Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MMP-9 enzyme in spinal fluid linked to injury severity in dogs
By Nagano, S et al.·Published in Research in veterinary science·2011·Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Matrix metalloprotease-9 activity in the cerebrospinal fluid and spinal injury severity in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) were tested for a protein called MMP-9 in their spinal fluid to see if it could help predict how severe their condition was. Out of 34 dogs, 6 showed MMP-9 activity, and those with the most severe symptoms (grade V) did not regain the ability to walk after six months. In contrast, dogs with less severe symptoms (grades III and IV) had a chance of recovery. This suggests that MMP-9 levels in spinal fluid could indicate a worse outcome for dogs with severe spinal injuries.
People also search for: dog intervertebral disc herniation treatment · MMP-9 in dog spinal fluid · dog unable to walk after back injury
Abstract
We investigated whether matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs with intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) is associated with the severity of neurological signs and prognosis. CSF from the cisterna magna (C-CSF) and the lumbar spine (L-CSF) of 34 dogs with IVDH was analyzed using zymography. Activity of MMP-9 in L-CSF was detected in 6 of 34 dogs with IVDH, often for more than 7 days after injury. MMP-9 activity was not detected from any of the C-CSF samples. Of the six cases that were MMP-9 positive, all four cases with grade V that had loss of deep pain were non-ambulatory 6 months after treatment. The remaining two cases with grade III and IV could recover mobility. In dogs with grade V thoracolumbar IVDH, MMP-9 expression in the CSF may indicate severe spinal cord injury with poor prognosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20965533/