Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Serotonin gene variations and heart valve disease in Cavalier King
By Reimann, Maria J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2021·Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene and circulating concentrations of neurotransmitters in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with myxomatous mitral valve disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 71 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, aged around 8 years, were studied to see if certain genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene were linked to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), a common heart condition in dogs. Researchers found that these genetic variations were not present in the dogs, and the only factor affecting serotonin levels in the blood was the platelet count. This means that the genetic markers thought to be important for MMVD in other breeds do not apply to Cavaliers, and the tests used to measure serotonin levels showed good agreement but had some discrepancies.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel heart disease · myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs · serotonin levels in dogs · dog platelet count and heart disease
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) affects valvular degeneration and dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) exhibit alterations in 5-HT signaling. In Maltese dogs, 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5-HT transporter (SERT) gene are suggested to associate with MMVD. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Determine the association of SERT polymorphisms on MMVD severity and serum 5-HT concentration in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS). Additionally, investigate the association between selected clinical and hematologic variables and serum 5-HT and assess the correlation between HPLC and ELISA measurements of serum 5-HT. ANIMALS: Seventy-one CKCS (42 females and 29 males; 7.8 [4.7;9.9] years (median [Q1;Q3])) in different MMVD stages. METHODS: This prospective study used TaqMan genotyping assays to assess SERT gene polymorphisms. Neurotransmitter concentrations were assessed by HPLC and ELISA. RESULTS: TaqMan analyses identified none of the selected SERT polymorphisms in any of the CKCS examined. Serum 5-HT was associated with platelet count (P < .001) but not MMVD severity, age or medical therapy and did not correlate with serum concentration of the 5-HT metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The ELISA serum 5-HT correlated with HPLC measurements (ρ = .87; P < .0001) but was lower (mean difference = -22 ng/mL; P = .02) independent of serum 5-HT concentration (P = .2). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Selected SERT SNPs associated with MMVD in Maltese dogs were not found in CKCS and only platelet count influenced serum 5-HT concentration. These SNPs are unlikely to be associated with MMVD pathophysiology or serum 5-HT concentration in CKCS. HPLC and ELISA serum 5-HT demonstrated good correlation but ELISA systematically underestimated 5-HT.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34599615/