Investigation of the Mechanism of Impaired Skin Barrier Function in Dogs With Malignant Tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: No study has investigated skin barrier dysfunction with systemic diseases in veterinary medicine. We investigated the mechanism of disturbed skin barrier function in dogs with internal diseases.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Healthy controls and dogs with systemic diseases were enrolled in three different disease groups: malignant tumor, hyperadrenocorticism and kidney disease. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), serum levels of five selective pro-inflammatory cytokines and claudin-1, and complete blood count were measured.

RESULTS

TEWL was significantly increased in the malignant tumor group while serum claudin-1 concentrations were significantly lower compared to controls. Tumor necrosis factor-α was also significantly increased in the cancer group. In addition, the malignant tumor group showed significantly higher monocyte chemotactic protein-1 after chemotherapy, but lower interleukin-6 levels, compared to dogs with no chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Skin barrier function was decreased in dogs with malignant tumors compared to dogs with other systemic diseases by oxidative stress and a reduction in tight junction proteins.