end of gestation and at the beginning of lactation. Urea values showed variation (P<0.05) during the gestation and lactation periods. The levels of glucose and fructosamine decreased and the BHB increased significantly at the end of gestation period (P<0.05). During the lactation period glucose level lowered and cholesterol level increased significantly (P<0.05). Phosphorus level lowered, specially at 30 days post parturition (P<0.05). Hematologic parameters did not show variation during the physiologic periods studied. An exception was the segmented neutrophils that increased with the advance of the gestation (P<0.05). The data presented here may help for further nutrition and metabolic studies on dairy sheep and milk quality.

Association of canine obesity with reduced serum levels of C-reactive protein

The prevalence of obesity is increasing in dogs as well as in humans. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important tool for the detection of inflammation and/or early tissue damage and is linked to obesity in humans. The objective of the present study was to determine if serum CRP levels are altered in obese dogs. Fifteen lean (control group) and 16 overweight (obese group) dogs were examined. Blood samples were collected under fasted conditions for serum determination of CRP, glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, and fructosamine. Results indicated that obese dogs were insulin resistant because serum insulin and insulin/glucose ratios were higher than in lean dogs (P ≤ 0.05). Serum CRP concentrations were lower in obese dogs than in controls (P ≤ 0.001). C-reactive protein was negatively correlated with insulin/glucose ratio (R = −0.42) and cholesterol (R = −0.39; P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and fructosamine were increased in the obese group compared with the control group. Based on these results, it can be postulated that CRP production is inhibited by obesity and insulin resistance in dogs.

Toxicity and genotoxicity evaluation of Passiflora alata Curtis (Passifloraceae)

UNLABELLED Passiflora alata is an official species of Brazilian Pharmacopoeia and its aerial parts are used as medicinal plant by local population as well as constitutes many phytomedicines commercialized in Brazil as sedative. AIMS OF STUDY To evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity and genotoxicity of an aqueous spray-dried extract (PA) of Passiflora alata (2.6% flavonoids). MATERIALS AND METHODS The acute and the sub-acute toxicity was evaluated in mice and rats, respectively. Behavioural, biochemical, hematological, histological and urine parameters were considered. Genotoxicity was assessed by using micronucleus test performed in peripheral blood and bone marrow cells and comet assay in peripheral blood leukocytes. RESULTS Mice deaths were not observed up to 4800 mg/kg, p.o., single dose. Rats treated with aqueous extract at dose of 300 mg/kg, p.o., for 14 days did not present biochemical, hematological or histopathological significant alterations when compared to control group. However, these rats showed signs of irritability and did not show weight gain. In addition, mice acutely treated with extract 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg, p.o., presented DNA damage determined by comet assay in peripheral blood cells 3h after treatment. The effect of lower doses (12.5, 25 and 50mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated at 3, 6 and 24h after treating. Only PA 50mg/kg (p.o.) induced significant damage at 3 and 6h. The maximum damage induction was observed at 6h. When the animals received PA 12.5, 25 or 50mg/kg/day during 3 days (i.e., 72h treatment) DNA damage (comet and micronucleus tests) increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION In conclusion Passiflora alata presented genotoxic effect and deserves further toxicity evaluation in order to guarantee its safety for human use.

Níveis dietéticos de proteína e gordura e parâmetros bioquímicos, hematológicos e empenamento em frangos de corte estressados pelo calor

Avaliaram-se dietas com diferentes niveis de PB e gordura e seus efeitos sobre o empenamento e os parâmetros hematologicos e bioquimicos de frangos de corte submetidos a estresse ciclico por calor (EPC) desde os 21 dias ou em ambiente termoneutro (ATN). Foi adotado esquema fatorial 2 x 2 + 2, com dois ambientes - ATN (21-25oC e UR 73%) e EPC (25-32oC e UR 65%) e duas dietas (D) - controle (2,4% gordura e 19,5% proteina) e verao (DV) (4,0% de gordura e 18,5% de proteina com suplementacao de Lys e Met + Cys no nivel da dieta controle). No ambiente ATN, foram elaboradas outras duas dietas, com quantidade equalizada de racao em relacao ao EPC, para ambas as dietas. Foram realizadas analises bioquimicas e hematologicas em seis aves/tratamento, aos 42 dias de idade, e pesados a bursa e baco; em 288 aves foi avaliado o rendimento de penas (RP). A DV para frangos de corte em EPC foi capaz de amenizar parte das alteracoes observadas no calor, resultando em melhor peso relativo de bursa, menor numero de leucocitos totais e menor relacao heterofilo/linfocito. Ambiente e dietas nao alteraram os parâmetros bioquimicos sericos. Aves com consumo a vontade no ATN apresentaram RP 15% maior que aves no EPC, embora a restricao alimentar tenha diminuido o RP para as aves com consumo equalizado. As dietas nao afetaram o RP. Os dados sugerem que tanto o EPC quanto a restricao alimentar sao fatores aditivos em diminuir producao de penas.