Investigation of Serum Markers of Hepatic Fibrosis in Equids.
Abstract: Liver disease is common in equine practice, and treatment and prognosis are dependent on histopathologic examination of biopsies. Liver biopsy is invasive and expensive which restricts its use. Serum markers are used to predict hepatic fibrosis in humans. This study aimed to investigate the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test, based on serum Hyaluronic Acid (HA), procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) to detect hepatic fibrosis in equids. Four groups were included; two with increased serum concentrations of liver-derived enzymes and a liver biopsy (group H; 10 horses and ponies and group D; 10 donkeys) and two without any evidence of liver disease (group HC; 10 horses and ponies and group DC; 10 donkeys). All samples were analyzed for concentrations of HA, PIINP, and TIMP-1. Given the failure to detect TIMP-1 in most subjects, a novel eELF (equid ELF) score was calculated, based on HA and PIIINP. HA and PIIINP concentrations and the eELF score, were compared with determined hepatic fibrosis. HA, PIIINP, and eELF were significantly greater in horses and ponies with a histopathologic fibrosis score ≥ 2 compared with those < 2. A similar observation was found with donkeys for HA and eELF. A significant correlation was found between fibrosis score and HA, PIIINP, and eELF for horses and ponies, and between fibrosis score and HA and eELF in donkeys. Serum HA and the eELF score might be useful serum markers to predict and monitor hepatic fibrosis in horses, ponies, and donkeys.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-10-08 PubMed ID: 37816414DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104937Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The researchers have looked into the use of a serum-based test, which measures specific biological markers, to detect liver fibrosis in horses, ponies, and donkeys. This could provide an improved method in diagnosing liver disease in such animals, as compared to the biopsy method which is invasive and expensive.
Introduction
- The researchers’ goal was to probe the applicability of the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test, a particular blood-test used in humans to predict liver fibrosis, to detect the same condition in equids such as horses, ponies, and donkeys.
- This test is centered on three serum markers, Hyaluronic Acid (HA), procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP), and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1).
- The paper examines the levels of these markers in the blood of horses and donkeys with and without liver disease.
Methodology
- The research involved four groups: two with increased serum concentrations of liver-derived enzymes, who had undergone a liver biopsy (group H comprising 10 horses and ponies, and group D consisting of 10 donkeys) and two without any liver disease (group HC with 10 horses and ponies, and group DC having 10 donkeys).
- Samples from all groups were investigated for concentrations of HA, PIINP, and TIMP-1.
- As TIMP-1 remained undetectable in most subjects, a new equid ELF (eELF) score was formulated, which utilised readings of HA and PIIINP.
Results and Proposition
- The levels of HA, PIIINP, and the eELF scores indicated a significant relation with confirmed hepatic fibrosis.
- An observable difference was noticed in horses and ponies with a fibrosis score of 2 and above compared to those having a score less than 2.
- Similar results were spotted in donkeys, with the only change being in the correlations where only HA and eELF levels showed significant differences.
- There was a significant correlation found between the fibrosis score and HA, PIIINP, and the eELF score for horses and ponies as well as between the fibrosis score and HA and eELF in donkeys.
- The authors propose that serum HA and the eELF score could be beneficial as serum markers to predict and monitor hepatic fibrosis in horses, ponies, and donkeys.
Cite This Article
APA
Potier JFN, Durham AE, Modi R, Rosenberg W, Dash SA.
(2023).
Investigation of Serum Markers of Hepatic Fibrosis in Equids.
J Equine Vet Sci, 131, 104937.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104937 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Liphook Equine Hospital, Hampshire, UK. Electronic address: Julie.Potier@theLEH.co.uk.
- Liphook Equine Hospital, Hampshire, UK.
- iQur Ltd.Division of Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London, UK.
- Division of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, UK.
- The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Horses
- Animals
- Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis
- Liver Cirrhosis / veterinary
- Fibrosis
- Biomarkers
- Equidae
- Horse Diseases
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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