Frontiers in Veterinary Science | October 12, 2023

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

Front. Vet. Sci., 12 October 2023

https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1284306

Abstract

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.