Potential to use cannabinoids as adjunct therapy for dexamethasone: An in vitro study with canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Dexamethasone (dex) is a potent glucocorticoid used to treat a variety of diseases. It is widely used in veterinary medicine in many species; for instance, in dogs, it can be used for emergent cases of anaphylaxis or trauma, management of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia, certain cancers, allergic reactions, and topically for skin or eye inflammation. Dex is not without its side effects, especially when administered systemically, which might compromise compliance and effective treatment.

Canine immune cells express high levels of CB and CB cannabinoid receptors and cannabinoid-mediated alteration of canine cytokine production is vehicle-dependent.

With the increased popularity and societal acceptance of marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) use in humans, there is an interest in using cannabinoids in veterinary medicine. There have been a few placebo-controlled clinical trials in dogs suggesting that cannabis-containing extracts are beneficial for dogs with inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis, and there is growing interest in their immunosuppressive potential for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases. Since cannabinoids exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects in many species, the purpose of these studies was to examine whether the plant-derived cannabinoids, CBD and Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), would also suppress immune function in canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Medical Management of Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis Using Cyclosporine and Metronidazole.

Canine chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CCUS) is a spontaneously occurring, painful, and often debilitating condition of the oral cavity, with a suspected immune-mediated component. The response to pharmacological treatment is generally poor, thus the need to identify more effective medical therapies for this condition. This article describes a prospective clinical trial that was designed to evaluate the efficiency of a combination of cyclosporine and metronidazole in managing CCUS.

Effects of leukoreduction on N-methylhistamine concentration in stored units of canine whole blood.

Objective: To determine the effects of leukoreduction on N-methylhistamine (NMH; a stable histamine metabolite) concentration in units of canine whole blood during storage and incubation at room temperature (approx 22 °C) to simulate temperature conditions during transfusion.

Animals: 8 healthy adult Walker Hounds.

Procedures: A standard unit of blood (450 mL) was obtained from each dog twice, with at least 28 days between donations.

Anticoagulant profile of subcutaneous enoxaparin in healthy dogs.

Our study objective was to identify a subcutaneous enoxaparin dosage that provided a consistent anticoagulant intensity in dogs. Our hypotheses were that a dose of 0.8 mg/kg would provide inconsistent anticoagulation, a higher dose would provide consistent anticoagulation over a greater duration of time, and viscoelastometry would effectively monitor the anticoagulant status.

Effects of desmopressin acetate administration in healthy dogs receiving prednisolone.

Background: Glucocorticoids are used for a variety of purposes in veterinary medicine but often are associated with clinically important adverse effects. Polyuria and polydipsia are the most frustrating adverse effects noted by owners.

Objective: To determine whether administration of desmopressin ameliorates polyuria and polydipsia associated with prednisolone administration.

Effects of pentoxifylline on canine platelet aggregation.

Background: Pentoxifylline can decrease platelet function in humans, but the anti-platelet effects of pentoxifylline in dogs is unknown. The addition of a luciferin-luciferase reagent during platelet aggregometry can induce a dose-dependent potentiation of platelet aggregation.

Objective: To determine if exposure to pentoxifylline, without the addition of a luciferin-luciferase reagent during aggregometry, causes canine platelet dysfunction.

Effects of oral administration of 5 immunosuppressive agents on activated T-cell cytokine expression in healthy dogs.

Background: Dogs are often adminstered >1 immunosuppressive medication when treating immune-mediated diseases, and determining whether these different medications affect IL-2 expression would be useful when performing pharmacodynamic monitoring during cyclosporine therapy.

Hypothesis/objectives: To determine the effects of 5 medications (prednisone, cyclosporine, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and leflunomide) on activated T-cell expression of the cytokines IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).

Animals: Eight healthy dogs.

Recovery of T-cell function in healthy dogs following cessation of oral cyclosporine administration.

Cyclosporine is a potent immunosuppressive agent used to treat immune-mediated disorders in dogs. Secondary infections sometimes necessitate withdrawal of cyclosporine, but it is not known how long it takes for the immune system to recover after cessation of cyclosporine. Our goal was to utilize a validated RT-qPCR assay in dogs to assess recovery time of the T-cell cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ after discontinuation of cyclosporine.

Effects of cyclosporine on feline lymphocytes activated in vitro.

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a calcineurin inhibitor that is known to decrease lymphocyte expression of NFAT-regulated cytokines in humans, dogs and cats, and thereby depress lymphocyte function. Less is known about the effects of CsA on lymphocytes in cats than in other species. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 6 healthy cats.

Effects of pentoxifylline on whole blood IL-2 and IFN-gamma gene expression in normal dogs.

Background: Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitor that is used as a hemorrheologic and anti-inflammatory agent in veterinary and human medicine. In human studies, PTX has been shown to decrease T-cell production of cytokines such as IL-2 and IFN-γ. A RT-qPCR assay to measure activated T-cell gene expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ has been validated in dogs.

Assessment of erythrocyte damage and in-line pressure changes associated with simulated transfusion of canine blood through microaggregate filters.

Objective: To determine whether passage of whole blood through a microaggregate filter by use of a syringe pump would damage canine erythrocytes.

Sample: Blood samples obtained from 8 healthy client-owned dogs.

Procedures: Whole blood was passed through a standard microaggregate filter by use of a syringe pump at 3 standard administration rates (12.

Coagulation factor activity in units of leukoreduced and nonleukoreduced canine fresh-frozen plasma.

Objective: To evaluate coagulation factors in units of leukoreduced (LR) and nonleukoreduced (non-LR) canine fresh-frozen plasma (cFFP).

Animals: 8 healthy research dogs.

Procedures: In a crossover study, dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups from which blood was collected and either did or did not undergo leukoreduction.

Effects of cyclosporine and dexamethasone on canine T cell expression of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma.

Cyclosporine and glucocorticoids are powerful immunosuppressive agents used to treat many inflammatory diseases in dogs. Cyclosporine inhibits calcineurin-dependent pathways of T cell activation and resultant T cell cytokine production, and glucocorticoids directly inhibit genes coding for cytokines. Little work has been done comparing the effects of these agents on T cell cytokine production in dogs.

Alterations in activated T-cell cytokine expression in healthy dogs over the initial 7 days of twice daily dosing with oral cyclosporine.

Cyclosporine is a powerful T-cell inhibitor used in the treatment of immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases in the dog. There is limited information on how to best monitor patients on cyclosporine therapy. Currently, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assays are available.

Extraction and Analysis of Xylitol in Sugar-Free Gum Samples by GC-MS with Direct Aqueous Injection.

Xylitol, a sugar substitute frequently used in sugar-free gum, is generally considered harmless to humans but it can be extremely toxic to dogs. Dog-owning customers are becoming increasingly aware of the risks associated with xylitol-containing chewing gums. However, there remains some uncertainty if these chewing gums are still dangerous to dogs after they have been partially consumed.

Pharmacodynamic evaluation of the effects of oral melatonin on expression of the T-cell cytokines interleukin-2 and interferon gamma in the dog.

Objective: To determine the effects of exogenous melatonin administration on activated whole blood expression of the T-cell cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (INF-γ) in dogs.

Animals: Ten healthy dogs.

Procedures: Heparinized whole blood was collected from 10 dogs for analysis of cytokine expression before administration of melatonin (baseline).

Effects of immunosuppressive agents on the hemostatic system in normal dogs.

Background: In dogs, the effects of immunosuppressive medications on hemostasis are not well known.

Hypothesis/objectives: The objective was to determine the effects of immunosuppressive medications on primary and secondary hemostasis. Our hypothesis was that cyclosporine and prednisone would increase markers of hypercoagulability and thromboxane synthesis, while azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and leflunomide would have minimal effects on hemostasis.

Evaluation of a modified infraorbital approach for a maxillary nerve block for rhinoscopy with nasal biopsy of dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a maxillary nerve block via a modified infraorbital approach, applied before rhinoscopy and nasal biopsy of dogs, would decrease procedural nociception, minimize cardiorespiratory anesthetic effects, and improve recovery quality. ANIMALS 8 healthy adult hound-type dogs PROCEDURES In a crossover study, dogs received 0.5% bupivacaine (0.

Evaluation of eicosanoid concentrations in stored units of canine packed red blood cells.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate eicosanoid concentrations in freshly prepared canine packed RBCs (PRBCs) and to assess changes in eicosanoid concentrations in PRBC units over time during storage and under transfusion conditions. DESIGN Prospective study. SAMPLE 25 plasma samples from 14 healthy Greyhounds.

Identification of histamine receptors in the canine gastrointestinal tract.

The important role of histamine in chronic gastrointestinal diseases has been increasingly recognized over the last two decades in human medicine. Histamine is released following mast cell activation and exerts its action through binding to four different histamine receptors (H1, H2, H3, and H4). Histamine receptors are dispersed throughout the body, and each different receptor mediates a unique response.