Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Changes in fat hormones in cats with fatty liver disease
By Mazaki-Tovi, M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2013·Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Alterations in adipokines in feline hepatic lipidosis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with liver disease, including 20 diagnosed with feline hepatic lipidosis (a serious condition where fat builds up in the liver), showed changes in certain proteins called adipokines that are involved in fat and sugar metabolism. Cats with hepatic lipidosis had higher levels of adiponectin and leptin compared to healthy cats, indicating a link between these proteins and liver health. The study suggests that monitoring these proteins could help veterinarians understand and manage liver disease in cats. Treatment for feline hepatic lipidosis often involves dietary changes and supportive care, which can help improve the cat's condition.
People also search for: cat liver disease symptoms · feline hepatic lipidosis treatment · why is my cat losing weight
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 = 20), HL and concurrent disease (n = 19), or other liver disease (n = 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 μg/mL), HL and concurrent disease (4.4 μg/mL), or other liver disease (6.1 μg/mL), as compared with healthy cats (1.5 μg/mL; P < .001, P < .001, and P = .04, respectively). Mean serum concentration of leptin was higher in cats with HL (9.8 ng/mL) or HL and concurrent disease (10.7 ng/mL) than healthy cats (4.9 ng/mL, P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Cats with other liver disease had leptin concentration (4.9 ng/mL) similar to healthy cats. Concentrations of adiponectin were correlated with alanine aminotransferase activity (r = 0.40, P = .0069), and concentrations of leptin were correlated with alkaline phosphatase activity (r = 0.42, P = .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.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23480841/