Parenterally administered pegbovigrastim alters leukocyte counts, granulocyte functions, and uterine cell population in healthy postpartum dairy cows

by Dinesh Dadarwal, Kira Crooks, Patricia Lainetti, Ryan Dickinson, Khawaja Ashfaque Ahmed, Colin Palmer

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a single postpartum administration of pegbovigrastim, a recombinant bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF), on peripheral leukocyte profiles, granulocyte function, and uterine cytology in healthy Holstein dairy cows. We hypothesized that rG-CSF would enhance leukocyte counts and granulocyte function without adversely affecting uterine immune cell composition. Twenty-three cows between 19–23 days in milk were randomly assigned to receive either rG-CSF (n = 12) or saline (n = 11). Blood samples were collected on the day of injection and on Days 3, 6, 10, and 21 post-treatment to assess total and differential leukocyte counts. Granulocyte phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Staphylococcus aureus and oxidative burst capacity following PMA stimulation were evaluated using flow cytometry. Vaginoscopy and transrectal ultrasound examinations were conducted at each time point, and uterine cytobrush samples were collected from a subset of cows for cytological analysis. Compared to controls, rG-CSF-treated cows exhibited a significant (2–3 fold) increase in total leukocytes and neutrophils (P P P = 0.04) and phagocytic activity as well as capacity (P = 0.01) that peaked on Days 3 and 6 post-treatment, respectively, following rG-CSF treatment. Furthermore, uterine samples from treated cows showed higher proportions of neutrophils (Days 6, 10, and 21) and macrophages (Day 10) compared to controls (P 

Anti-inflammatory activity of <i>Acanthospermum australe</i>: Insights from network pharmacology, chemical analysis, and <i>in vitro</i> assays

by Andrea Salinas, Christa Burgos, Aaron Rodríguez-Ramos, Alberto Burgos-Edwards, Nelson Alvarenga, Pablo H. Sotelo, Patricia Langjahr

Inflammation plays a crucial role in homeostasis and defense responses; however, exaggerated and chronic inflammation contribute to the development and worsening of various diseases. Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze (A. australe) is a medicinal plant traditionally used to alleviate inflammation. However, the anti-inflammatory activity of this plant has not yet been explored. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of this species using network pharmacology, UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, and in vitro assays. Network pharmacology analysis revealed the involvement of immune system processes, and among the main targets of A. australe related to inflammation were innate immune responses, toll-like receptors (TLRs), and T cell receptor signaling pathways. A methanolic extract was prepared and analyzed using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, and 15 compounds were detected. Additionally, the potential targets of A. australe predicted by network pharmacology analysis were validated in vitro using monocytic THP-1 cells and splenocytes. The RT-qPCR analysis indicated that A. australe significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as chemokine CCL-2, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells. Finally, the extract significantly decreased concanavalin A (ConA)-induced T cell proliferation. Overall, our study provides evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of this species and highlights its mechanisms of action.