Evaluation of changes in some enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in cats with feline panleukopenia

Abstract

Feline panleukopenia is a serious contagious viral disease of cats that has been identified as the causative agent of death in 25% of kittens sent for pathological examination. Antioxidant systems are one of the very important defense systems of body. The aim of the current study was to evaluate changes in serum levels of Vitamin D, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in cats infected with panleukopenia virus. Ten healthy male cats and ten male cats with clinical and laboratory symptoms of panleukopenia with a mean age of 6±2 months were selected. The Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were measured by the ELISA method and vitamin D was assayed by chromatography in serum. There was no statistically significant difference between the level of superoxide dismutase in the healthy cats and those with feline panleukopenia virus infection (P=0.243) Significant decreases were observed in the levels of vitamin D (P=0.000) and glutathione peroxidase enzyme (P=0.009) in the infected cats in comparison to the healthy group. These findings demonstrate an association between oxidative stress and Feline panleukopenia disease. It is possible to prevent panleukopenia virus infection in cats and accelerate its treatment by strengthening the components of the host antioxidant system.