Identification of variants of the SPINK1 gene and their association with pancreatitis in Miniature Schnauzers

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the serine protease inhibitor, Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) gene for variants and to determine their possible association with pancreatitis in Miniature Schnauzers.

ANIMALS

39 Miniature Schnauzers with pancreatitis, 25 healthy Miniature Schnauzers, and 23 healthy dogs of other breeds.

PROCEDURES

The entire canine SPINK1 gene with its intron-exon boundaries was initially sequenced in 22 Miniature Schnauzers. Then, 2 regions of the gene were sequenced in 65 additional canine DNA samples at the locations of variants identified in the initial sequencing of the entire SPINK1 gene.

RESULTS

Analysis of the SPINK1 gene in Miniature Schnauzers revealed 3 closely associated variants in healthy Miniature Schnauzers and Miniature Schnauzers with pancreatitis. These variants consisted of 2 missense mutations in the second exon (N20K and N25T) and a poly T insertion in the third intron that was near the boundary of exon 3 (IVS3+26-27ins(T)33-39,15_61dup11). Pancreatitis was significantly associated with homozygous alleles for these 3 variants in Miniature Schnauzers. In healthy dogs of other breeds, only the 2 exon variants were identified.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Variants of the SPINK1 gene may be associated with the development of pancreatitis in Miniature Schnauzers.

Investigation of hypertriglyceridemia in healthy Miniature Schnauzers

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic hypertriglyceridemia has been reported in Miniature Schnauzers (MS). However, studies investigating the prevalence of this disorder in a large population of MS are lacking.

HYPOTHESIS

Hypertriglyceridemia is prevalent in healthy MS.

ANIMALS

This study used 192 healthy MS and 38 healthy dogs of other breeds (control dogs).

METHODS

Serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were measured and statistically compared in both the MS and control group. Dogs were categorized based on their age, and median serum triglyceride concentrations were compared among different age groups.

RESULTS

A total of 63 (32.8%) of the 192 MS had serum triglyceride concentrations above the reference range. In contrast, of the 38 control dogs, only 2 (5.3%) had serum triglyceride concentrations above the reference range. The median serum triglyceride concentration in MS was 73.5 mg/dL, which was significantly higher as compared to that of the control group (median, 55 mg/dL; P = .0005). Serum cholesterol concentration was above the reference range in 9 (9.0%) of 100 MS and in 2 (5.3%) of the control dogs. Mean serum cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .1374). Median serum triglyceride concentrations in MS increased significantly with age (P < .0001), and there was a significant positive correlation between serum triglyceride concentrations and age (Spearman r = 0.47; P < .0001). There was no difference in serum triglyceride concentrations between male and female MS (P = .48).

CONCLUSION

Healthy MS have a high prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia as compared to healthy dogs of other breeds. Both the prevalence and severity of hypertriglyceridemia increase with age.