Detecting early kidney damage in horses with colic by measuring matrix metalloproteinase -9 and -2, other enzymes, urinary glucose and total proteins

Bela M Arosalo,Satu Sankari,Minna Rajamäki,Tuulia Kastevaara,Hanna Salonen,Elina Holopainen,Marja Raekallio

doi:10.1186/1751-0147-49-4

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to investigate urine matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and -9) activity, alkaline phosphatase/creatinine (U-AP/Cr) and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase/creatinine (U-GGT/Cr) ratios, glucose concentration, and urine protein/creatinine (U-Prot/Cr) ratio and to compare data with plasma MMP-2 and -9 activity, cystatin-C and creatinine concentrations in colic horses and healthy controls. Horses with surgical colic (n = 5) were compared to healthy stallions (n = 7) that came for castration. Blood and urine samples were collected. MMP gelatinolytic activity was measured by zymography.ResultsWe found out that horses with colic had significantly higher urinary MMP-9 complex and proMMP-9 activities than horses in the control group. Colic horses also had higher plasma MMP-2 activity than the control horses. Serum creatinine, although within reference range, was significantly higher in the colic horses than in the control group. There was no significant increase in urinary alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase or total proteins in the colic horses compared to the control group. A human cystatin-C test (Dako Cytomation latex immunoassay® based on turbidimetry) did not cross react with equine cystatin-C.ConclusionThe results indicate that plasma MMP-2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of equine colic and urinary MMP-9 in equine kidney damage.

Highlights

The aim of the study was to investigate urine matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and -9) activity, alkaline phosphatase/creatinine (U-AP/Cr) and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase/ creatinine (U-GGT/Cr) ratios, glucose concentration, and urine protein/creatinine (U-Prot/Cr) ratio and to compare data with plasma Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 activity, cystatin-C and creatinine concentrations in colic horses and healthy controls
The results indicate that plasma MMP-2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of equine colic and urinary MMP-9 in equine kidney damage
Plasma MMP-2 activity was higher in colic horses (p = 0.009) compared to the control group. (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

The aim of the study was to investigate urine matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and -9) activity, alkaline phosphatase/creatinine (U-AP/Cr) and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase/ creatinine (U-GGT/Cr) ratios, glucose concentration, and urine protein/creatinine (U-Prot/Cr) ratio and to compare data with plasma MMP-2 and -9 activity, cystatin-C and creatinine concentrations in colic horses and healthy controls. The detection of kidney damage can be made at a relatively late stage by measuring serum creatinine and urea concentrations because at the time of abnormal values 75% of nephrons are already damaged [1]. In the studies made with laboratory animals the release of endotoxins can affect kidney function [6,7]. In severe equine colic the release of endotoxins is presumed to happen, but to our (page number not for citation purposes). The routine use of nephrotoxic drugs like gentamicin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs preoperatively can further increase risk of damage to the kidneys. A deterioration in renal function may become evident for the first time or may progress after the drug has been discontinued [8]. Gunson et al [9] reported that horses with both water deprivation and concurrent administration of the non-steroidal drug developed acute necrosis of the renal papilla, whereas the groups of horses that received either non-steroidal drug or water deprivation alone did not develop kidney damage

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