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Simon KE, Russell K, Mondino A, Yang CC, Case BC, Anderson Z, Whitley C, Griffith E, Gruen ME, Olby NJ. A randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates improved owner-assessed cognitive function in senior dogs receiving a senolytic and NAD+ precursor combination. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12399. [PMID: 38811634 PMCID: PMC11137034 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63031-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related decline in mobility and cognition are associated with cellular senescence and NAD + depletion in dogs and people. A combination of a novel NAD + precursor and senolytic, LY-D6/2, was examined in this randomized controlled trial. Seventy dogs with mild to moderate cognitive impairment were enrolled and allocated into placebo, low or full dose groups. Primary outcomes were change in cognitive impairment measured with the owner-reported Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating (CCDR) scale and change in activity measured with physical activity monitors. Fifty-nine dogs completed evaluations at the 3-month primary endpoint, and 51 reached the 6-month secondary endpoint. There was a significant difference in CCDR score across treatment groups from baseline to the primary endpoint (p = 0.02) with the largest decrease in the full dose group. No difference was detected between groups using in house cognitive testing. There were no significant differences between groups in changes in measured activity. The proportion of dogs that improved in frailty and owner-reported activity levels and happiness was higher in the full dose group than other groups, however this difference was not significant. Adverse events occurred equally across groups. All groups showed improvement in cognition, frailty, and activity suggesting placebo effect and benefits of trial participation. We conclude that LY-D6/2 improves owner-assessed cognitive function over a 3-month period and may have broader, but more subtle effects on frailty, activity and happiness as reported by owners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Simon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Katharine Russell
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Southeast Veterinary Neurology, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Alejandra Mondino
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Chin-Chieh Yang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Beth C Case
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Zachary Anderson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Christine Whitley
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Emily Griffith
- Department of Statistics, College of Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Margaret E Gruen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Natasha J Olby
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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McMillan KM, Bielby J, Williams CL, Upjohn MM, Casey RA, Christley RM. Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Sci Rep 2024; 14:531. [PMID: 38302530 PMCID: PMC10834484 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The companion dog is one of the most phenotypically diverse species. Variability between breeds extends not only to morphology and aspects of behaviour, but also to longevity. Despite this fact, little research has been devoted to assessing variation in life expectancy between breeds or evaluating the potential for phylogenetic characterisation of longevity. Using a dataset of 584,734 unique dogs located within the UK, including 284,734 deceased, we present variation in longevity estimates within the following: parental lineage (purebred = 1 breed, crossbred ≥ 2 breeds), breed (n = 155), body size (large, medium, small), sex (male, female) and cephalic index (brachycephalic, mesocephalic, dolichocephalic). Survival estimates were then partitioned amongst phylogenetic clades: providing evidence that canine evolutionary history (via domestication and associated artificial selection) is associated with breed lifespan. This information provides evidence to inform discussions regarding pedigree health, whilst helping current/prospective owners, breeders, policy makers, funding bodies and welfare organisations improve decision making regarding canine welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jon Bielby
- Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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Francis JM, Mowat FM, Ludwig A, Hicks JM, Pumphrey SA. Quantifying refractive error in companion dogs with and without nuclear sclerosis: 229 eyes from 118 dogs. Vet Ophthalmol 2024; 27:70-78. [PMID: 37986551 PMCID: PMC10842750 DOI: 10.1111/vop.13163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between nuclear sclerosis (NS) and refractive error in companion dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED One hundred and eighteen companion dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs were examined and found to be free of significant ocular abnormalities aside from NS. NS was graded from 0 (absent) to 3 (severe) using a scale developed by the investigators. Manual refraction was performed. The effect of NS grade on refractive error was measured using a linear mixed effects analysis adjusted for age. The proportion of eyes with >1.5 D myopia in each NS grade was evaluated using a chi-square test. Visual impairment score (VIS) was obtained for a subset of dogs and compared against age, refractive error, and NS grade. RESULTS Age was strongly correlated with NS grade (p < .0001). Age-adjusted analysis of NS grade relative to refraction showed a mild but not statistically significant increase in myopia with increasing NS grade, with eyes with grade 3 NS averaging 0.58-0.88 D greater myopia than eyes without NS. However, the myopia of >1.5 D was documented in 4/58 (6.9%) eyes with grade 0 NS, 12/91 (13.2%) eyes with grade 1 NS, 13/57 (22.8%) eyes with grade 2 NS, and 7/23 (30.4%) eyes with grade 3 NS. Risk of myopia >1.5 D was significantly associated with increasing NS grade (p = .02). VIS was associated weakly with refractive error, moderately with age, and significantly with NS grade. CONCLUSIONS NS is associated with visual deficits in some dogs but is only weakly associated with myopia. More work is needed to characterize vision in aging dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenelle M Francis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Freya M Mowat
- Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Allison Ludwig
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jacqueline M Hicks
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Dr. Francis's current address is Animal Eye Clinic, Matthews, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephanie A Pumphrey
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
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Dall'Ara P, Lauzi S, Turin L, Castaldelli G, Servida F, Filipe J. Effect of Aging on the Immune Response to Core Vaccines in Senior and Geriatric Dogs. Vet Sci 2023; 10:412. [PMID: 37505818 PMCID: PMC10385316 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10070412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Elderly dogs are steadily increasing worldwide as well as veterinarians' and owners' interest in their health and wellness. Aging is not a disease, but a combination of changes negatively affecting the organism in general and the immune system in particular, resulting in a decline in protection over time. The aim of this study was to measure the specific serum antibody titers against the main dangerous and widespread viral diseases preventable by core vaccinations in senior and geriatric dogs using the in-practice test VacciCheck. A cohort of three hundred fifty elderly dogs was analyzed for Protective Antibody Titers (PATs) against CPV-2, CDV and CAdV-1. The age ranged from 5 to 19 years, with two hundred fifty-eight seniors (73.7%) and ninety-two geriatrics (26.3%), and 97.4% of them were vaccinated at least once in their lives. More than half of the entire study population (52.9%) had PATs simultaneously for all three diseases, with 80.5% seniors and 19.5% geriatrics. Specific PATs were found in 88.6% of aging dogs for CPV-2, 82.3% for CadV-1 and 66.0% for CDV, demonstrating that unprotected aging dogs represent a minority. Unexpectedly, the larger elderly dogs resulted as more protected than smaller ones for CPV-2. Protection then decreases over time, with geriatric dogs less protected than senior ones. Veterinary practitioners should therefore always consider whether to maintain core vaccinations in aging dogs as in adults on a three-year basis or opt instead for closer boosters (every 1 or 2 years). PATs for core vaccines could then represent a good biomarker of protection and their titration could become a standard of care, especially in such a sensitive period of the dogs' life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Dall'Ara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Stefania Lauzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Lauretta Turin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Giulia Castaldelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Francesco Servida
- Clinica Veterinaria Pegaso, Via Dante Alighieri 169, 22070 Rovello Porro, Italy
| | - Joel Filipe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
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McKenzie BA, Chen FL, Gruen ME, Olby NJ. Canine Geriatric Syndrome: A Framework for Advancing Research in Veterinary Geroscience. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:853743. [PMID: 35529834 PMCID: PMC9069128 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.853743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological aging is the single most important risk factor for disease, disability, and ultimately death in geriatric dogs. The effects of aging in companion dogs also impose significant financial and psychological burdens on their human caregivers. The underlying physiologic processes of canine aging may be occult, or early signs of aging may be ignored because of the misconception that biological aging is natural and therefore inevitable. The ability to detect, quantify, and mitigate the deleterious processes of canine aging would greatly enhance veterinary preventative medicine and animal welfare. In this paper we propose a new conceptual framework for aging in dogs, the Canine Geriatric Syndrome (CGS). CGS consists of the multiple, interrelated physical, functional, behavioral, and metabolic changes that characterize canine aging as well as the resulting clinical manifestations, including frailty, diminished quality of life, and age-associated disease. We also identify potential key components of a CGS assessment tool, a clinical instrument that would enable veterinarians to diagnose CGS and would facilitate the development and testing of interventions to prolong healthspan and lifespan in dogs by directly targeting the biological mechanisms of aging. There are many gaps in our knowledge of the mechanisms and phenotype of aging in dogs that must be bridged before a CGS assessment tool can be deployed. The conceptual framework of CGS should facilitate identifying these gaps and should stimulate research to better characterize the processes and effects of aging in dogs and to identify the most promising preventative strategies to target these.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frances L. Chen
- Cellular Longevity Inc., dba Loyal, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Margaret E. Gruen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Natasha J. Olby
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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