Histopathological study of canine liver and kidney and their relationship with blood and postmortem aqueous humour samples concentrations of urea, creatinine, proteins and enzymes activities (ALT and SAP)

Abstract

The goal of this study was to characterize histopathological lesions of the liver and kidney of canines, and their relationship with blood and postmortem samples of aqueous humor concentrations of urea, creatinine, proteins and ALT and SAP plasmatic activity.

Thirty one animals were used in this study. They did not have clinical history of hepatic or renal diseases. Plasma samples were obtained before euthanasia. A sample of aqueous humor was obtained from the right eye of each dog just after euthanasia and a similar sample was obtained 24 hours later from the left eye. Urea, creatinine and protein concentrations and plasmatic activity of ALT and SAP were determined and samples of liver and kidney were obtained at postmortem and preserved in formaline (10%). Histophatological findings were characterized according to the following scale: none (0), mild (I), moderate (II), marked (III) and severe (IV).

The results showed that all dogs have some degree of renal and hepatic damage (R.D.L. and H.D.L. respectively). Glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis were found in 100% and 88% of cases, respectively. Histophatological findings of circulatory type were the main changes found in the liver (100%), characterized mainly by diffuse congestion (63.3%).

The values of urea, creatinine and proteins concentration and ALT and SAP activity were higher in plasma than in aqueous humour, but there was not a correlation between them, with exception of urea (c = 0.99). In addition, there was not a significant correlation between histophatological findings and plasmatic values studied.