Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play essential roles in human health, being widely used in the prevention and treatment of various conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. However, their oral administration faces significant challenges, including low solubility, rapid oxidation, and low bioavailability, which limit their therapeutic efficacy. This article explores recent advances in oral drug delivery systems designed for polyunsaturated fatty acids, highlighting how innovative technologies, such as nanoemulsions, liposomes, microencapsulation, and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs/NLCs), can improve their stability, absorption and clinical performance. In addition, the main natural sources of these compounds, as well as their extraction and purification methods, and the challenges related to their absorption and metabolism are discussed. This narrative review was based mainly on a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2025 in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The therapeutic benefits of these emerging approaches are analyzed by comparing conventional methods with modern delivery strategies to optimize the use of omega-3 and omega-6 in the body. Finally, the article outlines future perspectives and regulatory challenges associated with these technologies, highlighting their potential to revolutionize the administration of essential fatty acids and broaden their applications in medicine and nutrition.

Occurrence of canine hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament rupture and patellar luxation in dogs in a retrospective study of 100 orthopedic cases

Resumo O objetivo desse estudo é descrever o procedimento de correção da malformação de desvio angular metatársico, utilizando ostectomia em cunha, em uma potra puro-sangue de 41 dias de idade. Uma malformação metatársica angular de 41.6º foi corrigida com a técnica de ostectomia em cunha, em associação com fixador externo tipo II e resina de metilmetacrilato, no membro pélvico esquerdo. O animal foi submetido à cirurgia sob protocolo de anestesia geral. A potra foi posicionada em decúbito dorsal, com o membro pélvico esquerdo livre para manipulação. Para a realização da ostectomia em cunha, foi utilizada uma serra óssea. Para a instalação das barras do fixador externo, uma furadeira foi utilizada e, para fixá-los, pinos de Kirschner e resina acrílica foram aplicados. Logo após a cirurgia, imagens radiográficas foram obtidas para confirmar a redução total de 32,6º (de 41,6º para 9º) de angulação. Para garantir que o animal se adaptasse ao fixador externo linear e não sobrecarregasse os pinos e barras, foram instituídos cuidados pós-operatórios intensos, com medicações e bandagem de Robert Jones. Não houve complicações no pós-operatório. No dia seguinte à cirurgia, a potra estava em pé, caminhando e sem sinais de dor. Após 180 dias, alcançou total calcificação óssea e os implantes puderam ser removidos em um segundo tempo cirúrgico. A potra demonstrou locomoção adequada, realizando todos os movimentos normais e pôde correr pelo pasto sem dificuldades. Um discreto desvio angular remanescente foi parcialmente corrigido por casqueamento.

To report the placement of a trochlear groove prosthesis in a domestic cat with grade 4 medial patellar luxation and severe patellofemoral osteoarthritis using a mini-implant designed for dogs. A 1-year and 9-month-old female cat with left pelvic limb 3/6 grade lameness of 10-month duration was attended at a private veterinary hospital. Physical examination showed marked periarticular thickening, reduced femoral muscle mass, and stifle crepitation. Radiographic changes were consistent with joint effusion, decreased joint space between femoral and tibial medial condyles, and osteophyte on the distal patellar margin. Trochleoplasty was not recommended due to articular deterioration, and the placement of a canine #3 trochlear prosthesis was planned. The base plate was fixed with cortical screws and the trochlear prosthesis was attached through Morse taper abutments. Radiographic follow-ups confirmed the adequate position of both the patella and trochlear prosthesis. After 30 days, the cat presented 1/6 grade lameness and was medically discharged after 60 days. After 2 years, the cat presented normal mobility using a mini-canine trochlear prosthesis. Using a trochlear prosthesis to replace the femoral patellar groove of cats is suggested as a viable strategy to align the extensor mechanism, improve patellar stability, and manage patellofemoral osteoarthritis-induced lameness.

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease framework proposes that environmental exposures during critical periods of development can shape physiological systems and influence the risk of chronic diseases later in life, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Most research on metabolic programming has focused on classical metabolic organs such as the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. However, skeletal muscle plays a central role in systemic glucose homeostasis and metabolic flexibility, accounting for the majority of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in the body. Because muscle metabolism is closely regulated by neural activity through the organization of motor units, the development of the motor neuromuscular axis may represent an underexplored dimension of metabolic programming. This review examines evidence linking early-life metabolic environments to neuromuscular development and discusses how alterations in the maturation of motor neurons, neuromuscular junctions, and muscle fiber phenotype may influence long-term metabolic outcomes. Evidence from epidemiological studies, experimental models, and mechanistic research suggests that maternal metabolic disturbances, including hyperglycemia, obesity, and systemic inflammation, can influence fetal development through metabolic and inflammatory pathways affecting both neural and muscular components of the motor system. These findings support the hypothesis that the motor neuromuscular axis may represent a structural interface linking early developmental exposures to long-term metabolic regulation and risk of metabolic syndrome.

Aims: This study aimed to characterize the temporal dissociation between metabolic recovery and nutritional status during the first postoperative year following sleeve gastrectomy in women. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 340 women undergoing sleeve gastrectomy using laboratory data from routine clinical follow-up. Biochemical markers were assessed preoperatively and at approximately 40, 120, 180, and 365 days postoperatively. A comprehensive multisystem panel was used to track longitudinal changes in nutritional, haematologic, metabolic, hepatic, inflammatory, renal, and endocrine parameters using an interval-based analytical approach. Results: Distinct postoperative trajectories were identified between metabolic recovery and nutritional status. Metabolic and inflammatory parameters improved rapidly and remained stable throughout follow-up, including reductions in fasting glucose, triglycerides, liver enzymes, uric acid, and C-reactive protein, alongside sustained increases in HDL cholesterol. In contrast, several nutritional biomarkers showed progressive deterioration. Folate exhibited the earliest and most pronounced decline, decreasing by more than two-thirds within 40 days and remaining persistently reduced throughout follow-up. Vitamin B12 declined progressively, reaching concentrations compatible with early biochemical insufficiency. Ferritin showed continuous depletion across all intervals, whereas serum iron increased, indicating dissociation between circulating iron and iron stores. Zinc concentrations declined sharply and remained persistently reduced, while albumin and globulins exhibited modest but consistent decreases. Multivariate analyses confirmed coordinated metabolic–hepatic remodelling occurring in parallel with a weaker and progressively deteriorating nutritional trajectory. Conclusions: Metabolic recovery and nutritional adequacy represent partially dissociated physiological processes following sleeve gastrectomy. Micronutrient deterioration begins early and progresses before overt clinical manifestations, underscoring the need for frequent biochemical monitoring and individualized supplementation strategies during postoperative follow-up.