Browsing by Author "Becvarova, Iveta"
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- Non-controlled, open-label clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of a dietetic food on pruritus and dermatologic scoring in atopic dogsWitzel-Rollins, Angela; Murphy, Maryanne; Becvarova, Iveta; Werre, Stephen R.; Cadiergues, Marie-Christine; Meyer, Hein (2019-06-28)Background Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate food designed to improve skin barrier function and lower inflammation to reduce pruritus and clinical severity in client-owned atopic dogs. The food contained an antioxidant blend to reduce oxidative stress, plant polyphenols to stabilize mast cells, and polyunsaturated fatty acids to improve skin health and reduce inflammation. Results Seventeen dogs were included in the analysis. Initially 48 adult atopic dogs were enrolled and exclusively fed a dermatologic food for 8 weeks in a non-controlled, open-label study. Thirty-one dogs were excluded for the following reasons: oral and topical medication changes (n = 17), missing data (n = 4), fatty acid supplementation (n = 3), food refusal (n = 3), dropped out (n = 3), and owner concerns (n = 1). Using a scale from 0 (normal) - 4 (severe), veterinarians evaluated the presence and severity of clinical signs of atopy at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Pet owners also rated their pet’s clinical signs of atopy on a scale from 0 (not present) - 10 (present continuously) at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Compared with initial baseline scores (median 19, range 3–69), the total veterinarian scores were significantly lower at weeks 4 (median 11, range 1–15) and 8 (median 7, range 3–46) (p < 0.05). Similarly, owner assessments showed significant improvements in the least squares mean (LSM) from baseline to 4 weeks (itching, redness, licking, and scratching) continuing to 8 weeks (itching, redness, and scratching) (p < 0.05). Conclusions In this open, non-controlled study evaluating a dermatologic diet in seventeen client-owned dogs, owner and veterinarian assessments showed statistically significant reductions in clinical scores designed to measure severity of atopic dermatitis. While these results show promise for the management of canine atopic dermatitis, controlled clinical trials are also needed to affirm our findings.
- Peroxidative protection of parenteral admixture by d-α-tocopherol and its effect on oxidative status of obese catsBecvarova, Iveta (Virginia Tech, 2006-03-30)High lipid : low dextrose (HL:LD) parenteral admixture (PA) is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that are sensitive to peroxidation. This study evaluated the antioxidative effect of vitamin E in both HL:LD PA and in obese cats given HL:LD PA. Natural d-α-tocopherol (Vital E-300) was added to HL:LD PA at seven concentrations (8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, or 64 IU/g of lipid). PA were exposed to fluorescent light for 24 hours at room temperature. Hydroperoxides were measured at baseline and 24 hours hang time. Significantly lower hydroperoxide concentrations were found with > 24 IU/g of lipid at baseline (P < 0.01). A higher d-α-tocopherol concentration was required (> 48 IU/g lipid) to lower hydroperoxides at 24 hours (P < 0.0001). HL:LD PA with 40 IU/g lipid/day d-α-tocopherol was delivered intravenously to obese cats (PA Toc⁺) over 48 hours. Control cats (PA Toc⁻) received HL:LD PA without a d-α-tocopherol supplementation. Oxidative status of cats was evaluated at baseline and 24, 48, and 96 hours. Cats in both groups exhibited an increase in MDA concentration (time effect; P < 0.0001). WBC-tGSH and WBC-GPx did not change in either group of cats. RBC-tGSH and RBC-GPx changed over time (time effects; P = 0.0005; P = 0.0016, respectively) with the PA Toc⁺ cats exhibiting a higher RBC-tGSH concentration (treatment x time interaction; P = 0.012). Serum α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations increased in PA Toc⁺ cats (treatment effect; P < 0.0001). These findings suggest that d-α-tocopherol significantly alters oxidative status in vivo.