News Notes

New AKI Marker Found

Symetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations seem to correlate with creatinine concentrations in dehydrated horses, and they could be a biomarker for kidney injury.

A prospective cohort study explored the correlation between SDMA and the level of dehydration against traditional renal biomarkers, as well as its prognostic use as a biomarker of early renal injury. Serum SDMA, creatinine and urea concentrations and renal function analysis were measured in 41 horses with dehydration at 4 points until 48 hours after admission.

Horses were grouped into mildly, moderately and severely dehydrated groups.

SDMA concentrations at admission correlated with creatinine concentrations (r=0.412; P <0.001). Differences in SDMA concentrations at admission were detected among dehydration levels but not between survivors and non-survivors.

Significant correlations of SDMA concentrations with other markers of renal function analysis and shortterm outcome were not seen. Only 1 of the horses developed acute kidney injury, which made the evaluation of the predictive value of SDMA difficult.

Use of SDMA as a prognostic biomarker warrants further research, the researchers said.

For more information:

Lo H-C, Winter JC, Merle R, Gehlen H. Symmetric dimethylarginine and renal function analysis in horses with dehydration. Equine Vet J 2021. https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.13484