Veterinary Student Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, United States
Abstract:
Background: Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) is a negative regulator of muscle growth and is increased in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It has not been evaluated in cats with CKD.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate if the concentrations of GDF-8 in cats with early International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stages of CKD are increased compared to healthy cats. Animals: Fifteen cats with CKD (5 IRIS stage 1, 10 IRIS stage 2) and 10 healthy control cats.
Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Serum GDF-8 was measured using a commercially available multispecies sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations of GDF-8 concentrations with age, sex, body weight, body condition score, muscle condition score (MCS), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, symmetric dimethylarginine, phosphorus, and urine specific gravity were also examined.
Results: GDF-8 was not different amongst healthy cats (2137 ±740 pg/mL) and cats with IRIS stage 1 (1785 ±530 pg/mL) and IRIS stage 2 (1961 ±638 pg/mL; P = 0.608) CKD. GDF-8 was negatively correlated to MCS (r = -0.517, P = 0.049), but no association was found between GDF-8 and the other selected renal parameters. However, age was significantly higher in IRIS stage 2 CKD cats compared to the healthy cats (P = 0.036), and GDF-8 was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.429, P = 0.032). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: GDF-8 could be a marker for muscle mass. Further evaluation of the functional role of GDF-8 with age and CKD in cats is warranted.
