Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
NT-proBNP and cell-free DNA rise after hard work in farm dogs
By Hunt, H et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2018·Institute of Veterinary·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Plasma NT-proBNP and Cell-Free DNA Concentrations after Prolonged Strenuous Exercise in Working Farm Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Six healthy working farm dogs, including Huntaways and heading dogs, were tested after several days of strenuous exercise to see how their blood levels of certain markers changed. After working hard, the dogs showed increased levels of NT-proBNP, a marker that can indicate heart stress, and cell-free DNA, which can rise in various health conditions. The NT-proBNP levels were notably higher than normal, especially right after the exercise, but decreased with each consecutive day of work. This suggests that while these markers can indicate health issues, they can also be influenced by intense physical activity, so results should be interpreted carefully.
People also search for: dog heart stress after exercise · NT-proBNP levels in dogs · working dog health monitoring
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration is increased in dogs with myocardial dysfunction, and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) increases in numerous disease states. In humans, both of these biomarkers can be altered after endurance exercise. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of prolonged strenuous exercise on circulating NT-proBNP and cfDNA concentrations in working farm dogs. ANIMALS: Six healthy, privately owned working farm dogs (4 Huntaways and 2 heading dogs) from the same hill country farm in New Zealand. METHODS: Prospective, nonrandomised cohort study. Venous blood samples were collected before and after the dogs worked over 4 days. Plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were measured by a commercially available ELISA assay and cfDNA concentrations were determined by fluorometry without prior DNA extraction. RESULTS: The baseline (before work, Day 1) median plasma NT-proBNP concentration was 664 pmol/L. A linear mixed-effects model showed that work increased plasma NT-proBNP concentrations by 101 ± 9% (P < 0.001), but with each consecutive day of work, NT-proBNP concentrations declined by 16 ± 4% (P < 0.001). The baseline median plasma cfDNA concentration was 653 ng/mL, and plasma cfDNA concentrations increased by 138 ± 45 ng/mL after work (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The plasma concentration of NT-proBNP in healthy Huntaways and heading dogs after work can exceed the upper limit of the reference range. Results in dogs sampled on the day of prolonged strenuous exercise should be interpreted with caution. Plasma concentrations of cfDNA also increase with exercise, but further studies are needed to establish reference ranges in healthy dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29197094/