PhD School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University of Sao Paulo / Nutricare Vet Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Abstract:
Background: Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) play a complex role in glucidic and lipidic homeostasis and is converted to β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Omega-3 is considered useful in metabolic disorders.
Objectives: To compare NEFA and BHB concentrations between diabetic dogs and healthy dogs and to investigate the effects of omega-3 supplementation on those parameters. Animals: Healthy dogs (convenience sample) and diabetic dogs from Veterinary Teaching Hospital with adequate glycemic control and non-obese.
Methods: Twenty-two healthy dogs (HE) and 21 diabetic dogs (DM) ate for three months the same higher-fiber extruded diet. From those, seventeen diabetic dogs concluded a randomized double-blind trial with that diet (without omega-3; DMc) and the same diet enriched with 5.0% inclusion fish oil (DMω3), for three months each period. Fasting serum NEFA and BHB were measured after each period. Data of HE vs. DM and DMc vs. DMω3 were compared using T-test or Wilcoxon test (p< 0.05).
Results: Diabetic dogs had higher mean (±standard deviation) serum NEFA (1.52±0.72 vs. 0.85±0.40 mMol/L; p< 0.001) and BHB (0.12±0.07 vs. 0.09±0.02 mMol/L; p=0.03) concentrations than healthy dogs. Supplementation of omega-3 was approximately 142mg EPA+DHA/kg body weight. There were no differences in serum NEFA (p=0.32) and BHB (p=0.48) concentrations among dogs receiving or not omega-3. Conclusions and clinical importance: Despite being under good glycemic control, diabetic dogs still have increased concentrations of NEFA and BHB, which are not affected by omega-3 supplementation. More studies are needed to investigate whether these would be parameters for monitoring the treatment of diabetic dogs.
