title: Analysis of plasma free amino acid profiles in canine brain tumors.
abstract: Canine brain tumors are best diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, opportunities of MRI examination are restricted due to its limited availability in veterinary facilities; thus, numerous canine brain tumors are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore, development of a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker is required for the early detection of brain tumors. In the present study, plasma free amino acid (PFAA) profiles between dogs with and without brain tumors were compared. A total of 12 dogs with brain tumors, diagnosed based on clinical signs, and on the results of intracranial MRI and/or pathological examination were evaluated. In addition, eight dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy and 16 healthy dogs were also included. A liquid chromatography system with automated pre-column derivatization functionality was used to measure the levels of 20 amino acids. As a result, the levels of three amino acids (alanine, proline and isoleucine) were increased significantly (1.6-, 1.5- and 1.6-fold, respectively) in the plasma of dogs with brain tumors as compared with the levels in control dogs (all P<0.05). Thus, the PFAA levels of dogs with brain tumors differed from those of healthy dogs. The present study demonstrated that analysis of PFAA levels of dogs with brain tumors may serve as a useful biomarker for the early detection of canine brain tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; Department of Neurology, Japan Animal Referral Medical Center, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0032, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Utsugi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Azuma
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Osaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murahata
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuka
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
authors.forename: Norihiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imagawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okamoto
keywords: brain tumor; dog; glioma; meningioma; plasma free amino acid