DVM Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Cheongju-si, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Republic of Korea
Abstract:
Background: Angiopoietin (Ang) plays a key role in regulating vascular integrity. Ang-2 is considered a potential biomarker for cardiovascular diseases in humans.
Objectives: To evaluate the relationships between the severity of MMVD and serum Ang-1 and Ang-2 concentrations and between PH probability and serum Ang-1 and Ang-2 concentrations in dogs with MMVD.
Animals: Seventy-four dogs (control, n = 12; MMVD, n = 62) were included in this study.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical data of dogs diagnosed with MMVD at our institution between July 2018 and June 2022. The serum Ang-1 concentration was analyzed using a commercial canine-specific ELISA kit. Serum Ang-2 concentration was analyzed using a commercial Human ELISA test kit and validated for use in dogs.
Results: The median serum Ang-1 concentration did not differ among the study groups. The median serum Ang-2 concentration was significantly higher in dogs with stage B2 MMVD (p = 0.022) and acute CHF (p = 0.001) than in control dogs. In addition, the mean serum Ang-2 concentration was significantly higher in dogs with high PH probability than in those with a low probability (p < 0.001) and intermediate PH probability (p = 0.001).
Conclusions and Clinical importance: Circulating Ang-2 levels significantly increase in dogs with advanced MMVD and high PH probability, suggesting that Ang-2 may play a role in endothelial dysfunction in dogs with advanced heart disease.
