Association of azathioprine and prednisone in the control of immunomediated hemolytic anemia in dogs / Associação de prednisona e azatioprina na terapêutica de cães portadores de anemia hemolítica imunomediada

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is an immunological disease, in which the immune-mediated destruction of erythrocytes occurs, leading to a prominent drop in globular volume (GV). The diagnosis of the disease must be made through the association of clinical manifestations with specific complementary exams, with therapy aimed at inhibiting intravascular hemolysis in the control of GV. The present study aims to report the therapeutic association of prednisone and azathioprine in the control of IMHA in two dogs, demonstrating its evolution and the clinical effects of the pharmacological association. At the Veterinary Hospital of UNIMAR, a canine, female, Blue Heeler breed, seven years old and a canine, male, Border Collie breed, seven months old, both showing apathy, hyporexia, progressive weight loss, regenerative anemia, leukocytosis, and test of positive saline autoagglutination. After IMHA was diagnosed, polytherapy with prednisone (2mg/kg/SID) associated with azathioprine (2/mg/kg/SID) was instituted. Initially, the first animal showed liver damage due to the side effects of the drugs. As for the control of IMHA, the two animals described showed improvement and stabilization of the clinical and hematological condition after the association, making it possible to reduce the dosages of both drugs without worsening the conditions and ceasing the side effects caused by the chronic use of the drugs. Through this report it is possible to conclude that the use of the therapeutic combination of prednisone and azathioprine for the control of IMHA has greater benefits, being possible to use lower doses of both drugs, reducing their side effects and, consequently, resulting in a better survival.

Inhibitory Effects Induced by Vicia faba, Uncaria rhyncophylla, and Glycyrrhiza glabra Water Extracts on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Dopamine Turnover in HypoE22 Cells and Isolated Rat Striatum Challenged with 6-Hydroxydopamine

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common and progressive neurodegenerative and oxidative stress-related disorder, characterized by a dramatic loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the nigrostriatal tissue. The first-line drug for PD treatment is represented by l-dopa, although clinical and preclinical studies pointed out the potential efficacy of medicinal plant- and food-derived antioxidants as brain protective agents. In this regard, the potential application of Vicia faba, Uncaria rhyncophylla, and Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts is of noteworthy interest, despite a lack of information in the scientific literature as regards their effect on striatal DA level. Methods: The protective effects of V. faba, U. rhyncophylla, and G. glabra water extracts were investigated on HypoE22 cells and isolated rat striatum specimens challenged with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OH-DA). The extract effects against lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitrites, and 8-iso-prostaglandin(PG)F2α were evaluated using either single-extract treatments or a treatment with a pharmacological association. Additionally, the turnover of DA was measured. Results: The pharmacological association of the extracts was the most effective in contrasting the upregulated LDH and nitrite levels and in reducing striatal DA turnover. Conclusion: The present findings corroborate the rational for the traditional use of V. faba, G. glabra, and U. rhyncophylla extracts, supporting their pharmacological association in order to improve their protective effects.