Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Oxidative stress in hyperthyroid cats compared to healthy and sick
By Candellone, Alessia et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2019·Department of Veterinary Science, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Redox unbalance in the hyperthyroid cat: a comparison with healthy and non-thyroidal diseased cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 40 cats with untreated hyperthyroidism showed signs of increased oxidative stress, meaning their bodies were producing more harmful free radicals than healthy cats. These hyperthyroid cats had significantly higher levels of reactive oxygen metabolites and lower antioxidant levels compared to both healthy cats and those with other chronic illnesses. This suggests that hyperthyroid cats may be at risk for organ damage due to this imbalance. Researchers recommend considering antioxidant supplements to help manage oxidative stress in these cats.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Feline hyperthyroidism, the most common endocrinopathy in older cats, provides a spontaneous model for human thyrotoxicosis. Human thyrotoxicosis is associated with redox unbalance, which may result in organ damage. The redox status of hyperthyroid cats is largely unknown. The aims of the present study were to compare the redox status of cats with hyperthyroidism with that of healthy cats and cats with chronic non-thyroidal illness. RESULTS: Forty cats with untreated hyperthyroidism (group H), 45 chronically ill cats with non-thyroidal illness (group I), and 39 healthy cats (group C) were recruited for this observational cross-sectional study. All cats were screened for redox status markers. Determinable reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) were used as oxidative stress markers. Antioxidant status was determined using the OXY-Adsorbent test to quantify the plasma barrier to oxidation. The Oxidative Stress index (OSi) was calculated as the ratio of d-ROMs and OXY-Adsorbent test values. Data were compared by ANOVA with Tukey's multiple comparisons post-hoc test. The dROMs of group H (193 ± 47 CarrU) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those of the healthy cats (103 ± 17 CarrU). The OXY-Adsorbent test results in group H (265 ± 68 μmol HClO/ml) were significantly lower than those in healthy cats (390 ± 83 μmol HClO/ml; p < 0.01) and chronically ill cats (306 ± 45 μmol HClO/ml, p < 0.05). Moreover, the Osi value in group H (0.8 ± 0.2 CarrU/μmol HClO/ml) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of the healthy cats (0.3 ± 0.1 CarrU/μmol HClO/ml). CONCLUSIONS: As described in humans with hyperthyroidism, feline hyperthyroidism is associated with redox unbalance. Free radical production is increased in hyperthyroid cats and their antioxidant depletion seems to be more severe than in cats with non-thyroidal illnesses. Our results support the rationale for a clinical trial investigating the potential positive effects of antioxidant supplementation to cats with hyperthyroidism.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31068181/