The chronic form of primary hepatitis occurs commonly in dogs, and the etiology is rarely found. Metallothionein (MT) is a heavy metal-binding protein found in many organs, including the liver. MT was recently shown to enhance liver regeneration and decrease hepatic fibrosis in human beings. This study examined the expression of MT in 24 cases of chronic hepatitis in dogs using immunohistochemistry. To understand the role of MT as a determinant of hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, and regeneration, we correlated its expression with histologic lesions of chronic hepatitis, such as hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and bile duct proliferation, as well as hepatocellular growth fraction as measured by Ki67 immunolabeling. Hepatocellular growth fraction was used as a measure of hepatic regeneration. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between MT labeling intensity and growth fraction (r(2) = 0.29, P < .05). The percentage of MT-positive cells and the overall MT expression were both positively correlated with growth fraction (r(2) = 0.25 and 0.26, respectively; P < .05). A negative correlation was found between the overall MT labeling and fibrosis (r(2) = 0.18, P < .05). A similar trend of negative correlation was also found between the percentage of MT-positive cells and fibrosis, but the P value was not statistically significant (r(2) = 0.14, P = .0684). These findings suggest a protective role of MT in dogs affected by chronic hepatitis, similar to its role in human beings. These dogs may respond to treatment modules focusing on enhancing the expression of MT.
A 12-year-old, neutered male American rabbit was presented to the University of Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Centre for evaluation of a mass on the right tarsus, noted by the owners 2 months prior to presentation. On initial physical exam, the rabbit was bright, alert, and responsive. A painful, ulcerated, firmly attached 1.5 9 2 9 1 cm mass was located on the medial aspect of the right tarsus.The biochemical panel revealed moderate hypercalcemia and mild azotemia. Serum calcium concentrations of rabbits can be highly variable as almost all dietary calcium can be absorbed through the gut and the excess excreted by the kidneys. In rabbits, hypercalcemia can be diet-related or can occur with renal disease, secondary to neoplasia or volume contraction. The cause for hypercalcemia in this rabbit was unclear.A fine-needle aspirate of the mass was submitted for cytology ( Figure 1). A B Figure 1. Fine-needle aspirate of a mass on the right tarsus in a 12-yearold rabbit. Modified Wright-Giemsa. (A) 910 objective, (B) 9100 objective.
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