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Fecal α 1 ‐Proteinase Inhibitor Concentration in Dogs Receiving Long‐Term Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drug Therapy
Author(s) -
Murphy K. F.,
German A. J.,
Ruaux C. G.,
Steiner J. M.,
Williams D. A.,
Hall E. J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2003.tb00326.x
Subject(s) - meloxicam , carprofen , gastroenterology , feces , enteropathy , medicine , gastrointestinal tract , adverse effect , inflammatory bowel disease , alpha (finance) , pharmacology , disease , biology , surgery , patient satisfaction , paleontology , construct validity
Background: Fecal α 1 ‐proteinase inhibitor (α 1 ‐PI) clearance is a reliable, noninvasive marker for protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) in human beings. An assay for measurement of this protein in the dog has been developed and validated and may be useful for the investigation of gastrointestinal disease in this species. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) frequently are administered to dogs and may have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract, including gastroduodenal ulceration and altered mucosal permeability. The value of fecal α 1 ‐PI measurement in detecting unrelated gastrointestinal disease may be limited in dogs on NSAID therapy, but α 1 ‐PI may be a useful marker for NSAID‐induced gastrointestinal damage. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long‐term administration of NSAIDs on fecal α 1 ‐PI concentrations in dogs. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 2 groups of dogs: 1) 21 clinically‐healthy client‐owned dogs without signs of gastrointestinal disease and receiving no NSAIDs and 2) 7 dogs referred for investigation and treatment of orthopedic disorders; the dogs had received either meloxicam or carprofen daily for at least 30 days. Fecal α 1 ‐PI concentration was measured by ELISA. Results: Fecal α 1 ‐PI concentrations, expressed as μg/g of feces, were not significantly different between groups 1 and 2 (median [range], group 1: 9.9 μg/g [0.0–32.1 μg/g]; group 2: 5.6 μg/g [1.1–32.3 μg/g]; P = .81). Conclusions: These results suggest that use of cyclooxygenase‐2‐selective NSAIDs, such as carprofen and meloxicam, does not significantly affect fecal α 1 ‐PI measurements. However, study numbers were small, and larger prospective trials are required to assess more accurately the gastrointestinal effects of NSAIDs in dogs.