2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Romy Heilmann 1 , Niels Gr€ utzner 2 , James Barr 1 , Brittany Thames 1 , Jan Suchodolski 1 , J€ org Steiner 1 . 1 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA, 2 Vetsuisse University Bern, Bern, BE, Switzerland Alpha 1 -proteinase inhibitor, which is mainly synthesized by hepatocytes, is a major serum proteinase inhibitor that protects the body from the detrimental effects of neutrophil proteinases. In contrast to humans, canine a 1 -PI (ca 1 -PI) has not convincingly been demonstrated to be an acute-phase protein. This may be due to its species-specific physiologic and pathophysiologic role. However, serum ca 1 -PI concentrations were increased in a group of dogs with pancreatitis, a disease process that is often associated with an activation of the systemic inflammatory cascade. Dogs with protein-losing diseases on the other hand were shown to have decreased serum ca 1 -PI concentrations. Evaluation of ca 1 -PI in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) would further our understanding of its pathophysiologic role. Therefore, this study investigated serum ca 1 -PI concentrations in dogs with SIRS or sepsis.