Plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy horses and horses with atrial fibrillation.
Abstract: Homocysteine (HCY) is an amino acid produced from methionine metabolism. Plasma homocysteine concentrations ([HCY]p) are elevated (>13 μmol/L) in people with atrial fibrillation (AF) and can predict the recurrence of AF after cardioversion. This study aimed to validate a commercially available human HCY assay for use in horses to develop reference intervals for [HCY]p and compare [HCY]p in healthy horses and horses with AF. Methods: Healthy horses (n = 27) and horses with AF (n = 55, 34 of which were cardioverted using transvenous electrical cardioversion). Methods: Blood samples were analysed for HCY using an automated enzyme-cycling assay (Homocysteine Cobas C, Integra, Roche) and creatinine (compensated Jaffe method). Assay linearity and precision were assessed, reference intervals calculated and [HCY]p and creatinine compared between groups. Results: The assay was precise (coefficient of variation 1.6-4.3%, n = 10 repetitions) and provided linear results (r = 0.99 for spiked and natural samples) for a range of [HCY]p. The reference interval for [HCY]p was 1.5-7.8 μmol/L. The plasma concentration of homocysteine was 4.65 ± 1.5 μmol/L (mean ± standard deviation) in healthy horses and 4.65 ± 1.72 μmol/L in horses with AF (p=0.99); [HCY]p was not associated with recurrence of AF (n = 18, p=0.97). A weak, positive correlation between plasma creatinine and [HCY]p was detected (r = 0.295, p=0.008, r2 = 0.11). Conclusions: This assay allows precise measurement of [HCY]p in horses. Unlike in people, [HCY]p is not increased in horses with AF and cannot predict AF recurrence. This might be due to differences in the underlying pathological mechanisms of AF development in people and horses.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-05-31 PubMed ID: 29861401DOI: 10.1016/j.jvc.2018.04.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study aimed to adapt a human measurement system of a specific amino acid, homocysteine (HCY), for use in horses. The researchers also aimed to understand the relevance of HCY levels in healthy horses and those with atrial fibrillation (AF) – a heart condition causing irregular heartbeat. They found that HCY levels are not increased in horses with AF, and cannot predict AF recurrence, unlike the situation in humans.
Research Methods and Aim
- The purpose of this study was to validate the usage of a commercially available human HCY assay in horses, create an averages range for HCY amounts, and compare these in healthy horses and horses affected by AF.
- The research involved 27 healthy horses and 55 horses diagnosed with AF, 34 of which experienced cardioversion (a procedure used to restore an irregular heartbeat to a normal rhythm).
- Blood samples were analyzed and assessed for the levels of HCY using a specialized automated enzyme-cycling assay and for creatinine using the compensated Jaffe method.
Results of the Study
- The study concluded that the assay was precise with a consistent coefficient of variation and provided linear results for a range of HCY concentrations.
- They established that the reference range for HCY amounts in horses was between 1.5-7.8 μmol/L.
- The scientists reported that there were no significant variances in HCY concentrations between healthy horses and those with AF.
- The research also concluded that the HCY levels did not show a relationship with the recurrence of AF in horses.
Conclusions and Implications
- The researchers concluded that HCY could be precisely measured in horses using the adapted assay.
- They found that, contrarily to human cases, horses with the AF condition have HCY levels which do not differ from those in healthy horses, and which could not predict a recurrence of AF.
- The research suggests that this dissimilarity could be due to different mechanisms causing AF in horses and humans.
- This conclusion suggests future potential areas for exploration could involve comparison of AF mechanisms in different species.
Cite This Article
APA
Mitchell KJ, De Clercq D, Stirn M, van Loon G, Schwarzwald CC.
(2018).
Plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy horses and horses with atrial fibrillation.
J Vet Cardiol, 20(4), 276-284.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvc.2018.04.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: kmitchell@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Campus Merelbeke, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Campus Merelbeke, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Atrial Fibrillation / blood
- Atrial Fibrillation / therapy
- Atrial Fibrillation / veterinary
- Creatinine / blood
- Electric Countershock / veterinary
- Female
- Homocysteine / blood
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Recurrence
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Schneider MJ, Piotrowski IL, Junge HK, van Steenkiste G, Vernemmen I, van Loon G, Schwarzwald CC. Application of Acoustic Cardiography in Assessment of Cardiac Function in Horses with Atrial Fibrillation Before and After Cardioversion. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 7;15(13).
- Gołyński M, Metyk M, Ciszewska J, Szczepanik MP, Fitch G, Bęczkowski PM. Homocysteine-Potential Novel Diagnostic Indicator of Health and Disease in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 11;13(8).
- Badawy AA, Guillemin GJ. Species Differences in Tryptophan Metabolism and Disposition. Int J Tryptophan Res 2022;15:11786469221122511.
- Han L, Wu A, Li Q, Xia Z, Wu Y, Hong K, Xia Z, Li J. Homocysteine-induced electrical remodeling via the mediation of IP(3)R1/Nav1.5 signaling pathway. Am J Transl Res 2020;12(7):3822-3841.
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