Assessment of Oxidative Stress-Related Markers and Inflammatory Proteins in Serum and CSF Samples of Dogs with Different Types of Epilepsy

Background: Oxidative stress contributes to the development and progression of epilepsy and is connected with neuroinflammation during epileptic seizures. Cholinesterase has a modulatory role, and oxytocin has antiepileptic properties. The purpose of this study was to assess selective inflammatory (CRP) and oxidative stress markers (PON1, CUPRAC, FRAP), cholinesterase, and oxytocin in serum and CSF samples of dogs with different types of epilepsy. Methods: There were four groups of dogs; A: healthy controls; B: idiopathic epilepsy receiving antiepileptic medication; C: idiopathic epilepsy without antiepileptic medication; and D: structural epilepsy. CRP, PON1, CUPRAC, and cholinesterase were evaluated in serum and PON1, CUPRAC, FRAP, cholinesterase and oxytocin were evaluated in CSF samples. Group differences were evaluated using ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests, followed by post-hoc analyses. Results: Fifty-one serum and 26 CSF samples were analyzed. CSF PON1 was significantly different in group D compared to groups A and C (p=0.044 and p=0.008, respectively). CSF cholinesterase was significantly different in group D compared to groups A, B and C (p=0.003, p=0.025, p=0.033, respectively). Conclusions: Structural epilepsy may influence PON1, CUPRAC and cholinesterase levels in CSF samples. Compared to CSF, serum was not the most suitable biological material to investigate oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.