The efficacy of standard therapeutic strategies for Helicobacter pylori infection is decreasing over time due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. At the our previous study, we reported that the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus paracasei HP7 isolated from kimchi - a fermented vegetable dish widely consumed in Korea - had inhibitory effects against H. pylori in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we are aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of probiotic HP7 and the extracts of Perilla frutescens (PFE) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (GGE) to alleviate Helicobacter pylori-induced damages. H. pylori infection in KATO III cells decreased mucin gene expression over time. The reduction of mucin gene expression was significantly recovered at 6 hours when GGE, PFE, and Lactobacillus HP7 were co-treated. H. pylori infection of C57BL/6 mice was demonstrated by H. pylori-IgG concentration, and results showed significant increase in mice post-infected with H. pylori. Blood Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α levels were elevated 4 weeks after H. pylori inoculation. However, the treatment of a combined mixture of HP7 including GGE and PFE induced significant decrease of TNF-α level (p<0.01) and showed significant decrease of TNF-α level as compared as the level by the positive control Glycyrrhiza glabra acetone extract (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice, DGL) treatment (p<0.05). Additionally, the treatment of a combined mixture of HP7 including GGE and PFE decreased gastric inflammation and mucosal lesions in the stomach of H. pylori-infected mice. These results demonstrate that he treatment of a combined mixture of HP7 including GGE and PFE treatment can inhibit H. pylori growth and is thus a promising treatment for patients with gastric symptoms such as gastritis that are caused by H. pylori infection.

Canine inflammatory mammary carcinoma (CIMC) similar to human inflammatory breast cancer is a very aggressive, metastatic type of cancer. Previous studies have introduced a new type of tumor angiogenesis called vasculogenic mimicry that may play an important role in the progression of inflammatory mammary cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the development process of vessels by neoplastic cells in CIMC. Patient dog, 14-year old Shit-Tzu female, had a hard and somewhat movable dark-reddish mammary tumor, sized 6.2 cm in diameter. Bloody dark turbid exudate was released from the tumor. In addition to histological examination, immunohistochemistry for pancytokeratin, VCAM-1, MECA- 32, TWIST-1, and Ki-67 was respectively performed using the ABC method. Histologically, the inflammatory mammary carcinoma was characterized by tubular solid tumor emboli within the lymphatic vessels surrounded by desmoplastic fibrous connective tissue. Some of the neoplastic cells were transforming into elongate or spindle shapes and forming small vessel-like structures in the solid tumor mass. The neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for VCAM-1 and MECA-32, but showed low immunoreactivity for Ki-67. Immunoreactive neoplastic cells for VCAM-1 and MECA-32 suggested the possibility that the neoplastic cells transform into endothelial cells of vessels by epithelial-mesenchymal transition, further supported by serial morphological changes identified by histological investigation and immunohistochemistry for TWIST-1. The high capacity of the neoplastic cells forming the vasculatures in CIMC explains the high ratio of metastasis to other regions, even though Ki-67 index was not so high.

Limb amputation is a salvage surgical procedure relatively common in small animals and other species. Wild animals after forelimb amputation have many difficulties in returning to normal life because forelimbs of arboreal quadrupeds are used to carry most of their weight and hold feed. This study investigated forelimb amputation and its outcomes in two raccoon dogs. Two male raccoon dogs presented for radio-ulnar fractures. Shoulder disarticulation amputation was applied to protect the thoracic cavity and reduce surgical time. After the operation, they could run comparatively faster with three legs. As they had good body condition and regular appetite during the hospitalization period, they were released to the area from which they were captured. Six months after the release, one of the raccoon dogs represented for hair loss by mites. It showed satisfactory function of the existing three limbs. Thus, amputation of forelimb could be considered as a treatment in raccoon dogs with severe limb status.

Radioisotope ADME (RI-ADME) studies are enabling visualization of the biodistribution in molecular imaging. We applied RI-ADME to investigate the tumor targeting capacity and biodistribution of trastuzumab-monomethyl auristatin F (LCB14-0110) in JIMT-1 xenograft mice and healthy marmoset. The LCB14-0110 was labelled with 125I. 125I-LCB14-0110 was intravenously administered to the animals. The gamma-count and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) was conducted for biodistributioon and bioimaging of the biopharmaceutics. Tumor uptake in xenograft mice was highest at three-day after 125I-LCB14-0110 administration in both the biodistribution and SPECT/CT bioimaging. Alternatively, blood and organ tissues showed gradual decrease in radioactivity over time. In marmosets, radioactivity in all organ tissues rapidly reduced and no specific targeting of organs was observed in the biodistribution study and SPECT/CT imaging. Hence, 125ILCB14- 0110 demonstrated effective tumor targeting capacity and accumulated in JIMT-1 cell-bearing mice. However, accumulation did not occur in the organs of xenograft mice. Additionally, marmosets showed rapidly decrease in radioactivity throughout the entire body without accumulation in the normal organs. We also confirmed that the drug distribution was similar in normal organs between the two experimental animal species except spleen. Therefore, 125I is expected to be a useful tool in the study of RI-ADME in biopharmaceuticals through minimal antibody modification.

Carcass grade primarily depends on marbling of intramuscular fat, which is associated with the texture and tenderness of beef. Accordingly, various economical molecular tests for high intramuscular fat in beef have been attempted. Especially, Hanwoo (Korean Cattle) intramuscular fat has higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids than that in the beef of other cattle. Intramuscular fats are associated with levels of lipid metabolic genes in the liver transcriptome. Therefore, hepatic triglyceride synthesis can considerably increase intramuscular fat. To investigate the relationship between hepatic lipogenesis and carcass grade, we analyzed 52 Hanwoo liver samples from domestic farms, and evaluated lipid levels and transcript levels of glucose and lipid metabolism-related genes according to carcass grade. Oil-Red-O staining revealed fatty livers in high carcass grades. Moreover, we found significantly higher levels of mRNA for lipogenesis, glycolysis, and triglyceride synthesis genes in high carcass grade livers. Importantly, progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (Pgrmc1) levels were significantly lower in high carcass grade livers. As Pgrmc1 suppression is correlated with induction of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and glycolysis genes, it has a diagnostic impact for high carcass grades. These results could be used for genetic improvements in carcass grades of cattle. More importantly, as Pgrmc1 can be detected in blood peripheral nucleated cells, it also has value for rapid blood diagnosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as the most common liver disease in industrialized countries. Recently, natural compounds that may be beneficial for improving NAFLD have received increasing attention. Artemisia annua L. is the source of antimalarial phytomolecule, artemisinin, which has been reported to prevent obesity. However, the effect of A. annua extract on hepatic lipid metabolism remains unclear. This study was performed to determine the protective effect of Artemisia annua extract (AAE) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic lipid accumulation, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind its effects in vivo and in vitro. We found that HFD-fed mice with AAE administration (50 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks dramatically reduced hepatic lipid accumulation compared to the control mice taken with HFD alone. The body and liver weights of AAE group were significantly lower than those of HFD group, and oral administration of AAE remarkably suppressed the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), fasting glucose, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in HFD-fed mice. AAE significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the liver of HFD-fed mice and HepG2 hepatocytes. Moreover, AAE downregulated the hepatic expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in HFD-fed mice and high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. In addition, the inhibitory effects of AAE on the overexpression of SREBP-1c and FAS were attenuated by compound C, which is the specific AMPK inhibitor, in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. These results indicated that AAE may represent a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related NAFLD via the activation of AMPK and the regulation of AMPK-dependent lipogenic genes.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and currently there are many approaches developing towards cancer treatment. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often painful and have adverse effects. The mechanism of apoptosis is a complex process and it involves different pathways in its mechanism of action. Apoptosis can be caused by signals within the cell such as stress, or by extrinsic signals such as ligands binding to cell surface death receptors. The programmed cell death plays a important role in the several physiological and pathological processes. It plays important role in homeostasis. Flavonoids have gained importance as anticancer agents promoting cytotoxicity and apoptosis in cancer cells. Flavonoids are present in many medicinal plants which are a kind of ubiquitous natural products and essential active ingredients. They have strong biological activities with high efficiency and low toxicity, possessing good preventive and cure effects on different tumor forms. Flavonoids such as Scutellarein, Pectolinarigenin and Naringin have reported to possess significant anti-cancer effects on different cancer cell lines till date. In this review, we provide a summary about the anti-cancer effect of the three flavonoids and its mechanisms of action that can be used in future for understanding their potent anti-tumor properties.

The development of drugs from natural plant sources is at growing interest due to the limitations of chemical drugs in terms of side effects and cost-effective factors of natural medicines. Among the various components contained in natural plant materials, flavonoids are of increasing interest because of their extended biological benefits. Flavonoids are classified into various types according to their structure and possess different activities depending on the structure. In this study, the flavonoids contained in Artemisia, native to Korea were examined and reviewed. HPLC chromatograms of three Artemisia species (Artemisia annua L., Artemisia iwayomogi and Artemisia argyi H.) were examined from published sources and their component analysis by MS data were summarized. The various flavonoids of Artemisia were classified into 12 types according to the main structure, and 10 flavonoids based on various activities were examined. The 10 flavonoids were identified as quercetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, diosmetin, luteolin, methoxyflavone, catechin, apigenin, malvidin and genkwanin with extensive reported studies till date. The ten flavonoids examined have been reported to be effective in preventing and treating various diseases and exhibit activities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic and anti-Alzheimer. The collective results from the reported studies suggest that the three types of Korean native Artemisia, contains various flavonoids with beneficial activities and may have therapeutic effects against diseases.

Artemisia annua (AA) is a well-known as a source of antimalarial drug (artemisinin), which also has been traditionally used as an antipyretic and hemostatic agent in Korea and China. In preclinical effective study, a water extract of Artemisia annua (WEAA) ameliorated weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed mice. The plasma levels of triglyceride, AST, and ALT were reduced in the WEAA-treated group. Based on these results, the safety of WEAA as a functional ingredient for liver health was evaluated in this repeated dose oral toxicity study before the clinical trial. Sprague- Dawley (SD) rats were treated by gavage with 20 times (1,000 mg/kg) more than the effective dose for 13 weeks. All rats had survived at the end of the study, and there were no changes indicating obviously abnormal clinical sign and behavior. The treatment of WEAA were also observed no obvious toxicities in the body weights, urine, hematological, serum biochemical, ophthalmic and histopathological examinations. Based on the results of this study, the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) of WEAA in SD rats was estimated to be 1,000 mg/kg. In conclusion, WEAA could be used as a safe functional ingredient for the improvement of liver health in individuals with hepatic diseases including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

In previous studies, we found the production of antibodies against cross-reactive bovine serum albumin (BSA) in D-galactose (D-gal) induced aging mouse models. We performed immunoblot analysis with mouse tissue lysates to investigate the changes in the overall autoantibody production in this animal model. And we were able to see the possibility of altering the activity of mouse natural antibodies in this process. In this study, we examined changes in existing natural antibodies in a D-gal-induced aging mouse model. Serum samples were collected from 3-week-old mice (3w), 13-week-old mice (13w), and 13-week-old mice that were treated with D-gal for 6 weeks (13wDG), beginning at the age of 8 weeks. Levels of immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, and IgA) were quantitatively analyzed in serum samples. Tissue samples were obtained from skin, spleen, and ovary for Western blotting analyses. Natural antibody activity was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses of anti- double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody. Western blotting analyses using mouse tissue lysates showed that several protein bands detected by serum antibodies from 3w mice became increasingly thicker when detection was performed with serum samples from 13w and 13wDG mice, indicating quantitative increases in levels of natural antibodies. Relative amounts of total IgG, IgM, and IgA immunoglobulins sequentially increased in serum samples from 3w, 13w, and 13wDG mice. A similar tendency was observed regarding the levels of IgM and IgG antibodies against dsDNA. These results indicate increased levels of natural antibodies in the D-gal-induced aging mouse model. Therefore, this animal model could be useful for future natural antibody research.

Lysyl oxidase-variant 2 (LOX-v2) is a novel variant of lysyl oxidase (LOX) that functions as an amine oxidase for the formation of lysine-mediated crosslinks found in collagen and elastin fibrils. In addition to the amine oxidase activity in the extracellular matrix, several novel functions, such as tumor suppression, tumor progression, chemotaxis, cellular senescence, and modification of histones, have been assigned to LOX. In recent years, it has been reported that LOX is also present in nuclear locations, suggesting a novel functional role of LOX in the nucleus. To test the amine oxidase activity of LOX and LOX-v2 to nuclear histone proteins, we expressed and purified LOX and LOX-v2 as recombinant forms and then assessed the amine oxidase activity toward histone H2A in in vitro peroxidase-coupled fluorometric assays. Both LOX and LOX-v2 proteins showed significant levels of amine oxidase activity toward histone H2A in a β -aminopropionitrile-inhibitable manner. In immunofluorescence staining after ectopic expression in cultured cells, LOX was observed in the perinuclear, cytoplasmic, and extracellular areas, whereas LOX-v2 was predominantly detected in the nucleoplasm with a punctuate pattern. These findings suggest that LOX-v2 may play a novel functional role in the nucleus through the amine oxidase activity to the nuclear histone proteins. Elucidation of the specific functional roles of LOX-v2, such as substrate specificity toward different types of nuclear proteins and detailed analysis on subnuclear localization, will provide a significant clue in understanding the diverse functional roles currently assigned to a single enzyme, LOX.

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver damage, using fluorescence bioimaging, serum biochemistry, and histopathology. At six weeks of age, eighteen mice were divided into three groups as group 1 (G1) as control, group 2 (G2) as fluorescence probe control and group 3 (G3) as APAP-treated. G3 mice were orally treated with APAP (800 mg/kg b.w.), while G1 and G2 mice were treated with 0.9% saline. Twenty-two hours after APAP treatment, G2 and G3 mice were intravenously treated with Annexin-Vivo 750 as probe, while G1 mice were treated with saline. Fluorescence bioimaging was performed at two hours after probe treatment. The mice were sacrificed and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase were analyzed. Liver damage was examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. In vivo bioimaging, fluorescence intensity of the region of interest (ROI) was significantly increased in the livers of G2 and G3 mice compared with those in G1 mice (p<0.05 and p<0.01). In addition, ex vivo bioimaging confirmed that the fluorescence intensity of the ROI was significantly increased in the livers of G2 and G3 mice compared with those in G1 mice (p<0.05 and p<0.01). All examined serum parameters of G3 were significantly increased compared with G1 and G2 (p<0.05 and p<0.01). H&E examination showed acute hepatic cell necrosis in the livers of G3 mice, while there was no cell death in the livers of G1 and G2 mice. TUNEL staining also showed many cell death features in G3 mice, whereas no pathological findings were shown in G1 or G2 mice. In summary, fluorescence bioimaging showed the possibility of cell death detection in the livers of mice treated with APAP, and this was corroborated by serum chemistry and histopathological examination.

Royal jelly (RJ) is a gelatinous substance that bees produce to feed bees and queen bees. It’s frequently sold as a dietary supplement to treat a variety of physical ailments and chronic diseases. While it has long been used in traditional medicine, its applications in Western medicine remain controversial. The inhibitory effect of royal jelly on osteoarthritis was investigated in primary cultured rat cartilage cells and monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced arthritis rat model 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HAD) is the main fatty acid present in RJ. Among the criteria for RJ quality analysis, 10-HAD content has been proposed as a freshness parameter. We investigated the effect of RJ on the improvement of osteoarthritis on SD rats and they were divided into five groups. In this study, we examined the effect of enzymatic royal jelly (ERJ) administration on osteoarthritis. To determine the antiinflammatory effects of RJ, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression were measured after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation in RAW 264.7 cells. In in vivo animal study, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into knee joints of rats. As a results, ERJ showed that TNF-α and IL-6 levels were decreased by ERJ treatment in a dosedependent manner. In conclusion, ERJ extract was able to inhibit articular cartilage degeneration by preventing extracellular matrix degradation and cartilage cell damage. It was considered that ERJ extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for degenerative osteoarthritis.

A 7-year-old, intact, female Siberian husky was presented to the Veterinary Medical Center of Chungbuk National University because of vomiting and diarrhea after a fight with a cohabiting dog. Physical examination, radiography, abdominal ultrasonography, and laboratory examination were performed. The dog was diagnosed with pyometra and 10% dehydration. On electrolyte, Na and Cl ion concentration were lower than normal values and Ca ion concentration was slightly lower than normal values. On blood chemistry, blood urea nitrogen and alkaline phosphatase value were extremely higher than normal values. Neutrophil was observed as hypersegmentation. On ultrasonography, enlarged uterine body was observed. Uterus was enlarged and filled with echogenic fluid that is seemed to be pus. Uterine horn was rubbing the bladder. In bacterial culture, the colony morphology was smooth, mucoid, and hemolytic. Also, on molecular diagnosis test, both samples from uterine and abdominal fluid were confirmed to be E. coli. This case describes that uterine pus was leakage to abdominal cavity through oviduct, and pus leakage from uterus may be cause septic peritonitis and death. Also, this case must be considered that physical event such as fight against cohabiting dog, strenuous exercise and kiss-off can cause uterine rupture or pus leakage through oviduct from uterus in dog with pyometra.

Various viral and bacterial pathogens interact with environmental factors to cause diarrhea in piglets. Enterococcus spp. are Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria that are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of several animal species, including pigs. Enterococcus spp. have been reported to infect several animal species as a pathogen. However, gastrointestinal infection by Enterococcus hirae is rare in pigs; only a few cases have been reported worldwide. Four piglets with diarrhea were examined in the diagnostic laboratory of Optipharm Inc. (Cheongju, Korea). During the initial post-mortem examination, no disease lesions were observed. Upon microscopic examination, we found numerous Gram-positive cocci that were adhered to epithelial villi in the jejunum and ileum. However, the villi did not exhibit significant structural damage. Cultured bacteria were identified as E. hirae using the VITEK 2 system and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using PCR, we also confirmed that viruses and protozoa that can potentially infect piglet intestines were absent. In antibiotic susceptibility test, the bacteria were resistant to most types of antibiotics. This study presents rare cases of E. hirae infection of the piglet small intestine, which can occur in association with diarrhea possibly by the continuous use of antibiotics.

Persistent left cranial vena cava (PLCVC) is a remnant vessel connected with the coronary sinus and draining into the right atrium. A 3-month-old intact male Bichon Frise was evaluated for the presence of a mechanical murmur auscultation in the local animal hospital. No significant clinical signs were present on physical examination except mechanical murmur. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was diagnosed in the imaging procedure. During the left thoracotomy, PLCVC was found. The vascular malformation made the surgical process difficult by hiding PDA from the left thoracotomy surgical view. PLCVC and the vagus nerve was carefully dissected and lifted to secure a clear surgical view of PDA. The ductus arteriosus was ligated. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed postoperatively. On CTA, left brachiocephalic vein retaining connection with the coronary sinus draining into the right atrium was observed. CTA is highly recommended for dogs with PDA to provide better postoperative results.

The objective of measurement of bio-signals in measurement uncertainty is not to determine the true value as closely as possible, but to determine a measured value and to assign the interval of the value. The measurement uncertainty is estimated by type A and B evaluations, depending on whether they are evaluated by statistics or the mathematical probability theory. Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring is used often for early detection of inherent risk relevant to neurosurgical procedures leading to permanent neurological injury, while it is still potentially reversible. In this study, we evaluated the uncertainties in somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), which are used for monitoring sensory neural pathways. In a 45-year-old man who underwent cervical laminectomy, SSEPs were monitored using the ISIS IOM SYSTEM (Inomed, Emendingen, Germany) to evaluate the uncertainties. Expanded uncertainty were 0.88 mV and 1.22 ms, for amplitude and latency, respectively. Measured values and corresponding uncertainties of amplitude and latency were 2.78 ± 0.88 mV and 24.02 ± 1.22 ms, respectively. The expanded uncertainty (0.88 mV) of the amplitude was approximately 30% of the mean value (2.78 mV). A reasonable explanation for this would be the effects of variables such as electromagnetic waves (diathermy and warming blankets), temperature, blood pressure, sex and body mass index on SSEPs. Careful attention is required in interpreting SSEPs.

The interaction between the cardiac and renal systems is important in determining blood pressure and blood volume, both of which play a role in the vasomotor system and fluid balance. Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) occurs as a result of a disparity in correlation between the two. In veterinary medicine, cardiovascular-renal axis disorder (CvRD) lacks pathologically and etiologically specific data, but shares common pathophysiological patterns with CRS and CvRD in humans. CvRD is structural or functional damage caused by diseases of the heart or kidneys, or toxins or drugs, resulting in the disruption of normal interactions between these organs and the destruction of one or both organs. The aim of this study is to compare the long-term changes in various indicators, including hypertension, proteinuria and echocardiographic parameters, before and after administration of telmisartan in cats with CvRD. This study found a clear gradual decrease in Urine protein to creatinine (UP/C) ratio and left atrium (LA) diameter in cats with CvRD, after administration of telmisartan. UP/C ratio (p<0.001) was found to decrease significantly over time, after administration of telmisartan. UP/C ratio before telmisartan administration was 0.39 ± 0.255 (Day 0) and 0.29 ± 0.056 on day 30 (Day 30), 0.28 ± 0.040 on day 60 (Day 60), and 0.20 ± 0.128 on day 90 (Day 90) after administration, respectively. LA diameter before telmisartan administration was 17.9 mm ± 1.6 before telmisartan administration (Day 0) and 17.4 mm ± 1.8 on day 30 (Day 30), 16.1 mm ± 1.6 on day 60 (Day 60), and 15.7 mm ± 1.7 on day 90 (Day 90) after administration, respectively. Oral administration of telmisartan to cats with CvRD is effective in improving proteinuria and LA diameter, which is a positive aspect of long-term survival in cats with CvRD.

This study aimed to examine the effect of a mild elevation in serum cholesterol level in a porcine coronary overstretch restenosis model using a balloon angioplasty catheter or drug-eluting coronary stent. Pigs were divided into two groups and were fed a commercial normal diet (CND, n = 4) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 4) for 5 weeks. Coronary overstretch injury by balloon angioplasty or stent implantation was induced in the left anterior descending and left circumflex artery after 1 week of feeding. Histopathological analysis was performed at 4 weeks after coronary injury. During the experiment, the total cholesterol level in the HFD group increased by approximately 44.9% (from 65.9 ± 3.21 mg/dL at baseline to 95.5 ± 9.94 mg/dL at 5 weeks). The lumen area in the CND group was reduced in comparison with that in the HFD group after balloon angioplasty. After stent implantation, the injury score showed no significant difference. There were significant differences in the neointimal area (2.7 ± 0.33 mm2 in the CND group vs. 3.3 ± 0.34 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), lumen area (2.6 ± 0.54 mm2 in the CND group vs. 2.0 ± 0.33 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), and percent area stenosis (52.0 ± 7.96% in the CND group vs. 62.4 ± 5.15% in the HFD group, p<0.05). Body weight change was not different between the two groups. Increased serum cholesterol level activated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in the porcine coronary overstretch model.

The number of cats requiring treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and arterial thromboembolism (ATE) continues to increase, and the knowledge regarding its management is constantly evolving. The pathological lesions of HCM include hypertrophy of the left ventricle, which causes abnormalities in the relaxation function of the heart. This phenomenon increases the stiffness of the ventricular muscle, thereby reducing the ability of the left ventricle to fill with blood during diastole. This is accompanied by an increase in ventricular filling pressure and left atrial pressure. HCM in cats is characterized by concentric hypertrophy and atrial enlargement. Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) also involves a narrowed left ventricular outflow tract, and in humans, it is generally perceived to be a more serious disease. However, unlike in humans, HCM and HOCM in cats do not result in significantly different survival times. Heart murmurs, gallop rhythms, arrhythmias, cardiac hypertrophy, congestive heart failure (CHF), ATE, and cardiac sudden death (CSD) have all been associated with HCM. Although the presence of a heart murmur is a characteristic feature of heart disease, it may be a functional one, which is defined as “dynamic right ventricular outflow track obstruction” (DRVOTO) in cats. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the presence of HCM based on the existence of a heart murmur alone. ATE typically affects one or both hind limbs, resulting in acute paralysis and severe pain, consistent with lower motor neuron disease. The clot, which is formed in the left atrium of the heart, travels to an artery and becomes an ATE, which then blocks the blood flow and impairs circulation, causing infarction. Therefore, ATE in cats is a serious condition. This review describes the results of the latest research on HCM and ATE, the most common heart conditions in cats.