Heat-Shock Proteins Can Potentiate the Therapeutic Ability of Cryopreserved Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Acute Spinal Cord Injury in Dogs.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are applied in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) because of their neural tissue restoring ability. In the clinical setting, intravenous injection of cryopreserved cells is essential for the immediate treatment of SCI, exhibiting the disadvantage of reduced cell properties.

Methods: In this study, we potentiated the characteristics of cryopreserved MSCs by heat-shock (HS) treatment to induce the expression of HS protein (HSP) HSP70/HSP27 and further improved antioxidant capacity by overexpressing HSP32 (heme oxygenase-1 [HO-1]).

Intravenous Administration of Heat Shock-Treated MSCs Can Improve Neuroprotection and Neuroregeneration in Canine Spinal Cord Injury Model.

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, many transplanted cells die within a few days, eventually limiting the efficacy of cellular therapy. To overcome this problem, we focused on the potential of heat shock (HS) proteins in facilitating recovery from cell damage and protecting against cytotoxicity.

Discovery of N-glycan Biomarkers for the Canine Osteoarthritis.

Protein glycosylation is a post-translational modification that impacts on protein activity, stability, and interactions. It was sensitively altered by the cellular state and, therefore, is now used for a diagnostic or prognostic indicator of various human diseases such as cancer. To evaluate the clinical feasibility in the veterinary area, the N-glycan biomarkers were discovered from canine serum for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA), which is one of the most common diseases of dogs.

Ectopic Cushing's syndrome associated with a pheochromocytoma in a dog: a case report.

Background: Ectopic Cushing's syndrome (ECS) associated with malignant tumors, such as small cell lung carcinoma, bronchial carcinoids, and pheochromocytoma, has been reported in human medicine. However, ECS related to pheochromocytoma has not been reported in dogs.

Case Presentation: An 11-year-old castrated, male Scottish terrier was diagnosed with a left adrenal mass.

Therapeutic effects of platelet derived growth factor overexpressed-mesenchymal stromal cells and sheets in canine skin wound healing model.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (Ad-MSCs) have excellent potential for skin wound repair. Moreover, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has strong wound healing properties. The purpose of the present study was to compare the healing effects of PDGF-overexpressing canine allogeneic Ad-MSCs (PDGF-MSCs) and their cell sheets (PDGF-CSs) as compared to unexpressed Ad-MSCs (U-MSCs) and their cell sheets (UCSs) in a cutaneous wound healing model induced upon dogs.

Cardiopulmonary changes induced by retroperitoneal insufflation in healthy dogs in sternal recumbency with the abdomen unsupported.

This study assessed the effects of retroperitoneal carbon dioxide (CO) insufflation on cardiopulmonary variables and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in mechanically ventilated dogs in sternal recumbency with the abdomen unsupported, following placement of a positioning kit and towels under the pectoral and pelvic regions. General anesthesia was induced in eight healthy adult male Beagles. A Swan-Ganz catheter was placed in the pulmonary artery via the jugular vein for cardiac output measurements.

Cryopreservation of heat-shocked canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide and 40% serum results in better viability, proliferation, anti-oxidation, and in-vitro differentiation.

Cryopreserved canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (Ad-MSCs) can be used instantly in dogs for clinical uses. However, cryopreservation results in a reduction of the cellular viability, proliferation, and anti-oxidation of post-thawed Ad-MSCs. Therefore, there is a need for in-vitro procedure to improve post-thawed Ad-MSCs' viability, proliferation, anti-oxidation, and differentiation capacity.

Frozen-thawed gelatin-induced osteogenic cell sheets of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells improved fracture healing in canine model.

We assessed the efficacy of frozen-thawed gelatin-induced osteogenic cell sheet (FT-GCS) compared to that of fresh gelatin-induced osteogenic cell sheet (F-GCS) with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (Ad-MSCs) used as the control. The bone differentiation capacity of GCS has already been studied. On that basis, the experiment was conducted to determine ease of use of GCS in the clinic.

Therapeutic Effects of Intravenous Injection of Fresh and Frozen Thawed HO-1-Overexpressed Ad-MSCs in Dogs with Acute Spinal Cord Injury.

Owing to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), HO-1-expressing canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) could be efficacious in treating spinal cord injury (SCI). Further, frozen thawed HO-1 Ad-MSCs could be instantly available as an emergency treatment for SCI. We compared the effects of intravenous treatment with freshly cultured HO-1 Ad-MSCs (HO-1 MSCs), only green fluorescent protein-expressing Ad-MSCs (GFP MSCs), and frozen thawed HO-1 Ad-MSCs (FT-HO-1 MSCs) in dogs with acute SCI.

Antegrade and retrograde CT urethrography with virtual urethroscopy in a dog with urethral narrowing after bilateral triple pelvic osteotomy.

An 8-month-old, castrated male Golden Retriever was unable to urinate without catheterization after a single-session bilateral triple pelvic osteotomy. To determine the cause, a retrograde urethrography was performed, but the results were equivocal. Antegrade (voiding by abdominal compression with heavy material) and retrograde CT urethrography were performed with virtual urethroscopy and revealed that the urethral diameter was narrowed near the pubic bone remnants due to pelvic canal narrowing.

Changes in pre- and postoperative serum leptin concentrations in dogs with gallbladder mucocele and cholelithiasis.

Background: Leptin has been shown to have various physiological and pathological roles in the canine gallbladder. In this study, we performed pre- and postoperative short-term follow-up analyses to confirm changes in serum leptin levels before and after cholecystectomy due to gallbladder mucocele (GBM) or cholelithiasis in dogs.

Results: Twenty-six cholecystectomized dogs (GBM: n = 14; cholelithiasis: n = 12) for prophylactic or clinical symptom relief were enrolled in the present study.

Evaluation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheets Overexpressing BMP-7 in Canine Critical-Sized Bone Defects.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro osteogenic capacity of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) overexpressing adipose-derived (Ad-) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) sheets (BMP-7-CS). In addition, BMP-7-CS were transplanted into critical-sized bone defects and osteogenesis was assessed. BMP-7 gene expressing lentivirus particles were transduced into Ad-MSCs.

Improved Healing after the Co-Transplantation of HO-1 and BDNF Overexpressed Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Subacute Spinal Cord Injury of Dogs.

Abundant expression of proinflammatory cytokines after a spinal cord injury (SCI) creates an inhibitory microenvironment for neuroregeneration. The mesenchymal stem cells help to mitigate the inflammation and improve neural growth and survival. For this purpose, we potentiated the function of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) by transfecting them with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), through a lentivirus, to produce BDNF overexpressed Ad-MSCs (BDNF-MSCs), and HO-1 overexpressed Ad-MSCs (HO-1-MSCs).

Feasibility of single-port retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of single-port retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (SPRA) in dogs.

Study Design: A pilot experimental study.

Animals: Eight healthy beagle dogs.

Gelatin positively regulates the immunosuppressive capabilities of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

This characteristics of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) can be selectively enhanced by altering the culture environment. We evaluated the effects of gelatin on Ad-MSCs when used in combination with culture media. Ad-MSCs were initially cultured in 0%, 0.

Different Bone Healing Effects of Undifferentiated and Osteogenic Differentiated Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Sheets in Canine Radial Fracture Model.

Cell sheets technology is being available for fracture healing. This study was performed to clarify bone healing mechanism of undifferentiated (UCS) and osteogenic (OCS) differentiated mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) sheets in the fracture model of dogs. UCS and OCS were harvested at 10 days of culture.

Associations between serum leptin levels, hyperlipidemia, and cholelithiasis in dogs.

Leptin and its receptor play several physiological roles in the canine gallbladder, and the dysregulation of leptin might play a role in the pathogenesis of gallbladder diseases such as gallbladder mucocele. Previous studies revealed a positive association between hyperlipidemia and gallstones in humans. However, the latter is still unclear in dogs with cholelithiasis.

Effect of canine cortical bone demineralization on osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

Demineralized bone allografts and mesenchymal stromal cells have been used to promote bone regeneration. However, the degree to which cortical bone should be demineralized for use in combination with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (Ad-MSCs) remains to be clarified. In this study, the osteogenic ability of Ad-MSCs on allografts was investigated in relation to the extent of demineralization.

Bilateral medial iliac lymph node excision by a ventral laparoscopic approach: technique description.

The aim of this study was to describe a ventral laparoscopic technique for bilateral medial iliac lymphadenectomy in dogs. Twelve intact male purpose-bred research dogs, weighing less than 15 kg, were positioned in dorsal recumbency, and a 3-portal technique was used. Bilateral dissection was performed with vessel-sealing devices while tilting the surgical table by up to 30° towards the contralateral side of the target medial iliac lymph node (MILN) without changing the surgeon's position.

Use of stem-cell sheets expressing bone morphogenetic protein-7 in the management of a nonunion radial fracture in a Toy Poodle.

A 12-year-old castrated Toy Poodle was referred to the Kangwon National University Animal Hospital with an oligotrophic nonunion fracture in the distal 1/3 of the left radius and an intact ulna. After fixation by a locking plate and screws, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem-cell sheets expressing bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) were transplanted to the fracture site to enhance the healing activity. The fracture was healed at 9 weeks after surgery.

Impact of local injection of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-expressing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) combined with intravenous MSC delivery in a canine model of chronic spinal cord injury.

Background Aims: The microenvironment of the chronically injured spinal cord does not allow for axonal regeneration due to glial scarring. To ameliorate this, several therapeutic strategies have been used. We investigated whether combined transplantation of chondroitinase ABC (chABC) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) genetically modified to secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) with intravenous (IV) administration of MSCs can promote recovery of hindlimb function after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Presence and distribution of leptin and leptin receptor in the canine gallbladder.

The hormone leptin is produced by mature adipocytes and plays an important role in regulating food intake and energy metabolism through its interaction with the leptin receptor. In addition to roles in obesity and obesity-related diseases, leptin has been reported to affect the components and secretion of bile in leptin-deficient mice. Furthermore, gallbladder diseases such as cholelithiasis are known to be associated with serum leptin concentrations in humans.

Clinical evaluation of a mini locking plate system for fracture repair of the radius and ulna in miniature breed dogs.

Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of a novel 1.2 mm mini locking plate system in treating fractures of the radius and ulna in miniature breed dogs.

Methods: Medical records and radiographs of miniature breed dogs with fractures treated with a 1.

Retroperitoneal Laparoscopy in Dogs: Access Technique, Working Space, and Surgical Anatomy.

Objective: To develop and describe a laparoscopic retroperitoneal access technique, investigate working space establishment, and describe the surgical anatomy in the retroperitoneal space as an initial step for clinical application of retroperitoneal laparoscopy in dogs.

Study Design: Cadaveric and experimental study.

Animals: Cadaveric (n=8) and healthy (n=6) adult dogs.

Effect of Gelatin on Osteogenic Cell Sheet Formation Using Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Osteogenically differentiated cell sheet techniques using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are available to stimulate bone regeneration. The advantage of the cell sheet technique is delivering live cells effectively into the focal region. We developed a novel osteogenic cell sheet technique by adding gelatin to osteogenic cell medium.