title: Hepatic hepcidin gene expression in dogs with a congenital portosystemic shunt.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microcytic anemia is common in dogs with a congenital portosystemic shunt (cPSS) and typically resolves after surgical attenuation of the anomalous vessel. However, the pathophysiology of the microcytic anemia remains poorly understood. Hepcidin has been a key role in controlling iron transport in both humans and animals and in mediating anemia of inflammatory disease in humans. The role of hepcidin in the development of microcytic anemia in dogs with a cPSS has not been examined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression decreases, while red blood cell count (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) increase in dogs after surgical attenuation of a cPSS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen client-owned dogs with confirmed cPSS undergoing surgical attenuation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study. Red blood cell count (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), together with hepatic gene expression of hepcidin, were measured in dogs before and after partial attenuation of a cPSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in both RBC (median pre 6.17 × 10(12) /L, median post 7.08 × 10(12) /L, P < .001) and MCV (median pre 61.5fl, median post 65.5fl, P = .006) after partial surgical attenuation of the cPSS. Despite the increase in both measured red blood cell parameters, hepatic gene expression of hepcidin remained unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found no evidence that dysregulated production of hepcidin was associated with anemia in dogs with a cPSS.
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Division of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Hospital for Small Animals, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom.
authors: P E
authors: PE
authors: Frowde
authors: A G
authors: AG
authors: Gow
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Burton
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Powell
authors: V J
authors: VJ
authors: Lipscomb
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: House
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Mellanby
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Tivers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D064451:Hepcidins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011168:Portal System / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D064451:Hepcidins
keywords: Anemia; Hepcidin; Iron; Portosystemic shunt; qPCR