May 20, 2013 at 09:13PM Serum concentrations of canine alpha1-proteinase inhibitor in cobalamin-deficient Yorkshire Terrier dogs

Fecal canine alpha₁-proteinase inhibitor (cα₁-PI) concentration has been reported to be increased in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy due to the loss of cα₁-PI into the gastrointestinal tract. A chronic loss of cα₁-PI may theoretically deplete serum cα₁-PI, potentially altering the proteinase-to-proteinase inhibitor balance. Protein-losing enteropathy has been reported to occur frequently in certain dog breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and to be associated with hypocobalaminemia. The objective was to compare serum cα₁-PI concentrations in Yorkshire Terriers with and without cobalamin (COB) deficiency. Serum samples from 52 COB-deficient and 69 normocobalaminemic Yorkshire Terriers, which had been submitted to the Gastrointestinal Laboratory (2008–2011; College Station, TX), were included retrospectively. Serum cα₁-PI concentrations were measured using an in-house radioimmunoassay and compared between Yorkshire Terriers with and without COB deficiency using a Mann–Whitney U test. A Fisher exact test was used to evaluate whether a decreased serum cα₁-PI concentration is associated with COB deficiency in Yorkshire Terriers. Serum cα₁-PI concentrations were significantly lower in COB-deficient Yorkshire Terriers (median: 1,016 mg/l, range: 315–3,945 mg/l) than in normocobalaminemic Yorkshire Terriers (median: 1,665 mg/l, range: 900–2,970 mg/l; P < 0.0001). One-fourth (n = 13) of the COB-deficient Yorkshire Terriers had a serum cα₁-PI concentration below the lower limit of the reference interval (<732 mg/l), and COB deficiency was associated with decreased serum cα₁-PI concentrations (P < 0.0001). In the current study, serum cα₁-PI concentrations are significantly lower in COB-deficient Yorkshire Terriers when compared to normocobalaminemic Yorkshire Terriers. Further studies are needed to determine the functional and potential prognostic implications of serum cα₁-PI concentrations in dogs with gastrointestinal disease.

via Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation recent issues http://vdi.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/25/3/376?rss=1