P.T. Guichon, DVM1,· D. Haines, DVM, MPh, PhD; G.K. Jim, DVM1,· C.W. Booker, DVM, MVetSc1,· O.C. Schunicht, DVM, BSc; B.K. Wildman, DVM1,· T.J. Pittman, BScAgr, DVM, PAg1,· T. Perrett, BScAgr, DVM1; P.S. Morley, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVIM3; J. Ellis, BSc, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVP, Dipl ACVIM2; G. Appleyard, BSc, MSc, PhD; K. West, DVM, PhD2 Feedlot Health Management Services (FHMS), P.O. Box 140, # 7 87 Elizabeth Street, Okotoks, Alberta TIS 2A2 University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4 Colorado State University, 3342 Dudley Way, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone ( α-MSH) is a protein with known capacity for protection against cardiovascular ischemia-reperfus ion (I/R) injury. The present investigation evaluates the capacity of α-MSH to mitigate I/R effects in an isolated working rat heart model and determine the dependency of these alterations o n the activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO1, hsp-32), a heat shock protein that functions as a major antioxidant defense molecule. Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for all experiments. Following treatment with selected doses of α-MSH, echocardiographic examinations were carried o ut n live, anesthetized animals. Hearts were harvested from an esthetized rats pretreated with α-MSH and/or the HO-1 inhibitor SnPP, followed by cardiac function assessment on isolated working hearts, which were prepared using the Langendorff p rotocol. Induction of global ischaemia was performed, followed by during-reperfusion asses ment of cardiac functions. Determination of incidence of cardiac arrhythmias w as made by ECG. Major outcomes include echocardiographic data, suggesting that α-MSH has mild effects on systolic parameters, along with potent antiarrhythmic effect s. Of particular significance was the specificity of dilatative effects on coronary vascu lat re, and similar outcomes of aortic ring experiments, which potentially allow different dose s of the compound to be used to selectively target various portions of the vasculat ure for dilation.

Les auteurs ont analyse, par cytometrie en flux a double marquage pour les lymphocytes immunocompetents et par Western Blot pour les anticorps diriges contre les proteines du cytosquelette des cellules nerveuses, le seing peripherique de 10 patients Koweitiens porteur d'un vitiligo non segmente et de 12 sujets temoins en bonne sante, selectionnes aleatoirement pour l'âge et le sexe. Par rapport aux temoins, les patients ont montre des taux eleves de CD3+CD4 + (p = 0,01 ) et de CD3+CD4+CD45RO + (lymphocytes T memoire) (p = 0,011), ainsi qu'une diminution du taux de CD19 + lymphocytes B (p = 0,014) et de CD3+/CD16+CD56+NK-T(p = 0,042). Les niveaux en anti-NFL (70 kDa) chez les patients etaient inferieurs a ceux des temoins (p = 0,031). Chez les patients, des correlations inverses ont ete observees entre les niveaux d'anti-NFL et les taux de CD3 + (p < 0,01) et de CD3+NK(p < 0,005), avec une correlation positive entre les anti-NFH et les taux de CD3 + (p < 0,05) et de CD3+NK (p < 0,05). Des correlations positives ont ete observees entre MAP-2 et CD3+CDS+CD25 + (p < 0,05) et entre le pourcentage de peau lesee et MAP-2 (p = 0,013). On a egalement note une correlation positive entre la severite de la maladie et MAP-2 (p = 0,00), NFH (p = 0,022) et NFM (p = 0,039). Les auteurs suggerent que la presence de faibles niveaux en anti-NFL et sa correlation inverse avec CD3+NK puissent etre le reflet d'un effet protecteur contre des processus neurodegeneratifs induits par l'environnement, par la mediation d'un mecanisme auto immim.

The association between oxidative stress and lymphocyte sub-population was evaluated in peripheral blood of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), Type 11 diabetes and compared with healthy controls. The results revealed expansion of CD4+CD25+ (P < 0.05), CD4+CD45RO+ (P < 0.05) and CD4+CD29+ (P < 0.01), but lower percentages of CD4+CD45RA+ (P < 0.05) in the GDM cohorts but not in Type 11 diabetes compared with healthy pregnant women. Total antioxidant activity was higher among healthy pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women (p < 0.05) which was not observed in the diabetic cohorts. Both Type 11 diabetic groups showed higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) relative to non pregnant cohort; conversely, SOD was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Women with GDM and those with Type 11 diabetes have increased oxidative stress and subsequent lymphocyte activation.

The undifferentiated fever (UF)/bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex continues to be the single most important infectious disease entity in beef feedlot production. Current management practices have focused on successfully managing this disease complex through the use of prophylactic and therapeutic antimicrobial strategies. However, there are substantial amounts of concrete and circumstantial epidemiologic, pathologic, serologic and immunologic evidence of an association between bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and the UF/ BRD complex. Unfortunately, there are limited data that describe how the transmission of BVDV in the feedlot occurs and how this transmission leads to the development of UF/BRD. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve our understanding of the role that BVDV plays in the pathogenesis of pen-level UF/BRD, through the development/refinement of diagnostic tests for identifying and differentiating animals with BVDV, so that appropriate management intervention strategies can be developed to reduce BVDV transmission/infection in commercial feedlot production. In the first phase of the study, population-based, morbidity-based and mortality-based BVDV testing surveys will be conducted in a population of 40 pens (approximately 12,000 animals) of auction-market derived feedlot calves, housed in four commercial feedlots. The results of the BVDV testing surveys, in conjunction with the individual-animal based computerized health records collected at the feedlot, will be used to describe BVDV transmission/infection in pens of commercial feedlot animals.

European Journal of PainVolume 10, Issue S1 p. S125-S125 470 A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY OF SATIVEX, A CANNABIS BASED MEDICINE, IN NEUROPATHIC PAIN CHARACTERIZED BY ALLODYNIA T.J. Nurmikko, T.J. Nurmikko Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, LiverpoolSearch for more papers by this authorM.G. Serpell, M.G. Serpell Gartnavel General Hospital, GlasgowSearch for more papers by this authorB. Hoggart, B. Hoggart Solihull Hospital, BirminghamSearch for more papers by this authorP.J. Toomey, P.J. Toomey York District Hospital, York, UKSearch for more papers by this authorB.J. Morlion, B.J. Morlion University Hospital, Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorD. Haines, D. Haines Castle Hill Hospital, HillSearch for more papers by this authorN. Sarantis, N. Sarantis GW Pharma Ltd, Salisbury, UKSearch for more papers by this author T.J. Nurmikko, T.J. Nurmikko Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, LiverpoolSearch for more papers by this authorM.G. Serpell, M.G. Serpell Gartnavel General Hospital, GlasgowSearch for more papers by this authorB. Hoggart, B. Hoggart Solihull Hospital, BirminghamSearch for more papers by this authorP.J. Toomey, P.J. Toomey York District Hospital, York, UKSearch for more papers by this authorB.J. Morlion, B.J. Morlion University Hospital, Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorD. Haines, D. Haines Castle Hill Hospital, HillSearch for more papers by this authorN. Sarantis, N. Sarantis GW Pharma Ltd, Salisbury, UKSearch for more papers by this author First published: 13 January 2012 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1090-3801(06)60473-4Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume10, IssueS1September 2006Pages S125-S125 RelatedInformation

During the fall of 2004, fall-placed feedlot calves that were diagnosed on gross postmortem examination with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) as the predominant cause of death were pathologically examined in detail using laboratory support to determine the microbiological agents involved in fatal BRD, and to determine if specific microbiological agents were associated with different pathological presentations of fatal BRD.

Intravenously administered polyspecific IgG is being increasingly used as an immunomodulating therapy with controversial beneficial outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IgG infusion on peripheral T-cell subpopulations in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Fifteen women with a history of three previous RPL between 6 and 22 weeks of gestation and positivity for the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) were randomized to one of two treatment groups: (a) an intravenous immunoglobulin therapy group (RPL-IVIg; 7 patients), 500 mg IVIg/kg/month and (b) a placebo-treated group given multivitamins (8 patients). Control groups comprised either normal pregnant women without APS (10 patients) or non-pregnant women. The T-cell markers were characterized using a monoclonal antibody panel including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD29, CD38, CD45RA, CD45RO, CD54 and HLA-DR. Analysis was performed with a two-color fluorescent-activated flow cytometer. In the first trimester, the percentage of CD4+CD25+, CD4+CD45RO+, CD8+HLA-DR+, and CD8+CD38+ populations were reduced in the multivitamin group compared to normal pregnant women (p < 0.05) while in the RPL-IVIg group only CD4+CD25+ cells were reduced (p < 0.05). By the second trimester, CD3+CD16+CD56+ was significantly higher in multivitamin- than in IVIg-treated women (p < 0.05). The percentage of CD4+HLA-DR+ was significantly higher in the two RPL groups compared to normal pregnant women (p < 0.05). IVIg therapy in women with RPL was associated with a significant reduction in CD3+CD16+CD56+ and CD4+CD25+. This may contribute to the suppression of immune-mediated processes contributing to premature abortion.

We have recently demonstrated pregnancy-associated changes in subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes by healthy Kuwaiti women to be consistent with elevated immune activation balanced by immunosuppressive processes. We have further shown that when compared with nonpregnant subjects, pregnant women exhibited lower serum concentrations of the divalent cations zinc and selenium, and elevated levels of copper and magnesium. In this study we assess the relationship between serum levels of divalent cations and activated lymphocyte subpopulations in a group of 32 normal healthy premigravid women during the third trimester of pregnancy (mean age 28.9 years +/- SE, 0.81), and compared with a matched population of non-pregnant women (mean age 23.6 years +/- SE, 1.8). Peripheral venous blood was collected, followed by Q-Prep lysis, labeling with flourescein-isothiocyanate (FITC) or phycoerythrin (RD1) conjugated monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for lymphocyte surface antigens of interest; and 2 color fluorescence analysis using an automated flow cytometer (Epics XL, Coulter) and reported as a fraction of the T cell population. The serum fraction of each sample was analyzed for content of selected metals using graphite furnace atomic absorption which was reported as mug/l of whole blood. When compared to non-pregnant subjects, pregnant women exhibited significantly elevated levels of CD3+CD16+CD56+ (p = 0.036), CD4+CD25+ (p = 0.050), CD4+CD45RA+ (p = 0.046), CD4+CD54+ (p = 0.029), CD8+CD25+ (p = 0.040), and CD8+HLADR+ (p = 0.002). Serum from pregnant subjects contained elevated copper (p = 0.00), and magnesium (p = 0.0130), but lower zinc (p = 0.005), and selenium (p = 0.017) than the non-pregnant cohort, consistent with results of our previous studies. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to study correlation between serum trace elements and frequency of major lymphocyte subpopulations. It was observed that within the pregnant group a direct correlation existed between serum copper and percentage of CD3+CD16+CD56+ (p = 0.013), while inverse relationships were noted between this subset and magnesium (p = 0.020), and between CD4+CD54+ and zinc (p = 0.020). Divalent cations are cofactors for enzymes such as the vasodilator prostacyclin, and the vasoconstrictor thromboxane, which act as key hemodynamic regulatory elements in pregnancy. Imbalances of trace elements affect activities of these enzymes sometimes causing pathological vasoconstriction in pregnancy. Relationships between their serum levels and lymphocyte subsets suggests a possible undescribed immunoregulatory role for these metals and the enzymes they control.

Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is the necessary cause of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in swine; however, a variety of co-factors, including other infectious agents, are thought to be necessary in the full expression of disease. Porcine parvovirus (PPV) was found in the inoculum used in the first experiments to reproduce PMWS in gnotobiotic swine. Retrospective and prospective studies in the field and laboratory have demonstrated PCV-2 can act synergistically with PPV to enhance the severity of PMWS. PCV-2 has been shown to play a role in the porcine infectious disease complex (PRDC). Other co-infecting agents with PCV-2 in the lung include, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), swine influenza virus (SIV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Exposure of pregnant sows to PPV, PRRSV, or encephalomyocarditis virus may interact with PCV-2 infected foetuses. The severity of hepatic lesions in PCV-2 infected pigs may be enhanced by co-infection with agents such as swine hepatitis E virus and Aujezsky’s disease virus. Additional studies are required to determine the mechanistic basis for the interaction of PCV-2 with other agents in the pathogenesis of the various clinical syndromes that have been associated with PCV-2 infection.

The immune responsiveness of women is altered during pregnancy in order to retain protective properties against disease and at the same time allow tolerance of the fetus. Diseases such as pre-eclampsia (PE) have been suggested to arise as a result of maladaptations in these immune alterations. Here we evaluate the effect of PE on the composition of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations using lymphocyte surface antigen expression. Fifty-four women of various parities with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (39 non-proteinuric and 14 proteinuric) and matched controls (30 normotensive pregnant women (NTP) and 15 healthy non-pregnant women (NP)) were investigated. Monoclonal antibodies specific for human T lymphocytes and subpopulations: CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and activation markers: CD25, CD45RA, CD45RO, CD54 AND HLA(-)DR were used and detected using a two-colour fluorescence analysis with an automated flow cytometer. The total number of T lymphocytes: CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD19 were significantly decreased in PIH particularly PE (P<0.05). T cells expressing NK surface markers (CD3/CD16(+)CD56) and CD4 cells expressing HLA(-)DR were higher in PE. CD8(+)HLA(-)DR(+) cells and T-helper cells expressing adhesion molecules) CD4(+)CD54(+)) were higher in NTP than in NP and PE (P<0.05, 0.05). PE is associated with elevated levels of CD4(+)HLA(-)DR(+), and CD3(+)NK cells but decreased total numbers of T lymphocytes, and the CD3(+)CD25(+) subpopulation. These findings indicate systemic alterations in maternal immunity associated with the PE state. This feature of the disease may contribute to abnormal adaptation to pregnancy resulting in PE and PIH, promoting adverse outcomes including pregnancy loss.

PROBLEM:Toxic anticholinesterases (AC) are known contributors to negative pregnancy outcome. Impairment of detoxification mechanisms may correlate with occurrence of pregnancy disorders in Kuwait.METHOD OF STUDY:Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), an enzyme which detoxifies AC was evaluated in 18 Kuwaiti women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), compared with 15 healthy pregnant and eight healthy non-pregnant women. T-lymphocyte subpopulations were measured by flow cytometry, and BuChE activity was measured by spectrophotometry.RESULTS:Unlike the PIH group, the normal pregnancy group exhibited a significant increase in BuChE activity compared with non-pregnant control subjects (P = 0.04). Within the PIH cohort, inverse correlations were observed between BuChE activity and percentage of CD4+ CD25+ cells (P = 0.001), and CD8+ CD25+ cells (P = 0.007).CONCLUSIONS:Elevated BuChE activity in normal pregnancy may correlate with better ability to clear pregnancy-threatening toxins, while lesser ability to do this in PIH women may be a contributor to disease. The fact that PIH subjects with large subpopulations of activated T cells also exhibited low BuChE activity further suggests a correlation between susceptibility to pregnancy loss and decreased activity of the enzyme.

We have previously reported unexpected immunological features of psoriasis among Kuwaitis, suggesting novel patterns of immune reactivity contributing to the disease. To better define this phenomenon, we herein describe profiles of major populations and immunologically activated subsets of peripheral blood lymphocytes in a cohort of Kuwaiti psoriasis vulgaris patients. Whole venous blood from fifteen psoriatic and twenty eight normal, healthy subjects was analyzed by 2-color flow cytometry for levels of major lymphocyte species and their immunologically activated subsets. When compared to normal subjects, psoriatic blood contained lower cell densities of CD2+, CD8+ (p=0.002 respectively) and B lymphocytes (CD19+) (p=0.003), with a trend toward a lower CD4+ density (p=0.072). Within each major lymphocyte population, activated lymphocytes were present at higher percentages in psoriatic than in healthy blood. These included CD4+ HLA-DR+ (p=0.002), CD4+CD25+ (p=0.043), CD4+CD54+ (p=0.005), CD8+CD25+ (p=0.015), CD8+ HLA-DR+ (p=0.046) and CD3+CD16+CD56+ (p=0.023) Additionally, psoriatic patients were found to have an expanded ratio of memory to naive T cells (CD45RO+CD45RA+) relative to control subjects; this was expected on the basis of increased immune activation. Our findings are consistent with a picture of psoriasis as a disease mediated by activated lymphocytes.

Vitiligo is a disorder involving progressive skin depigmentation caused by host mediated destruction of melanocytes. Its pathogenesis is known to correlate with elevated levels of activated skin‐infiltrating T lymphocytes and is presumed to be autoimmune in nature. In the present study, we characterize the immunophenotype of peripheral blood T cells from vitiligo patients, with the objective of developing an investigative and diagnostic tool for the disease, using analysis of peripheral blood. Subjects for this investigation included 32 patients diagnosed with non‐segmental vitiligo and 28 age‐and gender‐matched, normal, healthy control participants. Whole venous blood taken from each subject was analyzed using 2‐color flow cytometry for immunologically‐relevant lymphocyte subsets. When compared with healthy control subjects, peripheral blood from individuals with vitiligo was found to have lower total numbers of lymphocytes (p<0.039). Vitiligo patients also had elevated percentages of memory (CD4+CD45RO+) T cells; (p<0.05), but NK‐T cells (CD3+CD16+CD56+) and naive T cells (CD4+CD45RA+) were present at lower total numbers and percentages than in healthy controls (p<0.01 and 0.05 respectively). Blood from severely afflicted subjects exhibited elevated CD3+HLADR+ and CD4+CD45RO+ as well as lower percentages of NK‐T cells (p<0.05) when compared with mild cases. In conclusion, disease‐associated, peripheral blood lymphocyte immunophenotypic profiles of vitiligo patients are consistent with the hypothesis of T cell activation as a major feature of the disorder. These include elevated memory and reduced naive T cell percentages and increased expression of the activation‐associated surface antigen CD25. These changes presumably reflect increased antigen‐mediated activation. Moreover, because a corollary effect is increased activation‐induced cell death (AICD), lower overall lymphocyte counts observed in vitiligo‐afflicted subjects is also expected.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is often associated with elevated levels of serum antiphospholipid antibodies, which contribute to the pathology of the disorder by promoting formation of thromboses, leading to placental infarction and fetal loss. Patients with recurrent pregnancy loss also exhibit pathological alterations in composition and activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes, which may be indicative of an autoimmune processes. This investigation examines the correlation between levels of anticardiolipin antibody (AC) and specific subsets of the lymphocyte repertoire in RPL patients, with the objective of further characterising the immunological basis for RPL. Non-pregnant Kuwaiti women with a history of RPL were subdivided into two cohorts based on presence or absence of elevated plasma antibodies to cardiolipin. Whole blood from these individuals was analysed by flow cytometry for selected lymphocyte subsets and compared with a non-RPL control population. When compared with controls and low AC titre subjects, women with a high AC titre exhibited significantly elevated percentages of pathogenic CD5+ B cells; two categories of activated T cells including CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25; NK cells and CD3+NK cells; naive (CD4+CD45RA+) cells; and transitional (CD45RO+CD45RA+) cells. In conclusion, women with elevated levels of AC antibodies possess substantially higher levels of activated T cells and pathogenic B cells, suggesting a fundamental predisposition to immune-mediated rejection of the fetus by these patients. Further characterisation of this phenomenon may allow development of novel intervention methods for management of RPL.

In order to determine if vertically transmitted porcine circovirus (PCV) has played a role in reproductive failure in pigs in areas of endemic infection, archival fixed tissues were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Tissues tested were from routine cases of abortion or reproductive failure submitted between 1995 and 1998 to the diagnostic laboratory at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon. They originated from 29 high-health herds in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and comprised a total of 36 individual submissions. Porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) was not detected by PCR in any submitted tissues. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) was not detected by PCR or immunohistochemistry in any of the submitted tissue. The effect of extended formalin fixation on the detection of PCV2 by PCR was assessed and fixation for up to one week had no gross effect on sensitivity of detection using this PCR technique. Failure to detect porcine circoviruses in cases of reproductive failure prior to 1999 in areas of endemic infections, suggests that reproductive disease may be a new clinical manifestation of PCV2 infection, and that vertical transmission may not have been the primary mechanism of initial dissemination of the virus in the pig population.

Recent studies have emphasized the possible role of general nutritional deficiency or imbalance of several specific nutrients in the etiology of pregnancy hypertension. In this study we assessed zinc, copper, selenium and magnesium in serum taken from 36 patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and 10 with preeclampsia (PE) at third trimester. Results of this study include an observation that levels of Mg2+ were significantly lower in plasma of PIH patients relative to women experiencing normal pregnancies (p < 0.01) and increased Zn2+ levels were seen among the PE group (p < 0.05). No other correlations were made apparent between occurrence of disease and systemic trace element concentration. Decreased levels of magnesium in PIH is suggested to favor increased TxA(2) production by sPLA(2), increased endothelial intracellular Ca2+, and decreased NO, with vasoconstriction resulting from direct effects of TxA(2). On the other hand, Zn2+ activates PLA-I promoting increased levels of TxA(2). Hence, the increased levels of plasma Zn2+ we observed, may contribute to PE-associated vasoconstriction. These results may contribute to novel therapeutic modalities by shifting systemic balance of both Mg2+ and Zn2+ towards normal values.

Calcium dobesilate possesses antioxidant properties and protects against capillary permeability by reactive oxygen species in the rat peritoneal cavity, but whether a similar action can take place in the diabetic rat retina is unknown. We investigated the oral treatment of diabetic rats with calcium dobesilate on the prevention of free radical-mediated retinal injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion (90 min ischemia followed by 3 min and/or 24 h of reperfusion). Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were orally treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg of calcium dobesilate for 10 days (n=12 in each group). In the first series of studies, calcium dobesilate was found to significantly reduce the maldistribution of ion content in diabetic ischemic/reperfused rat retina. Thus, in diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg/day calcium dobesilate, ischemia/reperfusion provoked: (i) 27.5% increase in retinal Na+ content compared to 51.8% in the vehicle-treated group (P<0.05), and (ii) 59.6% increase in retinal Ca2+ content compared to 107.1% in vehicle-treated animals (P<0.05). In the second series of studies, calcium dobesilate was found to significantly protect diabetic rat retina against inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase activities by ischemia/reperfusion (54% and 41% reduction, respectively, with 100 mg/kg of calcium dobesilate) and also against changes in retinal ATP, reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) contents. In the third series of experiments, rats treated with 100 mg/kg of calcium dobesilate reduced the hydroxyl radical signal intensity to 41% (measured by electron paramagnetic resonance), induced by ischemia/reperfusion in diabetic rat retina. Finally, 100 mg/kg calcium dobesilate significantly reduced retinal edema (measured by the thickness of the inner plexiform layer) in diabetic rats. In conclusion, oral treatment with calcium dobesilate significantly protected diabetic rat retina against oxidative stress induced by ischemia/reperfusion. Whether the antioxidant properties of calcium dobesilate explain, at least in part, its beneficial therapeutic effects in diabetic retinopathy deserves further investigation.