Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Mitochondrial DNA changes in small dogs with mitral valve disease
By Suphakan Chirathanaphirom et al.·Published in Animals·2023·Cardiopulmonary Clinic, Small Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Differences in Levels of Mitochondrial DNA Content at Various Stages of Canine Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at small-breed dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), a common heart issue that can lead to heart failure. Researchers found that dogs in the early stages of MMVD had lower levels of mitochondrial DNA, which is important for energy production in cells, while those in heart failure stages had higher levels. They also noted increased oxidative stress, which can damage cells, in dogs with MMVD. This suggests that monitoring mitochondrial DNA and oxidative stress could help understand how MMVD progresses in small dogs.
People also search for: small dog heart disease symptoms · myxomatous mitral valve disease treatment · dog heart failure signs · oxidative stress in dogs · mitochondrial DNA in dogs
Abstract
Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in small-breed dogs, often leading to heart failure. Oxidative stress in MMVD can harm mitochondria, decreasing their DNA content. This study assesses dogs’ oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA at different MMVD stages. Fifty-five small-breed dogs were categorized into four groups, including: A—healthy (<i>n</i> = 15); B—subclinical (<i>n</i> = 15); C—heart failure (<i>n</i> = 15); and D—end-stage MMVD (<i>n</i> = 10). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and mitochondrial DNA in peripheral blood were analyzed. Quantitative real-time PCR measured mitochondrial DNA, and PCR data were analyzed via the fold-change Ct method. Serum MDA levels were assessed using competitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mitochondrial DNA was significantly lower in group B (−0.89 ± 2.82) than in group A (1.50 ± 2.01), but significantly higher in groups C (2.02 ± 1.44) and D (2.77 ± 1.76) than B. MDA levels were notably elevated in groups B (19.07 ± 11.87 µg/mL), C (23.41 ± 12.87 μg/mL), and D (19.72 ± 16.81 μg/mL) in comparison to group A (9.37 ± 4.67 μg/mL). Nevertheless, this observed difference did not reach statistical significance. It is noteworthy that mitochondrial DNA content experiences a decline during the subclinical stage but undergoes an increase in cases of heart failure. Concurrently, oxidative stress exhibits an upward trend in dogs with MMVD. These findings collectively suggest a potential association between mitochondrial DNA, oxidative stress, and the progression of MMVD in small-breed dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243850