Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulphur containing amino-acid derived from the methionine metabolism and is further metabolized by vitamin B12- or B6-dependent pathways. In humans hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a prognostic marker for an increased risk of CVD events or mortality. HHcy is associated with an increased incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF), as well as with the severity of the disease in terms of NYHA classification. In veterinary literature studies about the value of Hcy as a diagnostic and/or prognostic marker are rare and only one preliminary study assessed Hcy levels in healthy dogs. The aims of this study were (1) to measure serum Hcy levels in dogs affected by acquired heart disease and in control healthy dogs, and (2) to assess the diagnostic usefulness of this marker and its correlation with severity of CHF. Fifty-eight dogs affected either by degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 13 healthy age-matched control dogs were studied. A complete clinical examination, echocardiography and a blood sample for Hcy measurement and biochemical analysis were performed in all patients. Dogs were grouped in class I (n=32), II (n=18) or III (n=8) of severity, according to the ISACHC classification. Samples with hemolysis, hyperlipemia, and patients with impaired renal and/or hepatic function were excluded. Hcy was measured with an automated spectrophotometer using a commercially available kit based on an enzymatic cycling reaction that detects Hcy in human serum or plasma. Control dogs had a mean Hcy value of 6.34 ±2.25 µmol/l. Mean Hcy of dogs in ISACHC class I, II and III were 6.70 ±3.94, 8.16 ±6.30 and 10.91 ±5.82 µmol/l, respectively. No significant differences among these groups were detected (Kruskal-Wallis test). Considering class III dogs versus the other groups (control, class I and II), a cut-off value of 9.4 µmol/l was statistically significant at logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). The present study demonstrates that Hcy concentration >9.4 µmol/l could discriminate ISACHC class III patients from other classes and healthy dogs; therefore it could be a marker for severe CHF. Studies involving a larger number of dogs are required to establish a normal reference range of Hcy in dog and confirm the clinical usefulness of this parameter as a diagnostic or prognostic marker.

Homocysteine: a novel biomarker for heart failure in dog? / V. Palermo, S. Carolla, C. Locatelli, G. Rossi, S. Breda, S. Paltrinieri, E. Sala, P. Scarpa, P.G. Brambilla - In: Proceeding ECVIM-CA congress Porto[s.l] : ECVIM-CA congress, 2009 Sep. - pp. 1-1 (( Intervento presentato al 19. convegno ECVIM-CA tenutosi a Porto nel 2009.

Homocysteine: a novel biomarker for heart failure in dog?

V. Palermo;C. Locatelli;G. Rossi;S. Paltrinieri;P. Scarpa;P.G. Brambilla
2009

Abstract

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulphur containing amino-acid derived from the methionine metabolism and is further metabolized by vitamin B12- or B6-dependent pathways. In humans hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a prognostic marker for an increased risk of CVD events or mortality. HHcy is associated with an increased incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF), as well as with the severity of the disease in terms of NYHA classification. In veterinary literature studies about the value of Hcy as a diagnostic and/or prognostic marker are rare and only one preliminary study assessed Hcy levels in healthy dogs. The aims of this study were (1) to measure serum Hcy levels in dogs affected by acquired heart disease and in control healthy dogs, and (2) to assess the diagnostic usefulness of this marker and its correlation with severity of CHF. Fifty-eight dogs affected either by degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 13 healthy age-matched control dogs were studied. A complete clinical examination, echocardiography and a blood sample for Hcy measurement and biochemical analysis were performed in all patients. Dogs were grouped in class I (n=32), II (n=18) or III (n=8) of severity, according to the ISACHC classification. Samples with hemolysis, hyperlipemia, and patients with impaired renal and/or hepatic function were excluded. Hcy was measured with an automated spectrophotometer using a commercially available kit based on an enzymatic cycling reaction that detects Hcy in human serum or plasma. Control dogs had a mean Hcy value of 6.34 ±2.25 µmol/l. Mean Hcy of dogs in ISACHC class I, II and III were 6.70 ±3.94, 8.16 ±6.30 and 10.91 ±5.82 µmol/l, respectively. No significant differences among these groups were detected (Kruskal-Wallis test). Considering class III dogs versus the other groups (control, class I and II), a cut-off value of 9.4 µmol/l was statistically significant at logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). The present study demonstrates that Hcy concentration >9.4 µmol/l could discriminate ISACHC class III patients from other classes and healthy dogs; therefore it could be a marker for severe CHF. Studies involving a larger number of dogs are required to establish a normal reference range of Hcy in dog and confirm the clinical usefulness of this parameter as a diagnostic or prognostic marker.
Settore VET/08 - Clinica Medica Veterinaria
Settore VET/03 - Patologia Generale e Anatomia Patologica Veterinaria
set-2009
European College of Veterinary internal medicine
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/180690
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