Sex-based differences in plasma chemistry and cardiac marker test results in Siamese fighting fowl.

BACKGROUND: Variations in the results of plasma chemistry analysis as a function of sex have rarely been demonstrated in avian species. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate sex-related differences in values for routine biochemical variables, including conventional muscle enzymes, and novel cardiac markers in female and male Siamese fighting fowl. METHODS: Plasma chemistry analytes and cardiac marker proteins (creatine kinase-MB and cardiac troponin T) were measured in 70 Siamese fighting fowl using automated chemistry and immunoassay analyzers. Data were compared by 2-tailed t tests between sexes, and Spearman rank correlation between conventional and novel cardiac markers. RESULTS: Male fowl had significantly higher uric acid concentration and gamma-glutamyltransferase activity; whereas, female fowl had significantly higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, and calcium concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase activity. As compared with female fowl, the fighting cocks also had significantly higher plasma concentrations of creatine kinase-MB and cardiac troponin T. Significant correlations between cardiac troponin T, but not creatine kinase-MB, and the activities of conventional muscle enzymes (creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase) were observed in male but not in female fowl. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that sex-specific differences exist for several biochemical parameters and cardiac marker proteins in fighting fowl, and that such differences should be considered in interpreting laboratory test results.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in stable patients undergoing pharmacological stress testing.

BACKGROUND: Acute changes in high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) are induced by myocardial ischemia during exercise stress testing, but there are no reports of pharmacological stress testing. HYPOTHESIS: The pattern of troponin release by myocardial ischemia-induced pharmacological stress testing differs according to the ischemic burden in stable patients. METHODS: In total, 250 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent pharmacological stress magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The amount and degree of myocardial ischemia on MRI and ischemic outcomes at 6 months were determined. hs-TnT levels were measured at baseline and 1 and 3 hours after testing. The 6-month clinical outcome was prespecified. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients had moderate to severe myocardial ischemia (group A), and 199 patients had no or mild myocardial ischemia (group B). hs-TnT levels were significantly higher in group A than B at baseline (11 vs 8 pg/mL, P = 0.016) and at 1 hour (12 vs 8 pg/mL, P = 0.009) and 3 hours after testing (12 vs 9 pg/mL, P = 0.012). Baseline hs-TnT levels of ≥14 pg/mL showed a 43% sensitivity and 77% specificity in predicting moderate to severe ischemia by MRI (P = 0.03; area under the curve: 0.608, P = 0.017). Patients administered dobutamine had a higher acute change in hs-TnT levels 3 hours after testing than did those administered adenosine (21 vs 0 pg/mL, P < 0.001). There was a trend toward a higher incidence of myocardial infarction in patients with baseline hs-TnT levels of ≥14 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: hs-TnT levels are significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe than no or mild myocardial ischemia.