Alterations in adipokines in feline hepatic lipidosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Feline hepatic lipidosis (HL) is associated with alterations in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The adipokines, adiponectin, and leptin have lipid-lowering and insulin-sensitizing effects. HYPOTHESIS: Serum concentrations of adiponectin and leptin are altered in feline HL. ANIMALS: Client-owned cats: 55 healthy and 45 with liver disease. METHODS: Cats with liver disease were categorized as having HL (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;20), HL and concurrent disease (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;19), or other liver disease (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;6), based on clinical signs, laboratory findings, abdominal ultrasound examination as well as liver cytopathology, histopathology, or both. Serum samples were collected and body condition score determined. RESULTS: Mean serum concentrations of adiponectin were higher in overweight cats with HL (4.5&#xa0;&#x3bc;g/mL), HL and concurrent disease (4.4&#xa0;&#x3bc;g/mL), or other liver disease (6.1&#xa0;&#x3bc;g/mL), as compared with healthy cats (1.5&#xa0;&#x3bc;g/mL; P&#xa0;<&#xa0;.001, P&#xa0;<&#xa0;.001, and P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.04, respectively). Mean serum concentration of leptin was higher in cats with HL (9.8&#xa0;ng/mL) or HL and concurrent disease (10.7&#xa0;ng/mL) than healthy cats (4.9&#xa0;ng/mL, P&#xa0;<&#xa0;.001 and P&#xa0;<&#xa0;.001, respectively). Cats with other liver disease had leptin concentration (4.9&#xa0;ng/mL) similar to healthy cats. Concentrations of adiponectin were correlated with alanine aminotransferase activity (r&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.40, P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.0069), and concentrations of leptin were correlated with alkaline phosphatase activity (r&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.42, P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.0051) in cats with liver disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Adipokine concentrations are altered in feline HL. Increased concentrations of adiponectin are related to liver disease, whereas increased concentrations of leptin are specifically related to HL.