Risk factors associated with disturbances of calcium homeostasis after initiation of a phosphate-restricted diet in cats with chronic kidney disease

Endocrine fibroblast growth factors in domestic animals

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a group of structurally homologous yet functionally pleiotropic proteins. Canonical and intracellular FGFs have primarily autocrine or paracrine effects. However, the FGF19 subfamily, composed of FGF15/19, FGF21, and FGF23, act as endocrine hormones that regulate bile acid, metabolic, and phosphorus homeostasis, respectively. Current research in human and rodent models demonstrates the potential of these endocrine FGFs to target various diseases, including disorders of inherited hypophosphatemia, chronic liver disease, obesity, and insulin resistance. Many diseases targeted for therapeutic use in humans have pathophysiological overlaps in domestic animals. Despite the potential clinical and economic impact, little is known about endocrine FGFs and their signaling pathways in major domestic animal species compared with humans and laboratory animals. This review aims to describe the physiology of these endocrine FGFs, discuss their current therapeutic use, and summarize the contemporary literature regarding endocrine FGFs in domestic animals, focusing on potential future directions.

Dietary magnesium supplementation in cats with chronic kidney disease: A prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Plasma total magnesium concentration (tMg) is a prognostic indicator in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), shorter survival time being associated with hypomagnesemia. Whether this risk factor is modifiable with dietary magnesium supplementation remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate effects of a magnesium-enriched phosphate-restricted diet (PRD) on CKD-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) variables.

ANIMALS

Sixty euthyroid client-owned cats with azotemic CKD, with 27 and 33 allocated to magnesium-enriched PRD or control PRD, respectively.

METHODS

Prospective double-blind, parallel-group randomized trial. Cats with CKD, stabilized on a PRD, without hypermagnesemia (tMg >2.43 mg/dL) or hypercalcemia (plasma ionized calcium concentration, (iCa) >6 mg/dL), were recruited. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol (eating ≥50% of study diet) analyses were performed; effects of dietary magnesium supplementation on clinicopathological variables were evaluated using linear mixed effects models.

RESULTS

In the per-protocol analysis, tMg increased in cats consuming a magnesium-enriched PRD (β, 0.25 ± .07 mg/dL/month; P < .001). Five magnesium supplemented cats had tMg >2.92 mg/dL, but none experienced adverse effects. Rate of change in iCa differed between groups (P = .01), with decreasing and increasing trends observed in cats fed magnesium-enriched PRD and control PRD, respectively. Four control cats developed ionized hypercalcemia versus none in the magnesium supplemented group. Log-transformed plasma fibroblast growth factor-23 concentration (FGF23) increased significantly in controls (β, 0.14 ± .05 pg/mL/month; P = .01), but remained stable in the magnesium supplemented group (β, 0.05±.06 pg/mL/month; P =.37).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Magnesium-enriched PRD is a novel therapeutic strategy for managing feline CKD-MBD in cats, further stabilizing plasma FGF23 and preventing hypercalcemia.

Blood fibroblast growth factor 23 concentration in cats with and without chronic kidney disease: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

This study undertook a scoping review of research on blood fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) concentrations in healthy non-azotemic cats and cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to describe the volume and nature of existing literature, to determine whether published studies provide adequate evidence to support the use of FGF-23 as a biomarker in clinical practice and to identify any existing gaps in knowledge.

METHODS

PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were used to design and perform the scoping review. Online databases were used to identify observational and clinical studies of blood FGF-23 concentrations in healthy cats and cats with CKD published before December 2022. Study and population characteristics and descriptive data on FGF-23 concentrations were extracted.

RESULTS

A total of 205 publications were reviewed; 17 were retained for inclusion. Most studies were retrospective. Most studies included cats with International Renal Interest Society stage 2-4 CKD, with some variation. Key concepts explored in the literature include FGF-23 concentrations by CKD stage, effect of dietary phosphate restriction on FGF-23 concentrations, relationship between FGF-23 concentrations and blood phosphorus, calcium and magnesium concentrations, and FGF-23 concentrations in cats with progressive CKD. FGF-23 concentrations tended to be higher in cats with CKD compared with healthy cats, with an overlap between healthy and CKD populations, and there was significant variation within stages of CKD.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

FGF-23 is a biomarker of interest for the management and monitoring of phosphate overload in cats. Studies support several potential clinical applications for measuring FGF-23 concentration in practice; however, evidence is limited. Research on FGF-23 in cats with CKD would benefit from longitudinal, prospective studies that standardize CKD diagnosis and categorize cats by stage using current guidelines. Studies should include cats with early-stage, non-azotemic CKD and use commercially available assays so such results are comparable across studies.

Ionized hypercalcemia can resolve with nutritional modification in cats with idiopathic hypercalcemia or chronic kidney disease

CASE SERIES SUMMARY

Cats with ionized hypercalcemia that were fed diets with either more than 200 mg calcium per 100 kilocalories (kcal), a calcium:phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio greater than 1.4:1 or both, based on diet history, were included in this case series. Ionized hypercalcemia was documented at least twice in all cats before enrollment. Cats were referred for evaluation of ionized hypercalcemia (n = 5) or were incidentally found to have ionized hypercalcemia (n = 5). After medical workups, cats were diagnosed with either idiopathic hypercalcemia (IHC; n = 7) or chronic kidney disease (n = 3). Cats receiving medications to treat IHC (eg, alendronate, corticosteroids) were excluded. Nutritional recommendations were made to transition the cats to diets with less thn 200 mg calcium per 100 kcal and a Ca:P ratio less than 1.4:1. Ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations were rechecked in all cats, with a median recheck time of 9 weeks (range 3-20). Of the 10 cats, nine (90%) had a decrease in iCa. Of the 10 cats, six (60%) became normocalcemic after the diet change, three (30%) had a partial response and one (10%) did not respond. Of the four cats that did not achieve normocalcemia with a change in diet, two (50%) received chia seeds (1-2 g per day), and at the next recheck, both cats' iCa concentrations had normalized. Three cats had a long-term follow-up. Ionized normocalcemia was maintained for at least two consecutive follow-up visits over a median follow-up period of 33 weeks (range 12-34).

RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION

Dietary calcium concentrations and the dietary Ca:P ratio appear to be important variables in considering nutritional approaches for hypercalcemic cats.

Prevalence of hypercalcemia in primary hypoadrenocorticism in dogs: Multicenter, retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Hypoadrenocorticism is an important differential for hypercalcemia. The etiology of hypercalcemia in hypoadrenocorticism in dogs is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To review the prevalence of hypercalcemia and use statistical models to identify clinical, demographic, and biochemical variables associated with hypercalcemia in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism.

ANIMALS

One hundred ten dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism; 107 with recorded total calcium (TCa), 43 recorded ionized calcium (iCa).

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective observational study at 4 UK referral hospitals. Univariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between independent variables of signalment, hypoadrenocorticism type (glucocorticoid only deficient hypoadrenocorticism [GHoC] vs glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficient hypoadrenocorticism [GMHoC]), clinicopathological variables and hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia was defined as elevated TCa, an elevated iCa, or both elevated TCa and iCa (Model 1) or as elevated iCa (Model 2).

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of hypercalcemia was 34.5% (38/110). The odds of hypercalcemia (Model 1) were increased (P < .05) in dogs with GMHoC ([vs GHoC], OR [odds ratio] = 3.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.105-13.463), higher serum creatinine (OR = 1.512, 95% CI 1.041-2.197), and higher serum albumin (OR = 4.187, 95% CI 1.744-10.048). The odds of ionized hypercalcemia (Model 2) were increased (P < .05) with reduced serum potassium concentration (OR = 0.401, 95% CI 0.184-0.876) and younger age (OR = 0.737, 95% CI 0.558-0.974).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

This study identified several key clinical and biochemical variables associated with hypercalcemia in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism. These findings aid understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of hypercalcemia in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism.

Ionized hypercalcemia in 238 cats from a referral hospital population (2009-2019)

BACKGROUND

Ionized calcium concentration ([iCa]) is more sensitive for detecting calcium disturbances than serum total calcium concentration but literature on ionized hypercalcemia in cats is limited. Urolithiasis is a possible adverse consequence of hypercalcemia.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

To describe clinical details of diagnoses associated with ionized hypercalcemia in cats and association with urolithiasis.

ANIMALS

Cats (238) seen between 2009 and 2019 at a referral hospital with [iCa] above the normal reference interval.

METHODS

Observational cross-sectional study. Signalment, serum biochemical and imaging findings were reviewed for cats with ionized hypercalcemia considered to be clinically relevant (>1.41 mmol/L). Data were summarized by cause of hypercalcemia (i.e., diagnosis).

RESULTS

Diagnoses for the 238 cats with [iCa] >1.41 mmol/L included: acute kidney injury (AKI; 13%), malignancy-associated (10.1%), idiopathic hypercalcemia (IHC; 10.1%), chronic kidney disease/renal diet-associated (8.4%), iatrogenic (5.5%), primary hyperparathyroidism (2.1%), vitamin D toxicity (2.1%) and granulomatous disease (1.7%). In 112 cases (47.1%), no cause for ionized hypercalcemia could be determined (n = 95), hypercalcemia was transient (n = 12), or the cat was juvenile (<1 year; n = 5). Urolithiasis was identified in 83.3% of AKI, 72.7% of iatrogenic, 61.1% of CKD/renal diet-associated and 50% of IHC cases that were imaged (<50% for other diagnoses). Diagnoses with a high proportion of concurrent total hypercalcemia included primary hyperparathyroidism (100%), vitamin D toxicity (100%), malignancy-associated (71.4%), granulomatous disease (66.7%) and IHC (65.2%).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Ionized hypercalcemia was most commonly associated with kidney diseases, neoplasia or IHC. The proportion of urolithiasis cases varied by diagnosis.

Comparative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 envelope viroporin mutations from COVID-19 deceased and surviving patients revealed implications on its ion-channel activities and correlation with patient mortality

One major obstacle in designing a successful therapeutic regimen to combat COVID-19 pandemic is the frequent occurrence of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 resulting in patient to patient variations. Out of the four structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 namely, spike, envelope, nucleocapsid and membrane, envelope protein governs the virus pathogenicity and induction of acute-respiratory-distress-syndrome which is the major cause of death in COVID-19 patients. These effects are facilitated by the viroporin (ion-channel) like activities of the envelope protein. Our current work reports metagenomic analysis of envelope protein at the amino acid sequence level through mining all the available SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the GISAID and coronapp servers. We found majority of mutations in envelope protein were localized at or near PDZ binding motif. Our analysis also demonstrates that the acquired mutations might have important implications on its structure and ion-channel activity. A statistical correlation between specific mutations (e.g. F4F, R69I, P71L, L73F) with patient mortalities were also observed, based on the patient data available for 18,691 SARS-CoV-2-genomes in the GISAID database till 30 April 2021. Albeit, whether these mutations exist as the cause or the effect of co-infections and/or co-morbid disorders within COVID-19 patients is still unclear. Moreover, most of the current vaccine and therapeutic interventions are revolving around spike protein. However, emphasizing on envelope protein's (1) conserved epitopes, (2) pathogenicity attenuating mutations, and (3) mutations present in the deceased patients, as reported in our present study, new directions to the ongoing efforts of therapeutic developments against COVID-19 can be achieved by targeting envelope viroporin.

Association between serum fibroblast growth factor-23 concentrations and blood calcium levels in chronic kidney disease cats with upper urolithiasis

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated whether serum fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 concentrations are associated with serum total calcium (tCa) and blood ionised calcium (iCa) concentrations in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and upper urolithiasis.

METHODS

Serum samples and the medical records of cats with CKD with nephroliths, ureteroliths or both were investigated retrospectively. Cats with a serum creatinine concentration >250 μmol/l and/or a serum phosphorus concentration ⩾1.50 mmol/l were excluded. Based on cut-offs for serum tCa (2.70 mmol/l) or blood iCa (1.40 mmol/l), cats were divided into the following groups: total hypercalcaemia (H-tCa) (>2.70 mmol/l) and total normocalcaemia (N-tCa) (⩽2.70 mmol/l) groups, or ionised hypercalcaemia (H-iCa) (>1.40 mmol/l) and ionised normocalcaemia (N-iCa) (⩽1.40 mmol/l) groups, respectively. Serum FGF-23 concentrations were compared between groups and correlation analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-two cats with CKD and upper urolithiasis were included. Serum FGF-23 concentrations in the H-tCa group (median 573 pg/ml [range 125-3888]; n = 12) were significantly higher compared with the N-tCa group (median 245 pg/ml [range 94-627]; n = 20) (P = 0.001). Serum FGF-23 concentrations in the H-iCa group (median 1479 pg/ml [range 509-3888]; n = 6) increased significantly compared with the N-iCa group (median 245 pg/ml [range 94-637]; n = 26) (P <0.001). Serum FGF-23 concentrations significantly correlated with serum tCa (r = 0.511, P = 0.003) and blood iCa concentrations (r = 0.425, P = 0.015) but not serum creatinine (r = 0.279, P = 0.122) or phosphorus concentrations (r = 0.208, P = 0.253).Conclusions and relevance Increased serum FGF-23 concentrations were associated with hypercalcaemia independently of creatinine and phosphate status in cats with CKD and upper urolithiasis.

Alendronate treatment in cats with persistent ionized hypercalcemia: A retrospective cohort study of 20 cases

BACKGROUND

Limited information is available concerning treatment of ionized hypercalcemia in cats.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

Describe clinical findings in a cohort of cats with persistent ionized hypercalcemia and evaluate long-term tolerance and efficacy of alendronate in these patients.

ANIMALS

Twenty cats with persistent ionized hypercalcemia of undetermined origin, presented for routine or referral consultation at the teaching hospital of Maisons-Alfort (France).

METHODS

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Cats were divided into Group 1 (cats that received alendronate as well as other treatments, n = 11) and Group 2 (cats that did not receive alendronate, n = 9). Survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard models) was conducted to compare time to selected outcomes.

RESULTS

Azotemia was present in 15 cats (75%). Alendronate treatment was administered and well tolerated during the entire follow-up period (median, 9.5 months; interquartile range [IQR], 6.3; 27) in all cats from Group 1, except in 1 cat that developed severe hypophosphatemia, prompting treatment discontinuation. Univariate analysis determined that alendronate treatment was significantly associated with shorter time to reach a 15% decrease in ionized calcium concentration (iCa) from baseline during follow-up (119 days vs median not reached, P = .02). This association was no longer significant after adjustment for age and initial iCa.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Alendronate overall was well tolerated with chronic use in this cohort, and can be considered a treatment option for persistent ionized hypercalcemia in cats.

Metabolomic changes in cats with renal disease and calcium oxalate uroliths

INTRODUCTION

There is a significant incidence of cats with renal disease (RD) and calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney uroliths in domesticated cats. Foods which aid in the management of these diseases may be enhanced through understanding the underlying metabolomic changes.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the metabolomic profile with a view to identifying metabolomic targets which could aid in the management of renal disease and CaOx uroliths.

METHOD

This is a retrospective investigation of 42 cats: 19 healthy kidney controls, 11 with RD, and 12 that formed CaOx nephroliths. Cats were evaluated as adults (2 through 7 years) and at the end of life for plasma metabolomics, body composition, and markers of renal dysfunction. Kidney sections were assessed by Pizzolato stain at the end of life for detection of CaOx crystals. CaOx stone presence was also assessed by analysis of stones removed from the kidney at the end of life.

RESULTS

There were 791 metabolites identified with 91 having significant (p < 0.05, q < 0.1) changes between groups. Many changes in metabolite concentrations could be explained by the loss of renal function being most acute in the cats with RD while the cats with CaOx stones were intermediate between control and RD (e.g., urea, creatinine, pseudouridine, dimethylarginines). However, the concentrations of some metabolites differentiated RD from CaOx stone forming cats. These were either increased in the RD cats (e.g., cystathionine, dodecanedioate, 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl) uridine, 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine) or comparatively increased in the CaOx stone forming cats (phenylpyruvate, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, alpha-ketobutyrate, retinal).

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolomic changes show specific metabolites which respond generally to both renal diseases while the metabolomic profile still differentiates cats with RD and cats with CaOx uroliths.

First genome-wide association study investigating blood pressure and renal traits in domestic cats

Hypertension (HTN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common in ageing cats. In humans, blood pressure (BP) and renal function are complex heritable traits. We performed the first feline genome-wide association study (GWAS) of quantitative traits systolic BP and creatinine and binary outcomes HTN and CKD, testing 1022 domestic cats with a discovery, replication and meta-analysis design. No variants reached experimental significance level in the discovery stage for any phenotype. Follow up of the top 9 variants for creatinine and 5 for systolic BP, one SNP reached experimental-wide significance for association with creatinine in the combined meta-analysis (chrD1.10258177; P = 1.34 × 10^–6). Exploratory genetic risk score (GRS) analyses were performed. Within the discovery sample, GRS of top SNPs from the BP and creatinine GWAS show strong association with HTN and CKD but did not validate in independent replication samples. A GRS including SNPs corresponding to human CKD genes was not significant in an independent subset of cats. Gene-set enrichment and pathway-based analysis (GSEA) was performed for both quantitative phenotypes, with 30 enriched pathways with creatinine. Our results support the utility of GWASs and GSEA for genetic discovery of complex traits in cats, with the caveat of our findings requiring validation.

Risk factors and implications associated with renal mineralization in chronic kidney disease in cats

Background

Nephrocalcinosis is a pathological feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Its pathophysiological implications for cats with CKD are unexplored.

Objectives

Identify nephrocalcinosis risk factors and evaluate its influence on CKD progression and all‐cause mortality.

Animals

Fifty‐one euthyroid client‐owned cats with International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stages 2‐3 azotemic CKD.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Histopathological kidney sections were assessed for nephrocalcinosis (von Kossa stain). Nephrocalcinosis severity was determined by image analysis (ImageJ). Ordinal logistic regressions were performed to identify nephrocalcinosis risk factors. The influence of nephrocalcinosis on CKD progression and mortality risk were assessed using linear mixed model and Cox regression, respectively. Cats were categorized by their owner‐reported time‐averaged phosphate‐restricted diet (PRD) intake, where PRD comprised ≥50%, 10‐50%, or none of food intake.

Results

Nephrocalcinosis was rated as mild‐to‐severe in 78.4% and absent‐to‐minimal in 21.6% of cases. Higher baseline plasma total calcium concentration (tCa; odds ratio [OR] = 3.07 per 1 mg/dL; P = .02) and eating a PRD (10%‐50%: OR = 8.35; P = .01; ≥50%: OR = 5.47; P = .01) were independent nephrocalcinosis risk factors. Cats with absent‐to‐minimal nephrocalcinosis had increasing plasma creatinine (0.250 ± 0.074 mg/dL/month; P = .002), urea (5.06 ± 1.82 mg/dL/month; P = .01), and phosphate (0.233 ± 0.115 mg/dL/month; P = .05) concentrations over a 1‐year period, and had shorter median survival times than cats with mild‐to‐severe nephrocalcinosis.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Higher plasma tCa at CKD diagnosis and PRD intake are independently associated with nephrocalcinosis. However, nephrocalcinosis is not associated with rapid CKD progression in cats.

A feline-focused review of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorders - Part 2: Pathophysiology of calcium disorder and extraosseous calcification

Derangements in mineral metabolism are one of the main entities in chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). This is the second of a two-part review of the physiology and pathophysiology of calcium homeostasis in feline CKD-MBD. While dysregulation in calcium homeostasis is known to contribute to the development of vascular calcification in CKD, evidence characterising the relationship between serum calcium concentration and nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis is limited. Recently, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and α-Klotho have gained increased research interest and been shown to be important biomarkers for the prediction of CKD progression in human patients. However, conflicting evidence exists on their role in calcium homeostasis and vascular and soft tissue calcification. This review details the pathophysiology of calcium disorders associated with CKD-MBD and its implications on vascular and soft tissue mineralisation in human and feline patients. Further prospective studies investigating the clinical consequences of calcium disturbances in cats with CKD are warranted and this may provide additional insight into the pathophysiology of feline CKD-MBD.

The effect of attenuating dietary phosphate restriction on blood ionized calcium concentrations in cats with chronic kidney disease and ionized hypercalcemia

Background

Hypercalcemia is commonly observed in cats with azotemic chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dietary phosphate restriction is considered standard of care but may contribute to the development of hypercalcemia. The optimal dietary management strategy for these cats is unclear.

Objectives

To describe the effect of feeding a moderately phosphate‐restricted diet (MP; 1.5 g/Mcal phosphorus; Ca : P ratio, 1.3) to cats with concurrent azotemic CKD and ionized hypercalcemia.

Animals

Client‐owned cats with ionized hypercalcemia (ionized calcium [iCa] concentration >1.4 mmol/L) at diagnosis of CKD (n = 11; baseline hypercalcemics) or after CKD diagnosis while eating a phosphate‐restricted clinical renal diet (0.8 g/Mcal phosphorus; Ca : P ratio, 1.9; n = 10; RD hypercalcemics).

Methods

Changes in variables over time, after starting MP at visit 1, were assessed using linear mixed model analysis within each group of cats. Data are reporte as median [25th, 75th percentiles].

Results

At visit 1, iCa was 1.47 [1.42, 1.55] mmol/L for baseline hypercalcemics and 1.53 [1.5, 1.67] mmol/L for RD hypercalcemics. Blood iCa decreased (P < .001) when RD hypercalcemics were fed MP, with iCa <1.4 mmol/L in 8/10 cats after 2.2 [1.8, 3.7] months. Plasma phosphate concentrations did not change. In contrast, the baseline hypercalcemic group overall showed no change in iCa but a decrease in plasma phosphate concentration during 8.8 [5.5, 10.6] months on the MP diet, although 4/11 individual cats achieved iCa <1.4 mmol/L by 3.4 [1.0, 6.2] months.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Attenuation of dietary phosphate restriction could result in normalization of iCa in cats that develop hypercalcemia while eating a clinical renal diet.