Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Medical imaging methods (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, X-ray, and ultrasound) are used to guide physicians when diagnosing diseases and planning their treatment. Thorax radiography is frequently preferred for the detection of diseases related to the respiratory system and the heart. When the thorax anatomy is known, this facilitates the detection of diseases in these regions. The vertebral heart score (VHS) is a parameter used for the detection of cardiac anomalies. In cases such as cardiomyopathy and chronic pneumonia, the heart silhouette changes and cardiac enlargement is ensued. Knowing the normal VHS parameter is important in the detection of anomalies. In the present study, 15 male and 30 female adult Awassi sheep were used. The thorax region was imaged with an X-ray device in the right lateral position. Each animal was measured for nine parameters in the region. In the measurements, the female and male VHS scores were found to be 9.77 ± 0.48 and 9.69 ± 0.52, respectively, using one method and 10.11 ± 1.64 and 9.96 ± 0.73, respectively, using the other method. No statistical difference was found between the two methods. The cardiodiaphragmatic contact parameter was observed to be statistically significant between males and females. No statistical difference was found in other parameters. Consequently, this study was carried out to determine the VHS values in Awassi sheep, and the thorax measurements were evaluated. This study is considered to contribute to veterinary surgeons and the field of veterinary surgery.

Abstract This study was performed to evaluate the role of electroacupuncture on kidney 1 (Ki1) acupoint to prevent the heart and brain injury following ischemia/reperfusion of both kidneys. 24 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four equal groups. In the treatment 1 group, following anesthesia, acupuncture needles were inserted on Ki1 on the palm of both hindlimbs and connected to electroacupuncture unit for a 3.00 Hz direct current, 1 hr before surgery until the end of surgery. In treatment two groups, the electroacupuncture was also performed 48 and 24 hr before the operation, with the same protocol as treatment 1. Control 1 and control 2 groups had the same procedures like the treatment ones, except for acupuncture. Immediately after reperfusion, the samples of brains and hearts were taken and prepared for microscopic examination. Histopathological study of the heart in the control and treatment groups showed the breakage of myofibrils, hyaline necrosis, edema and disorganization of myocytes. The severity of cardiac lesions was decreased in both treatment groups in comparison with the controls. Brain in control and treatment groups showed ischemic necrosis, disorganization of the neurons in the hippocampus, and edema. The severity of lesions was reduced in the treatment groups and showed a significant difference between the control and treatment 1. It could be concluded that electroacupuncture on the Ki1 point could reduce the severity of damages induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion in the remote organs of the heart and brain.