T.S.G.A.M. van den Ingh

Effects of soybean-containing diets on the proximal and distal intestine in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) : a morphological study

Abstract The morphology of the proximal and distal intestine of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was studied after prolonged feeding with diets containing full-fat soybean meal (FFSB) or soybean protein concentrate (SBPC) and compared with fish fed a standard herring meal (HM) diet. To avoid possible changes due to decreased food intake, dietary inclusions of FFSB and SBPC were chosen at such levels that weight gain, and protein and lipid digestibility values were similar for all three groups. The proximal intestine showed no differences among the groups, except for an increased number of goblet cells in the fish fed SBPC. In the distal intestine, the SBPC group showed no abnormalities and was identical to the HM group. In the FFSB group, the epithelium had an increased number of goblet cells and a marked decrease or even absence of absorptive vacuoles. The microvilli of the enterocytes were shortened, with increased microvillar vesicle formation. These changes may be due to the presence of antinutritional factors in the FFSB diet. The possible role of the various antinutritional factors in soybeans for the development of the intestinal lesions, and their effect on growth and performance are discussed.

Primary hepatitis in dogs: a retrospective review (2002-2006).

BACKGROUND Little is known about etiology, disease progression, treatment outcome, survival time, and factors affecting prognosis in dogs with primary hepatitis (PH). OBJECTIVES To review retrospectively different forms of hepatitis in a referral population, by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Standardization criteria. ANIMALS One-hundred and one dogs examined for histologically confirmed PH between 2002 and 2006. Dogs with nonspecific reactive hepatitis were excluded. METHODS Retrospective study. Medical records were reviewed for prevalence, signalment, clinical and clinicopathologic manifestation, outcome, survival time, and prognostic factors for shortened survival. RESULTS PH occurred in 0.5% of dogs in this referral population. Acute (AH) and chronic hepatitis (CH) were diagnosed in 21 and 67 dogs, respectively. Progression from AH to CH occurred in 5/12 of the repeatedly sampled dogs. CH was idiopathic in 43 (64%) dogs, and was associated with copper accumulation in 24 (36%) dogs. Median survival time was longer in dogs with AH than in dogs with CH (either idiopathic or copper associated), and dogs with lobular dissecting hepatitis had the shortest survival time. Prognostic factors predicting shortened survival were associated with decompensated liver function and cirrhosis at initial examination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The majority of PH in dogs is CH. Previous studies appear to have underestimated the etiologic role of copper in both AH and CH. Prognosis is reduced in dogs with hepatic cirrhosis or cirrhosis-related clinical findings. Further research into etiology and treatment effectiveness in all PH forms is needed.

Copper-Associated Chronic Hepatitis in Labrador Retrievers

This study summarizes the clinical and pathologic findings in 15 Labrador Retrievers with copper-associated chronic hepatitis (CACH). Our hypothesis was that this form of hepatitis is caused by a defect in hepatic copper metabolism, which most likely originates from a genetic defect. Affected Labradors consisted of 11 female and 4 male Labrador Retrievers. Eight family members of 2 of these patients were examined prospectively, as were 6 unrelated healthy Labrador Retrievers. All dogs were registered at the breed club. The average age at clinical presentation was 7 years (range, 2.5-10.5 years). All dogs were presented for anorexia, which was associated with vomiting in 8 patients. The diagnosis of CACH was based on histologic examination of liver biopsy specimens in all dogs, including semiquantitation of copper. A disproportionate increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity relative to alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, as well as the centrolobular localization of copper and the association of copper accumulation with hepatic lesions, suggested a primary copper storage disease rather than primary cholestatic liver disease causing copper accumulation. Mean hepatic copper concentration measured in related Labradors was 1,317 microg/g dry weight liver (range, 402-2,576 microg/g). Mean hepatic copper concentration of unrelated normal Labradors was 233 microg/g dry weight liver (range, 120-304 microg/g). Our findings support the hypothesis that a hereditary form of hepatitis occurs in Labrador retrievers and is caused by a defect in hepatic copper metabolism.

Salinomycin-induced Polyneuropathy in Cats: Morphologic and Epidemiologic Data

In April 1996, an outbreak of toxic polyneuropathy in cats occurred in the Netherlands. All cats had been fed one of two brands of dry cat food from one manufacturer. Chemical analyses of these foods, stomach contents, and liver and kidney of affected cats revealed contamination with the ionophor salinomycin. Epidemiologic and clinical data were collected from 823 cats, or about 1% of the cats at risk. In 21 affected cats, postmortem examination was performed. The affected cats had acute onset of lameness and paralysis of the hindlimbs followed by the forelimbs. Clinical and pathologic examination indicated a distal polyneuropathy involving both the sensory and motor nerves.

Circulatory disorders of the liver in dogs and cats

This paper presents a review of the literature on hepatic circulation and circulatory disorders of the liver in the dog and cat, and also includes a number of our own not previously published data. Circulatory disorders of the liver are frequently observed in dogs and cats. These disorders can be divided into congenital portosystemic shunts, disorders associated with outflow disturbances, and disorders associated with portal hypertension. Outflow disturbances result in passive congestion of the liver and in both species are mainly due to cardiac failure. Portal hypertension with resultant portosystemic collateral circulation and ascites mainly results from chronic liver disease, particularly cirrhosis. The main vascular disorder resulting in portal hypertension and ascites in the dog is primary hypoplasia of the portal vein.

Results of adrenalectomy in 36 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism caused by adrenocortical tumour

A total of 38 adrenocortical tumours were removed from 36 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. The surgical approach was by way of a unilateral flank laparotomy (32 dogs; 14 left and 18 right), a bilateral flank laparotomy (3 dogs) or a midline celiotomy (1 dog). Two dogs were euthanized during surgery because their tumours could not be resected. Eight dogs died from post-operative complications. Pancreatic necrosis with peritonitis was the most common cause of death. Eight of the 26 dogs that survived had signs of recurrence of hyperadrenocorticism. Unsuppressible hyperadrenocorticism was found in four dogs; one dog had probably pre-existent pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, and adrenocortical function could not be re-examined in the remaining three dogs. Among the 37 tumours examined microscopically expansion of neoplastic tissue into blood vessels was found in 22 of them. Four adrenal glands with adrenocortical tumours also contained phaeochromocytomas. Necropsy was performed in eight dogs. Metastases were found in the lungs of two dogs and in the lungs and liver in one dog. In combination with the data of previous reports, it is suggested that histological findings in surgery specimens are not good predictors for the clinical outcome.

Binding of soybean agglutinin to small intestinal brush border membranes and brush border membrane enzyme activities in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

To test for possible toxicity of soybean lectin for salmon, the location of soybean agglutinin binding sites in the small intestinal brush border membranes (BBM) was determined quantitatively by an enzyme-linked lectin sorbent assay (ELLSA). The assay revealed substantial binding in both the proximal (Bmax 1764±170 nM per mg BBM protein; Kd 2.16±0.23·10−5) and distal (Bmax 2096±79 nM per mg BBM protein; Kd 1.58±0.11·10−5) small intestine. The higher maximum binding and the lower dissociation constant for the distal small intestine might indicate a greater sensitivity to the toxic effect of soybean lectin in this region. Enzyme activities for alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) and sucrase isomaltase (EC 3.2.1.48) in brush border membrane preparations were very low in both the proximal and distal small intestine. A high enzyme activity was found for aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.2). Activities of sucrase isomaltase and aminopeptidase were lower in the distal than in the proximal small intestine.

Impaired specific immunoreactivity in cows with hepatic lipidosis.

In this study, hepatic lipidosis in cows was experimentally induced by offering an energy surplus during the dry period. Liver triacylglycerol (TAG) was 16% in the experimental group. In the control group fed the same diet in restricted quantities, liver TAG was about 7%. The animals of both groups were vaccinated with tetanus vaccine at Day 3 after parturition. It was demonstrated that the cows with high liver TAG percentages had lower humoral and cellular (P < 0.05) immunological responses compared with the animals with low liver TAG levels at Day 14 after vaccination. The results obtained in the high TAG group support the notion that the frequent occurrence of aspecific infections in cows with hepatic lipidosis may be due to impaired immunoreactivity.

Chronic active hepatitis with cirrhosis in the Doberman pinscher.

Chronic active hepatitis with cirrhosis and increased liver copper levels in 8 female (3 spayed) Doberman Pinschers is described. The response to immunosuppressive therapy in two dogs was poor. Laboratory results were not specific for the disease in the Doberman Pinscher and may occur in other liver diseases. The increased copper levels are most probably secondary to hepatocellular cholestasis. Although the pathogenesis is unknown, the disease in the Doberman Pinscher may be regarded as a separate entity.

Immunohistochemistry with keratin, vimentin, desmin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin monoclonal antibodies in canine mammary gland: normal mammary tissue

Normal canine mammary gland tissue was studied immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against various human keratin types, vimentin, desmin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Both ductal and alveolar luminal cells were immunoreactive with MoAbs recognizing respectively human keratins no. 7, 8, 18 and 19. In addition, some ductal luminal cells were labelled with a keratin 4 and a keratin 10 MoAb. Basal/myoepithelial cells were immunoreactive only with MoAbs directed against keratin 14, keratins 14 and 17, and alpha-smooth muscle actin. The vimentin MoAb merely labelled solitary loose intraluminal cells representing macro-phages or sloughed epithelial cells. These findings correspond largely to observations made in human breast tissue.