Association of serum calprotectin (S100A8/A9) concentrations and idiopathic hyperlipidemia in Miniature Schnauzers

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic hyperlipidemia (IH) is a common condition in Miniature Schnauzers (MS). Studies in people have linked IH to low‐grade inflammation, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IH complications. The role of inflammation in MS with IH is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the inflammatory markers serum calprotectin and S100A12 in MS with IH and in response to dietary intervention for IH management. ANIMALS: One‐hundred fifty clinically healthy MS. METHODS: Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, calprotectin, and S100A12 concentrations were measured before and after placing the dogs on an ultra‐low fat diet. RESULTS: Hypertriglyceridemia (HTGL, P < .001) and hypercholesterolemia (HCHOL, P = .01) were independently associated with increased serum calprotectin but not S100A12 concentrations. Compared to normolipidemic MS, serum calprotectin concentrations were significantly higher in MS with HTGL (P < .001) or combined hyperlipidemia (P = .02), but not those with isolated HCHOL (P = 1.0000). Presence (P = .005) and severity (P = .003) of HTGL and serum cholesterol concentrations (P = .04) decreased in MS with IH within 14‐26 weeks after being placed on the ultra‐low fat diet, but neither serum calprotectin nor S100A12 concentrations changed significantly with this dietary intervention. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Subclinical (low‐grade) inflammation appears to be present in some MS with IH, and an ultra‐low fat diet does not decrease serum concentrations of inflammatory proteins in those dogs. Whether this presumed inflammatory phenotype in MS with IH is associated with the development of IH complications (eg, insulin resistance) requires further research.