Transthyretin in the Evaluation of Health and Disease in Human and Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

Transthyretin (also known as prealbumin) is an important transport protein, which plays an essential role in the binding of thyroid hormones and retinol with varying affinities in mammalian, as well as avian species. The determination of transthyretin concentrations may be used as a diagnostic tool for some disease conditions in humans, but is more often used as a nutritional marker to assess protein-calorie malnutrition and as prognostic indicator in critically ill patients. Transthyretin has shorter half-life (2-3 days) than that of albumin and belongs to negative acute phase proteins. This may complicate the use of transthyretin as a nutritional marker and the interpretation of results in the diagnosis of diseases. Although some studies have been carried out to determine the usefulness of transthyretin in selected disease conditions and disorders also in animals, it is a relatively rarely used parameter to evaluate health state and illness in veterinary medicine. The usefulness of transthyretin in the diagnosis of diseases and evaluation of nutritional status in humans and animals are reviewed in this article, including the laboratory assays available to measure its concentrations and the possible clinical application of the results, as well as its usefulness as a prognostic indicator in some disease conditions.

Faecal proteome in clinically healthy dogs and cats: Findings in pooled faeces from 10 cats and 10 dogs

“…22 In human medicine, a reduction in plasma transthyretin could be related to severe acute phase response to thyroid diseases, but in veterinary medicine its role is not completely elucidated. 23 The few studies performed in animals have shown a lower concentration of transthyretin in 1 month diarrheic calves compared with healthy controls and reduced plasma concentrations in Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis seropositive cows compared to healthy cattle. 23 Further studies are needed to understand the possible reason(s) behind the presence of transthyretin precursor in the faeces of clinically healthy cats.…”

“…23 The few studies performed in animals have shown a lower concentration of transthyretin in 1 month diarrheic calves compared with healthy controls and reduced plasma concentrations in Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis seropositive cows compared to healthy cattle. 23 Further studies are needed to understand the possible reason(s) behind the presence of transthyretin precursor in the faeces of clinically healthy cats. Conversely, DMBT1 protein-like (spots R and S) is a member of the superfamily cysteine-rich scavenger receptor.…”

Changes of total protein and protein fractions in broiler chickens during the fattening period

“…In our study, pre-albumin was in chickens visualized as a band anodic to the albumin fraction using agarose gel electrophoresis and its concentrations varied significantly among the different age groups of chickens with the highest mean relative value in those at the end of fattening (day 46). In chickens, the influence of age on the concentrations of pre-albumin during the growth is not described, but it seems that, similarly to mammals, its serum concentrations are associated with the recent nutritional status and reflect the balance between protein synthesis and degradation [8,11]. Regarding the concentrations of albumin, our results showed a trend of gradual increase with age being the highest on days 32 and 46 of fattening, thus helping to maintain the metabolic balance during the period of rapid growth.…”

Landscape condition influences energetics, reproduction, and stress biomarkers in grizzly bears

“…Table modified from Wilson et al, 2020. Category Protein Biomarker Reference Energetics Adiponectin Metabolic disease 32 Apolipoprotein B-100 Cardiovascular disease 34 Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein Inflammation and liver disease 44 Transthyretin Protein-calorie malnutrition 45 Reproduction Ceruloplasmin Pregnancy 35 , 46 Fetuin-B Female fertility 36 , 47 Serpin B5 (Maspin) Pregnancy-associated disorders 48 , 49 Stress Superoxide dismutase Inflammatory and infectious disease 50 Corticosteroid-binding globulin Acute and chronic inflammation 38 Complement C3 Impaired immune response 43 , 51 …”