SDS-PAGE analysis of urinary proteins in dogs with heartworm disease
Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research.Volume 14, Issue 3, 2013, Pages 245-249
Beristain-Ruiz, D.M., Carretón, E., Rodríguez-Alarcón, C.A. , Montoya-Alonso, J.A., Barrera, R.
Abstract
The aim of the study was to describe the urinary electrophoretic pattern of dogs with heartworm disease. Urine samples from 15 heartworm-infected and 15 healthy dogs were taken. Urinary specific gravity, urinary protein concentration and the urine protein/creatinine (U P/C) ratio were determined. Urine proteins were fractionated using SDS-PAGE. Results showed statistically significant differences for the U P/C ratio (P<0.05) but not for USG and urinary protein concentrations (P>0.05) between groups. Urinary protein SDSPAGE analysis showed eight distinct bands in the urine of heartworm-infected dogs. The presence of proteins exclusively found in the urine of infected dogs suggests renal damage, even in cases of light proteinuria, indicating that SDS-PAGE is a sensitive method for the identification and characterisation of renal proteinuria in dogs with heartworm disease.
