Serum homocysteine and methylmalonic acid concentrations in Chinese Shar-Pei dogs with cobalamin deficiency

Cobalamin deficiency is suspected to be hereditary in Chinese Shar-Pei dogs (Shar-Peis), and inherited causes of cobalamin deficiency may affect the cellular processing of cobalamin. In humans, a defect of the two main cobalamin-dependent intracellular enzymes (i.e., methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase) may lead to hyperhomocysteinemia and hypermethylmalonic acidemia. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate serum homocysteine (HCY) and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in cobalamin-deficient Shar-Peis and dogs of six other breeds. Serum samples (n = 297) from cobalamin-deficient dogs (Shar-Peis, German Shepherd dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Yorkshire Terriers, Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, and Beagles) were analyzed for serum HCY and MMA concentrations. A Fisher’s exact test was used to evaluate if cobalamin deficiency in Shar-Peis is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. HCY and MMA concentrations were higher in cobalamin-deficient Shar-Peis compared to cobalamin-deficient dogs of the six other breeds (P < 0.0001). Hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with cobalamin deficiency in Shar-Peis (P = 0.009). In addition, serum HCY and MMA concentrations did not differ between cobalamin-deficient German Shepherd dogs with and without exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a potential cause of secondary cobalamin deficiency. These findings suggest that the function of the two intracellular cobalamin-dependent enzymes is impaired in Shar-Peis with cobalamin deficiency.