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Antioxidant status determines the susceptibility of tissues to the oxidative stress associated with diabetes and its complications; hence in the present study antioxidant status was explored in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with vanadium in the form of vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles. Vanadium pentoxide and vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles at the dose rate of 5mg/kg were administered orally in STZ (50mg/Kg) induced diabetic rats for 30 days and glimepiride (reference drug) was administered orally at the dose rate of 800 ìg/kg body weight. Vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles significantly reduced the blood glucose levels than the diabetic control and other treatment group of rats. On exploration of antioxidant status in liver, kidney and pancreas tissues, vanadium in the form of vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles outperformed the vanadium pentoxide by increasing the activities of the enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and the concentration of reduced glutathione and by decreasing the lipid peroxide levels. The present study also showed that the restoration of antioxidant status by vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles is comparable with that of the reference drug. It can be concluded that vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles, due to its superior control over hyperglycemia and antioxidant properties, outperformed the vanadium pentoxide treatment in enhancing the antioxidant status in diabetic rats.

Chronic mitral valve insufficiency (CMVI) is the most common acquired heart disease in dogs. In heart failure, the cellular oxygenation and metabolism are affected, which leads to the production of free radicals. Free radicals damage DNA, lipid and protein molecules in cells. In the present experiment, blood samples were collected from CMVI dogs with heart failure and were compared with the results obtained from healthy dogs. A significant increase in the levels of xanthine oxidase, AST, LDH and CK and decrease in the activity of catalase were noticed in CMVI dogs when compared to healthy dogs, which revealed overall cardiac and skeletal muscle damage in CMVI dogs. Results of biochemical parameters revealed an increase in urea level and decrease in sodium, potassium, and calcium levels in CMVI dogs as compared to control dogs, all of which indicate cardiac damage in dogs. Study on hematological parameters revealed a significant decrease in Hb, PCV, RBC and platelet counts and an increase in total WBC counts and percentage of neutrophils, decrease in percentage of the lymphocyte and monocyte in CMVI dogs than control. These results indicate secondary phenomenon to heart failure. The present research data indicates the usefulness of these biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of CMVI with heart failure in dogs.

The aim of the study was to identify urinary biomarker for early detection of renal dysfunction in dogs. Paired blood and urine samples were analysed from dogs classified on the basis of International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) staging system. Serum biochemistry revealed a highly significant increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in dogs with kidney disease. Urinalysis also revealed a highly significant increase in the level of urinary protein and urinary protein creatinine (UPC) ratio in dogs with kidney disease. A highly significant decrease in urinary creatinine and specific gravity level was also present in all groups of dogs with kidney disease. The SDS-PAGE of urinary proteins obtained from dogs with renal failure revealed the presence of low molecular weight (LMW) proteins of 14.7 KDa. This protein was identified as cystatin C protein by Immunoblotting using anti-cystatin C antibody and it has been suggested as biomarker for the diagnosis of renal disease.

Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs more frequently in large breed of dogs and the common form is the Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Xanthine oxidase is considered as one of the potent enzyme causing oxidative stress in the failing heart, and it uncouples cardiac energy consumption from cardiac contraction resulting in heart failure. In the present study xanthine oxidase activity was estimated in the serum of Dilated cardiomyopathy affected dogs and compared with that of healthy dogs serving as control. Similarly, other known cardiac enzyme markers like creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also estimated. The results showed a 300% increase in the specific activity of xanthine oxidase and a 200% increase in the total activity of xanthine oxidase. This ind icates that measurement of xanthine oxidase activity can serve as an early biochemical marker for diagnosis of Dilated cardiomyopathy in canines.q