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Equine veterinary journal2021; doi: 10.1111/evj.13484

Symmetric dimethylarginine and renal function analysis in horses with dehydration.

Abstract: Acute dehydration caused by a variety of diseases in horses can lead to acute kidney injury. However, current renal biomarkers usually indicate renal damage late in the course of the disease. A novel biomarker would be helpful to diagnose renal disease earlier. Objective: (1) To estimate the correlation of serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations with the degree of dehydration, traditional renal biomarkers and renal function analysis, and (2) to determine the value of SDMA as a prognostic and early biomarker of renal injury in horses. Methods: Prospective cohort. Methods: Serum SDMA, creatinine and urea concentrations and renal function analysis were measured in 41 horses with dehydration at 4 time points until 48 h after admission. Horses were grouped according to their dehydration level into mildly, moderately and severely dehydrated groups. Results: Serum SDMA concentrations at admission correlated with creatinine concentrations (r = .412, P < .001). Differences in SDMA concentrations at admission were detected among dehydration levels but not between survivors and nonsurvivors. Significant correlations of SDMA concentrations with other markers of renal function analysis and short-term outcome were not observed. Conclusions: Besides the small sample size and low statistical power, missing urine samples at specific time points were also 1 of the main limitations. Only 1 of the horses developed acute kidney injury, which made the evaluation of the predictive value of SDMA difficult. Conclusions: SDMA concentrations correlated significantly with creatinine concentrations in dehydrated horses. Further research is needed to reveal the application of SDMA in horse.
Publication Date: 2021-06-10 PubMed ID: 34110650DOI: 10.1111/evj.13484Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research study focuses on the connection between serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations in horses and their kidney function, particularly when these horses are suffering from dehydration. The study also aims to look into SDMA as a potential early biomarker of renal injury in horses.

Overview of Study Methods

  • The research is a prospective cohort study, conducted on 41 horses afflicted with dehydration.
  • Tests were carried out on the horses to measure their serum SDMA, creatinine and urea concentrations, alongside a renal function analysis.
  • The measurements were recorded at 4 time intervals, up to 48 hours after the horses were admitted.
  • Based on the severity of dehydration, horses were divided into three groups – mildly, moderately and severely dehydrated.

Study Findings

  • The results showed a correlation between serum SDMA concentrations at admission and creatinine concentrations, with a correlation value of r = .412, and statistical significance of P < .001.
  • Differences were recorded in SDMA concentrations at admission across different degrees of dehydration, however, no such difference was seen between survivors and non-survivors.
  • Correlations between SDMA concentrations with other markers of renal function and short-term outcomes were not observed in this study.

Study Limitations and Conclusions

  • The researchers noted the study’s small sample size and low statistical power as limitations.
  • The lack of urine samples at specific times also posed a challenge.
  • Only one horse out of the 41 developed acute kidney injury, making it challenging to accurately evaluate the predictive value of SDMA for renal injury.
  • Despite the limitations, the study concludes a significant correlation between SDMA and creatinine concentrations in dehydrated horses, advocating for further research to firmly establish the application of SDMA in diagnosing renal conditions in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Lo HC, Winter JC, Merle R, Gehlen H. (2021). Symmetric dimethylarginine and renal function analysis in horses with dehydration. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13484

Publication

ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Lo, Hsiao-Chien
  • Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Winter, Judith C
  • Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Merle, Roswitha
  • Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Gehlen, Heidrun
  • Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Grant Funding

  • SYNLAB.vet GmbH Berlin

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Galen GV, Olsen E, Siwinska N. Biomarkers of Kidney Disease in Horses: A Review of the Current Literature. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 5;12(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12192678pubmed: 36230418google scholar: lookup
  2. van Spijk JN, Lo HC, Merle R, Richter IG, Diemar A, Stoeckle SD, Gehlen H. Serum and Urinary Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Concentrations in Dehydrated Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 7;13(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13243776pubmed: 38136813google scholar: lookup