Clinical evaluation of urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein for the diagnosis of renal diseases in dogs

Liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is a biomarker for the early detection of renal diseases in humans. L-FABP is a cytotoxic oxidation product secreted from the proximal tubules under ischemic and oxidative stress conditions. First, L-FABP gene expression in the kidney and liver was evaluated. Next, the urinary L-FABP concentrations in dogs with or without renal diseases were measured using a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Urinary L-FABP was normalized relative to urinary creatinine (uCre) concentrations (µg/g uCre). Finally, the relationships between urinary L-FABP and renal biomarkers used in canine medicine or serum alanine transaminase (ALT) as an indicator of liver damage were examined. Serum and urine samples from 94 client-owned dogs including 23 dogs with renal diseases and 71 dogs without renal diseases were used for analysis. Relative L-FABP gene expression was confirmed both in the liver and kidney. Dogs with renal diseases had a significantly higher urinary L-FABP than those without, and its predictive cutoff value was 26 µg/g uCre. Urinary L-FABP was significantly correlated with serum creatinine (r=0.4674, P<0.01), urea nitrogen (r=0.4907, P<0.01), urine specific gravity (r=−0.5100, P<0.01), and urine protein/creatinine ratio (r=0.7216, P<0.01), but not with serum ALT. Hence, dogs with a high urinary L-FABP value were more likely to have renal diseases.     

Association between urinary vascular endothelial growth factor excretion and chronic kidney disease in hyperthyroid cats

Many hyperthyroid cats develop azotaemic chronic kidney disease (aCKD) following treatment, which has led to the hypothesis that hyperthyroidism might be detrimental to renal function. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation occurs in hyperthyroidism, which could cause peri-tubular hypoxia, tubular damage and the development of aCKD. Urinary vascular endothelial growth factor:creatinine ratio (VEGFCR) is postulated to be a marker of tubular hypoxia. VEGFCR was correlated with plasma renin activity (PRA) and compared between hyperthyroid cats that did and did not develop aCKD following treatment (pre-azotaemic and non-azotaemic groups respectively). PRA was positively correlated with VEGFCR (r_s = 0.382; P = 0.028); however, pre-azotaemic hyperthyroid cats had significantly lower VEGFCR than non-azotaemic cats at baseline (median 122.3 fg/g versus 167.0 fg/g; P < 0.001). RAAS activation in hyperthyroidism is associated with increased VEGFCR; however, increased VEGFCR was not correlated with the development of aCKD. Therefore, tubular hypoxia may not be a mechanism for renal damage in hyperthyroid cats.     

辽宁种猪H-FABP和A-FABP基因位点多态性研究

目的:检测辽宁种猪H-FABP和A-FABP基因位点多态性。方法:采用PCR-RFLP技术。结果:4个猪种H-FABP基因HinfI和HaeⅢ点酶切位点上都显示多态性,优势基因型分别为HH和dd型,荷包猪H-FABP基因5′上游区和第二内含子多态性分析的结果显示H和d基因的频率较高;4个猪种A-FABP基因内含子IBsmI位点进行PCR-RFLP均检测到3种基因型,在地方猪种东北荷包猪中,等位基因A为优势基因,在国外引进猪种大白,长白,杜洛克猪中,等位基因B为优势基因。结论:荷包猪具有高肌内脂肪含量,我国地方猪种肉质优于引入品种。     

Polycystic kidney disease in a cat

Bilateral polycystic kidney disease was diagnosed in a 3-year-old female Persian cat. An elevation of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine levels, and serum phosphorus were the only abnormalities found with serial serum chemical and urine analyses. Intravenous urography showed radiolucent areas in both kidneys. An attempted renal biopsy produced only fluid but no kidney tissue. Necropsy and histological findings confirmed a diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease.     

Polycystic kidney disease in a Persian cat

This case report is about a 9-year-old male castrated Persian cat with chronic renal failure. After physical examination and ultrasonography polycystic kidney disease (PKD) was diagnosed. Various aspects of etiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis of PKD are discussed.     

Tubulointerstitial nephritis causes decreased renal expression and urinary excretion of cauxin, a major urinary protein of the domestic cat

Cauxin, a member of mammalian carboxylesterases (EC 3.1.1.1), is excreted as a major urinary protein in the domestic cat. Urinary cauxin is derived from the kidney proximal straight tubules. Here, we report changes in the renal expression and urinary excretion of cauxin in cats with tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN). Immunohistochemistry using anti-cauxin antibody showed fewer cauxin-positive tubules in 15 TIN cases than in normal animals. In areas with tubulointerstitial damage, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells replaced renal tubules, and cauxin-positive tubules consequently disappeared. Urine was analysed in six of the 15 cases. In the two cases with mild tubulointerstitial changes, urinary cauxin was detected using SDS-PAGE with Coomassie staining. In the four cases with severe tubulointerstitial changes, urinary cauxin was below the detection limit using Western blotting. These results indicate that the renal expression and urinary excretion of cauxin decrease with the progression of TIN in cats.     

脂肪酸结合蛋白生物学特性及对脂肪代谢调控的研究进展

脂肪酸结合蛋白是一族小分子蛋白质,对长链脂肪酸有很高的亲和力,能把脂肪酸从细胞膜转运到氧化和合成的部位,在长链脂肪酸的代谢中发挥着重要的作用。文中就脂肪酸结合蛋白的结构、功能及其对脂肪酸代谢调节以及脂肪酸结合蛋白基因方面的研究进行了综述,并从分子水平阐述了猪脂肪酸结合蛋白基因表达对肉品质的影响。     

Renal pathology and urinary protein excretion in a 14-month-old Bernese mountain dog with chronic renal failure

The renal pathology and urinary protein pattern of a 14-month-old female Bernese mountain dog with chronic renal failure was investigated. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis and subsequent Western blot analysis of urine showed the presence of heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin, transferrin, albumin, vitamin D-binding protein, transthyretin and retinol-binding protein (RBP), but no excretion of Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP). Histopathological examinations of the kidneys revealed severe membranous glomerulonephritis accompanied by tubular dilatation, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. The renal expression of megalin, the main endocytic receptor for the re-uptake of proteins in proximal tubules, RBP and THP was reduced or completely absent, indicating severe tubular dysfunction. The identified urinary proteins may be of interest as additional markers for the diagnosis of juvenile nephropathy in Bernese mountain dogs.     

Polycystic kidney disease and renal lymphoma in a cat.

A 2-year-old castrated domestic shorthair cat was determined to have polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and renal lymphoma. History and examination findings consisted of progressive lethargy, asymmetric renomegaly, thick segments of small intestine, and anisocoria. Initial diagnostic tests revealed nonregenerative anemia, mild azotemia, and multiple, round anechoic cysts in both kidneys. Renal cystic fluid contained many mature lymphocytes, and results of biochemical analysis indicated that the fluid was consistent with proximal tubular fluid. Stage-3 lymphoma was diagnosed on the basis of histologic evidence of unresectable lymphoma in multiple abdominal organs. Chemotherapy with vincristine sulfate, cytarabine, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone was unsuccessful. Morphologic association between PKD and lymphoma could not be identified after histologic evaluation of the kidneys.     

Suspected epidural morphine analgesia induced chronic urinary and bowel dysfunction in a cat

A 12-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair developed chronic urinary retention, constipation and a decreased perineal reflex following a single lumbo-sacral epidural injection of morphine during general anesthesia. Similar adverse effects have been reported in humans following epidural analgesia, but this is the first reported case of both urinary and bowel dysfunction in a cat purportedly from an epidural. The cat was medically managed with manual bladder expressions, intermittent enemas, and various medications including bethanechol, cisapride and stool softeners. The cat continues to have long-term neurologic dysfunction 15 months post-onset. This case report describes a rare but serious potential risk of lumbo-sacral epidural injections in cats.     

Relationship between fatty acid-binding protein activity and marbling scores in bovine longissimus muscle

Studies were conducted in an attempt to establish a relationship between fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) activity and marbling score in bovine longissimus muscle. Longissimus muscle was obtained from four 20-mo-old Charolais-Hereford crossbred heifers, three 16-mo-old Angus steers, and four 18-mo-old Angus steers. Immediately after slaughter, longissimus muscles were removed for the extraction of FABP. Supernatant (S104) fractions containing 41.3 to 144 mg of protein (depending on animal group) were eluted over Sephadex columns, and elution fractions were analyzed for the binding of radiolabeled palmitoyl-coenzyme A (CoA). Specific activities of FABP were 23, 32, and 101 nmol palmitoyl-CoA bound/mg protein for the Charolais-Hereford, 16-mo-old Angus, and 18-mo-old Angus cattle, respectively. These preliminary results suggested that longissimus muscle FABP activity was positively correlated with marbling score. To test specifically for this possibility, longissimus muscle was obtained at slaughter from each of four Wagyu steers, Angus heifers and Braford heifers. Marbling scores taken at the 12th-13th rib junction were Sm45, Sm43, and SI50 for the Wagyu, Angus, and Braford cattle, respectively. Interfascicular adipose tissue was exhaustively removed from sections of the 5th to 8th thoracic region of the longissimus muscle to eliminate any contribution of adipose tissue to FABP activity. For each animal, 300 mg of the S104 were eluted over Sephadex columns. Specific activities for the Wagyu, Angus, and Braford longissimus muscle FABP were 3.1, 3.8, and 3.9 pmol palmitoyl-CoA bound/mg protein, respectively, and were not different (P greater than .05) among the three animal groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Presumptive pseudohypoaldosteronism secondary to chronic urinary tract obstruction from sloughed urinary bladder mucosa and urinary tract infection in a cat

Objective – To describe a case of presumptive secondary pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) in a cat with urinary tract infection and chronic urethral obstruction. The obstruction was believed to have resulted from sloughed urinary bladder mucosa secondary to pressure necrosis. Case Summary – A 5‐year‐old, 4 kg, castrated male Siamese cat presented for vomiting and stranguria. Medical history included a perineal urethrostomy for urethral obstruction. Physical examination revealed a large, painful, nonexpressible urinary bladder. Point‐of‐care testing demonstrated electrolyte derangements consistent with a postrenal azotemia and metabolic acidosis. Results of urine culture was positive for bacterial growth. Diagnostic imaging revealed presence of retroperitoneal fluid, marked urinary bladder wall thickening, bilateral hydroureter, mild bilateral pyelectasia, and small nephroliths. The patient was treated for a urinary tract obstruction and infection. In the 3 weeks following initial discharge, the patient was evaluated on multiple occasions for lethargy, intermittent vomiting, inappropriate urination, and progressive polyuria and polydipsia. Although the urinary bladder was easily expressed during repeat examinations, it was persistently distended and subjectively thickened upon palpation. Repeat ultrasound of the urinary tract showed evidence of sloughed tissue in the bladder lumen, likely secondary to chronic urethral obstruction and pressure necrosis. A cystotomy was performed to remove the necrotic tissue, and a revised perineal urethrostomy was done due to a partial urethral stricture. Bladder biopsies were obtained at this time. Postoperatively, the cat was reported by the owners to be urinating normally but continued to be polyuric and polydipsic in the week following discharge. One week after surgery, the cat presented in hypovolemic shock with laboratory findings consistent with a presumptive diagnosis of secondary PHA. New or Unique Information Provided – PHA has not been reported previously in a cat. This case report suggests that aldosterone resistance should be considered in cats with consistent laboratory findings and a history of documented obstructive uropathy and urinary tract infection.     

Clomipramine-induced urinary retention in a cat

A 10-year-old, female, spayed shorthair with presumed psychogenic alopecia was treated with clomipramine (1 mg/kg body weight/day). The cat developed urinary retention within 2 days. Clomipramine was discontinued. Clinical signs resolved over the next 7 days. The urinary retention was attributed to the anticholinergic effects of clomipramine.