Evaluación del proteinograma de un canino con síndrome de Cushing y proteinuria

Abstract

Albumin is the most abundant protein of the organism. In human serum a pre albumin (transthyretin) is mentioned. Its serum increment is related to the augmentation of synthesis mediated by cortisol and its decrease by changes in the hydration state. In this work, we present the results of a proteinogram from a patient with a glomerulopathy associated to Cushing's syndrome with total protein of 5.07 g/dl and albumin of 2 g/dl, with an albumin/globulin ratio of 0.59. For the electrophoretic proteinogram an acetate cellulose strip was used with sodic veronal buffer and amidoschwartz coloration, rendered transparent and submitted to densitometry. A fraction before albumin (7.6[%]) was observed. Both albumin (29.4[%]) and gamma globulin fractions (31[%]) were decreased. The alpha (14.9[%]) and beta (17[%]) fractions were between the normal ranges. In the urine electrophoresis only the albumin fraction was present. Two months after the initial diagnose the patient returned to the clinic with a severe dehydration with anuria. In the biochemistry assay, increment of urea (168 mg/dl) and creatinine (2.70 mg/dl) were observed. The owners decided to perform the euthanasia because of the renal complication and general condition of the pet. Cushing's syndrome in dogs could be accompanied by proteinuria with an incidence of 44 and 75[%]. Albumin and other low molecular weight proteins can be lost with urine, thus making the pre-albumin fraction detectable in serum. The clinical meaning of this fraction is not known yet, but we consider this finding of interest for those patients with Cushing's syndrome.