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Acute-Phase Proteins and Iron Status in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
R Javard1, C Grimes2, L Bau-Gaudreault2
1Companion Animal Research Group, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
Insights
Inflammation and altered iron metabolism are linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. Elevated hepcidin and serum amyloid A (SAA) indicate these changes, potentially contributing to anemia in feline CKD.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Nephrology
- Immunology
Background:
- The role of inflammation in feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well understood.
- Hepcidin, an acute-phase protein (APP), impacts iron metabolism and anemia in human CKD.
- This study investigates inflammation and iron status in cats with CKD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum APP concentrations, iron status, and erythropoietin (EPO) in healthy cats versus cats with naturally occurring CKD.
- To explore the relationship between inflammation markers and iron metabolism in feline CKD.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 18 healthy cats and 38 cats with CKD.
- Measured serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (HAP), EPO, iron, ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).
- Quantified serum hepcidin-25 using an ELISA kit.
Main Results:
- Cats with CKD showed significantly higher SAA and hepcidin, and lower iron and TIBC.
- Elevated SAA and hepcidin correlated with decreased TIBC and hematocrit in CKD cats.
- Anemia (37% of CKD cats) was associated with lower TIBC, suggesting functional iron deficiency.
Conclusions:
- Feline CKD is associated with systemic inflammation and disturbed iron metabolism.
- Hepcidin and SAA may serve as indicators of inflammation in feline CKD.
- Further validation of hepcidin assays could enhance understanding of these relationships in cats.
Background:
The role of inflammation in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats is not well characterized. Hepcidin is a recently discovered acute-phase protein (APP) that plays an important role in iron metabolism and contributes to the development of anemia in humans with CKD.
Objectives:
To compare serum APP concentrations, iron status, and erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations in healthy cats and cats with naturally occurring CKD.
Animals:
A total of 18 healthy control cats and 38 cats with CKD.
Methods:
Prospective study. After complete physical examination and routine blood analysis, the following tests were performed: serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (HAP), EPO, serum iron and ferritin concentration as well as total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Serum hepcidin-25 concentration was measured by ELISA kit designed for use in humans.
Results:
Mean SAA and hepcidin concentrations were significantly higher and mean total iron and TIBC were significantly lower in the CKD group (P < .05). There was a significant positive correlation between serum creatinine concentration (CRT) and 2 of the APPs (SAA and hepcidin; P < .05). Increases in SAA and hepcidin were associated with decreases in TIBC and hematocrit in the CKD group. Fourteen (37%) of the cats with CKD were anemic, and these cats had significantly lower TIBC (P < .05), suggesting a functional iron deficiency. There was no association between survival time and APP, iron status, or EPO concentrations.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that CKD in cats is associated with systemic inflammation and altered iron metabolism. With further validation in cats, hepcidin assays may help better characterize these relationships.
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