Understanding the Protein Hydrolysate Based Diet

Presentation Description / Summary: Hydrolyzed protein-based diets have been available for dogs and cats for over 20 years and hydrolyzed proteins have been used in allergic baby formulas and in calf milk replacers for even longer. They have been used successfully, as elimination diets, for the diagnosis and management of Adverse Food Reaction (AFR) as well as of chronic enteritis. Partially and highly hydrolyzed protein diets have been shown to be palatable and well tolerated. In humans, palatability is an important issue especially with smaller peptides which induce bitterness. Osmotic diarrhea has been observed with amino acid based liquid diet in humans but not with a highly hydrolyzed protein diet in dogs and cats probably because the ingredient matrix is much more complex. Although molecular weight affects allergenicity, the size of the smallest fragment recognized by the immune system depends of the protein sources. Several studies have tested the efficacy of hydrolyzed protein diets in the diagnosis and management of AFR as well as in the management of chronic enteritis with good outcomes. However, AFR cannot be completely excluded if a patient is not responding. Few false negatives have been reported with partial hydrolysis. This is not the case with extensively hydrolyzed protein (ie; amino acids and small peptides (< 1kDa). The superiority of hydrolyzed diets over novel protein diets remains a matter of controversy, although less so with highly hydrolyzed protein. As opposed to novel protein, the sourcing of hydrolyzed protein is easy and abundant and protein quality (ie: digestibility/balance of amino acids) higher.

Learner Outcomes: Understanding how hydrolyzed proteins are produced and the consequences on their recognition by the immune system. This includes a discussion on molecular weight, cross-contamination, tolerance and the other components of the diet. Evidences of the decreased immunogenicity of hydrolyzed proteins. Clinical studies that support their efficacy in the management of AFR and chronic enteritis.