Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Liver regrowth markers after surgery for congenital shunts in dogs
By Tivers, Michael S et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2014·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Markers of hepatic regeneration associated with surgical attenuation of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS), which can cause liver problems, underwent surgery to improve their condition. After the surgery, the dogs showed signs of liver regeneration, with increased levels of certain markers in their blood and liver tissue. Specifically, two markers, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and methionine adenosyltransferase 2 A (MAT2A), were significantly higher after surgery, indicating that their livers were healing. This suggests that surgical treatment can lead to improved liver function in dogs with CPSS.
People also search for: dog liver problems surgery · congenital portosystemic shunt treatment · dog liver regeneration markers
Abstract
Dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) have liver hypoplasia and hepatic insufficiency. Surgical CPSS attenuation results in liver growth associated with clinical improvement. The mechanism of this hepatic response is unknown, although liver regeneration is suspected. This study investigated whether markers of liver regeneration were associated with CPSS attenuation. Dogs treated with CPSS attenuation were prospectively recruited. Residual liver tissue was collected for gene expression analysis (seven genes) from 24 CPSS dogs that tolerated complete attenuation, 25 dogs that tolerated partial attenuation and seven control dogs. Relative gene expression was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Blood samples were collected before, 24 h and 48 h post-surgery from 36 CPSS dogs and from 10 control dogs. Serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentration was measured using a canine specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HGF mRNA expression was significantly decreased in CPSS compared with control dogs (P = 0.046). There were significant increases in HGF (P = 0.050) and methionine adenosyltransferase 2 A (MAT2A; P = 0.002) mRNA expression following partial CPSS attenuation. Dogs with complete attenuation had significantly greater MAT2A (P = 0.024) mRNA expression compared with dogs with partial attenuation. Serum HGF concentration significantly increased 24 h following CPSS attenuation (P < 0.001). Hepatic mRNA expression of two markers of hepatocyte proliferation (HGF and MAT2A) was associated with the response to surgery in dogs with CPSS, and serum HGF significantly increased following surgery, suggesting hepatocyte proliferation. These findings support the concept that hepatic regeneration is important in the hepatic response to CPSS surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24662025/