Recently, Hemopet has experienced a surge in interest in our CellBIO test for companion dogs. In this post, we will break down exactly what it measures and how to apply the results to help your companion dog live a longer, healthier and happier life.
Now, please note that we will be throwing out terms that might make you click off the webpage before reading it. We understand. So many scientific words come across as too technical for the standard biology level. Remember though. Two years ago the word “antibody” was possibly one of those words for many of us. Now, many of us are well-versed and knowledgeable about antibodies due to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.
First, what does CellBIO measure? Isoprostanes. (We talked about this briefly in our post titled, “Oxidation in the Body: What It Is, Advancements in Diagnosis and Antioxidants.”)
What are isoprostanes? Isoprostanes are the end products of cellular oxidative stress. The word, “isoprostanes,” is simply descriptive because it closely resembles the prostane ring structure, which is simply a chemical structure. Think of it this way. Coronaviruses are named because of their crown-like protein spikes; “corona” means crown in Latin.
Isoprostanes are the end products of what? Lipid peroxidation by reactive oxygen intermediates.
Please don’t stop reading. Let’s break that down.
Lipid – fat (easy enough)
Peroxidation – A type of reaction in which oxygen atoms are formed leading to the production of peroxides. It is stimulated in the body by certain toxins and infections.
Reactive Oxygen Intermediates – These are the same as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oftentimes, you will read the phrase “reactive oxygen species” used interchangeably with free radicals. Reactive oxygen species are simply a subset of free radicals that contain oxygen.
Putting that altogether: Lipid peroxidation can be described generally as a process under which oxidants such as free radicals attack lipids containing carbon-carbon double bond(s), especially the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
Just know that this complex process of lipid peroxidation can lead to an abundance of isoprostanes, which then can lead to increased cellular oxidative stress.
Too much oxidative stress from long-term (chronic), excess isoprostanes circulating in the body can cause a host of diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancers, coronary heart disease, diabetes, periodontal diseases, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases. Not only in humans – but in other species as well!
We aren’t the only ones out there saying this today. There is an inordinate amount of scientific research about excess isoprostanes and other cellular biomarkers causing oxidative stress…and it keeps growing. The public often hears the simplified version, which is that “antioxidants can combat certain cancers.”
At Hemopet, we see the evidence as practically everyday more documentation is provided about the excesses of isoprostanes and other cellular biomarkers that can lead to so many preventable diseases or diseases that can hopefully have a delayed onset or reduced expression.
So, we developed and patented the salivary CellBIO test that measures the amount of isoprostanes in canine saliva. Another salivary biomarker is in the development phase as is planning the background research and feasibility for this testing in cats.
People may pause when they read that. We all think tests should be blood based. Let’s remember, though, that for the past couple of years we have all been swabbing our nasal passages or spitting into a cup to find out our COVID-19 status. On top of that, women have had home urine tests for years to find out if they are pregnant.
Researchers have found that measuring isoprostanes can be done effectively using a variety of biological fluids such as urine, feces, saliva, plasma, exhaled breath condensate, bile, cerebrospinal fluids, and normal tissues.
We chose saliva because it is more easily collected, travels well, is relatively shelf-stable, reliable, and non-invasive.
After clinical trials, we developed a normal range for dogs between 0.5-1.75 ng/ml. If a companion dog is above that range, we suggest dietary changes and adding an antioxidant mix to the companion dog’s food.