Serum homocysteine and methylmalonic acid concentrations in Chinese Shar-Pei dogs with cobalamin deficiency.

Abstract

Cobalamin deficiency is suspected to be hereditary in Chinese Shar-Pei dogs (Shar-Peis), and inherited causes of cobalamin deficiency may affect the cellular processing of cobalamin. In humans, a defect of the two main cobalamin-dependent intracellular enzymes (i.e., methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase) may lead to hyperhomocysteinemia and hypermethylmalonic acidemia. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate serum homocysteine (HCY) and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in cobalamin-deficient Shar-Peis and dogs of six other breeds. Serum samples (n=297) from cobalamin-deficient dogs (Shar-Peis, German Shepherd dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Yorkshire Terriers, Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, and Beagles) were analyzed for serum HCY and MMA concentrations. A Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate if cobalamin deficiency in Shar-Peis is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. Serum HCY and MMA concentrations were higher in cobalamin-deficient Shar-Peis compared to cobalamin-deficient dogs of the six other breeds (P<0.0001). Hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with cobalamin deficiency in Shar-Peis (P=0.009). In addition, serum HCY and MMA concentrations did not differ between cobalamin-deficient German Shepherd dogs with and without exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a potential cause of secondary cobalamin deficiency. These findings suggest that the function of the two intracellular cobalamin-dependent enzymes is impaired in Shar-Peis with cobalamin deficiency.

• Authors: Niels Grützner, Romy M Heilmann, Kenneth C Stupka, Venkat R Rangachari, Katja Weber, Andreas Holzenburg, Jan S Suchodolski, Jörg M Steiner
• Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997) (Vet J) Vol. 197 Issue 2 Pg. 420-6 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1532-2971 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23499543 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Chemical References

• Homocysteine
• Methylmalonic Acid

Topics

• Animals
• Dog Diseases (blood, genetics, metabolism)
• Dogs
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Homocysteine (blood, metabolism)
• Methylmalonic Acid (blood, metabolism)
• Retrospective Studies
• Vitamin B 12 Deficiency (blood, genetics, veterinary)