Alterations in mitochondrial DNA content in canine heart failure
Chavalit Boonyapakorn1,2,3, Julalak Meechai1, Panida Sansuktaweesup1
1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand.
BMC Veterinary Research
|July 2, 2025
Summary
Dogs with heart failure showed significantly higher mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in their blood compared to healthy dogs. This finding suggests mtDNA may serve as a biomarker for canine heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Heart failure is a common and fatal outcome of cardiovascular disease in dogs.
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number alterations are implicated in human cardiovascular diseases.
- Canine heart failure's association with mtDNA alterations is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in dogs with and without heart failure.
- To explore potential correlations between mtDNA levels and indicators of canine heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of 15 healthy dogs (HT) and 15 dogs with heart failure (HF).
- Comprehensive clinical evaluation including physical exams, radiography, and echocardiography.
- Blood analysis for hematology, chemistry, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) quantification.
Main Results:
- Dogs with heart failure exhibited significantly elevated monocyte counts, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, vertebral heart score (VHS), and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS).
- Echocardiographic parameters (LVIDd, LA, LA/Ao, EDV, ESV, LV mass) were significantly higher in the heart failure group.
- Significantly increased mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content was observed in dogs with heart failure compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Elevated peripheral blood mtDNA in heart failure dogs may result from tissue hypoxia and subsequent cellular damage.
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) shows potential as a biomarker for assessing disease severity and mitochondrial dysfunction in canine heart failure.
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