The 51-Chromium-Labeled Ethylenediamine Tetra-Acetic Acid Intestinal Permeability Blood Test in Healthy Beagle Dogs: A Comparison between Serum and Plasma Levels

Abstract

A 51-chromium-labeled ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (51Cr-EDTA) permeability blood test was validated as a method to assess damage to the small intestine in dogs. The test was performed by calculating various percentages from sera after an orally ingested dose solution. The aim of the current study was to determine whether the use of serum or plasma had any influence on the results of the test. A test solution with 3.7 megabecquerel (100 μCi) of 51Cr-EDTA was delivered through an orogastric tube to 13 healthy laboratory Beagle dogs. From each dog, 2 concurrent blood samples were withdrawn from cephalic veins using clotting-factor activator tubes for serum and heparinized tubes for plasma. The samples ( n = 26) were taken at 3 and 5 hr after administration of the test solution. Percentages of the orally ingested dose were then calculated in serum and plasma, and their relationship was assessed using correlation analysis. The mean ± standard deviation percentages in serum and plasma after 3 hr were 0.85 ± 0.43% and 0.88 ± 0.49%, respectively, whereas respective percentages in serum and plasma after 5 hr were 0.78 ± 0.52% and 0.81 ± 0.51%. The combined correlation coefficient between the percentages from the sera and plasma samples was excellent ( R = 0.98). It was concluded that the 51Cr-EDTA permeability test in blood may be performed using serum or plasma of dogs, and the choice between the 2 samples is one of convenience.