The hypothesis that the uremic compounds decrease the neutrophil oxidative metabolism in dogs, as occurs in humans was tested. Whole blood from 10 dogs was incubated with uremic and non-uremic homologous sera and the superoxide production by activated neutrophils was quantified by the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test (NBT). The superoxide production generated by neutrophils in the presence of uremic serum was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in comparison with autologous and homologous sera with normal urea levels. It was concluded that the presence of components of uremic serum inhibits the ex vivo neutrophil oxidative metabolism in dogs, suggesting that, similarly to humans, dogs with renal failure may have the innate immunity response compromised.
dog; nitroblue tetrazolium; renal failure; superoxide
