Assessment of circulating concentrations of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in dogs with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome

Objective—To evaluate plasma concentrations of inflammatory mediators in dogs with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome, identify a possible role for these mediators in the syndrome, and investigate the relationship between plasma concentrations of inflammatory mediators and severity of clinical signs. Animals—17 dogs with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome and 10 mesocephalic (control) dogs. Procedures—A blood sample was collected once from each dog. Plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-10, and IL-13 were measured with ELISAs. Nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were determined with a Griess test. For analysis, brachycephalic dogs were categorized into groups depending on weight (smal [< 16 kg]) and large [≥ 16 kg]) or on whether they required medical or surgical treatment. Results—Compared with control dog values, plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17A were significantly higher in brachycephalic dogs and markedly so fo...