Comparison of the systemic phospholipid profile in dogs diagnosed with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease or food-responsive diarrhea before and after treatment.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and food-responsive diarrhea (FRD) are common chronic enteropathies in dogs, of which the exact pathogenesis has not been fully understood. In people dyslipidemia has been reported in patients with IBD, and potential therapeutic benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the treatment of IBD have been investigated. Studies on the phospholipid profile in dogs with IBD and FRD are still lacking. AIM: To investigate the systemic phospholipid profile of dogs with IBD or FRD and to evaluate possible differences in phospholipids before and after treatment. METHODS: The phospholipids in whole blood and EDTA plasma of 32 dogs diagnosed with either IBD (n = 16) or FRD (n = 16) were analyzed by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) prior to and after initiation of treatment, which included an elimination diet enriched with PUFAs. RESULTS: A clear separation of the phospholipids between whole blood and plasma was demonstrated on principal component analysis plots. In addition to the type of specimen, treatment and disease severity were the most significant factors determining the variance of the phospholipid profile. An increase in lysolipids was observed after treatment. The phosphatidylcholine (PC) species changed from PC 38:4 before treatment to mainly lysophosphatidylcholine 18:0 after treatment. Furthermore, several differences in the abundance of individual phospholipids were identified between dogs with IBD and dogs with FRD and between treatment statuses using random forest analysis. CONCLUSION: Significant variances were identified in the phospholipid profiles of dogs with IBD and FRD. These were particularly determined by type of specimen used, disease severity and treatment status. After treatment, a shift of phospholipid species towards lysophosphatidylcholine 18:0 was observed. Future studies should further investigate the role of lipids in the pathophysiology of IBD and FRD as well as their potential therapeutic benefits.

[Canine hypoadrenocorticism - an update on pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment]. / Hypoadrenokortizismus beim Hund ­ ein Update zu Pathogenese, Diagnose und Therapie.

Canine hypoadrenocorticism (HoAC) results from a loss of functional adrenal cortex, the most common etiology of which is an immune-mediated destruction leading to an inadequate production of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. The term "atypical" HoAC is used for a subgroup of dogs with either an isolated glucocorticoid deficiency or a combined glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiency but normal electrolytes. Dogs with HoAC can present with a large variety of clinical signs, ranging from shaking, weakness, and mild gastrointestinal signs to seizures, hypovolemic shock, and collapse. Routine clinicopathologic and diagnostic imaging findings are usually nonspecific and frequently mimic those of other common diseases. However, the absence of a stress leukogram, eosinophilia, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and azotemia and small adrenal glands on abdominal ultrasound are characteristic findings in dogs with HoAC. The ACTH stimulation test is currently the gold standard method for diagnosing HoAC. Other endocrine laboratory diagnostics, including the quantification of endogenous ACTH, basal and ACTH-stimulated aldosterone levels, cortisol:ACTH ratio, and aldosterone:renin ratio, may further aid in differentiating between primary, secondary, and "atypical" HoAC. Aggressive intravenous fluid therapy is the cornerstone of treatment in paients with an acute Addisonian crisis because it restores normovolemia and normal blood electrolytes. Maintenance therapy consists of glucocorticoid (e.g., prednisolone) and mineralocorticoid (e.g., des- oxycortone pivalate) supplementation and aims for stable electrolyte concentrations and a clinically well dog. The optimal dose of desoxy- cortone pivalate for a specific dog is determined based on blood so- dium and potassium concentrations by using a standardized protocol. Regular reevaluation of blood electrolytes is required for early identifi- cation of a mineralocorticoid deficiency in dogs with "atypical" HoAC. The long-term prognosis for dogs with HoAC is excellent provided that patients receive adequate treatment and there is good owner com- pliance.