Detecting early kidney damage in horses with colic by measuring matrix metalloproteinase -9 and -2, other enzymes, urinary glucose and total proteins.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to investigate urine matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and -9) activity, alkaline phosphatase/creatinine (U-AP/Cr) and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase/creatinine (U-GGT/Cr) ratios, glucose concentration, and urine protein/creatinine (U-Prot/Cr) ratio and to compare data with plasma MMP-2 and -9 activity, cystatin-C and creatinine concentrations in colic horses and healthy controls. Horses with surgical colic (n = 5) were compared to healthy stallions (n = 7) that came for castration. Blood and urine samples were collected. MMP gelatinolytic activity was measured by zymography.


RESULTS
We found out that horses with colic had significantly higher urinary MMP-9 complex and proMMP-9 activities than horses in the control group. Colic horses also had higher plasma MMP-2 activity than the control horses. Serum creatinine, although within reference range, was significantly higher in the colic horses than in the control group. There was no significant increase in urinary alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase or total proteins in the colic horses compared to the control group. A human cystatin-C test (Dako Cytomation latex immunoassay based on turbidimetry) did not cross react with equine cystatin-C.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that plasma MMP-2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of equine colic and urinary MMP-9 in equine kidney damage.
Arosalo
Bela M
BM
Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland. bela.arosalo@hevossairaala.fi
Raekallio
Marja
M
Rajamäki
Minna
M
Holopainen
Elina
E
Kastevaara
Tuulia
T
Salonen
Hanna
H
Sankari
Satu
S
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003085:Colic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006029:Glycosuria / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006736:Horses; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000652:urine*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000652:urine / Q000662:veterinary; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
C525030:CST3 protein, human; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins; D003404:Creatinine; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9