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Plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in cats with congestive heart failure
Kathryn M Meurs1, Philip R Fox, Matthew W Miller
1Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery and the Michael E. DeBakey Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843, USA.
Insights
Plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were elevated in many cats suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF). Right-sided heart failure (RHF) was associated with higher TNF-alpha levels, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) in cats is often secondary to cardiomyopathy.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in various disease states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha are elevated in cats with CHF due to cardiomyopathy.
- To explore the relationship between TNF-alpha levels and the type of heart failure (right-sided vs. left-sided).
Main Methods:
- Plasma TNF-alpha concentrations were measured in 26 adult cats diagnosed with CHF and cardiomyopathy.
- A bioassay using L929 murine fibrosarcoma cells was employed to quantify TNF-alpha.
- A control group of 9 healthy cats was included for comparison.
Main Results:
- Elevated TNF-alpha concentrations were detected in 10 out of 26 cats with CHF (0.13 to 3.6 U/ml).
- TNF-alpha was undetectable in the remaining 16 CHF cats and all healthy controls.
- Cats with right-sided heart failure (RHF) were more likely to have increased TNF-alpha (9 of 20) compared to those with left-sided heart failure (LHF) (1 of 6).
Conclusions:
- Plasma TNF-alpha concentrations are frequently increased in cats with CHF.
- Elevated TNF-alpha is more common in cats experiencing RHF.
- Measuring TNF-alpha may provide insights into CHF pathophysiology and identify potential therapeutic targets in feline patients.
Objective:
To determine whether plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are increased in cats with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to cardiomyopathy.
Animals:
26 adult cats with CHF and cardiomyopathy and 9 healthy control cats.
Procedure:
Plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha were measured in cats with CHF and cardiomyopathy. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was measured by quantifying cytotoxic effects of TNF-alpha on L929 murine fibrosarcoma cells.
Results:
Concentrations of TNF-alpha were increased (0.13 to 3.6 U/ml) in 10 of 26 cats with CHF but were undetectable in the other 16 cats with CHF and all control cats. In 20 of 26 cats with CHF right-sided heart failure (RHF) was evident; TNF-alpha concentrations were increased in 9 of these 20 cats. The remaining 6 cats had left-sided heart failure (LHF); TNF-alpha concentrations were increased in only 1 of these cats. Age of cats with LHF (mean +/- SD, 12.1+/-6.2 years) was not significantly different from age of the cohort with RHF (10.5+/-5.2 years). Body weight of cats with increased TNFalpha concentrations (5.4+/-1.8 kg) was not significantly different from body weight of cats with CHF that did not have measurable concentrations of TNF-alpha (4.7+/-1.6 kg).
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Concentrations of TNF-alpha were increased in many cats with CHF. Cats with RHF were most likely to have increased TNF-alpha concentrations. Increased plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha in cats with CHF may offer insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms of heart failure and provide targets for therapeutic interventions.