Elevated levels of serum hepcidin isomers in dogs with portosystemic shunt

Microcytosis and iron sequestration are commonly observed abnormalities in dogs with portosystemic shunt (PSS). The role of hepcidin - the main hormone regulating iron homeostasis - in this condition is still unclear. Our study is intended to determine the serum concentrations of known hepcidin isomers in canine patients with portosystemic shunt, compared to a healthy control group. Routine haematological and biochemical examinations were performed for 10 dogs diagnosed with PSS and for 18 healthy controls. And the serum concentrations of hepcidin-α and hepcidin-β isomers were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) method. In this study, both serum hepcidin isomer concentrations were significantly (p < 0,05) higher in the PSS group compared to healthy dogs (hepcidin-α: 46.1 vs. 23.1 ng·mL^-1, p = 0.014, hepcidin-β: 76.6 vs 48.4 ng·mL^-1, p = 0.027). In dogs with PSS, there was a significant negative correlation between iron and hepcidin isomer concentrations (hepcidin-α: rho: -0.81, p = 0.007, hepcidin-β rho: -0.84, p = 0.0004). Our results suggest that elevated serum hepcidin concentration plays an important role in the development of microcytosis and iron sequestration observed in patients with PSS; however, further studies needed in large cohort of patients. Serum hepcidin could be used as a potential biomarker in patients with PSS-associated anaemia.