Serum bile acids as an indicator of liver disease in dogs

Total serum bile acids were determined in 62 dogs with different primary or secondary liver diseases, using 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase coupled to nitrobluetetrazolium in a centrifugal analyzer. A reaction time of 4 min was sufficient, yielding a within run coefficient of variation of 7% at 6 µmol/1 and 3% at 27 µmol/1. A reference range of 0–4.4 µmol/1 2 h post prandially was observed. The sensitivity of bile acids as a liver function test was superior to that of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase and combinations of two of these. The bile acids test detected 36 of 39 patients with a morphological or clinical liver diagnosis. For dogs with heart failure the bile acids test was a markedly more sensitive indicator of secondary liver involvement than alanine aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase. For secondary liver affections associated with pyometra or epilepsy medication the opposite was the case. Bile acid values in the pooled patient material was not correlated to any of the 4 enzymes measured. For cirrhosis there was positive correlation, however, with the amino transferase values.