Serum serotonin concentrations in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease.
BACKGROUND
Increased serotonin (5HT) signaling has been implicated in valvular disease of humans and animals, including canine degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). High circulating 5HT concentration is a potential source of increased signaling, and serum 5HT concentrations have not been previously reported in dogs with DMVD.


OBJECTIVE
Dogs with DMVD and small breed dogs predisposed to DMVD have higher serum 5HT concentrations than large breed controls.


METHODS
Fifty dogs affected with DMVD, 34 dogs predisposed to DMVD but without cardiac murmur or echocardiographic evidence of DMVD, and 36 healthy large breed control dogs.


METHODS
Prospective analysis. Serum 5HT concentration was measured by an ELISA test.


RESULTS
Median serum 5HT concentration was significantly higher in dogs with DMVD and in dogs predisposed to DMVD as compared with controls (DMVD, 765.5 ng/mL [interquartile range, 561.3-944.4]; predisposed, 774.9 ng/mL [528.3-1,026]; control, 509.8 ng/mL [320.8-708.8]; P= .0001). Subgroup analysis of predisposed dogs indicated significantly higher serum 5HT concentrations in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) dogs than in other breeds (CKCS, 855.0 ng/mL [635.8-1,088]; non-CKCS, 554.2 ng/mL [380.6-648.4]; P= .0023). Age, platelet count, and platelet morphology were not correlated with 5HT concentration in any group.


CONCLUSIONS
Dogs with DMVD had significantly higher serum 5HT concentrations when compared with large breed control dogs. Healthy CKCS dogs had significantly higher serum 5HT concentrations than other healthy dogs predisposed to DMVD. Additional investigation into a possible role of 5HT in the pathogenesis of DMVD is warranted.
Arndt
J W
JW
Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Reynolds
C A
CA
Singletary
G E
GE
Connolly
J M
JM
Levy
R J
RJ
Oyama
M A
MA
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D012701:Serotonin