Evaluation of oxidative stress assocıated with altered Thiol/Disulphide homeostasis in cats with feline Coronavirus infection

• Melek Aydemir Hökelekli Aksaray University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Aksaray, Türkiye. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4732-8279
• Selime Kübra Saka Aksaray University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Aksaray, Türkiye. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1577-4993
• Özcan Örs Aksaray University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Aksaray, Türkiye. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9066-0210
• Ali Evren Haydardedeoğlu Aksaray University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Aksaray, Türkiye. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8473-0072
• İlker Çamkerten Aksaray University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Aksaray, Türkiye. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6952-7703
• Hidayet Metin Erdoğan Aksaray University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Aksaray, Türkiye. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1261-4352

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-e362900

Keywords: Feline coronavirus, thiol/disulphide homeostasis, oxidative stress, cat

Abstract

This study evaluated thiol/disulphide homeostasis and its relationship with oxidative stress in cats diagnosed with feline coronavirus infection. The study population consisted of 18 cats, including 11 feline coronavirus-positive animals and 7 clinically healthy controls. Serum concentrations of total thiol, native thiol, and disulphide were determined using a spectrophotometric assay. Compared with healthy controls, feline coronavirus-positive cats exhibited significantly lower feline coronavirus and native thiol levels, indicating a marked reduction in thiol-based antioxidant capacity. In parallel, a shift in redox balance toward disulphide formation was observed, as reflected by a pronounced decrease in the native thiol /feline coronavirus ratio. These alterations suggest depletion of the thiol pool under conditions of increased oxidative burden. Overall, disruption of thiol/disulphide homeostasis appears to be closely associated with oxidative stress during feline coronavirus infection and may contribute to disease pathogenesis. The present findings provide insight into the biochemical mechanisms underlying oxidative damage in feline coronavirus- infected cats and support the potential utility of thiol/disulphide parameters as early indicators of oxidative stress, with possible implications for future antioxidant-based therapeutic approaches.

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