Chronic inflammation alters lipoprotein metabolism and causes changes in the serum concentrations of lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and paraoxonase-1 activity (PON-1), an enzyme that may act as a local detoxifier, antioxidant, and immunomodulator in the gastrointestinal tract. Scarce information is available in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy secondary to chronic enteropathy (iPLE). The first aim was to describe and compare the lipid profiles, CRP concentrations and PON-1 activities in healthy dogs and in dogs with iPLE. The second aim was to evaluate correlations among clinicopathological, histologic data and lipid profiles in dogs with iPLE. Serum samples from 51 iPLE and 40 healthy dogs were used to study albumin, total protein, CRP, PON-1 activity, cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein classes. Serum concentrations of albumin, total protein, cholesterol, PON-1 activity, and high-density and very-low-density lipoproteins were lower in iPLE dogs compared to healthy controls, while those of triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, chylomicrons and CRP were higher. Significant correlations between the lipid profile and the existing chronic enteropathy activity index were not found. High-density and low-density lipoproteins correlated with CRP and PON-1. Triglycerides were significantly higher in dogs with both inflammation and lymphangiectasia. The results need to be confirmed in further studies.

Background: Chronic intestinal inflammation in dogs is common worldwide; however, it can be very difficult to manage and predict clinical response to different treatment protocols. Aim: This retrospective analysis included 148 dogs with chronic intestinal inflammation with the aim to describe different treatment protocols and their impact on clinical response and identify potential predictors of treatment failure. Methods: Of the 148 dogs, 53 were classified as having presumptive inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy (IRE-PLE). The factors associated with treatment failure were also analyzed. Clinical severity (CCECAI), serum albumin concentration, type of immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolone vs prednisolone in combination with cyclosporine or chlorambucil), type of diet (hydrolyzed protein, restricted antigen, highly digestible, restricted fat), and cobalamin supplementation were evaluated at diagnosis (T0) and after 1 (T1) and 6 (T6) months. CCECAI at T1 and T6 were used to evaluate the short- and medium-term response, respectively. Results: A total of 113 dogs (33.6% IRE-PLE) received prednisolone. Twenty-one dogs (28.6% IRE-PLE) received prednisolone and cyclosporine, whereas 14 dogs (64.3% IRE-PLE) received prednisolone and chlorambucil. Ninety-five (41% IRE-PLE) received cobalamin supplementation. Hydrolyzed protein and restricted antigen diets were most commonly prescribed. At T1 and T6, 79% and 59.5% of dogs were responders (24.8% and 15.9% IRE-PLE), and 21% and 27% (79.3% and 72.5% IRE-PLE) were nonresponders, respectively. The median CCECAI scores were 2 (IQR 4) and 0 (IQR 2) at T1 and T6, respectively. Conclusion: Most dogs showed favorable clinical outcomes, although a subset did not respond to treatment at short- and medium-term follow-up. Most deaths or euthanasia occurred within 1 month of diagnosis. The therapeutic response was not influenced by the type of immunosuppressive protocol, but rather by the presence of hypoalbuminemia, hypocobalaminemia, and the need for a home-cooked restricted fat diet.

Chronic inflammation alters lipoprotein metabolism and causes changes in serum concentrations of lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and paraoxonase-1 activity (PON-1), an enzyme, which in the gastrointestinal tract may act as a local detoxifier, antioxidant, and immunomodulator. However, unlike in people with inflammatory bowel disease, scarce information is available in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy secondary to chronic inflammatory enteropathy (iPLE). The first aim was to describe and compare the lipid profile, CRP concentrations and PON-1 activity in healthy dogs and in dogs with iPLE. The second aim was to evaluate correlations among clinicopathological, histologic data, and lipid profiles in dogs with iPLE. Serum samples from 51 iPLE and 40 healthy dogs were used to study albumin, total protein, CRP, PON-1 activity, cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein classes obtained by electrophoretic separation. There was a significant difference of all serum analytes between iPLE and healthy dogs. Significant correlations between the lipid profile and the existing chronic enteropathy activity index were not found. Some lipoprotein classes correlated with CRP and PON-1. Triglycerides were significantly higher in dogs with both inflammation and lymphangiectasia. Lipoproteins, CRP and PON-1 activity are altered in dogs with iPLE. Results need to be confirmed in further studies.

Alterations in fat-soluble vitamins are well documented in humans with inflammatory bowel disease; however, data in dogs with chronic enteropathy and inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy (iPLE) are limited. This prospective case–control study compared serum concentrations of vitamins A, D, and E metabolites in dogs with iPLE and healthy controls and evaluated associations with selected clinicopathological variables at diagnosis (T0) and after one month of therapy (T1). Fifty-eight dogs with iPLE and 50 healthy dogs were enrolled. Twenty dogs with iPLE were available for evaluation at T1. iPLE was defined by chronic gastrointestinal signs, hypoalbuminemia of gastrointestinal origin, and histologic evidence of benign intestinal inflammation with or without lymphangiectasia. Serum retinol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and α-tocopherol concentrations were measured by HPLC at T0 and T1. At T0, all vitamin concentrations were significantly lower in iPLE dogs (p < 0.0001). A weak positive correlation was found between retinol and α-tocopherol concentrations. No differences were observed according to treatment, diet, or histopathologic findings. At T1, retinol concentrations increased (p = 0.01), whereas vitamin D and E metabolite concentrations did not. Dogs fed homemade low-fat diets had lower vitamin D concentrations. These findings indicate decreased serum concentrations of multiple fat-soluble vitamins in dogs with iPLE, suggesting altered fat-soluble vitamin homeostasis, with only partial recovery after treatment.