Evaluation of visceral fat mass in dogs by computed tomography

Combined use of body condition score, radiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography in body condition evaluation of crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)

This study aimed to evaluate the application of radiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) as auxiliaries in the determination of body fat and musculature in crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous). Eight animals were evaluated and classified based on the body condition score (BCS) scale. The total cut volume, total visceral volume, total subcutaneous volume, visceral fat volume, subcutaneous fat volume, and total fat volume were measured. The correlation of the BCS with the other data was determined. In the ultrasound, there was a correlation of the vertebral epaxial musculature score (VEMS) with body weight, BCS, muscle mass score (MMS), animal's height, and height at the withers. In the radiographic analysis, the amount of subcutaneous fat obtained in L3 vertebrae did not present a significant correlation with BCS, as opposed to L6. In the tomographic analysis, TFV/L6, VFV/L6, and SFV/L6 correlated with BCS in L3, and only SFV /L6 in L6. When the ratios between fat volumes were correlated, the correlation with BCS occurred only in L6 in the TFV/TBV, SFV/SVC, and VFW variants. Radiography and CT were effective and had a good association with BCS. With the CT it was possible to demonstrate the distribution of total fat at the level of the L3 slice. The ratio of calculations considering the length of the L6 vertebra was more adequate, while at the level of L6 the ratio between the volumes of the compartments was more effective.

PANCREATIC FAT CONTENT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS SIMILAR TO THAT OF LIVER FAT CONTENT

Objective

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major health problem worldwide. Earlier studies have reported that pancreatic fat content (PFC) and liver fat content (LFC) are risk factors for T2DM. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the relationship between PFC, LFC and T2DM.

Methods

A total of 70 T2DM subjects and 30 non-diabetic volunteers who underwent Dixon-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method at Yixing People's Hospital between December 2018 to December 2020 were included in the study. The three-point Dixon (3p-Dixon) method was used to measure the fat content in the pancreas and liver. Clinical indices including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and C peptide levels were collected. The association between PFC, LFC, and OGTT-derived parameters was examined by Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses.

Results

T2DM subjects had higher PFC and LFC than those measured in the non-diabetic subjects (p <0.05). PFC and LFC were associated positively with OGTT-derived parameters such as insulin secretion, insulin resistance, and early- and late-phase insulin secretion in the male T2DM subjects(p <0.05), but not in the non-diabetic and female T2DM subjects. The relationship between PFC and OGTT-derived parameters was also more obvious than that for LFC in overweight and obese male patients with T2DM whose BMI was >24 kg/m2.

Conclusion

PFC and LFC were both associated with β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in males with T2DM. The relationship between PFC and β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance was more obvious than that observed for LFC in overweight and obese male T2DM patients. More attention should therefore be paid to PFC in clinical settings.

CT features of divisional bile ducts in healthy Labrador Retrievers

Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly being used for the study of gallbladder and bile duct diseases. The first step in interpreting CT findings is understanding the cross-sectional anatomy of the structures involved, but there are no published studies describing the CT features of the divisional bile ducts. In dogs, anatomic studies report two common patterns including three or four divisional bile ducts. The aim of this retrospective, descriptive, anatomical study was to describe the size and pattern of the visible divisional bile ducts, based on their location and extension, using contrast-enhanced CT in a group of Labrador Retrievers without evidence of hepatobiliary diseases. The correlation between the biliary duct number and dimensions, and the visceral fat area percentage (VFA%) was also evaluated. The right lateral divisional duct (RLD) was visualized in four of 40 dogs, the left lateral divisional duct (LLD) in nine of 40 dogs, and in 17 of 40 dogs, both were simultaneously visualized. In 10 of 40 dogs, the RLD and LLD were not highlighted. When visible, the RLD has a median diameter of 0.23 cm and a median length of 0.82 cm. The LLD has a median diameter of 0.23 cm and a median length of 2.72 cm. The median diameter of the common bile duct before and after the insertion of divisional bile ducts was 0.23 and 0.25 cm, respectively. No correlation with the VFA% was found. At least one of the divisional bile ducts could be visualized using contrast-enhanced CT in the majority of sampled dogs (75%) .

Effects of Synbiotic Preparation Containing Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 on Body Fat in Obese Dogs: A Pilot Study

Simple Summary

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a synbiotic preparation containing L. gasseri BNR17 on body fat in obese dogs. Body weight and the body condition score showed a significant reduction after 10 weeks of synbiotic preparation administration compared with those at baseline (0-week). The subcutaneous fat mass at the level of the third lumbar vertebra and its proportion, compared with the body mass, reduced significantly after 10 weeks of synbiotic preparation administration, compared with those at baseline. Following synbiotic supplementation, microbiome analysis revealed increased microbial diversity, and functional analysis of the microbiota showed an increased abundance of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Based on these results, we consider that synbiotic preparation containing L. gasseri BNR17 may play a role in reducing body fat and resolving obesity.

Abstract

Obesity is an important health concern in humans and dogs. It can cause a variety of secondary problems, including low bacterial diversity. Several approaches have been tried to solve this problem; one of them is probiotic supplementation. Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 is derived from breast milk and has been proven to be effective for obesity in humans. However, there have been no studies using a synbiotic preparation containing L. gasseri BNR17 for obesity management in dogs. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of a synbiotic preparation containing L. gasseri BNR17 in reducing body fat in obese dogs. A group of obese dogs were fed a synbiotic preparation for 10 weeks. Obesity variables included body weight, body condition score, subcutaneous fat thickness, subcutaneous fat mass and proportion of the fat mass. In addition, feces collected at 0-week and 10-week time points were analyzed for the intestinal microbiome. Results showed a significant decrease in body weight, body condition score, and subcutaneous fat mass and proportion at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. Diversity and functional analysis of the microbiota in obese dogs showed increased microbial diversity, and increased abundance of metabolism of carbohydrate, and lipid after supplementation with a synbiotic preparation. This study was conducted as a pilot study, and the results demonstrated that a synbiotic preparation containing L. gasseri BNR17 may play a role in reducing body fat and resolving the obesity in dogs.