Authors: Geddes R., Finch N., Elliott J., Syme H.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, March-April 2013; 27(2): 234-41.
doi: 10.1111/jvim.12044
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Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is a phosphaturic hormone involved in the pathogenesis of secondary renal hyperparathyroidism (SRHP) in humans. There are no published studies examining feline FGF-23.
Validation of a method for FGF-23 quantification in feline plasma and assessment of the associations among plasma FGF-23, PTH, creatinine, and phosphate concentrations in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
One hundred nonazotemic and azotemic geriatric (>9 years) client-owned cats.
Retrospective cross-sectional study: Cats were categorized into 4 groups: control group (plasma creatinine (Cr) ≤2.0 mg/dL), stage 2 (Cr 2.1–2.8 mg/dL), stage 3 (Cr 2.9–5.0 mg/dL), stage 4 (Cr >5.0 mg/dL). Stages 2 and 3 were further subdivided based on International Renal Interest Society targets for plasma phosphate concentration (PO4): stage 2a (PO4 ≤4.5 mg/dL), stage 2b (PO4 >4.5 mg/dL), stage 3a (PO4 ≤5 mg/dL), stage 3b (PO4 >5 mg/dL). Plasma FGF-23 concentrations were measured by a human intact FGF-23 ELISA. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were performed.
The ELISA demonstrated acceptable precision, reproducibility, and specificity. Plasma FGF-23 concentrations increased with increasing plasma creatinine concentrations and were significantly different between all groups (P < .008). Plasma FGF-23 concentrations were significantly higher in cats in stage 2b than stage 2a (P = .008) and in stage 3b than in stage 3a (P = .012). Phosphate, log creatinine, total calcium, log parathyroid hormone, and packed cell volume were all independent predictors of FGF-23.
FGF-23 concentrations increase with increasing stage of feline CKD and might be a marker or mediator of feline SRHP.