Protein-Losing Enteropathy in Dogs (CPLE)

Usually there is only a small amount of accumulated extra fluid in a dog's body [1]. However, conditions like congestive heart failure can cause a dog's body to become bloated and filled with liquid. Sometimes there is so much of this fluid that the dog's body weight can nearly double! Unfortunately this may be just the beginning. Heart problems can also trigger a secondary condition called canine protein-losing enteropathy (CPLE) that can cause even more fluid to build up, plus a host of other potentially life-threatening complications [2].

CPLE occurs when higher than normal amounts of protein leak into the intestinal tract and are lost through the stool. Although the dog's body tries to make up for this loss by producing more proteins like albumin, it can't keep up with the demand. As a result, the dog has low levels of albumin (hypoalbuminemia) and sometimes low levels of globulin (hypoglobulinemia).

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​If albumin levels get low enough, they cause the dog's legs to swell and fluid to accumulate in its abdominal cavity. In serious cases the dog may have trouble breathing because of the amount of fluid pressing on his/her lungs, which, if left untreated, can be deadly [3].

To better understand CPLE, it is important to know the way the disease develops. One way that heart conditions are thought to lead to CPLE is due to cardiac insufficiency. Basically, a heart condition prevents the heart from pumping sufficient blood, and this low blood supply affects the intestines. The reduced circulation causes an increased permeability in the intestinal lining, which allows proteins from throughout the body to enter into the intestines and be excreted in the fecal matter [4].

Traditional Treatments for CPLE
Because CPLE develops as a secondary condition to another disease, the best treatment method is to combat the underlying condition. For many veterinarians faced with the combination of congestive heart failure and CPLE, the obvious answer seems to be diuretics like Lasix.

Diuretics like Lasix prevent the kidneys from retaining sodium and potassium in order to increase urine output. By stopping sodium and potassium retention, the kidneys get rid of any excess fluid that has accumulated in the dog's body. It also dilates the blood vessels so blood can flow more freely through the body, improving circulation. Despite its usefulness, though, diuretics like Lasix are extremely potent and can be dangerous. If not taken in the correct amounts they can lead to extreme dehydration, electrolyte depletion and even kidney problems.

So why risk giving your dog extremely strong and potentially dangerous diuretics when they don't even target the underlying mechanisms of CPLE? Instead, many dog owners have found that Neprofin provides a better, safer alternative.

Neprofin PET May Help CPLE in Dogs
Neprofin PET formula is a combination of powerful natural anti-inflammatory enzymes and antioxidants that digest circulatory proteins and reduce swelling. This powerful formula was specifically formulated for dogs and other household pets. The blend of natural ingredients works to not only relieve the hazardous symptoms of CPLE, but also target the underlying disease mechanisms, restoring your dog's good health.

Edema and Inflammation
Obviously one of the most devastating features of CPLE is the accumulation of fluid in your dog's body (edema). In the short term, Neprofin PET is able to reduce edema because of the potent action of bromelain and serrapeptase.

Bromelain is a protein-dissolving enzyme extracted from the flesh and stem of the pineapple plant. It has been shown in a number of studies to prevent edema as well as reduce any swelling and fluid accumulation that has already occurred [5]. In one clinical study, oral bromelain use was shown to inhibit edema formation by more than 40% [6], while another study showed the oral bromelain administration reduced existing edema by 50% for up to 12 hours after supplementation [7]. Based on these and other clinical results, experts have concluded that bromelain increases tissue permeability by breaking down fibrin and promoting the reabsorption of edema fluid into the blood circulation [8].

Serrapeptase is another proteolytic (protein-dissolving) enzyme found in Neprofin. In a number of studies conducted in humans, serrapeptase has been shown to have anti-edemic properties, which means it reduces fluid accumulation and swelling [9,10]. These studies also showed that serrapeptase reduces inflammation. Reducing inflammation is extremely important in dogs with CPLE because inflammation can contribute to the progression of the disease and lead to other serious complications. Many of Neprofin's other enzymes can also act as powerful anti-inflammatories, including alma, papain, rutin and proteases [11-18].

Cardiovascular Health
Since CPLE can be caused by heart problems, this is another area Neprofin addresses. Two of the most common risk factors for heart disease are high plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down fat in all areas of the body, including the arteries. While lipase is naturally produced by the body, many lifestyle, genetic and other health factors can drastically reduce its production. However, oral lipase supplementation has been shown to significantly reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in both animals and humans [19,20].

Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart is another common factor in cardiac conditions. In both humans and animals, the artery walls become thicker than normal due to a buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. This plaque buildup reduces blood circulation and increases blood pressure because there is less space for the blood to flow through the blood vessels. Oral bromelain may be able to prevent this for happening, though, by cleaning up atherosclerotic plaque before serious cardiac issues occur. In a study conducted in rabbits, bromelain broke down any arteriosclerotic plaque that had accumulated in the animals' aortas [21].

Deadly Blood Clots
A common, and often fatal, complication of CPLE in dogs is the development of pulmonary thromboemboli–blood clots in the lungs. Research has shown that blood clots are largely composed of a fibrin protein mesh holding together smaller amounts of various fats and cholesterol. Not only is Neprofin's combination of enzymes able to stop clots from forming, but they can also destroy clots that have already formed.

One mechanism thought to be involved in CPLE-related clot formation is increased platelet clumping[3,22]. Bromelain, however, has been shown to inhibitplatelet clumping and clot formation in both humans and animals [23,24]. In one study conducted in animals, oral bromelain administration significantly decreased clot formation in both arteries and veins [25].

Once clots have already formed, a number of Neprofin's enzymes work synergistically to literally dissolve the clot. Both serrapeptase and bromelain are fibrinolytic enzymes, which means they are able to digest the fibrin meshwork holding a clot together [10,26,27]. Once this occurs, the enzyme lipase is able to break down the fats and cholesterol that make up the rest of the clot, rendering all of these chemical components harmless to the health of the animal.

Neprofin PET Provides Powerful, Yet Gentle Relief
CPLE can cause dangerous health effects and even death. However, clinical studies have shown that the natural enzymes found in Neprofin have the potential to reduce the symptoms and fatal complications of CPLE while improving the causes of the disease. Best of all, Neprofin PET gives dogs real relief from CPLE with no risk of major side effects like those seen with typical medications.

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