The treatment of articular cartilage defects seems to be one of the greatest challenges in modern orthopaedics. From a medical point of view there are 3 main goals to achieve for cartilage trauma treatment: restoration of the joints motion, pain relief and elimination/delay of the onset of osteoarthritis. Treatment can be divided into conservative (including pharmacotherapy, arthrocentesis and physiotherapy) and surgical. The last comprises reparative techniques, regenerative methods and symptomatic treatment. While both are focused on reconstruction of the damaged cartilage, the difference lies in the type of filling tissue. Reparative techniques include: drilling of the subchondral bone, spongiolisation, abrasion, mictrofracture, and autologous matrix induced chondrogenesis (AMIC). Regenerative methods contain: periosteal and perichondral grafts, mosaicplasty, autologous chondrocyte implantation and matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI). Nowadays tissue engineering, including gene therapy, is emerging as one of the key approaches to cartilage treatment and holds promises for new achievements and better outcomes of many cartilage diseases and traumas.

Background/Aim: Stem cells are widely used in regenerative medicine and in clinical practice for the treatment of damaged nerve tissue, myocytes, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of the study was to monitor VEGF levels after the administration of allogenic cellular material (SVF) in the course of treatment of dogs suffering from degenerative joint disease in the spinal region. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 10 dogs of both genders, aged between 6 and 13 years in which allogenic stromal vascular fraction of stem cells (SVF) was administered intravenously. The control group was composed of 10 clinically healthy dogs. Before treatment and after 2-and 8-week intervals blood samples were obtained from the study group dogs in order to determine VEGF levels via immunoenzymatic test. Results: in a few days after the therapy, alleviation of pain symptoms and reduction of lameness were noticed. The VEGF level in 2 weeks after the therapy was significantly elevated (median: 38.77 pg/ml), while in 8 weeks a decrease was observed (median: 18.37 pg/ml). Conlusion: Administration of allogenic stem cells has a positive influence on elevation of the VEGF levels in the blood serum of affected animals as well as their regeneration capacity. The intensive of development of regenerative medicine and gene therapy has contributed to the development of new stem cell treatment methods. The characteristic trait of such cells is their potentially unlimited capacity for division and differentiation into various specialised cell types (1-3). Depending on their differentiation potential, cells can be classified as: totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, or unipotent (2, 4). Stem cells are present at certain stages of an organism's development and at certain organs, and can therefore also be classified as: embryonic (ESC), somatic, mesenchymal, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Unlike mature, tissue-specific stem cells, ESCs are pluripotent and have the capability to differentiate into any kind of cells. However, despite their considerable promise, the practical usability of ECSs is limited due to potential ethical concerns and the applicable legal regulations. On the other hand, mature, tissue-specific stem cells are immune-compatible and their use is not subject to ethical considerations (5). As demonstrated in recent studies, they are capable of differentiating into cells of the same embryonic origin (multipotency), and under adequate conditions can also display polypotent properties. It is believed that their function is primarily related to the regeneration of damaged and exploited somatic cells. Furthermore, they are tissue-specific and can generate various types of cells with similar properties and embryonic origin (e.g. neural stem cells are able to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes) (3). The cells can be harvested from bone marrow, blood, nerve tissue, or adipose tissue. The most common source of stem cells is bone marrow where the populations of hemopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem...

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of inorganic and organic forms of Zn on the expression of cytokines (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-17, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β) and immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) in the tissues of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) of broiler chickens. In the experiment, 90 broiler chickens were divided into 4 experimental groups and a control group, with 18 birds each. The birds received Zn supplements in inorganic form with and without phytase (ZnSO4 and ZnSO4 + F), and in organic form with glycine, with and without phytase (Zn-Gly and Zn-Gly + F). The total rearing period was 42 days. Quantitative real-time (RT)-PCR was used to measure the expression of the cytokines and immunoglobulins. The differences between the results obtained for the control and experimental groups, between the groups receiving ZnSO4 and Zn-Gly, and between groups ZnSO4-F and Zn-Gly-F were analyzed statistically. High relative expression of IL-2 was observed for the chickens in the groups receiving ZnSO4-F, Zn-Gly, and Zn-Gly-F on d 42 in comparison to the control group. High relative expression of TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-17 was noted in the group that received ZnSO4 + F. High expression of IgG, IgA, IL-4, TGF-β, and IL-10 was noted in the groups of chickens that received feed supplemented with Zn-Gly and Zn-Gly + F chelates on d 42 of the study in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, supplementation with Zn-Gly chelates can ensure Th1 and Th2 balance during the immune response in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and, by increasing IgA and IgG expression, also can stimulate potentiation of the immune response involved in passive protection of the body from infection. In contrast, the use of inorganic forms of Zn, in the form of sulfates, can induce local inflammatory processes in the intestines, which, in the case of long-term supplementation, lead to the development of infections.

Aim: To assess the applicability of β-tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of comminuted fractures in small animals. Material and Methods: The experimental study was carried out on 16 New Zealand White rabbits. After creating the bone defect and performing tibial osteotomy, TCP implants containing activated PRP were introduced into the fracture and the defect. The fracture was stabilised using external fixators or intramedullary nails. After 12 weeks, the animals were euthanised, and radiological, histological, scanning electron microscopy and peripheral quantitative computed tomography examinations were performed. The analysis also covered the results of fracture treatment in 37 small animals (cats and dogs) in which treatment with TCP containing PRP was used as an alternative to cancellous bone implantation. Results: Correct bone union was observed in the experimental groups, TCP remained visible at the site of the fracture after 12 weeks. In the clinical application in small animals, bone union was observed in over 91% of treated animals. Conclusion: β-TCP and activated PRP may be an effective method of bone union enhancement in the treatment of comminuted fractures in small animals.

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Sobczyńska-Rak A., Polkowska I., Gołyńska M., Szponder T., Żylińska B., Łopuszyński W.Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in dogs suffering from squamous cell carcinoma SummaryThe aim of the present study was to monitor VEGF expression in the blood serum of dogs suffering from squamous cell carcinoma in correlation with the speed of metastasis. The research material consisted of tumour tissue and blood samples collected from 26 dogs of various breeds, aged between 5 and 15 years, and 10 control group animals. Blood samples were centrifuged, and the serum obtained was examined by immunoenzymatic assays to determine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. The study group animals were observed for a period of 6 months, during which their blood was drawn twice for immunoenzymatic tests. In all study group animals, elevated blood serum VEGF levels were observed on the day of surgery compared with the control group. In 14 cases, disease relapse was observed with metastases to the bones or lungs. In all relapsing animals, significantly higher blood serum VEGF levels were observed.VEGF levels are closely related to the neoplastic process, but the exact mechanism of the factor's involvement in neoplastic progression remains unclear, as does the complexity of the angiogenic processes. Studies of the mechanisms affecting tumour proliferation and the monitoring of VEGF levels can facilitate better diagnostics and prognostics, as well as improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment and the planning of new therapeutic strategies for both human and animal patients.

SummaryOzone is a triatomic allotrope of oxygen that can be produced in specially designed machines: ozone generators (ozonators). It breaks down to dioxygen (O 2 ) and active atomic oxygen (O), which is a very strong oxidant. Due to the fact that its bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal activities are 50 times more powerful than those of chlorine, ozone could be used in a wide range of applications, including disinfection, disinfestation and deodorization. Biochemical properties of ozone make it useful in both human and animal medicine. Ozone therapy has been applied in the treatment of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal tract diseases, many viral, bacterial and fungal infections, corneal diseases, skin disorders, as well as in inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. Various forms of ozone are utilized for medical purposes, for example, ozone/oxygene mixture, dressing covered with ozonated water or oil, ozonated infusion fluids and ozonated autohemotherapy (AHT). Medical ozone appeared to be successful in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections, infected and nonhealing wounds. When properly conducted, ozone therapy is safe and non-toxic, and should therefore be widely used in veterinary and human medicine practice.

The aim of the review was to describe a complex microstructure and biomechanical properties of the articular cartilage as well as a current review of its pathologies encountered in veterinary practice. The articular cartilage with its unique features: complex microarchitecture, significant mechanical durability and elasticity, lacking blood, lymphatic vessels, and innervation, seems to stand in contradiction to the laws of biology. It can be involved in a vast majority of diseases, from osteoarthrosis as a result of natural aging process to more complex in nature like osteochondromatosis. The primary role of articular cartilage is to provide the surface for movement in any single joint in the body. Therefore, its diseases lead to physical impairment and deterioration of the quality of life. Treatment of articular cartilage poses a formidable challenge in both modern human and animal medicine.