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Questa M, Weimer BC, Fiehn O, Chow B, Hill SL, Ackermann MR, Lidbury JA, Steiner JM, Suchodolski JS, Marsilio S. Unbiased serum metabolomic analysis in cats with naturally occurring chronic enteropathies before and after medical intervention. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6939. [PMID: 38521833 PMCID: PMC10960826 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57004-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic enteropathies (CE) are common disorders in cats and the differentiation between the two main underlying diseases, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and low-grade intestinal T-cell lymphoma (LGITL), can be challenging. Characterization of the serum metabolome could provide further information on alterations of disease-associated metabolic pathways and may identify diagnostic or therapeutic targets. Unbiased metabolomics analysis of serum from 28 cats with CE (14 cats with IBD, 14 cats with LGITL) and 14 healthy controls identified 1,007 named metabolites, of which 129 were significantly different in cats with CE compared to healthy controls at baseline. Random Forest analysis revealed a predictive accuracy of 90% for differentiating controls from cats with chronic enteropathy. Metabolic pathways found to be significantly altered included phospholipids, amino acids, thiamine, and tryptophan metabolism. Several metabolites were found to be significantly different between cats with IBD versus LGITL, including several sphingolipids, phosphatidylcholine 40:7, uridine, pinitol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and glucuronic acid. However, random forest analysis revealed a poor group predictive accuracy of 60% for the differentiation of IBD from LGITL. Of 129 compounds found to be significantly different between healthy cats and cats with CE at baseline, 58 remained different following treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Questa
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Bart C Weimer
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, 100K Pathogen Genome Project, University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Oliver Fiehn
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Betty Chow
- VCA Animal Specialty & Emergency Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steve L Hill
- Veterinary Specialty Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mark R Ackermann
- US Department of Agriculture, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Jonathan A Lidbury
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Joerg M Steiner
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jan S Suchodolski
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Sina Marsilio
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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Higueras C, Escudero R, Rebolé A, García-Sancho M, Rodríguez-Franco F, Sainz Á, Rey AI. Changes in Faecal and Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Dogs with Food-Responsive Enteropathy as Indicators of Gut Homeostasis Disruption: A Pilot Study. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020112. [PMID: 36851416 PMCID: PMC9966949 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Dogs suffering from food-responsive enteropathy (FRE) respond to an elimination diet based on hydrolysed protein or novel protein; however, studies regarding the amino acid profile in FRE dogs are lacking. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate whether the plasma and faecal amino acid profiles differed between control and FRE dogs and whether these could serve as indicators of severity of illness. Blood, faecal samples, body condition score, and severity of clinical signs based on the canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index were collected before starting the elimination diet. FRE dogs had lower proportions of plasma Asparagine, Histidine, Glycine, Cystine, Leucine, and branched-chain/aromatic amino acids; however, Phenylalanine increased. In faecal samples, Cystine was greater whereas Phenylalanine was lesser in sick dogs compared to control. Leucine correlated negatively with faecal humidity (r = -0.66), and Leucine and Phenylalanine with faecal fat (r = -0.57 and r = -0.62, respectively). Faecal Phenylalanine (r = 0.80), Isoleucine (r = 0.75), and Leucine (r = 0.92) also correlated positively with total short-chain fatty acids, whereas a negative correlation was found with Glycine (r = -0.85) and Cystine (r = -0.61). This study demonstrates the importance of Leucine and Phenylalanine amino acids as indicators of the disease severity in FRE dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Higueras
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n., 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Escudero
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n., 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Rebolé
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n., 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes García-Sancho
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n., 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Rodríguez-Franco
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n., 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Sainz
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n., 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I. Rey
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n., 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-913-943-889
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Serum Amino Acids Imbalance in Canine Chronic Hepatitis: Results in 16 Dogs. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9090455. [PMID: 36136671 PMCID: PMC9505281 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9090455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Human chronic liver disease is reported to be associated with alterations in amino acids metabolism, with a decrease in serum branched-chain amino acids and an increase in aromatic amino acids. A decreased Fischer ratio (branched to aromatic amino acids ratio) has showed prognostic significance and is a therapeutic target in human cirrhosis. In dogs, few studies have been performed, and the Fischer ratio seems to be reduced in animals with congenital portosystemic shunts. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum amino acids in dogs with chronic hepatic inflammation compared with healthy dogs. The serum amino acids in dogs with chronic hepatitis were also evaluated in relation to their histological severity. Eighteen amino acidic metabolites were measured using the leftover serum samples of 16 dogs with histological chronic hepatitis and 25 healthy dogs. Several amino acid concentrations were significantly different between dogs diagnosed with chronic hepatitis and healthy controls. In human medicine, aromatic amino acids seem to increase during chronic hepatitis, whereas isoleucine decreases. The Fischer ratio was significantly reduced if higher grades of fibrosis were present. Even if total serum proteins did not significantly differ between groups, we observed qualitative imbalances in serum amino acids among dogs presenting with chronic hepatitis. Abstract In humans, chronic liver disease may cause alterations in amino acids (AAs) metabolism, with serum branched-chain AAs (BCAAs) decreasing and aromatic AAs (AAAs) increasing. A reduced Fischer ratio (BCAAs/AAAs) has been found to be associated with hepatic fibrosis and is useful for assessing prognosis in human patients. In veterinary medicine, few studies have been performed, and in contrast to human patients, dogs with different kinds of hepatopathy tend to show both increased AAAs and BCAAs. In dogs, the association between histological scores and serum AAs has not been previously investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum AAs in dogs with chronic hepatitis (CH) compared with a healthy control group (C) and, among CH dogs, in relation to their histological fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity scores. Leftover serum samples of 16 dogs with histological CH and 25 healthy dogs were employed. Serum AAs were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Proline and the AAAs phenylalaine and tyrosine progressively increased with the histological severity. In contrast, cysteine, tryptophan and BCAA isoleucine progressively reduced. Lysine and the BCAAs leucine and valine showed a non-linear trend with the histological findings. The BCAAs/AAAs ratio was significatively reduced if higher grades of liver fibrosis were present.
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Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids in Dogs at Different Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9070331. [PMID: 35878348 PMCID: PMC9318349 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9070331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities of serum amino acid profile, mostly characterized by a reduction in essential amino acids (EAAs) and an increase in non-essential amino acids (NEAAs), have been documented in human chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Amino acid disorders have been associated with CKD complications, such as metabolic acidosis and malnutrition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate EAAs and NEAAs in dogs affected by CKD at different IRIS stages, with particular reference to calcium−phosphate abnormalities, metabolic acidosis, and protein-energy wasting syndrome (PEW). Serum EAAs (L-histidine, L-isoleucine, L-leucine, L-lysine, methionine, L-phenylalanine, L-threonine, tryptophan, L-valine, and L-arginine) and serum NEAAs (L-alanine, L-aspartic acid, L-cysteine, L-glutamic acid, glycine, proline, L-serine, and L-tyrosine) were analyzed with HPLC in a group of dogs with CKD (n = 62), and in a group of healthy dogs (n = 25). CKD dogs showed significantly lower serum levels of histidine (p < 0.000), isoleucine (p < 0.000), tryptophan (p < 0.000), alanine (p = 0.013), cysteine (p < 0.000), and serine (p = 0.002), and significantly higher levels of proline (p < 0.000), leucine (p = 0.001), lysine (p < 0.000), valine (p < 0.000), arginine (p = 0.002), glutamic acid (p = 0.002), and glycine (p = 0.010) compared to healthy dogs. Dogs with abnormal calcium x phosphate values showed significantly higher levels of cysteine (p = 0.003), and lower levels of tryptophan (p = 0.025) compared to CKD dogs with normal CaxP. Dogs with metabolic acidosis showed significantly higher levels of phenylalanine (p = 0.035) and leucine (p = 0.034) compared to CKD dogs without metabolic acidosis. Dogs with PEW showed significantly lower levels for most of amino acids. In PEW dogs, the median distribution of both EAAs (p = 0.000) and NEAAs (p = 0.001) was significantly lower. The serum pattern of both EAAs and NEAAs was significantly different in CKD dogs compared to healthy dogs, although no association with the progression of the IRIS stage was found.
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deLaforcade A, Bacek L, Blais M, Boyd C, Brainard BM, Chan DL, Cortellini S, Goggs R, Hoareau GL, Koenigshof A, Li R, Lynch A, Ralph A, Rozanski E, Sharp CR. 2022 Update of the Consensus on the Rational Use of Antithrombotics and Thrombolytics in Veterinary Critical Care (CURATIVE) Domain 1- Defining populations at risk. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2022; 32:289-314. [PMID: 35499966 PMCID: PMC9322658 DOI: 10.1111/vec.13204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To expand the number of conditions and interventions explored for their associations with thrombosis in the veterinary literature and to provide the basis for prescribing recommendations. DESIGN A population exposure comparison outcome format was used to represent patient, exposure, comparison, and outcome. Population Exposure Comparison Outcome questions were distributed to worksheet authors who performed comprehensive searches, summarized the evidence, and created guideline recommendations that were reviewed by domain chairs. The revised guidelines then underwent the Delphi survey process to reach consensus on the final guidelines. Diseases evaluated in this iteration included heartworm disease (dogs and cats), immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (cats), protein-losing nephropathy (cats), protein-losing enteropathy (dogs and cats), sepsis (cats), hyperadrenocorticism (cats), liver disease (dogs), congenital portosystemic shunts (dogs and cats) and the following interventions: IV catheters (dogs and cats), arterial catheters (dogs and cats), vascular access ports (dogs and cats), extracorporeal circuits (dogs and cats) and transvenous pacemakers (dogs and cats). RESULTS Of the diseases evaluated in this iteration, a high risk for thrombosis was defined as heartworm disease or protein-losing enteropathy. Low risk for thrombosis was defined as dogs with liver disease, cats with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, protein-losing nephropathy, sepsis, or hyperadrenocorticism. CONCLUSIONS Associations with thrombosis are outlined for various conditions and interventions and provide the basis for management recommendations. Numerous knowledge gaps were identified that represent opportunities for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armelle deLaforcade
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary MedicineTufts UniversityNorth GraftonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Lenore Bacek
- Bluepearl Specialty and Emergency Pet HospitalTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Marie‐Claude Blais
- Department of Clinical SciencesUniversity of MontrealSaint‐HyacintheQCCanada
| | - Corrin Boyd
- School of Veterinary MedicineMurdoch UniversityMurdochAustralia
| | - Benjamin M Brainard
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Clinical SciencesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Daniel L. Chan
- Department of Clinical Science and ServicesThe Royal Veterinary CollegeLondonUK
| | - Stefano Cortellini
- Department of Clinical Science and ServicesThe Royal Veterinary CollegeLondonUK
| | - Robert Goggs
- Department of Clinical SciencesCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Amy Koenigshof
- Department of Emergency CareTwo by Two Animal HospitalBerrien SpringsMichiganUSA
| | - Ron Li
- Department of Veterinary Surgical and Radiological SciencesSchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of California DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alex Lynch
- Department of Clinical SciencesNC State College of Veterinary MedicineRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Elizabeth Rozanski
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary MedicineTufts UniversityNorth GraftonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Claire R Sharp
- School of Veterinary MedicineMurdoch UniversityMurdochAustralia
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Galler AI, Klavins K, Burgener IA. A Preliminary Metabolomic Study of Yorkshire Terrier Enteropathy. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12030264. [PMID: 35323707 PMCID: PMC8954012 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12030264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Perturbations of metabolite profiles in human and canine enteropathies have been reported before. However, data in dogs are scarce and inconsistent. Currently, the metabolite profile in Yorkshire Terrier enteropathy (YTE) and the impact of treatment is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the plasma metabolome of 13 Yorkshire Terriers with YTE and compare it to 20 healthy Yorkshire Terriers. Furthermore, we studied the impact of treatment on the metabolome. In this prospective observational study, plasma metabolite profiles were analyzed by flow injection analysis-tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using a targeted metabolomics kit. Metabolite analysis revealed that YTE is accompanied by changes in lipid and bile acid metabolism. YTE was associated with a significant decrease of long-chain fatty acids (octadecenoic acid, eicosadienoic acid, eicosatrienoic acid) and lower levels of long-chain acylcarnitines (tetradecanoylcarnitine, hexadecanoylcarnitine, hexadecenoylcarnitine, octadecenoylcarnitine) compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, taurodeoxycholic acid, a secondary bile acid, was decreased in plasma from YTE patients. These changes might be breed-specific and might be involved in the pathogenesis of YTE. Interestingly, changes in metabolite levels were not recovered after treatment and differed considerably from healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra I. Galler
- Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
- Correspondence:
| | - Kristaps Klavins
- Rudolfs Cimdins Riga Biomaterials Innovations and Development Centre of RTU, Institute of General Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, Pulka St 3, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia;
- Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence, Headquarters at Riga Technical University, Pulka St 3, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Iwan A. Burgener
- Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
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Long-Term Recovery of the Fecal Microbiome and Metabolome of Dogs with Steroid-Responsive Enteropathy. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092498. [PMID: 34573464 PMCID: PMC8468387 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The long-term impact of treatment of dogs with steroid-responsive enteropathy (SRE) on the fecal microbiome and metabolome has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the fecal microbiome and metabolome of dogs with SRE before, during, and following treatment with standard immunosuppressive therapy and an elimination diet. We retrospectively selected samples from 9 dogs with SRE enrolled in a previous clinical trial, which received treatment for 8 weeks, and had achieved remission as indicated by the post-treatment clinical scores. Long-term (1 year) samples were obtained from a subset (5/9) of dogs. Samples from 13 healthy dogs were included as controls (HC). We evaluated the microbiome using 16S rRNA sequencing and qPCR. To evaluate the recovery of gut function, we measured fecal metabolites using an untargeted approach. While improvement was observed for some bacterial taxa after 8 weeks of treatment, several bacterial taxa remained significantly different from HC. Seventy-five metabolites were altered in dogs with SRE, including increased fecal amino acids and vitamins, suggesting malabsorption as a component of SRE. One year after treatment, however, all bacterial species were evaluated by qPCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and all but thirteen metabolites were no longer different from healthy controls.
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The Impact of Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy on Dogs' Quality of Life and Dog-Owner Relationship. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8080166. [PMID: 34437488 PMCID: PMC8402703 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8080166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This research was aimed at evaluating the impact of canine chronic enteropathies on dogs’ quality of life (QoL), their behavior, and owner–dog relationship. Forty-four dogs suffering from primary chronic enteropathies were assessed on the first visit with a veterinary gastroenterologist and on the first follow-up visit using a 1–10 visual scale to evaluate five features of QoL, the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index, the Lexington Attachment to Pet Scale, and the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire. They were compared to a control group of 49 healthy dogs and to a group of 50 dogs suffering from cancer. QoL and severity of enteropathy were negatively associated; enteropathic dogs on the first visit had a lower QoL than healthy dogs for all features and a lower general QoL than cancer patients; enteropathic dogs on the follow-up visit improved significantly for general QoL, health QoL, and interaction QoL. Higher levels of attachment between the owner and the dog were obtained for dogs affected by chronic enteropathies. Finally, dogs showed higher scores for separation-related behaviors and contact/attention behaviors on the first visit than on the subsequent follow-up. As in human medicine, chronic enteropathies have a strong negative impact on dogs.
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Devriendt N, Paepe D, Serrano G, Vandenabeele S, Stock E, Van Acker L, de Rooster H. Plasma amino acid profiles in dogs with closed extrahepatic portosystemic shunts are only partially improved 3 months after successful gradual attenuation. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:1347-1354. [PMID: 33949730 PMCID: PMC8162604 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dogs with portosystemic shunts have an altered blood amino acid profile, with an abnormal branched-chained amino acid (BCAA)-to-aromatic amino acid (AAA) ratio being the most common abnormality. Different liver diseases have distinctive amino acid profiles. OBJECTIVES Determine the changes in plasma amino acid profiles in dogs with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS) from diagnosis to complete closure. ANIMALS Ten client-owned dogs with EHPSS closed after surgical attenuation. METHODS Prospective cohort study. Medical treatment was instituted in dogs diagnosed with EHPSS. At least 4 weeks later, gradual surgical attenuation was performed. Three months postoperatively, EHPSS closure was confirmed by transsplenic portal scintigraphy. Clinical signs were scored and blood was taken before institution of medical treatment, at time of surgery, and 3 months postoperatively. At the end of the study, the plasma amino acid profiles were analyzed in batch. RESULTS The median BCAA-to-AAA ratio was extremely low (0.6) at time of diagnosis and remained low (0.5) at time of surgery, despite the fact that median neurological score significantly improved from 22 to 2 after starting medical treatment (P = .04). Three months after surgical attenuation, a significantly higher BCAA-to-AAA ratio (1.5) was observed (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Medical treatment does not improve the BCAA-to-AAA ratio in dogs with EHPSS, despite substantial clinical improvement. Although the ratio significantly increased after EHPSS closure, it was still indicative of moderate to severe hepatic dysfunction in all dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nausikaa Devriendt
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Dominique Paepe
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Gonçalo Serrano
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Sophie Vandenabeele
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Emmelie Stock
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Lisa Van Acker
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Hilde de Rooster
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
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