Photosensitization induced by heterophyllaea pustulata in goats: sequential development of skin lesions

Five adult Saanen goats received a single oral dose of Heterophyllaea pustulata containing 42.25 μg/kg rubiadin (anthraquinone). Treated goats, and three adult untreated goats (controls) were exposed to sunlight and sequential ear skin biopsies, collected before treatment, and at 32 h, 3 days, 8 days and 15 days after treatment, were examined. Changes at 32 h after dosing included epidermal spongiosis, single cell death and acantholysis, an increased BAX/BCL-2 protein ratio, and dermal edema. Lesions at day 3 included epidermal and adnexal necrosis, crust formation and acanthosis. Acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and dermal fibrosis and neovascularization were present at day 15. Pro-apoptotic (BAX)/anti-apoptotic (BCL-2) protein ratio increased at 32 h, whereas epidermal and dermal PCNA immunolabelling increased between days 8 and 15 after treatment. The cutaneous lesions were consistent with sunlight-induced damage and the occurrence in treated but not control goats indicates photosensitization.

Fil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Salta; Argentina

Fil: Luján, Lluís. Universidad de Zaragoza; España

Fil: Colque Caro, Luis Adrián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Salta; Argentina

Fil: Núñez Montoya, Susana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina

Fil: Barbeito, Claudio Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Patología General Veterinaria; Argentina

Fil: Portiansky, Enrique Leo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Patología General Veterinaria; Argentina

Fil: Gimeno, Eduardo Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Patología General Veterinaria; Argentina