Retrospective analysis of association between hepatopathy and serum DGGR lipase activity in dogs: a pilot study

1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase assays are used to measure lipase activity in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. The effect of hepatic lipases released from damaged hepatocytes on serum DGGR lipase activity has not been reported, to our knowledge. We identified dogs with histologically confirmed liver lesions and concurrent unremarkable pancreatic histology, and dogs with no histologic evidence of hepatic or pancreatic disease. Dogs with relevant comorbidities were excluded. The hepatopathy group (n = 7) included 4 dogs with inflammatory hepatopathies, 2 with hepatic neoplasia, and 1 with unspecified (non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic) hepatopathy. The control group (n = 5) included one dog each with enteritis, subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma, hydrocephalus, myelomalacia, and tetanus. A Mann-Whitney U test compared selected biochemical parameters including serum DGGR lipase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and amylase activities, with statistical significance defined as p ≤ 0.05. Data are presented as median and range. Serum DGGR lipase activity (RI: <44 IU/L) was not different between the hepatopathy (52 IU/L; range: 27-85 IU/L) and control (37 IU/L, 25-105 IU/L; p = 0.947) groups. Serum amylase activity (RI: 256-1,610 IU/L) was significantly higher in the hepatopathy group (830 IU/L; 711-1,210 IU/L) than the control group (541 IU/L, 336-695 IU/L; p = 0.028). No association or correlation between serum DGGR lipase activity and hepatic lesions (based on histologic or biochemical findings) was identified, suggesting that clinically relevant changes in serum DGGR lipase activity may not be expected secondary to hepatopathy alone.