IS study aimed to evaluate the value of hepatocyte-derived miRNA-122 and insulin-like
growth factor 1(IGF-1) in the diagnosis of liver affections in dogs. The study was carried out on
122 dogs of different breeds, sex, and ages, divided into 4 groups, acute hepatitis (AH), chronic
hepatitis (CH), cholangitis (CHL), and control (C) groups. All dogs were subjected to clinical,
hematological, biochemical, and ultrasonographic examinations. AH diseased dogs showed various
clinical signs including jaundice and fever, and a significant decrease in IGF-1. Dogs with CH
showed weight loss, dullness, ascites, and a significant (P≤ 0.001) decrease in RBCs count and Hb
content. Dogs with AH and CH showed a significant (P≤ 0.001) elevation of ALT, AST, IL6, MDA,
CRP, and a significant (P≤ 0.001) decrease of albumin, SOD, and GSH. Serum miRNA-122 analysis
revealed a significant increase in the AH, CH, and CHL groups. Ultrasonographic findings revealed a
diffused decrease in echogenicity of liver parenchyma in the AH group, but a diffused increase in
echogenicity of liver parenchyma in the CH group. The current study concluded that hepatocytederived
miRNA-122 is a promising molecular biomarker for the diagnosis of liver affections in dogs.
In addition, IGF-1 is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of AH disorders.