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Determination of the reference interval for urine kidney injury molecule-1 in 50 healthy cats
Tori Brown1, Alice Defarges2, Gabrielle Monteith2
1Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Oakville, ON, Canada.
Insights
This study established a reference interval for urine kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in healthy cats. Urine specific gravity significantly predicts urine KIM-1 levels, crucial for diagnosing feline kidney injury.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Nephrology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is a promising biomarker for acute kidney injury.
- Establishing reference intervals (RIs) is essential for interpreting biomarker levels in healthy populations.
- Feline kidney disease is a common concern in veterinary medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reference interval (RI) for urine KIM-1 in healthy cats.
- To evaluate factors influencing urine KIM-1 levels in feline populations.
- To provide a baseline for diagnosing kidney injury in cats.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 50 healthy cats meeting inclusion criteria.
- Performed comprehensive health assessments including bloodwork, urinalysis, and imaging.
- Measured urine KIM-1 and analyzed its correlation with various physiological parameters using a general linear model.
Main Results:
- Established a reference interval for urine KIM-1 in healthy cats as 0.02-0.68.
- Urine specific gravity (USG) was a significant predictor of urine KIM-1 (P <0.001).
- In a multivariate model, SDMA concentration was predictive of urine KIM-1 when combined with USG (P=0.030).
Conclusions:
- Urine KIM-1 levels are significantly influenced by urine concentration (USG).
- This correlation is critical for accurate interpretation of urine KIM-1 in cats with potential kidney injury.
- The established RI provides a valuable tool for feline kidney health assessment.
Objectives:
The aim of the present study was to establish a reference interval (RI) for urine kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in healthy cats.
Methods:
History, physical examination, blood pressure, and feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus serology status were determined. A complete blood cell count, serum biochemical profile, urinalysis and kidney ultrasound were performed, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, total thyroxine (TT4) and urine KIM-1 were measured. An RI was calculated and the effect of age, sex, body condition score (BCS), blood pressure, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), serum creatinine concentration (SCr), phosphorus, TT4, urine specific gravity (USG) and mid-sagittal kidney length on urine KIM-1 was evaluated using a general linear model.
Results:
Of 69 recruited cats, 50 met the inclusion criteria. There were 35 male cats and 15 female cats, with a median age of 4.3 years (range 1.0-12.3), median weight of 5.11 kg (range 2.52-8.45) and median BCS of 6/9 (range 3-8). The median serum concentrations were SDMA 11.0 µg/dl (range 2-14), SCr 88.5 µmol/l (range 47-136), phosphorus 1.41 mmol/l (range 0.8-2.2) and TT4 32.0 nmol/l (range 17-51). Median USG was 1.057 (range 1.035-1.076), mid-sagittal left kidney length was 3.50 cm (range 2.94-4.45) and mid-sagittal right kidney length was 3.70 cm (range 3.06-4.55). The derived RI for urine KIM-1 was 0.02-0.68. USG was a significant (P <0.001) predictor of urine KIM-1. Individually, age, sex, blood pressure, BCS, SDMA, SCr, phosphorus, TT4 and mid-sagittal kidney length were not significant predictors of urine KIM-1. In a multivariate model, if combined with USG, SDMA concentration was predictive (P = 0.030) of urine KIM-1.
Conclusions And Relevance:
Urine concentration was significantly correlated with urine KIM-1, which will be an important consideration when interpreting findings in cats with potential kidney injury.
