Serum and erythrocyte oxidative stress in dogs with acanthocytosis

Abstract

Oxidative stress occurs as a result of an increase in oxidants and/or a reduction of antioxidants in the body, causing oxidation of cellular constituents and cellular dysfunction, which can lead to premature cell death. This study aimed to evaluate serum and red blood cell (RBC) oxidative stress in dogs with acanthocytosis. Sixteen dogs with acanthocytosis confirmed on blood smear, regardless of the associated pathological condition, and 17 healthy dogs without clinical and laboratorial alterations were selected. Complete blood counts (CBC) were performed by an automated cell counter, biochemical and oxidative stress analyzes were performed by an automated photocolorimeter. Dogs with acanthocytosis showed lower RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and higher red cell distribution width (RDW) compared with healthy dogs. On the leukogram, higher concentrations of band neutrophils and lower numbers of lymphocytes were observed in dogs with acanthocytosis. On serum biochemical parameters, a significant increase in ALP activity, cholesterol and globulin levels, and decreased albumin concentration were observed in dogs with acanthocytosis. Regarding oxidative stress parameters, dogs with acanthocytosis showed lower serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by cupric reduction (TAC-CUPRAC) and higher TAC by ferric reduction (TAC-FRAP), total oxidant capacity (TOC) and lipid peroxidation, while RBC showed higher TAC by ABTS cation reduction alone (TAC-ABTS) and associated with peroxidase (TAC-ABTS+HRP), TAC-CUPRAC, TOC and lipid peroxidation compared with those of control dogs. Dogs with acanthocytosis demonstrate serum and erythrocyte oxidative stress, which may be one of the factors involved in erythrocyte damage.