Serum D-Lactate Concentrations in Dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Simple Summary In humans and animals, the D-enantiomer of lactic acid (D-lactate) is normally produced from bacterial fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract. During gastroenteric diseases, D-lactate can be produced in large quantities and absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. The purpose of the present study was to measure the serum D-lactate concentrations in dogs with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For this reason, the serum D-lactate concentrations were measured in 10 healthy dogs and 18 dogs with IBD using a commercially available colorimetric assay kit. Our results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the serum concentrations of D-lactate between dogs with various degrees of IBD and healthy dogs. Further studies are needed to understand potential factors able to influence the serum D-lactate concentrations in dogs affected by IBD. Abstract The D-enantiomer of lactic acid (D-lactate) is normally produced from bacterial fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract in mammals. In humans, increased D-lactate concentrations are related to gastrointestinal disease, including short bowel syndrome and malabsorptive syndrome. Similarly, increased D-lactate concentrations have been described in calves affected by diarrhea, in cats with gastrointestinal diseases, and in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. The purpose of the present study was to measure the serum D-lactate concentrations in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We retrospectively reviewed data from the database of the VTH of Perugia University, and dogs affected by IBD with serum samples stored at −80 °C were considered eligible for inclusion. A total of 18 dogs with IBD and 10 healthy dogs were included in the study. The dogs with IBD were divided into three subcategories based on the severity of the disease. Serum D-lactate concentrations (μM) were determined using a commercially available colorimetric assay kit (D-Lactate Colorimetric Assay Kit; Catalog #K667-100, BioVision Inc., Milpitas, CA, USA). Our results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the serum concentrations of D-lactate between dogs with various degrees of IBD and healthy dogs. However, the wide variability of the D-lactate concentrations in dogs with IBD and evidence of increased serum D-lactate concentrations in dogs with confirmed dysbiosis encourage further studies on this topic to understand potential factors influencing the serum D-lactate concentrations in dogs affected by IBD.