Potential mechanism for hyperhomocysteinemia in Greyhound dogs

Abstract

Background: Greyhounds have been reported to have hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC), but the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications are unclear. Hypothesis: Our primary aim was to assess serum concentrations of homocysteine (HCy) and related analytes in Greyhounds and to identify a likely metabolic pathway for HHC. A secondary aim was to determine whether HHC is associated with evidence of oxidative stress. Animals: Healthy pet Greyhounds (n = 31) and non-sighthound control dogs (n = 15). Methods: Analysis of serum HCy, cobalamin, folate, and methionine, and plasma cysteine, glutathione, and total 8-isoprostane concentrations. Results: Homocysteine concentrations were higher in Greyhounds (median, 25.0 μmol/L) compared to controls (13.9 μmol/L; P