Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea

Öz

This study aimed to comparatively evaluate alterations in homocysteine, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), blood gas, electrolyte, and acid-base parameters in diarrheic calves during the neonatal period relative to healthy calves, and to investigate the relationships among these parameters. Within the scope of the study, blood samples obtained from a total of 40 calves, comprising 20 diarrheic and 20 healthy animals, were analyzed using hematological, blood gas, and ELISA methodologies. Upon examining the findings, bicarbonate (〖"HCO" 〗_3^-) and base excess (BE) values were observed to be significantly lower, whereas the anion gap (AG) value was higher in the diarrheic group compared to the control group. It was determined that 〖"pCO" 〗_2 levels, reflecting acid-base compensation, decreased in the diarrheic group, and blood pH values were detected to be statistically significantly lower in the diarrheic group than in the control group (p=0.020). Regarding electrolyte levels, no significant difference was identified between the groups. Furthermore, the NLR, a systemic inflammation indicator, increased prominently in diarrheic calves; conversely, homocysteine levels were lower compared to healthy calves, and a positive correlation was identified between homocysteine and BE. In conclusion, it is indicated that metabolic acidosis and systemic inflammation develop at the cellular level in diarrheic calves; however, despite the compensatory respiratory response provided by the decreased 〖"pCO" 〗_2, the blood pH value could not be stabilized, leading to a clinical acidemia profile. Accompanied by an electrolyte profile suggesting that renal perfusion was preserved, the lower homocysteine levels are evaluated to potentially stem from the suppression of this molecule's synthesis by the tissue-level acidosis profile.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Acid-base balance
• Blood gases
• Homocysteine
• Neonatal diarrhea
• NLR

Etik Beyan

This study was conducted with the approval of the Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments at Afyon Kocatepe University (Ref. No: 49533702/51).

Neonatal İshalli Buzağılarda Homosistein, Nötrofil/Lenfosit Oranı ve Asit-Baz Parametreleri Arasındaki İlişkilerin Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Bu çalışmada, neonatal dönemdeki ishalli buzağılarda homosistein, nötrofil/lenfosit oranı, kan gazı, elektrolit ve asit-baz parametrelerindeki değişimlerin sağlıklı buzağılarla karşılaştırmalı olarak değerlendirilmesi ve parametreler arası ilişkilerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında 20 ishalli ve 20 sağlıklı olmak üzere toplam 40 buzağıdan kan örnekleri alınarak hematolojik, kan gazı ve ELISA yöntemleriyle analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular incelendiğinde, ishalli grupta bikarbonat (HCO₃⁻) ve baz açığı (BE) değerlerinin anlamlı düzeyde düşük, anyon açığı (AG) değerinin ise kontrol grubuna kıyasla yüksek olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Asit-baz kompanzasyonunu yansıtan pCO2 seviyelerinin ishalli grupta düştüğü, kan pH değerlerinin ise ishalli grupta kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı derecede düşük saptandığı (p=0.020) tespit edilmiştir. Elektrolit düzeylerinde ise gruplar arası anlamlı bir farklılık olmadığı belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, sistemik yangı indikatörü NLR'nin ishalli buzağılarda belirgin şekilde arttığı, buna karşın homosistein düzeylerinin sağlıklı buzağılara göre daha düşük olduğu ve homosistein ile BE arasında pozitif yönlü bir korelasyon bulunduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, ishalli buzağılarda hücresel düzeyde metabolik asidoz ve sistemik yangı geliştiğine, ancak azalan pCO2 ile sağlanan kompansatör solunum yanıtına rağmen kan pH değerinin dengelenemediğine ve klinik asidemi tablosunun oluştuğuna işaret edilmektedir. Böbrek perfüzyonunun korunduğunu düşündüren elektrolit tablosu eşliğinde saptanan düşük homosistein seviyelerinin ise, doku düzeyindeki asidoz tablosunun bu molekülün sentezini baskılamasından kaynaklanabileceği değerlendirilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Asit-baz dengesi
• Homosistein
• Kan gazları
• Neonatal ishal
• NLR

Etik Beyan

u çalışma, Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Yerel Hayvan Deneyleri Etik Kurulu'nun onayıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir (Referans No: 49533702/51).

Kaynakça

1. Akyüz, E., Sezer, M., Kuru, M., & Naseri, A. (2022). *Changes in hematology, some clinical biochemical parameters and mineral levels in neonatal calves with sepsis due to diarrhea.* Van Veterinary Journal, 33(1), 26-30. https://doi.org/10.36483/vanvetj.1066050
2. Arnadotir, M., Hultberg, B., Nilsson-Ehle, P., Thysell, H. (1996). *The effect reduced glomerular filtration rate on plasma total homocysteine concentration.* Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, 56(1), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.3109/00365519609088586
3. Aydoğdu, U., Baydar, E., & Kaan Ünal, B. (2024). *Evaluation of fecal calprotectin levels in neonatal calves with diarrhea.* Veterinarski arhiv, 94(6), 441-448. https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.2439
4. Boccardo, A., Sala, G., Ferrulli, V., & Pravettoni, D. (2021). *Cut-off values for predictors associated with outcome in dairy calves suffering from neonatal calf diarrhea. A retrospective study of 605 cases.* Livestock Science, 245(3), 104407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104407
5. César Betancur, H., Martínez A, Y., & Cruz M, L. (2015). *Physiology of acid-base balance in bovines with diarrhea backgrounds from Monteria, Colombia.* Revista MVZ Córdoba, 20(2), 4591-4601. https://doi.org/10.21897/rmvz.62
6. Chauveau, P., Chadefaux, B., Coude, M., Aupetit, J., Hannedouche, T., Kamoun, P., Jungers, P. (1993). *Hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for atherosclerosis in chronic uremic patients.* Kidney International Supplement, 41, 72-77.
7. Constable, P. D., Hinchcliff, K. W., Done, S. H., & Grünberg, W. (2017). *Veterinary Medicine: A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, and Goats* (11th ed.). Elsevier.
8. Çayır, C., & Kozat, S. (2016). *Investigation of homocysteine levels in healthy dogs.* Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, 4(3), 305-310. https://doi.org/10.15744/2348-9790.4.305

9. Ekinci, G., Tüfekçi, E., Cissé, Y., Bekdik, İ. K., Onmaz, A. C., Aslan, Ö., Güneş, V., Çitil, M., & Keleş, İ. (2024). *Chloride and lactate as prognostic indicators of calf diarrhea from eighty-nine cases.* Journal of Veterinary Science, 25(3), e38. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.23155
10. Freitas, M. D. (2021). *Avaliação dos parâmetros clínicos e de patologia clínica em bezerros naturalmente infectados com diarréia neonatal.* [Doctoral dissertation]. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.
11. Gomez, D. E., Li, L., Goetz, H., MacNicol, J., Gamsjaeger, L., & Renaud, D. L. (2022). *Calf diarrhea is associated with a shift from obligated to facultative anaerobes and expansion of lactate-producing bacteria.* Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 846383. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.846383
12. Gultekin, M., Voyvoda, H., Ural, K., Erdogan, H., Balikci, C., & Gultekin, G. (2019). *Plasma citrulline, arginine, nitric oxide, and blood ammonia levels in neonatal calves with acute diarrhea.* Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 33(2), 987-998. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15459
13. Guzelbektes, H., Coskun, A., & Sen, I. (2007). *Relationship between the degree of dehydration and the balance of acid-based changes in dehydrated calves with diarrhoea.* Bulletin-Veterinary Institute in Pulawy, 51(1), 83-87.
14. Kozat, S., Özkan, C., & Okman, E. N. (2021). *Evaluation of homocysteine levels in neonatal calves with diarrhea.* Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, 27(3), 271-277. https://doi.org/10.9775/kvfd.2020.
15. Lee, S. H., Choi, E. W., & Kim, D. (2020). *Relationship between the values of blood parameters and physical status in Korean native calves with diarrhea.* Journal of Veterinary Science, 21(2), e17. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e17
16. Long, Y., & Nie, J. (2016). *Homocysteine in renal injury.* Kidney Diseases, 2(2), 80-87. https://doi.org/10.1159/000444900
17. Sayar, E., & Keles, I. (2024). *Investigation of the diagnostic and prognostic importance of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alfa (TNF-α), Procalcitonin (PCT), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Haptoglobin (HP) in calves with neonatal diarrhea.* Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 277, 110837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2024.110837
18. Sayers, R. G., Kennedy, A., Krump, L., Sayers, G. P., & Kennedy, E. (2016). *An observational study using blood gas analysis to assess neonatal calf diarrhea and subsequent recovery with a European Commission-compliant oral electrolyte solution.* Journal of Dairy Science, 99(6), 4647-4655. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10600
19. Shehta, A., El-Zahar, H., Mansour, A., Mustafa, B., & Shety, T. (2022). *Clinical, hematological and some biochemical alterations during diarrhea in Friesian calves naturally infected with E. coli and Salmonella.* Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 11(1), 128. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088-022-00309-w
20. Sobiech, P., Żarczyńska, K., Snarska, A., Rękawek, W., Ali, M., Targoński, R., & Stopyra, A. (2013). *Changes in blood acid-base balance parameters and coagulation profile during diarrhea in calves.* Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 16(3), 543-549. https://doi.org/10.2478/pjvs-2013-0075
21. Still, R. A., & McDowell, I. F. (1998). *Clinical implications of plasma homocysteine measurement in cardiovascular disease.* Journal of Clinical Pathology, 51, 183-188. https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.51.3.183
22. Trefz, F. M., Constable, P. D., & Lorenz, I. (2015). *Quantitative physicochemical analysis of acid-base balance and clinical utility of anion gap and strong ion gap in 806 neonatal calves with diarrhea.* Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 29(2), 678-687. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12556
23. Trefz, F. M., Constable, P. D., Sauter-Louis, C., Lorch, A., Knubben-Schweizer, G., & Lorenz, I. (2013). *Hyperkalemia in neonatal diarrheic calves depends on the degree of dehydration and the cause of the metabolic acidosis but does not require the presence of acidemia.* Journal of Dairy Science, 96(11), 7234-7244. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-6945
24. Van Guldener, C., Stam, F., & Stehouwer, C. D. A. (2001). *Homocysteine metabolism in renal failure.* Kidney International, 59(Suppl. 78), S234-S237. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1755.2001.59780234.x