Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Serotonin receptor changes in dogs with mitral valve disease
By Cremer, S E et al.·Published in Research in veterinary science·2015·Department of Veterinary Disease Biology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Alpha-smooth muscle actin and serotonin receptors 2A and 2B in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of older dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), a common heart condition, was studied to understand the role of certain serotonin receptors in the disease's progression. Researchers found that dogs with clinical MMVD had higher levels of a specific serotonin receptor (5-HT2BR) in their heart valves compared to those without symptoms. This suggests that the receptor may be involved in worsening the condition. However, other factors like serum serotonin levels and another receptor (5-HT2AR) did not show significant differences. More research is needed, but this could help in understanding and treating MMVD in dogs.
People also search for: dog heart disease symptoms · myxomatous mitral valve disease treatment · serotonin receptors in dogs
Abstract
Canine Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is an age-related disease. Serotonin (5-HT) is implicated in the pathogenesis as locally-produced or platelet-derived. Involvement of the 5-HT2A receptor (R) and 5-HT2BR in the induction of myxomatous-mediating valvular myofibroblasts (MF) has been suggested. In an age-matched population of dogs with non-clinical and clinical MMVD, the objectives were to investigate (1) gene expression of 5-HT2AR and 5-HT2BR, (2) protein expression and spatial relationship of 5-HT2AR, 5-HT2BR and MF in the mitral valve (MV) and the cardiac anterior papillary muscle (AP) and (3) serum 5-HT concentrations. Gene expression of 5-HT2BR was significantly higher in MV and AP among dogs with clinical MMVD. This was not found for 5-HT2BR protein expression, though association of 5-HT2BR with myxomatous pathology and co-localization of 5-HT2BR and MF in MV and AP support a functional relationship, perhaps perpetuation of clinical MMVD. 5-HT2AR-expression and serum 5-HT showed no differences between groups.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25843893/