Abstract: Background Serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is produced by all nucleated cells and is increased in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Changes in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) have not been assessed.
Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate SDMA concentration in non-azotemic dogs with PLE.
Animals 63 client owned dogs: 21 with PLE and 42 age/breed/sex/neuter status-matched controls.
Methods The clinical records of a referral hospital in the United Kingdom were retrospectively reviewed over a 2-year period. Dogs with azotemia or prior glucocorticoid/immunosuppressive therapy were excluded. Dogs diagnosed with PLE that had SDMA measured were compared with the matched controls. Signalment, clinical presentation, clinicopathological abnormalities, treatment, and SDMA concentration pre- (PLE-T0) and post- (PLE-T1) treatment were recorded.
Results At baseline, SDMA concentration was greater in PLE (T0 14.4 ± 3.09µg/dL) than control (11.3 ± 3.17µg/dL) dogs (P< 0.001, Hedge’s G 0.98), but decreased with treatment (PLE-T1: 10.1 ± 2.73µg/dL; T0 vs. T1: P=0.003, Hedge’s G 1.14). Creatinine concentration was similar in PLE (T0 68 ± 22.4µg/dL) and control (77 ± 21.3µg/dL) dogs at baseline (P=0.122, Hedge’s G 0.41). Albumin concentration was less in PLE (17.0 ±5.56g/L) than control (29.5 ±5.12g/L) dogs (P< 0.001, Hedge’s G 2.33) before treatment, but increased with treatment (PLE-T1: 23.3 ±6.34g/L; T0 vs. T1: P=0.001, Hedge’s G 1.09), although remained less than the concentration in controls (P=0.001, Hedge’s G 1.14). No other clinicopathological differences were evident.
Conclusions and clinical importance Similar to people with IBD, SDMA may be increased in dogs with PLE, the clinical significance of which requires further investigation.
