Background: Activity of 1,2-O-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase in serum shows good agreement with pancreatic lipase (cPL) in dogs. Although prednisolone therapy does not seem to affect serum cPL concentration, its influence on DGGR lipase is unclear.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of prednisolone therapy on DGGR lipase serum activity in dogs.
Animals: Thirty-four dogs were used, of which 17 dogs received prednisolone (study group) and 17 healthy dogs did not receive treatment.
Methods: A prospective cohort study measured DGGR lipase activity in both groups at 3 time points: T0, T1, and T2, corresponding to days 0, 7-10, and 21-30, respectively. Dogs from study group presented a medical reason that justified the use of prednisolone for at least 3 weeks. Initial prednisolone dose was .5-2.0 mg/kg/day PO with a reduction at T1 to a final dose that was maintained until T2. DGGR lipase activity >160 U/L was defined as clinically relevant.
Results: In the study group, DGGR lipase activity increased significantly from T0 to T1 (P = .02) and decreased significantly from T1 to T2 (P = .02). Median DGGR activity at each time point (T0, T1, and T2) was 24.74 (14.45-31.48), 36.82 (23.8-80.16), and 29.52 (15.91-48.48) U/L, respectively. In the control group, no significant changes were observed over time (P = .93). The DGGR lipase activity and prednisolone doses were not correlated for both T0-T1 (rs = .371, P = .14) and T1-T2 (rs = 0.390, P = .12).
Conclusion and clinical importance: DGGR lipase activity was affected by prednisolone administered orally in dogs. However, this variation was not clinically important as values remained below the relevant upper limit.
Keywords: corticosteroids; dog; laboratory diagnosis; pancreatitis.
© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.