VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2
DECEMBER 1985
Cardiac Pathology Research at Purdue
Collaborative Efforts Allow Progress
Research activities have centered on myocardial diseases of animals, toxic-induced
diseases of the heart, liver and pancreas,
and ultrastructural pathology. Complete-
tion of many of these studies has been
dependent on collaborative activities
with: (1) Dr. V.J. Ferrans of the Pathology Branch, National Heart, Lung and
Blood Institute, National Institutes of
Health, Bethesda, Md., (2) Drs. W.A.
Tacker and L.A. Geddes of the Biomedical Engineering Center at Purdue,
and (3) Dr. W.E. Weirich, head of the
Department of Small Animal Clinics.
Examples of some of the past and
current studies are given below.
Control of selenium-vitamin E deficiency
in animals
Interest in nutritional diseases led to
studies of selenium-vitamin E (Se-E) deficiency in swine, ducklings, dogs, and
mice. Pathologic alterations of the deficiency disease were characterized, and the
amounts of dietary or parenteral' Se-E
supplements needed for prevention were
determined. One of the more interesting
aspects of the work involved demonstration of induction of Se-E deficiency in
ducklings and pigs that were fed adequate
diets with added trace elements (e.g., Ag,
Cu, Co, Cd, Hg, Sn, Te). These added
compounds act as Se antagonists and increase the Se-E requirement. The role of
this phenomenon in field cases of Se-E
deficiency where recommended levels of
dietary supplementation are being used is
presently unknown. A comparative medicine interest in Se-E deficiency has recently emerged with the recognition of
myocardial disease in: (1) people in China
due to Se deficiency (Keshan disease),
(2) Se-deficient patients after long-term
hyperalimentation, and, (3) vitamin E-
deficient patients with chronic malab-
sorpation.
Cardiotoxicities as emerging diseases in
veterinary medicine
Recently, a new research thrust has involved the cardiotoxicities, in particular
studies of drugs that provoke myocardial
damage. Studies have characterized the
toxicity and pathologic alterations induced by doxorubicin (adriamycin),
monensin, isoproterenol, furazolidone
and minoxidil (a vasodilating antihypertensive agent).   Examples of the morpho
logic alterations in hearts of animals with
these toxicities are shown in the accompanying composite illustration. The variety of lesions provoked by these agents
suggests that several pathogenetic mechanisms are involved in development of
the cardiac damage. Collaborative studies
with investigators at NIH and the Food &
Drug Administration have evaluated the
efficacy of several potential antidotes to
prevent these cardiotoxicities. Pretreat-
ment of animals given doxorubicin with
ICRF-187 (a chelator) has shown marked
protection against the development of
chronic cardiotoxicity. This is an important finding, as doxorubicin is being
used widely in cancer chemotherapy of
dogs and cats. Studies have been initiated
of in vitro cardiotoxicity testing using
cultured cardiac muscle cells. Concern
for the use of live animals in research
dictates a need for veterinary medical
scientists to explore the use of cell culture systems to detect toxic agents and
explore liie pathogenesis of disease.
Need for further studies of idiopathic
cardiomyopathies
A series of cases of congestive and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies in cats and
dogs has been followed in collaboration
with Dr. W.E. Weirich and Dr. V.J.
Ferrans. These diseases have great comparative importance due to their increasing recognition in human patients. A
great need exists for suitable animal
models for studies on the etiology, pathogenesis, therapy, and possible prevention
of these diseases.
Long-term effects of intracardiac devices
Another area of study has been to determine the effects on the heart of chronically-implanted biomedical devices such
as pacemaker leads and automatic implanted defibrillators. Studies of the
cardiac alterations induced in animals
have contributed to the development of
design improvements and subsequent
utilization of these devices in human
patients. These studies have had industry
support and were funded through the
Biomedical Engineering Center at Purdue.
People on the team essential for research
success
It has been challenging to be active in research at Purdue SVM while still maintaining sizeable teaching and  service re-
m
Examples of cardiac pathology in animals with various cardiotoxicities. (A) Furazolidone cardiotoxicity-duckling. Severe cardiac dilatation. (B) Doxorubicin cardio-
toxicity-dog. Distinctive vacuolar degeneration. X400. (C) Cobalt cardiotoxicity-pig.
Necrotic myocytes have hypercontraction bands and mitochondrial mineralization
(left).  X6,000.
sponsibilities. Success has been predicated on maintaining close working
relationships with several dedicated collaborators, as outside funding has been
modest. Without question the many
people involved in the laboratory over the
years have provided the necessary impetus for successful research to be done.
These include: graduate students: Drs.
George Ruth, Al Rebar, Linda Greenwood,  Steve  Badylak,  Evelyn   Kazacos,
Carl Okerberg, Ann Radovsky and Dale
Webb; Lillian Henriksen (laboratory
technician); and many undergraduate
students. The administrative support
encouraging periodic sabbatical and study
leaves that have proven essential for
professional maturation and the completion of a number of research activities is
gratefully recognized.
John F. Van Vleet, DVM, PhD
Professor, Veterinary Pathology
Dean Stockton Retires
Served S VM Family For 18 Years
Faculty, staff and students of the School
of Veterinary Medicine gathered on Friday afternoon, December 13, to thank
Dean Stockton for his many contributions to Purdue University during his 18
years as associate dean (1968-1971) and
dean (197^685).   Other friends of Dr.
A
Jack and Mrs. Naomi Stockton joined the
School in wishing both of them a happy
and successful retirement.
Following graduation from Ohio State in
1943, Dean Stockton spent three and
one-half years with the U.S. Army.    He„
then went to Michigan State University
where he received an MS degree and remained on the faculty for 20 years. He
also received a PhD degree from the University of Michigan. At Michigan State he
taught in the areas of microbiology and
epidemiology while conducting research
on bacterial and parasitic diseases. Prior
to coming to Purdue in 1968, he served as
chairman of the MSU Department of Microbiology and Public Health.
1any significant achievements were made
at Purdue's School of Veterinary Medicine under Dean Stockton's leadership.
The first and only major curriculum
change in the School's history ushered in
the integrated preclinical curriculum and
the block system of instruction in the
senior year. Class size was increased to
qualify for federal funding and then reduced when that funding terminated and
veterinary medical manpower became a
concern.      He   chaired   the   Admissions
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