BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to prove the hypothesis that C-reactive protein (CRP) and nerve growth factor (NGF) may be potential biomarkers for lower urinary tract disorders and may be able to distinguish between micturition dysfunctions of different origin in dogs with spinal cord diseases. NGF- and CRP- concentrations were measured in serum and urine samples using specific ELISA-Kits. Results in urine were standardized by urine-creatinine levels.ResultsCRP in serum was detectable in 32/76 and in urine samples in 40/76 patients. NGF could be measured in all serum and in 70/76 urine samples. Urinary CRP concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with micturition dysfunction (p = 0.0009) and in dogs with different neurological diseases (p = 0.0020) compared to the control group. However, comparing dogs with spinal cord disorders with and without associated micturition dysfunction no significant difference could be detected for NGF and CRP values in urine or serum samples. Additionally, levels did not decrease significantly, when measured at the time when the dogs regained the ability to urinate properly (urinary NGF p = 0.7962; urinary CRP p = 0.078). Urine samples with bacteria and/or leukocytes had no significant increase in urinary NGF (p = 0.1112) or CRP (p = 0.0534) concentrations, but higher CRP-levels in urine from dogs with cystitis were found compared to dogs without signs of cystitis.ConclusionsFrom these data we conclude that neither CRP nor NGF in urine or serum can be considered as reliable biomarkers for micturition disorders in dogs with spinal cord disorders in a clinical setting, but their production might be part of the pathogenesis of such disorders. Significantly higher levels of CRP could be found in the urine of dogs with micturition dysfunctions compared to control dogs. This phenomenon could potentially be explained by unspecific extrahepatic CRP production by smooth muscle cells in the dilated bladder.

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Single urine voidings were collected twice a week in the clinical course of 12 low-birth-weight infants (gestational age: 31.8 ± 2.8 weeks; birth weight: 1,383 ± 308 g) and analyzed for 3-methylhistidine and creatinine. The mean 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio for 6 healthy, well-fed, growing low-birth-weight infants was 20.2 ± 1.9 µmol/mmol. In the clinical course of single individuals a rise of urinary 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio was observed in cases of acute infection and/or low energy supply ( < 100 kcal/kg/day) frequently coupled with insufficient weight gain. Mean 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratios in infants with hyaline membrane syndrome under artificial respiration were generally higher than in the controls matched for energy supply.

3-Methylhistidine and creatinine concentrations were determined in 45 24-hour urine samples collected in 380 single voidings from 23 preterm infants (gestational age: 30–36 weeks, median: 33 weeks; birth weight: 1,613 ± 219 g; age: 9–83 days postpartum) and from 7 infants small for gestational age (birth weight: 2,061 ± 203 g; age: 2–30 days postpartum). Statistical analysis shows that diurnal variations of the ratio 3-methylhistidine/creatinine are negligible. The variability of this ratio is chiefly caused by differences in excretion on different collection dates and is probably due to differences in the metabolic state. Hence the determination of 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio in single voidings is sufficient even in low-birth-weight infants. In our collective the mean 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio for healthy, well-growing low-birth-weight infants (n = 21) was 19.6 ± 2.3 µmol/mmol. Infants with stagnating or decreasing weight (n = 5) showed 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratios clearly above that of the normal group.

Within the scope of an observation study 40 premature low birth weight infants requiring parenteral nutrition received either 10% or 20% lipid emulsions (Lipovenös) for 7 days. The 10% lipid emulsion differs from the 20% lipid emulsion in the higher phospholipid/triglyceride-ratio (0.06 resp. 0.12). Lipid infusion was commenced at 0.5 g triglyceride/kg/24 hours and increased steadily to 2 g triglyceride/kg/24 hours. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of the two intravenously administered lipid emulsions on serum clearance. The serum concentrations of triglyceride and cholesterol did not change significantly during the infusion with 20% Lipovenös. Significant increases in the triglyceride and cholesterol content were observed only in the serum of the patients who were given the 10% Lipovenös. The reduced lipid serum clearance is attributable to the higher content of phospholipids in the 10% lipid emulsion. With regard to the risk of high cholesterol concentrations and an abnormal LPX serum accumulation, administration of 20% lipid emulsion is preferable to 10% lipid emulsion, also during the neonatal period.