Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D receptor, and vitamin D binding protein concentrations in dogs with acute pancreatitis compared to healthy control dogs

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have documented vitamin D imbalance in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP), but no studies have investigated serum vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D‐binding protein (VDBP) concentrations. OBJECTIVES: Compare serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), VDR, and VDBP concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with AP and identify correlations between these concentrations with ionized calcium, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and canine‐specific pancreatic lipase (Spec cPL) concentrations. ANIMALS: Twenty‐two dogs with AP and 20 healthy control dogs. METHODS: Prospective cross‐sectional study. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured using a chemiluminescence immunoassay, and VDR and VDBP concentrations were measured using a ELISA kit designed for dogs. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were lower in dogs with AP (mean ± SD, 66.1 ± 39.2 ng/mL) than in controls (96.8 ± 30.4 ng/mL; P = .01), and VDR concentrations were lower in dogs with AP (5.3 ± 3.5 ng/mL) than in controls (7.4 ± 2.5 ng/mL; P = .03). No difference was observed in serum VDBP concentrations between the groups. Serum VDR concentrations differed between survivors (median [interquartile range] = 6.6 [4.3‐8.2] ng/mL) and nonsurvivors (2.7 [0.5‐3.5] ng/mL; P = .01). Negative correlations were observed among serum VDR, CRP (r ( s ) = −0.55), and Spec cPL (r ( s ) = −0.47) concentrations in dogs with AP. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dogs with AP had lower serum 25(OH)D and VDR concentrations than controls. Additionally, our study suggests a potential role of VDR expression in the inflammatory process of AP in dogs.