Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Oct 2023)

Preliminary study of neurofilament light chain as a biomarker for hypoxia-induced neuronal injury in dogs

  • Taesik Yun,
  • Yeon Chae,
  • Yoonhoi Koo,
  • Dohee Lee,
  • Hakhyun Kim,
  • Mhan-Pyo Yang,
  • Byeong-Teck Kang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1284306
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a neuroaxonal protein in the nervous system. NfL has recently been demonstrated to be a biomarker for various neurological diseases. In this study, we investigated the potential role of NfL in hypoxia-induced neuronal injury in dogs. Serum NfL levels were determined using a single-molecule array. Serum NfL concentrations were significantly higher in hypoxemic dogs without neurological signs (n = 6, 175.5 pg/mL) than in healthy dogs (n = 15, 15.9 pg/mL; p < 0.0001). Therefore, neuronal injury should be considered in dogs with hypoxemia caused by cardiopulmonary diseases, even in the absence of neurological signs.

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