This study aimed to evaluate if exercise-induced acute phase response (APR) occurs in endurance horses in response to the race. The study included 23 horses competing in an endurance competition with a successfully passed clinical examination before the race. Blood samples were collected before the start and within 30 min after the end of the race. Haematological and biochemical tests were performed and correlated to acute phase biomarkers changes. Values of calprotectin and haptoglobin (Hp) decreased after the races compared to values before, while concentrations of ceruloplasmin and albumin recorded a significant increase. Greater changes in calprotectin values were noted in Arabian horses compared to other breeds. Values of Hp showed a significantly greater decrease after longer races. Based on study results, endurance racing induces APR in horses characterised by significant changes in selected acute phase biomarkers. More pronounced changes were noted at races with higher average speeds, suggesting the need for thorough horse monitoring during exhausting races.

Background: In human and veterinary medicine calprotectin is most widely used in diagnosing different gastro-intestinal diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the stability of canine calprotectin (cCP) in serum after storage at low temperatures and imprecision of the method. Methods: Blood samples were collected from dogs with different clinical diagnoses. Twenty-two dogs were included in this study. Calprotectin concentration was measured 4 hours after serum separation (T0), and after being frozen at − 80 °C for 8 (T1) and 16 weeks (T2). The maximum permissible difference (MPD) was derived from the equation for calculating total error (TE) TE = %Bias + (1.96 x %CV), where bias and coefficient of variation (CV) were defined by the manufacturer. The dogs enrolled in this study were patients admitted during the morning (9–12 a.m.), on the day the first measurement was performed. All sample analysis for determination of stability were done in duplicates. For determination of within-run precision, the two patients’ serum samples were analyzed in 20 replicates. Imprecision was assessed by analyzing 20 replicates on one plate on two samples where high and low concentrations were anticipated. Results: The calculated value of MPD was 32.52%. Median calprotectin concentrations were higher at T1 114.08 μg/L (IQR = 55.05–254.56) and T2 133.6 μg/L (IQR = 100.57–332.98) than at T0 83.60 μg/L (IQR = 50.38–176.07). Relative and absolute bias at T1 (49.3%; 45.98 μg/L) and T2 (109.93%; 94.09 μg /L) have shown that calprotectin concentrations increase after long term storage at − 80 °C. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that c-CP was not stable for 16 weeks at low storage temperature (− 80 °C). Considering the observed change in the concentration of c-CP at T1, a storage time of 8 weeks should be safely applied. The method imprecision was not satisfactory, especially in the lower concentration range.

Background: The parenteral administration of antivenoms is the mainstay in snakebite envenoming therapy. The standardized protocol does not exist, but it is agreed that the intravenous (i.v.) route is more effective than the others, especially the intramuscular (i.m.) route, based on the monitoring of venom/antivenom pharmacokinetics in the systemic circulation. Recent evidence suggests that the lymphatic system may be crucial in abolishing venom action. Methods: A preclinical study was performed to determine the optimal administration route with emphasis on venom/antivenom interplay in both the blood and lymph of experimentally envenomed sheep. Timed level measurements were used to compare the antivenom effect on the decrement of venom quantities in both relevant body compartments. Hematological and coagulation parameters, as well as proportions of developed anti-antivenom IgGs, were evaluated. Results: The i.m. antivenom resulted in faster and greater lymphatic absorption and complete neutralization of the venom, whereas the i.v. antivenom only slowed its absorption. The total amount of venom reaching the lymph (AUC_0-t) was two times lower after i.m. administration. In the systemic circulation, i.m. antivenom had a lower peak concentration (c_max) and a longer time to reach it (t_max). However, the total venom exposure was three times lower than with i.v. antivenom. Irrespective of the treatment approach, both groups showed improvement in blood disorders with no significant difference in humoral response against equine F(ab’)₂ fragments. Conclusions: I.m. administration proved to be a viable option for the snakebite management.

Background: Local analgesia administered through a wound catheter is widely used for postoperative pain control, yet its effects on wound healing remain incompletely understood. This study examined how levobupivacaine alone or combined with meloxicam or buprenorphine influences inflammatory markers, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) expression during wound healing in rats. Methods: Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to five groups: control, saline, levobupivacaine (L), levobupivacaine/meloxicam (L/MEL), and levobupivacaine/buprenorphine (L/BUP). Treatments were administered via a wound catheter for three days. Blood and skin samples were collected before surgery and on days 3, 10, and 21. Results: Levobupivacaine combined with meloxicam or buprenorphine caused fluctuations in white blood cell counts, while albumin levels remained stable. Angiogenesis in the L/MEL group was markedly increased compared with the control, saline, and levobupivacaine-only groups, but the newly formed vessels exhibited consistently narrow lumina during the early healing phase. Caspase-3–positive cells were most numerous in L/MEL during inflammatory and proliferative phases, whereas delayed caspase-3 activation was observed in L/BUP. TGF-β1 expression peaked in both adjuvant groups on days 3 and 10. Conclusions: Meloxicam and buprenorphine increased TGF-β1 expression, but their vascular effects differed considerably. Meloxicam induced a marked increase in angiogenesis, but the newly formed vessels were structurally immature, displaying uniformly narrow lumina and poor architectural organisation, which led to their subsequent regression. In contrast, buprenorphine supported the formation of more mature vascular structures, characterised by wider vessel lumina and a more organised vascular network. These findings demonstrate that adjuvants used with levobupivacaine can significantly modify angiogenic and apoptotic responses and should be carefully considered when selecting multimodal local analgesia strategies after surgery.