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Isolation and Culture of Primary Endothelial Cells from Canine Arteries and Veins
Published on: November 18, 2016
Systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in dogs with congestive heart failure
S M Cunningham1, J E Rush, L M Freeman
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA. suzanne.cunningham@tufts.edu
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
|April 12, 2012
Summary
Congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs impairs endothelial function, evidenced by a reduced reactive hyperemia (RH) response. Biomarkers like CRP and NT-proBNP correlate with this dysfunction, suggesting RH as a novel diagnostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Endothelial Function Research
- Canine Cardiovascular Disease
Background:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) is linked to endothelial dysfunction in humans and experimentally induced canine models.
- Endothelial function in naturally occurring canine CHF is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate endothelial function using reactive hyperemia (RH) in healthy dogs and dogs with CHF.
- To correlate RH measurements with plasma biomarkers and clinical disease severity markers.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, case-controlled observational study involving 17 healthy dogs and 20 dogs with CHF.
- Doppler assessment of brachial artery velocity during RH (RH-VTI) was performed.
- Blood samples were analyzed for plasma biomarkers, and echocardiography was conducted.
Main Results:
- Dogs with CHF exhibited an attenuated RH-VTI response compared to healthy controls (P = .04).
- Higher ISACHD class, plasma NT-proBNP, and CRP levels were associated with reduced RH-VTI.
- Dogs with CHF showed increased plasma CRP, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), and NT-proBNP.
Conclusions:
- Canine CHF is characterized by impaired endothelial function, indicated by an attenuated RH response.
- Increased plasma CRP and NOx concentrations are observed in dogs with CHF.
- Doppler assessment of RH velocity offers a potential noninvasive method for evaluating canine endothelial function.
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