Diagnostic value of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and their correlation with lipoproteins in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common diagnosed cardiovascular disease in dogs. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) tests are used to diagnose congestive heart failure, but there are conflicting reports about their value in diagnosing the subclinical stages of MMVD in dogs. Moreover, the diagnostic value of blood lipoproteins in dogs with MMVD is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the serum concentrations of ANP, BNP and lipoproteins of dogs with MMVD and to evaluate the correlation of the levels of ANP and BNP with lipoproteins. RESULTS: This study was performed on 24 dogs with MMVD and 10 healthy dogs. Dogs with MMVD were classified in to stages B1 (n = 11), B2 (n = 6), C (n = 4) and D (n = 3) groups according to the classification suggested by American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine guidelines. Our results showed that the mean serum BNP levels were significantly increased for all MMVD groups compared to control dogs. The mean serum ANP levels for the stage B2, C and D groups were significantly higher than the control group, while the mean serum ANP concentrations did not differ significantly between the stage B1 and control groups. An increase in BNP level was observed in 87.5% of patients. Although BNP concentrations were elevated in 100% of dogs with stages C, D and B2, high BNP was observed in 72.72% of dogs with stage B1. Regarding ANP, 58.33% of patients had an increase in ANP. However, elevated ANP levels were found in only 27.27% of patients in stage B1, while increased ANP levels were observed in 66.66 and 100% of patients in stage B2 and C/D groups respectively. Also, in all patients with MMVD, the mean serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were approximately 1.7 to 2 times significantly lower than the control group. Additionally, the mean serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) increased significantly (1.9-2.7 times) compared to the control group. There was a significant inverse correlation between HDL-C and BNP, and HDL-C and ANP. LDL-C showed a significant positive correlation with BNP, and ANP. Also, LDL-C, but not HDL-C, had a significant positive correlation with LA/AO ratio, LVIDd, LVIDdN and VHS. BNP and ANP showed a significant positive correlation with LA/AO, LVIDd, LVIDdN and VHS. CONCLUSIONS: Serum BNP has a greater diagnostic value than serum ANP in dogs with MMVD. In addition, serum BNP can be used to determine the subclinical stages of B1 and B2 MMVD. This study also suggests that dogs with subclinical MMVD, showed an increase in BNP along with a decrease in HDL-C and an increase in LDL-C, which are known to be risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in human. However, it seems that high LDL-C is more involved in the pathogenesis of MMVD than low HDL-C. Therefore, periodic testing of serum lipoproteins is recommended in high-risk patients, even if total cholesterol levels are normal.

Impairment of endothelial progenitor cells function in patient with mustard gas intoxication.

Background: Sulfur mustard (SM), also known as mustard gas, was first widely used in the Iraq-Iran. After SM exposure, the most prominent clinical signs are the development of extensive non-healing skin wounds and pulmonary signs, persisting over long time. Since the most frequent complications in SM-intoxicated patients are respiratory and dermatologic lesions, and with respect to the important role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the pathophysiology of these lesion, we conducted this study to recognize the potential effects of SM on biological features of EPCs in patients exposed with this gas.Methods: In this study, 30 patients with the history of SM exposure during the Iran-Iraq war (1984-1988), 27 patients with pulmonary signs with no history of SM exposure and 20 healthy participants were included. Cell population and function of EPCs were assessed 4 years post-exposure. For this purpose, circulating EPCs (cEPCs) were harvested and cultivated, then the biological features of these cells, including migratory, proliferative, and tubulogenic activities were analyzed. We also measured serum antioxidants levels and mRNA levels of some proangiogenic factors in EPCs from SM-intoxicated patients.Results: Our results showed lesser number of cEPCs in patients exposed with SM, which was associated with decreased proliferative, migratory, and tubulogenic activity of these cells. Also, we found the lesser serum activity of SOD, GPX and MDA in the SM group than in the healthy control group.Conclusions: SM exposure resulted in decreased proliferation and migration of EPCs, which was associated with decreased tubule formation and angiogenic factors.