Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
High homocysteine and methylmalonic acid in Shar-Pei dogs with low
By Grützner, Niels et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2013·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Serum homocysteine and methylmalonic acid concentrations in Chinese Shar-Pei dogs with cobalamin deficiency.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Chinese Shar-Pei dogs with cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency were found to have higher levels of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid in their blood compared to dogs of other breeds with the same deficiency. This suggests that the Shar-Pei breed may have a hereditary issue affecting how their bodies process cobalamin. The study indicates that these elevated levels could be linked to the cobalamin deficiency in Shar-Peis, which might lead to health problems if not addressed. Treatment options for cobalamin deficiency typically include vitamin B12 injections or supplements, which can help manage the condition.
People also search for: Shar-Pei cobalamin deficiency treatment · dog vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms · high homocysteine levels in dogs
Abstract
Cobalamin deficiency is suspected to be hereditary in Chinese Shar-Pei dogs (Shar-Peis), and inherited causes of cobalamin deficiency may affect the cellular processing of cobalamin. In humans, a defect of the two main cobalamin-dependent intracellular enzymes (i.e., methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase) may lead to hyperhomocysteinemia and hypermethylmalonic acidemia. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate serum homocysteine (HCY) and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in cobalamin-deficient Shar-Peis and dogs of six other breeds. Serum samples (n=297) from cobalamin-deficient dogs (Shar-Peis, German Shepherd dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Yorkshire Terriers, Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, and Beagles) were analyzed for serum HCY and MMA concentrations. A Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate if cobalamin deficiency in Shar-Peis is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. Serum HCY and MMA concentrations were higher in cobalamin-deficient Shar-Peis compared to cobalamin-deficient dogs of the six other breeds (P<0.0001). Hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with cobalamin deficiency in Shar-Peis (P=0.009). In addition, serum HCY and MMA concentrations did not differ between cobalamin-deficient German Shepherd dogs with and without exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a potential cause of secondary cobalamin deficiency. These findings suggest that the function of the two intracellular cobalamin-dependent enzymes is impaired in Shar-Peis with cobalamin deficiency.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23499543/