title: Evaluation of plasma and urinary levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha as a marker for asymptomatic myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs.
abstract: Endothelial dysfunction might be involved in the pathogenesis of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). The aims of this study were (1) to validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for canine 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG)F(1alpha) (prostacyclin metabolite and marker for endothelial function) and (2) to compare plasma and urinary 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) in dogs with asymptomatic MMVD. The study included two breeds predisposed to MMVD and two control groups (Cairn terriers and dogs of different breeds). Echocardiography was used to estimate the severity of MMVD. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were between 3.1% and 24.5% in the assay range. No echocardiographic parameter was correlated with plasma or urinary 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) (P>0.05), but all control dogs had lower urinary 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) (P<0.02) and the Cairn terriers had higher plasma 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) (P<0.02). The EIA appeared valid for measuring canine 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) in plasma and urine. It is suggested that 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) levels are related to breed and not MMVD in asymptomatic stages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Copenhagen, The Faculty of Life Sciences, Frederiksberg, Denmark. cer@life.ku.dk
authors.forename: Caroline E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Anna V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Sundqvist
authors.forename: Christina T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Kjempff
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tarnow
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kjelgaard-Hansen
authors.forename: Thea S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kamstrup
authors.forename: Anne-Lise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sterup
authors.forename: Tina M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Soerensen
authors.forename: Lisbeth H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Olsen