title: Plasma and skin vitamin E concentrations in canine atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Altered homeostasis of vitamin E has been demonstrated in human atopic dermatitis. Data on plasma and skin vitamin E concentrations in canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) are not available.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine vitamin E concentrations in plasma and skin of atopic dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vitamin E concentrations in plasma and full-thickness skin biopsies of 15 atopic dogs were related to CAD extent and severity index (CADESI-03) scores and compared to the equivalent concentrations in 17 healthy dogs. Statistically significant differences of measured parameters between the two groups were determined by the nonparametric Mann Whitney U test and correlations between CADESI-03 scores and vitamin E concentrations were evaluated by the Spearman rank test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma concentrations of vitamin E were significantly lower in atopic dogs than in healthy dogs, with median values of 29.8 and 52.9 μmol/L, respectively. Skin vitamin E values did not differ significantly between patients and healthy controls. The median concentration of skin vitamin E in atopic dogs was higher than that in healthy dogs. No significant correlations were found between CADESI-03 score and plasma vitamin E or skin vitamin E concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significantly lower plasma vitamin E concentrations in atopic dogs than in healthy controls indicate altered homeostasis of vitamin E in CAD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further investigation into vitamin E supplementation in CAD is warranted.
authors: GlaxoSmithKline, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors: Alja
authors: A
authors: Plevnik Kapun
authors: Janez
authors: J
authors: Salobir
authors: Alenka
authors: A
authors: Levart
authors: Gabrijela
authors: G
authors: Tavčar Kalcher
authors: Alenka
authors: A
authors: Nemec Svete
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Kotnik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014810:Vitamin E