Comparação de metodologias para determinação de gordura e avaliação do conteúdo de cálcio e fósforo em petiscos para cães

Nos últimos anos a relação entre seres humanos e animais de companhia estreitou-se consideravelmente e houve uma expansão da gama de produtos da indústria pet food disponíveis no mercado. Nesse contexto, os petiscos ganharam maior popularidade, uma vez que os tutores buscam agradar seus pets com esse tipo de alimento. Devido à crescente importância do segmento de petiscos, há a necessidade de informações precisas sobre a composição nutricional desses produtos, como o teor de gordura, uma vez que não foram encontrados estudos que avaliassem a eficácia dos métodos de determinação do teor deste nutriente em petiscos destinados a cães e o excesso de minerais pode implicar em riscos para a saúde. Assim, o presente trabalho comparou três metodologias para determinação de gordura em petiscos para cães, e também determinou os seus respectivos teores de umidade, cálcio e fósforo, cujos resultados foram comparados aos valores declarados pelos fabricantes nos rótulos dos produtos. Os métodos de determinação da gordura avaliados foram: extrato etéreo (EE), extrato etéreo após hidrólise ácida (EEHA) e teor de gordura obtido em analisador Ankom XT15 (ANKOM). Vinte e quatro petiscos produzidos por 17 empresas foram avaliados. Os resultados das três metodologias de determinação da gordura foram comparados com o emprego do teste Tukey. A comparação entre os resultados das análises laboratoriais e os valores declarados nos rótulos foi realizada por meio de estatística descritiva. Não houve diferença entre os três métodos avaliados (p = 0,34) em relação ao teor de gordura dos petiscos examinados. Em relação à conformidade nutricional dos rótulos, 25% (n = 6) dos petiscos apresentaram teor de umidade superior ao declarado, 50% (n = 12) apresentaram menor teor de gordura; 25% (n = 6) menor teor de fósforo e, em 50% (n = 12) deles, o teor de cálcio estava fora da faixa mínima e máxima declarada no rótulo. Portanto, devido à ausência de diferença entre os resultados, as três metodologias de determinação de gordura podem ser utilizadas. Quanto à conformidade dos rótulos em relação aos teores de cálcio, fósforo e gordura, é necessário maior controle sobre a composição nutricional desses alimentos, uma vez que a maioria dos tutores fornece petiscos em elevadas quantidades para os cães, que podem determinar excessivo consumo de energia.In recent years, the relationship between humans and companion animals has tightened considerably and resulted in the expansion of the range of pet food industry products available in the market. In this context, snacks have gained greater popularity as pet owners seek to please their animals by providing such foods. Due to the growing importance of the snack segment, a need exists for accurate information on the nutritional composition of these products, such as fat concentration. No studies were found that evaluated the effectiveness of different methods applied for determining the content of this nutrient in dog snacks. In addition, too much mineral content can pose health risks. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare three methodologies for determining fat in pet snack products. The moisture, calcium and phosphorus content of each was also determined to compare the obtained results with each value stated on their product labels. Fat determination methods evaluated were ether extract (EE), ether extract after acid hydrolysis (EEHA), and fat content obtained from Ankom XT15 analyzer (ANKOM). Twenty-four snacks produced by 17 companies were evaluated. The results of the three methodologies were compared using the Tukey test. The comparison between the results of the laboratory analysis and the values stated on the labels was performed using descriptive statistics. There was no difference between the three methods evaluated (p = 0.34) regarding fat content. Regarding the nutritional compliance of the labels, 25% (n = 6) of the snacks presented higher moisture content than the declared amount, 50% (n = 12) presented lower fat content, 25% (n = 6) lower phosphorus content and, in 50% (n = 12), the calcium content was not within the minimum and maximum range stated on the label. Therefore, due to the absence of difference between the results, any of the three fat determination methodologies could be used. Regarding compliance of labels for calcium, phosphorus and fat content, greater control over the nutritional composition of these foods is required since most pet owners tend to supply large quantities of snacks to dogs, leading to excessive daily energy intake

Characterization of fecal microbiota of obese dogs and after weight loss

A obesidade é considerada na medicina veterinária a afecção nutricional e metabólica mais comum da atualidade. Esta ocorre devido ao acúmulo excessivo de tecido adiposo no organismo, resultado do aumento na ingestão de energia associado a falta de atividade física. A obesidade vem sendo correlacionada com disbiose da microbiota intestinal, bem como em desordens imunológicas, alterações ortopédicas, respiratórias e metabólicas, como resistência insulínica e hiperlipidemia. Estudos demonstraram em ratos geneticamente obesos e induzidos pela dieta, que a microbiota cecal de animais acima do peso apresentam tags genéticos ambientais que codificam enzimas envolvidas na degradação de polissacarídeos e no metabolismo de carboidratos simples. Assim, a microbiota de indivíduos obesos pode ser mais eficiente em digerir e metabolizar a energia da dieta que indivíduos magros. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a microbiota fecal de cães obesos e em escore corporal ideal e avaliar os efeitos do programa de perda de peso sobre os filos e gêneros bacterianos. Foram incluídos vinte cães, fêmeas, castradas, de diferentes raças, com idade entre 1 a 9 anos. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo experimental de animais obesos (GO), com escore de condição corporal (ECC) 9 e com porcentagem de gordura corporal superior a 30%, determinada pelo método de diluição de isótopos de deutério e um grupo controle (GC), com ECC 4 ou 5 e gordura corporal máxima de 15%. Os animais obesos foram incluídos em um programa de perda de peso e, quando perderam 20% do peso inicial, passaram a compor o grupo de animais emagrecidos (GE). Foram coletadas amostras de fezes dos três grupos experimentais. Nos grupos controle e obesos, a coleta foi realizada após um período de adaptação com dieta de manutenção e, no grupo emagrecido, a coleta de fezes foi realizada no final do programa de perda de peso. Após cada coleta, as amostras foram armazenadas em freezer -80°C. Na sequência, foi extraído o DNA total das fezes e estas foram sequenciadas pela metodologia Illumina. As abundâncias observadas para cada filo e gênero foram avaliadas por modelo linear generalizado, considerando distribuição binominal e pelo emprego da função de ligação logit. O modelo incluiu efeitos fixos de grupos (Controle, Obesos e Emagrecidos), além dos efeitos aleatórios de animal e resíduo. Todas as análises foram realizadas pelo procedimento PROC GLIMMIX do programa Statistical Analysis System. Valores de P<0,05 foram considerados significativos. Foram identificados 7 filos e 51 gêneros diferentes entre os 3 grupos experimentais. O filo e gênero predominante entre os grupos foi respectivamente o Firmicutes (53,01% - 71,98%) e o Clostridium (42,43 25,51%). Foi observada diferença entre animais obesos e magros para o filo Firmicutes (P=0,0189) e gênero Sutturella (P=0,0095). O programa de perda de peso modulou de forma positiva os filos Actinobacteria (P=0,0128), Firmicutes (P=0,0189) e o gênero Dorea (P<,0001) e, negativamente o Faecalibacterium (P=0,0114). O presente trabalho verificou que o programa de perda de peso foi capaz de modular os microrganismos do trato gastrointestinal, de forma que, os cães emagrecidos apresentaram composição microbiana com maior biodiversidade, aumento de Actinobacteria, Firmicutes e Dorea e menor abundancia de Faecalibacterium.Obesity is considered the most common nutritional and metabolic disorder in veterinary medicine today. This occurred to the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the organism, due to increase in energy intake with low physical activity. Obesity has been associated with an intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, as well as in immune disorders, orthopedic, respiratory and metabolic changes, such as insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. Studies have shown in both genetically obese and diet-induced mice that the cecal microbiota from obese animals is enriched with environmental genetic tags that encode enzymes involved in the degradation of polysaccharides and the metabolism of simple carbohydrates. Thus, the microbiota of obese individuals may be more efficient in digesting and metabolizing dietary energy than lean individuals. So, the present study aims to characterize the microbioma profile of obese dogs and to evaluate the effects of weight loss on the population of microorganisms of dogs included in a weight loss program. Twenty dogs, female, neutered, different breeds and 1 to 9 years old were included. The animals were divided into two groups: experimental group of obese animals (GO) with a body condition score (BCS) 9 and body fat percentage greater than 30% determined by the deuterium isotope dilution method and a control group (GC) with BCS 4 or 5 and maximum body fat of 15%. The obese animals were included in a weight loss program and when they lost 20% of their initial weight, they became part of the group of emaciated animals (GE). Stool samples were collected from the three experimental groups. In the control and obese groups, the collection was performed after an adaptation period with a maintenance diet and in the emaciated group, the collection of feces was done at the end of the weight loss program. After each collection, the samples were stored at -80°C. Total DNA was extracted from the feces and sequenced using the Illumina methodology. The abundances observed for each phylum and gender were evaluated using a generalized linear model, considering binomial distribution and using the logit link function. The model includes fixed effects of Groups (Control, Obese and Weight Loss), in addition to the random effects of animals and residue. All as analyzes were performed using PROC GLIMMIX procedure from the Statistical Analysis System Program. Values of P<0.05 were considered significant. Seven different phyla and 51 different males were identified among the three experimental groups. The most prevalent phylum and genus among the groups was Firmicutes (53.01% - 71.98%) and Clostridium (42.43 25.51%) respectively. It was observed difference between obese and lean animals for phyla Firmicutes (P = 0.0189) and genus Sutturella (P = 0.0095). The weight loss program regulated positively the phyla Actinobacteria (P = 0.0128), Firmicutes (P = 0.0189) and genus Dorea (P P<0001), and negatively genus Faecalibacterium (P = 0.0114). The present study found that the weight loss program is capable of modulating the microorganisms of the gastrointestinal tract, so that the emaciated dogs presented microbial composition with greater biodiversity, greater presence of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Dorea and less abundance of Faecalibacterium

Homemade versus extruded and wet commercial diets for dogs: Cost comparison.

The present study aimed to verify and compare the costs of homemade diets with extruded and wet commercial diets for dogs in maintenance and consuming therapeutic diets (obesity, congestive heart failure, diabetes, hepatic encephalopathy, chronic kidney disease, and food hypersensitivity), which is important information that impacts in the choice of food by the owners. The maintenance energy requirements (MER) were estimated for adult dogs of different sizes (3 kg, 15 kg, 30 kg, and 50 kg) and the daily amounts of food intake were estimated for each type of food. The costs were calculated per day, per 1000 kcal of metabolizable energy of product and per kg of metabolic weight of the animal. Fourteen complete and balanced homemade diets were formulated, and in each proposed group, two diets with different protein sources were used. Under the conditions of the present study, it was possible to conclude that homemade diets were more expensive than dry maintenance diets and dry therapeutic diets, while commercial wet diets were more expensive in all of the scenarios

What Is the Cost of Weight Loss? An Approach to Commercial (Dry and Wet) and Homemade Diets

In the context of the rising prevalence of obesity among pets, this study aimed to assess the economic aspects of weight reduction protocols for dogs and cats, considering the lack of information and the varying costs of commercial and homemade diets. The results indicated an average weekly weight loss rate of 1.02% for dogs and 0.92% for cats, with a reduction in body fat mass (p p < 0.001). The study demonstrated that despite the initial investment, the long-term benefits of weight loss, including improved health and reduced financial burdens for owners, justify the expenses incurred. This comprehensive analysis provides veterinarians and pet owners with valuable insights into the economic considerations of weight reduction protocols, facilitating informed decision making and promoting pet well-being

The Supplementation of Docosahexaenoic Acid-Concentrated Fish Oil Enhances Cognitive Function in Puppies

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has an important role in brain development and functionality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of DHA-concentrated fish oil on the cognitive function of puppies. Twelve 3-month-old puppies were included, blocked by breed and randomly distributed into two groups: the Control Group (CG), without supplementation, and the Experimental Group (EG), supplemented with 40 mg DHA/kg BW/day. The object discrimination test was used, with a normal stage (NS) and a reverse stage (RS), and blood samples were collected to evaluate the serum polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentration and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) before (T0) and 30 (T1), 60 (T2) and 90 (T3) days after beginning the study. For the NS, there were effects of treatment (p = 0.0039) and time (p p = 0.0159), in addition, EG showed higher serum EPA + DHA concentrations than CG at T2 (p = 0.0245). The TAC values were similar between the groups (p = 0.3211). It was concluded that the cognitive function of puppies can be enhanced with DHA-concentrated fish oil supplementation without increasing the serum lipid oxidation

Gene expression of the immunoinflammatory and immunological status of obese dogs before and after weight loss.

Obesity is characterized by a low degree of chronic inflammation state that, along with metabolic modifications, promotes important changes in the animal's organism. Adipose tissue actively participates in inflammation and immunity, and several defense cells of the organism may, therefore, be involved in the diversity found between obese and ideal weight individuals. Studies regarding this subject have shown immune cell changes in humans and rats, however, the literature is scarce in relation to dogs. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the gene expression profile of immunoinflammatory response and the lymphoproliferation of obese dogs before and after weight loss. Eight female dogs, neutered, of different breeds, aged between 1 and 8 years (4.74±3.19), obese, with body condition score (BCS) of 9 out of a 9-point scale and body composition determined by the deuterium isotope dilution method were included. The obese dogs were enrolled in a weight loss program and after losing 20% of their initial weight became a second experimental group. A third experimental group consisted of eight female dogs, neutered, aged between 1 and 8 years (3.11±0.78) and with ideal BCS (5 out of a 9-point scale). Gene expression of immunoinflammatory cytokines (resistin, leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) was assessed by qRT-PCR and immunity was assessed by lymphoproliferative response using the flow cytometry technique. The data that presented normal distribution was evaluated by analysis of variance by the PROC MIXED of the SAS and when differences were detected, these were compared by the Tukey test. Regarding the gene expression data, the procedure PROC GLIMMIX was adopted and the methodology of generalized linear model was used, in which the Gama distribution proved to be adequate. Values of p<0.05 were considered significant. The mean weight loss period of the animals included in the study was 194.25 ± 28.31 days and the mean weekly weight loss rate was 1.02 ± 0.82%. The average fat mass, both in percentage (P<0.001) and in kilograms (P = 0.012), was higher in the obese group (40.88%; 8.91kg), returning to normal and without difference between the control group (19.16%; 3.01kg) and after weight loss (22.10%; 4.11kg). The weight loss program resulted in an increase in percentage of lean body mass (P = 0.001), 55.50% in obese animals vs 77.90% in obese dogs after weight loss, the latter with no difference when compared to the control group (80.84%). The obese group presented increased gene expression of resistin and IL-8 in relation to the weight loss group (P = 0.002). In adiponectin, the obese group presented increased mRNA gene expression when compared to the weight loss group (P = 0.003). The evaluation of lymphocyte proliferation showed differences between the group of obese animals before and after weight loss (P = 0.004). Weight loss resulted in an increase in the lymphoproliferation rate (18.48%) compared to obese dogs at the beginning of the study (10.71%). These results indicate that weight loss modulates the immunoinflammatory response of obese dogs and may present important benefits to health and longevity of dogs