Evaluation of serum alpha-1B glycoprotein and C-reactive protein levels as biomarkers of canine benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract

Background and aim: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent disorder in aging male dogs, characterized by prostate enlargement secondary to hormonal dysregulation and chronic inflammation. Identifying non-invasive biomarkers is crucial for improving diagnosis and monitoring therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to evaluate serum alpha-1B glycoprotein (A1BG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in dogs with BPH before and after castration, to assess their diagnostic and prognostic utility.

Materials and methods: A total of 20 male dogs were assigned to two groups: healthy controls (n = 10) and BPH-affected dogs (n = 10). Blood samples were collected from controls and the BPH group at diagnosis and 1 month post-castration. Serum A1BG and CRP concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluorescence immunoassay, respectively. Prostatic volume (PV) was evaluated ultrasonographically.

Results: Dogs with BPH demonstrated significantly lower serum A1BG concentrations before castration compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01) and post-castration (p < 0.01). Post-castration A1BG levels were comparable to controls, suggesting biochemical normalization. Serum CRP concentrations remained within the normal range (<30 mg/L) across all groups and showed no significant differences. A significant negative correlation was observed between age and A1BG concentration in the pre-castration BPH group (r = -0.74, p = 0.02). Castration resulted in a marked reduction in PV, consistent with therapeutic response.

Conclusion: Serum A1BG demonstrated potential as a sensitive biomarker for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of canine BPH, in contrast to CRP, which exhibited limited diagnostic value. Normalization of A1BG levels post-castration supports its role in reflecting disease resolution. Integrating A1BG assessment into veterinary diagnostic workflows could enhance early detection, monitoring, and management strategies for BPH, offering a non-invasive and clinically informative approach. Further longitudinal studies with larger cohorts are warranted to validate these findings and explore long-term biomarker dynamics.

Keywords: C-reactive protein; alpha-1B glycoprotein; benign prostatic hyperplasia; canine biomarkers; castration.

Figure 1

Schematic workflow of the experimental study design [This figure was created with BioRender, https://BioRender.com/f36u519].

Figure 2

Box plot illustrating serum alpha-1B glycoprotein (A1BG) concentrations in the control, before castration (BF), and after castration (AT) groups. A1BG levels were significantly lower in the BF group than in the control and AT groups. No significant differences were observed between the control and AT groups. Differences between groups indicated by distinct superscript letters were considered statistically significant (p < 0.01).

Figure 3

Scatter plot with a trend line shows the correlation coefficient between serum alpha-1B glycoprotein (A1BG) concentration and age among the control, before castration (BF), and after castration (AT) groups. A significant negative correlation is found only in the BF group, suggesting a potential association between age and A1BG levels in untreated benign prostatic hyperplasia dogs.