Asymmetric dimethylarginine levels linked to inflammation in dogs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been proposed as a severity marker in humans with acute pancreatitis (AP). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate ADMA in dogs with AP compared with healthy dogs and its association with severity of disease, mortality, and indicators of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), including serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, WBC count, and band neutrophils. ANIMALS: Fifty-four dogs with AP and a control group (CG) of 28 healthy dogs. METHODS: Cohort study including dogs with AP diagnosed using clinical and laboratory variables, abnormal canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) concentration, and compatible abdominal ultrasound examination findings performed within 48&#x2009;hours of admission. Canine AP severity (CAPS) was calculated. Serum concentration of ADMA was measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Blood donor-, staff-, and student-owned dogs were enrolled in the CG. RESULTS: Dogs with AP had higher median admission serum ADMA concentrations compared with the CG (62 versus 48.5 &#x3bc;g/dL; P =&#x2009;.003). Dogs with CAPS &#x2265;11 had higher serum ADMA concentrations than did dogs with CAPS <11 (92 versus 54.6 &#x3bc;g/dL P =&#x2009;.009). Univariable analysis for mortality, CAPS score, band neutrophils, CRP, and ADMA were included in multivariable logistic regression, in which only ADMA was associated with mortality (P =&#x2009;.02). Survivors had a significant decrease in ADMA at first reevaluation compared to admission (P =&#x2009;.02). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Because serum ADMA concentrations were higher in AP dogs compared with the CG, it may have value as a biomarker in the diagnosis of AP in dogs. In addition, because ADMA was associated with mortality, it may have prognostic value.