Effects of dexamethasone administration on serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity in healthy dogs

Objective-To determine whether administration of dexamethasone altered seru m trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) in healthy dogs. Animals-12 healthy dogs. Procedure-Dexamethasone (0.25 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) was administered for 7 day s. Serum TLI, alpha-amylase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, and urea and creatinine concentrations were determined on days 0, 7, 14, an d 21 of the study. Results-Serum TLI and ALT activities were significantly increased, and seru m cc-amylase activity was significantly decreased after administration of d examethasone for 7 days. However, values obtained on days 14 and 21 were no t significantly different from baseline values. Dexamethasone administratio n was not associated with any significant changes in serum creatinine or ur ea concentrations. Serum TLI and alpha-amylase activities were significantl y correlated prior to dexamethasone administration. Dogs did not develop cl inical signs of pancreatitis. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Dexamethasone administration was associa ted with an increase in serum TLI. However, values returned to baseline 7 d ays after dexamethasone administration was discontinued. Serum TLI may be f alsely high in dogs that have been treated with dexamethasone in the week p receding analysis.