RESUMO: O carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) é uma neoplasia rara nos animais domésticos e em espécies selvagens foi relatado somente em antílopes, veado, cães da pradaria e furões, mas não existem relatos em Leopardus pardalis (jaguatirica). Este trabalho descreve um caso de carcinoma hepatocelular metastático em uma fêmea felina de aproximadamente 18 anos de idade, da espécie Leopardus pardalis, proveniente do Parque Zoobotânico de Teresina-PI, com histórico de anorexia, apatia e evolução ao óbito que foi encaminhada ao Setor de Patologia Animal da Universidade Federal do Piauí para exame anatomopatológico. À necropsia foram observadas duas nodulações de aproximadamente 8,0cm de diâmetro no fígado, de coloração variando da brancacenta ao vermelhado claro, amarelada a vermelho escuro, subdivididas em lóbulos por tecido conjuntivo. No pâncreas foram observadas múltiplas nodulações de aproximadamente 1,0 cm de diâmetro, com superfície lisa, consistência firme, coloração vermelho-amarelada. A superfície de corte dos rins também apresentava várias nodulações milimétricas de distribuição multifocal, na região córtico-medular, consistência firme, coloração branco-acinzentada ou amarelada, sugerindo metástase. Os fragmentos das lesões de fígado foram coletados e no exame microscópico observaram-se proliferação de hepatócitos em cordões bem diferenciados, formando trabéculas com espessura de três ou mais células. Os hepatócitos apresentavam-se volumosos, pleomórficos, com citoplasma eosinofílico. Na coloração com PAS constataram-se, regularmente, acúmulo de glicogênio nos hepatócitos neoplásicos. A confirmação foi feita pela técnica de imunoistoquímica, utilizando-se anticorpo monoclonal (Hepatocyte Specific Antigen). Os achados anatomohistopatológicos, e o auxilio da imunoistoquímica permitiram concluir pelo diagnóstico de hepatocarcinoma trabecular metastático em Leopardus pardalis criado em cativeiro.

ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare neoplasm in domestic and wildlife animals and has been reported only in antelope, deer, prairie dogs and ferrets; but there are no reports in Leopardus pardalis (ocelot). This paper describes a case of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in a female of an about 18-year-old Leopardus pardalis from the Zoological Garden of Teresina, Piauí, after a history of anorexia, apathy and fatal outcomes, forwarded to the Department of Animal Pathology at the Federal University of Piaui for pathological examination. Necropsy revealed two nodules of about 8.0cm in diameter in the liver, of whitish to bright red or yellow to dark red color divided into lobes by connective tissue. In the pancreas were found multiple nodules of about 1.0cm diameter, with smooth surface, firm consistency, and yellowish-red color. The cut surface of the kidneys also presented multiple whitish-gray or yellowish millimeter small nodules in the corticomedullary region, of firm consistence, suggesting metastases. Fragments of the liver lesions examined microscopically revealed hepatocyte proliferation in well differentiated strands, forming trabeculars of three or more cells. The hepatocytes were large and pleomorphic, with eosinophilic cytoplasm. In PAS staining glycogen accumulation was found in neoplastic hepatocytes . The confirmation of the diagnosis was made by immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal antibody hepatocyte specific antigen. The findings allowed us to characterize the neoplasm as a trabecular metastatic hepatocarcinoma in Leopardus pardalis bred in captivity.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Parkia platycephala Benth., Fabaceae, on systemic and reproductive parameters. In toxicity on the estrous cycle, four groups of not-pregnant Wistar rats received distilled water and the doses 250, 500 and 1000 mg.kg-1 of plant extract for thirty days, at the end of which they were examined as to the frequency of their phases. The systemic toxicity was assessed through the consumption of water and food and by measuring body mass. After the extract was administered, serum AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin (total, direct and indirect), urea and creatinine were dosed. The evaluation of the organs (brain, heart, hypophysis, adrenal glands, liver, spleen, uterus and ovaries) in their macroscopic aspects, relative and absolute masses and histological structure showed that the plant extract induced a decrease of water and food consumption and of body mass. It caused an increase in the luteal phase and a decrease in the follicular phase of the estrous cycle and rose serum alkaline phosphatase levels.The data exhibit systemic and reproductive toxicity induced by plant extract in female Wistar rats.