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Objective-To evaluate the effect of diets enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on in vivo production of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and platelet-activating factor (PAF) in dogs. Animals-15 young healthy dogs. Procedures-Dogs were randomly allocated to receive an isocaloric ration supplemented with sunflower oil (n = 5), fish oil (5), or fish oil plus vitamin E (5) for 12 weeks. At week 12, in vivo production of inflammatory mediators was evaluated in serum at multiple time points for 6 hours following stimulation with IV administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results-Serum activity or concentration (area under the curve) of IL-1, IL-6, and PGE(2) significantly increased after LPS injection in all groups but to a lesser extent in dogs receiving the fish oil diet, compared with results for dogs receiving the sunflower oil diet. Serum activity of TNF-alpha and PAF concentration also increased significantly after LPS injection in all groups but did not differ significantly among groups. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-A fish oil-enriched diet consisting of 1.75 g of EPA/kg of diet and 2.2 g of DHA/kg of diet (dry-matter basis) with an n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio of 3.4:1 was associated with significant reductions in serum PGE(2) concentrations and IL-1 and IL-6 activities. Results supported the use of EPA- and DHA-enriched diets as part of antiinflammatory treatments for dogs with chronic inflammatory diseases. Additional studies in affected dogs are warranted to further evaluate beneficial anti-inflammatory effects of EPA- and DHA-enriched diets.

Leblanc CJ　Horohov DW　Bauer JE　Hosgood G　Mauldin GE
Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

Objective-To assess cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and prostanoid concentrations in pyloric and duodenal mucosae of dogs after administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Animals-8 healthy dogs. Procedures-Each dog received carprofen (4.4 mg/kg, q 24 h), deracoxib (2 mg/kg, q 24 h), aspirin (10 mg/kg, q 12 h), and placebo (1 dog treat, q 24 h) orally for 3 days (4-week interval between treatments). Before study commencement (baseline) and on day 3 of each treatment, pyloric and duodenal mucosal appearance was assessed endoscopically and biopsy specimens were obtained for histologic examination. Cyclooxygenase-1 and COX-2 protein expressions were assessed via western blotting, and prostanoid concentrations were measured via ELISAs. An ANOVA was used to analyze data. Results-Treatments had no effect on mucosal appearance and ulceration was not evident histologically. In pyloric and duodenal mucosae, COX-1 expression was unaffected by treatments. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression remained unchanged in pyloric mucosa; in duodenal mucosa, aspirin significantly increased COX-2 expression, compared with effects of deracoxib and carprofen. At baseline, total prostaglandin and thromboxane B(2) concentrations in pyloric mucosa were significantly greater than those in duodenal mucosa. Aspirin significantly decreased both prostanoid concentrations in both mucosal tissues, compared with other treatments. In pyloric mucosa, carprofen administration significantly decreased total prostaglandin and thromboxane B(2) concentrations, compared with deracoxib administration. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-In dogs, prostanoid synthesis was greater in pyloric mucosa than it was in duodenal mucosa. Nonselective NSAIDs significantly decreased prostanoid concentrations in these mucosae, compared with the effects of a selective COX-2 NSAID.

Wooten JG　Blikslager AT　Ryan KA　Marks SL　Law JM　Lascelles BD
Gastrointestinal Biology Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606.

Objective-To determine induction characteristics and the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) at which consciousness returned (MAC(awake)) in dogs anesthetized with isoflurane or sevoflurane. Animals-20 sexually intact male Beagles. Procedures-In experiment 1, 20 dogs were randomly assigned to have anesthesia induced and maintained with isoflurane or sevoflurane. The MAC at which each dog awoke in response to auditory stimulation (MAC(awake-noise)) was determined by decreasing the end-tidal concentration by 0.1 volume (vol %) every 15 minutes and delivering a standard audible stimulus at each concentration until the dog awoke. In experiment 2, 12 dogs received the same anesthetic agent they were administered in experiment 1. After duplicate MAC determination, the end-tidal concentration was continually decreased by 10% every 15 minutes until the dog awoke from anesthesia (MAC(awake)). Results-Mean induction time was significantly greater for isoflurane-anesthetized dogs (212 seconds), compared with the sevoflurane-anesthetized dogs (154 seconds). Mean +/- SD MAC(awake-noise) was 1.1 +/- 0.1 vol % for isoflurane and 2.0 +/- 0.2 vol % for sevoflurane. Mean MAC was 1.3 +/- 0.2 vol % for isoflurane and 2.1 +/- 0.6 vol % for sevoflurane, and mean MAC(awake) was 1.0 +/- 0.1 vol % for isoflurane and 1.3 +/- 0.3 vol % for sevoflurane. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Sevoflurane resulted in a more rapid induction than did isoflurane. The MAC(awake) for dogs was higher than values reported for both agents in humans. Care should be taken to ensure that dogs are at an appropriate anesthetic depth to prevent consciousness, particularly when single-agent inhalant anesthesia is used.

Hofmeister EH　Brainard BM　Sams LM　Allman DA　Cruse AM
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.