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Homocysteine in canine serum increases in severe kidney disease but not in inflammatory bowel disease
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Homocysteine in canine serum increases in severe kidney disease but not in inflammatory bowel disease

G. Rossi, S. Breda, A. Giordano, A. Zatelli and S. Paltrinieri
Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Vol.38(Supp. 1), E22
2009
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Abstract

Background: In humans, homocysteine (Hcy) increases in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In a preliminary study hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) was detected in dogs with CKD (which, however, was not staged) but not with gastrointestinal disorders different from IBD. Objective: To assess whether dogs with IBD have HHcy and whether HHcy is associated with the severity of IBD or of CKD. Methods: This study was done on 111 serum samples from 98 dogs (6 of which were repeatedly sampled during the follow-up). Based on clinical chemistry, haematology, urinalysis, and histopathology of intestinal biopsies, dogs were classified as controls (n = 16), IBD (n = 18) or CKD (n = 64). The latter were subgrouped based on serum creatinine concentration, urine protein/creatinine ratio and blood pressure, as suggested by the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS). Results: Hcy values were not significantly different between controls (mean_SD = 6.2_2.7; median = 6.3 mmol/L) and dogs with IBD (6.5_3.6; 6.1, regardless of the type of lesions) or CKD (9.7_10.4; 6.7). Among dogs with CKD, Hcy was significantly higher (Po0.05) in dogs with stage IV CKD (12.9_12.8; 9.5), proteinuria (11.3_12.4; 7.0) or hypertension (16.6_15.2; 13.1). During follow-up, Hcy decreased in dogs with improvement of creatinine or blood pressure. Conclusions: In spite of histological changes usually associated with malabsorption, canine IBD is not associated with HHcy. By contrast, HHcy is present in dogs with severe CKD or with CKD associated with proteinuria or hypertension. The potential role of Hcy as a prognostic factor in patients with CKD merits further investigation.

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