A type II-collagen derived peptide and its nitrated form as new markers of inflammation and cartilage degradation in equine osteochondral lesions.

in Research in Veterinary Science (2007), 82

Markers of cartilage breakdown enable studying the degradation of cartilage matrix in equine joint pathologies. This study was designed to determine the levels of Coll2-1, a peptide of the triple helix of ... [more ▼]

Markers of cartilage breakdown enable studying the degradation of cartilage matrix in equine joint pathologies. This study was designed to determine the levels of Coll2-1, a peptide of the triple helix of type II collagen, and Coll2-1NO(2), its nitrated form in the plasma of healthy horses (controls; n=37) and horses suffering from osteochondrosis (n=34). Clinical and arthroscopic scores were attributed reflecting the severity of lesions and were related to the plasma levels of Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO(2). The median of Coll2-1 was significantly higher in the control group, whereas the mean of Coll2-1NO(2) showed significant elevation in the pathological group. However, the measurement means of scoring classes did not vary significantly. The markers were able to differentiate the group of horses suffering from osteochondrosis from the group of healthy horses. The elevation of Coll2-1NO(2) in the pathological group indicates an inflammation, mediated through reactive oxygen species and/or increased myeloperoxidase activity. [less ▲]

Meckel's Diverticulum as a cause of colic: 2 cases with different expression of the sme developmental disorder

Poster (2006, October)

A specific method for measurement of equine active myeloperoxidase in biological samples and in in vitro tests

in Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation (2006), 18(4), 326-334

An original method called SIEFED (specific immunological extraction followed by enzymatic detection) was developed for the specific detection of the activity of equine myeloperoxidase (MPO). The method ... [more ▼]

An original method called SIEFED (specific immunological extraction followed by enzymatic detection) was developed for the specific detection of the activity of equine myeloperoxidase (MPO). The method consists of the extraction of MPO from aqueous solutions by immobilized anti-MPO antibodies followed by washing (to eliminate proteins and interfering molecules) and measurement of MPO activity using a detection system containing a fluorogenic substrate, hydrogen peroxide, and nitrite as reaction enhancer. The SIEFED technique was applied to study active MPO in horse biological fluids and the effects of 2 polyphenolic molecules, curcumin and resveratrol, on MPO activity. The detection limit of the SIEFED was 0.23 mU/ml. The SIEFED exhibited good precision with intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation below 10% and 20%, respectively, for MPO activities ranging from 0.25 to 6.4 mU/ml. The activity of MPO was generally higher than 1 mU/ml in the fluids collected from horses with inflammatory diseases. Curcumin and resveratrol exerted a dose-dependent inhibition on MPO activity and, as they were removed before the enzymatic detection of MPO, the results suggest a direct drug-nzyme interaction or an enzyme structure modification by the drug. The SIEFED is a new tool that would be useful for specific detection of active MPO in complex media and for selection of MPO activity modulators. [less ▲]

Variations of plasmatic concentrations of Insulin Like Growth Factor I in Post-pubescent horses affected with osteochondrosis

(2006, June)

Prognostic value of white blood cell drop in horses undergoing post-colic surgery intensive care.

Conference (2006)

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for specific equine neutrophil myeloperoxidase measurement in blood

in Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation (2005), 17(5), 412-419

Equine inflammatory disease is accompanied by a neutrophil activation resulting in the release of granulocytic enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO). To measure MPO in horse plasma as marker of neutrophil ... [more ▼]

Equine inflammatory disease is accompanied by a neutrophil activation resulting in the release of granulocytic enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO). To measure MPO in horse plasma as marker of neutrophil activation, the authors purified equine neutrophil MPO and developed a specific enzyme immunoassay using 2 specific polyclonal antibodies obtained from rabbit (primary antibody) and guinea pig (secondary antibody). The sandwich complex "primary antibody-MPO-secondary antibody" was detected using a goat anti-guinea pig immunoglobulin antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed good precision and accuracy, with intra- and interassay coefficients of variation below 10% for MPO concentrations ranging from 0.78 to 50 ng/ml. A stable plasma MPO value, unaffected by time elapsed between blood collection and centrifugation, was obtained with plasma from EDTA anticoagulated blood. The mean MPO value measured in 38 healthy horses was 181.80 +/- 64.74 ng/ml. In 20 horses suffering from obstruction of the large or small intestine, MPO concentrations measured at the time of arrival at the intensive care unit were significantly higher than mean normal value, ranging from 477.88 to 2,748.13 ng/ml. Work is in progress to apply this MPO ELISA technique to other biological fluids and other equine diseases. [less ▲]

A case of Rhodococcus equi infection in an adult probably immuno-compromised horses

in Proceedings of the Leipziger Tierärzte Kongress (2005)

Design of an ELISA specific for the measurement of equine neutrophil myeloperoxidase in biological fluids

in Clinical Chemistry (2005), 51(Suppl. 6), 211-212

A case of Vitamin K3 induced renal toxicosis in a horse

in Tierärztliche Praxis Kleintiere (2004)

Pancreatic injury in equine acute abdomen evaluated by plasma trypsin activity and histopathology of pancreatic tissue

in Veterinary Pathology (2003), 40(1), 8-13

In cases of equine acute abdominal disease, where pancreatic damage is suspected, pancreatic damage can be assessed by measuring increased trypsin activity in the plasma of horses suffering intestinal ... [more ▼]

In cases of equine acute abdominal disease, where pancreatic damage is suspected, pancreatic damage can be assessed by measuring increased trypsin activity in the plasma of horses suffering intestinal obstruction and severe shock. The pancreas is particularly vulnerable to splanchnic hypoperfusion because it is a highly active tissue. In this study, 10 horses undergoing abdominal surgery for intestinal obstruction were assayed for trypsin activity on admission and, because of extensive intestinal lesions that were not amenable to surgery, euthanasia was selected; the pancreas was removed before euthanasia. Trypsin activity in the plasma of these horses was significantly higher than in healthy horses (196 ng/ml +/- 128.2 versus 28.5 ng/ml +/- 19.2; P = 0.0026). Light and transmission electron microscopy revealed slight to severe lesions of vacuolar degeneration, a few zymogen granules, dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum, and swelling of mitochondria in the exocrine pancreas. The activation of an inflammatory cascade occurring during strangulating intestinal obstruction could increase pancreatic anoxic lesions caused by severe shock and hypoperfusion in the horse. Further studies will show the significance of pancreatic lesions and the ensuing damage in equine acute intestinal obstruction and shock. [less ▲]