Preliminary evaluation of hepatitis A virus cell receptor 1/kidney injury molecule 1 in healthy horses treated with phenylbutazone

Objectives: To investigate if hepatitis A virus cell receptor 1/kidney injury molecule 1 (HAVCR1/KIM1) in urine is detectable concurrently with increases in serum creatinine concentrations in horses receiving a recommended dose of phenylbutazone (PBZ) for 7 days.

Design: Preliminary study.

Methods: Ten clinically healthy horses with normal physical examination and laboratory work were randomly assigned to PBZ or placebo groups (5 each). The PBZ group received PBZ at 4.4 mg/kg mixed with corn syrup orally every 12 hours. The placebo group received corn syrup orally every 12 hours. Both groups were treated for 7 days. Kidney ultrasonography was performed, and venous blood and urine samples were collected prior to commencement and at the end of treatment. Samples from 1 additional healthy horse, 3 horses with acute kidney failure, and 1 horse with chronic kidney failure were also evaluated.

Results: None of the 10 horses had detectable HAVCR1/KIM1 in urine at baseline. Serum creatinine concentrations in placebo group did not increase, and HAVCR1/KIM1 was undetectable in urine. At the end of treatment, 3 of 5 horses receiving PBZ developed increases in serum creatinine of >26.5 μmol/L (>0.3 mg/dL), and HAVCR1/KIM1 was detectable in urine, despite normal findings on kidney ultrasonography in all horses.

Conclusions: HAVCR1/KIM1 is detectable in urine and is associated with increases in serum creatinine concentrations of >26.5 μmol/L in horses following treatment with PBZ for 7 consecutive days. Thus, HAVCR1/KIM1 might aid in the early detection of acute kidney injury in horses.