Veterinarian College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University Chungju, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Republic of Korea
Abstract:
Background: Previous studies have documented vitamin D insufficiency in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP), but no studies have investigated serum vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) concentrations. Hypothesis/
Objectives: To compare the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), VDR, and VDBP concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with AP and to identify the correlations of the concentrations with C-reactive protein (CRP) and canine-specific pancreatic lipase (Spec cPL) levels. Animals: Twenty-two dogs with AP and 20 healthy control dogs.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured using a chemiluminescence immunoassay, and VDR and VDBP were measured using a canine ELISA kit.
Results: Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were lower in dogs with AP (mean ± standard deviation, 66.1 ± 39.2 ng/mL) than in controls (96.8 ± 30.4 ng/mL; P = 0.01), and VDR concentration was lower in dogs with AP (5.3 ± 3.5 ng/mL) than in controls (7.4 ± 2.5 ng/mL; P = 0.03). No difference was observed in serum VDBP between the groups. Serum VDR concentrations differed between survivors (median [interquartile range] = 6.6 [4.3‒8.2] ng/mL) and non-survivors (2.7 [0.5‒3.5] ng/mL; P = 0.01). Negative correlations were observed between serum VDR and CRP (rs = -0.55) and between serum VDR and Spec cPL (rs = -0.47) in dogs with AP. Conclusions and clinical importance: Serum 25(OH)D and VDR concentrations decreased in dogs with AP, and VDR was associated with clinical outcomes. This study suggests a potential role of VDR expression in the inflammatory process of AP in dogs.
