Prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity in dogs presenting to French university veterinary teaching hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pet obesity is still a major health issue, which is considered an epidemic by some researchers. Prevention is one of the cornerstones of veterinary care, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures. Human lifestyle was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an increased overweight prevalence in the population. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in dogs during this period has been poorly explored. This study's objectives were to assess the percentage of the French dog population with overweight and obesity, compare the results with a study conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigate any potential changes in the risk factors. The study collected data through a survey completed by dog owners during their pets' vaccination visits at university veterinary hospitals of Maisons-Alfort (Paris) and Toulouse, in France, between 2020 and 2022. The veterinarian recorded the dog's weight and the body condition score using a 9-point scale. The study included a total of 309 dogs. Of these, 1.6 % were underweight, 63.1 % had an ideal body condition, and 35.3 % were overweight, including 2.3 % of all dogs classified as obese. During the pandemic, French dog diets shifted towards increased commercial food consumption and twice-daily feedings compared to a 2003 study. Factors positively associated with overweight were being female (OR = 3.55; 95 % CI: 1.65-8.01; P=0.002), being senior (OR=4.91; 95 % CI: 2.07-12.2; P<0.001) or geriatric (OR=5.81; 95 % CI: 2.04-17.0; P=0.001) and having an owner underestimating dog's body condition (OR=74.1; 95 % CI: 29.8-215; P<0.001). Recognizing the impact of owner perception enables early intervention strategies, such as educating owners during consultations and conducting teaching sessions at the clinic. This proactive approach could contribute to improved health outcomes and help prevent the onset of obesity-related issues in dogs. The new trends in dogs' diets may have global relevance due to the pandemic's widespread impact. Although no immediate impact on overweight is evident, ongoing research is crucial to understand the pandemic's long-term effects.

Canine Mucosal Artificial Colon: development of a new colonic in vitro model adapted to dog sizes

Differences in dog breed sizes are an important determinant of variations in digestive physiology, mainly related to the large intestine. In vitro gut models are increasingly used as alternatives to animal experiments for technical, cost, societal, and regulatory reasons. Up to now, only one in vitro model of the canine colon incorporates the dynamics of different canine gut regions, yet no adaptations exist to reproduce size-related digestive parameters. To address this limitation, we developed a new model of the canine colon, the CANIne Mucosal ARtificial COLon (CANIM-ARCOL), simulating main physiochemical (pH, transit time, anaerobiosis), nutritional (ileal effluent composition), and microbial (lumen and mucus-associated microbiota) parameters of this ecosystem and adapted to three dog sizes (i.e., small under 10 kg, medium 10-30 kg, and large over 30 kg). To validate the new model regarding microbiota composition and activities, in vitro fermentations were performed in bioreactors inoculated with stools from 13 dogs (4 small, 5 medium, and 4 large). After a stabilization period, microbiota profiles clearly clustered depending on dog size. Bacteroidota and Firmicutes abundances were positively correlated with dog size both in vitro and in vivo, while opposite trends were observed for Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. As observed in vivo, microbial activity also increased with dog size in vitro, as evidenced from gas production, short-chain fatty acids, ammonia, and bile acid dehydroxylation. In line with the 3R regulation, CANIM-ARCOL could be a relevant platform to assess bilateral interactions between food and pharma compounds and gut microbiota, capturing inter-individual or breed variabilities. KEY POINTS: • CANIM-ARCOL integrates main canine physicochemical and microbial colonic parameters • Gut microbiota associated to different dog sizes is accurately maintained in vitro • The model can help to move toward personalized approach considering dog body weight.

From Chihuahua to Saint-Bernard: how did digestion and microbiota evolve with dog sizes

Health and well-being of dogs are of paramount importance to their owners. Digestion plays a key role in dog health, involving physicochemical, mechanical and microbial actors. However, decades of breeding selection led to various dog sizes associated with different digestive physiology and disease sensitivity. Developing new products requires the consideration of all the multi-faceted aspects of canine digestion, the evaluation of food digestibility, drug release and absorption in the gut. This review paper provides an exhaustive literature survey on canine digestive physiology, focusing on size effect on anatomy and digestive parameters, with graphical representation of data classified as "small", "medium" and "large" dogs. Despite the huge variability between protocols and animals, interesting size effects on gastrointestinal physiology were highlighted, mainly related to the colonic compartment. Colonic measurements, transit time permeability, fibre degradation, faecal short-chain fatty acid concentration and faecal water content increase while faecal bile acid concentration decreases with body size. A negative correlation between body weight and Proteobacteria relative abundance was observed suggesting an effect of dog body size on faecal microbiota. This paper gathers helpful in vivo data for academics and industrials and supports the development of new food and pharma products to move towards canine personalized nutrition and health.

Two cases of suspected poisoning with goat's rue (Galega officinalis L.) in horses

The present report describes two novel cases of suspected intoxication with Galega officinalis in a 6- and 21-year-old Arabian mares displaying acute respiratory signs. Both animals showed signs of pulmonary edema at physical examination, with the oldest of the two also manifesting severe dyspnea and foamy nasal discharge. The mares were grazing on the same meadow with hay available ad libitum. Botanical analysis of the latter showed traces of the toxic plant Galega officinalis (L.), which has been daily ingested at a dose of around 14 g of dry matter for three days. Based on the respiratory signs and the presence of goat's rue in the mares' feed, a presumptive diagnosis of plant poisoning was assumed. Dietary change and treatment allowed the 6-year-old mare to fully recover in three days while a longer period of about two weeks was necessary for the older horse. Horses avoid eating fresh goat's rue as its palatability is low, yet poisoning may still happen in these species when the plant is found in dried and processed feed material.

Comparison of canine owner profile according to food choice: an online preliminary survey in France

Background

Nowadays, more people are treating dogs as family members. This reflects their increased attention towards their nutrition, with renewed interest for non-conventional diets such as Biologically Appropriate Raw Food/ Bones and Raw Food in United States (BARF) or homemade. In previous studies, owners feeding their dog non-conventional diets reported lower levels of trust in veterinary advice. The aim of the study was to identify differences in lifestyle between owners feeding dogs non-conventional diets and those feeding conventional diets (i.e., dry/wet pet food) to give further insight for improving communication between veterinarians and owners.

Results

A total of 426 surveys were usable. Fifteen percent of the participants lived in the metropole of Paris and had more than one dog (mean 1.72 dogs). Thirty-eight percent of the survey respondents stated that their dogs were fed exclusively with non-conventional diets, while 55% declared using conventional diets alone (not considering treats). The study canine population was for the most part neutered (63%) and purebred (68%). Amongst owners feeding conventional diets exclusively, 47% determined how much food to feed by consulting the feeding guidelines on the packaging, and only 28% said that the amount of food was prescribed by their veterinarian or veterinary nurse. Out of the participants feeding non-conventional diets, 65% declared that the information for formulating the recipes was gathered on the internet or in non-veterinary books. When compared with owners feeding exclusively conventional diets, those feeding non-conventional diets were living more frequently outside the metropole of Paris, had fewer children (0.23 ± 0.57 vs 0.37 ± 0.78; p = 0.03) and had more frequently other animals. They also dewormed less often their pets, walked their dog more each day (91 vs 78%; p < 0.001) and without leash for more than 6 h per week (46 vs 31%; p = 0.003).

Conclusions

This survey described differences in the habits of owners feeding dogs non-conventional diets in comparison with those feeding conventional diets. Data suggest that owners using non-conventional diets may be more attentive to the ethological needs of their dog which could be a starting point for practitioners for achieving better client-veterinarian communication.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03258-9.

In vitro models of the canine digestive tract as an alternative to in vivo assays: Advances and current challenges

Dogs occupy a full place in the family, and their well-being is of paramount importance to their owners. Digestion, a complex process involving physicochemical, mechanical, and microbial parameters, plays a central role in maintaining canine health. As in vivo studies in dogs are increasingly restricted by ethical, regulatory, societal, and cost pressures, an alternative option is the use of in vitro models simulating the different compartments of the canine gastrointestinal tract. This review introduces digestion and gut microbiota as key factors in dog nutrition and health under both healthy and diseased conditions (obesity and inflammatory bowel disease) and highlights similarities and differences between the human and canine digestive tract and processes. We provide the first in-depth description of currently available models of the canine digestive tract, discuss technical and scientific challenges that need to be addressed, and introduce potential applications of in vitro gut models in the food and veterinary fields. Even if the development of some in vitro models is still limited by a lack of in vivo data in dogs that is necessary for relevant configuration and validation, translation of long-term expertise on human in vitro gut models to dogs opens avenues for model optimization and adaptation to specific canine digestive conditions associated with various dog ages, sizes, breeds and/or diets, in both physiological and diseased states.

Bromide toxicosis (bromism) secondary to a decreased chloride intake after dietary transition in a dog with idiopathic epilepsy: a case report

Background

Bromide is a halide ion of the element bromine usually administered in the form of potassium salt as monotherapy or add-on treatment in epileptic dogs. It is excreted unchanged in the urine and undergoes tubular reabsorption in competition with chloride. Thus, dietary chloride content affects serum bromide concentrations. This is the first published clinical report of bromide toxicosis secondary to a dietary modification of chloride content in an epileptic dog treated with potassium bromide.

Case presentation

A 3-year-old 55-kg neutered male Tibetan Mastiff was evaluated because of a 1-month history of progressive signs including ataxia, lethargy and behaviour changes. The dog was successfully treated for idiopathic epilepsy since the age of 1-year-old with phenobarbital and potassium bromide. Two months prior to presentation, the owners decided to change the dog’s diet without veterinary advice. Physical examination was unremarkable. A 12-kg weight gain was recorded since last follow-up (8 months). Neurological examination revealed severe symmetric 4-limbs ataxia with altered vigilance and intermittent episodes of hyperactivity and aggressive behaviour without significant abnormality of cranial nerves. Serum bromide concentration was high and increased by 103 % since last follow-up. Nutritional evaluation revealed a 53 % decrease of chloride content in the diet before and after dietary transition. Bromide toxicosis was suspected, due to bromide reduced clearance secondary to the decreased dietary chloride content. Potassium bromide treatment was lowered by 15 % without further dietary changes. Neurologic signs progressively improved over the next month, without any seizure. After two months, the serum bromide concentration lowered to the same level measured before dietary modification. After four months, neurological examination was unremarkable.

Conclusions

Dietary chloride content can directly influence serum bromide concentrations, therefore affecting seizure control or contributing to unexpected adverse effects. In the present case, a reduction in chloride intake markedly increased serum bromide concentrations causing bromism. Dietary changes should be avoided in dogs treated with potassium bromide to maintain stable serum bromide levels.

Relationship between a plant-based 'vegan' pet food and clinical manifestation of multiple nutrient deficiencies in two cats

A topical subject in human nutrition is the steadily growing number of people choosing to limit or completely avoid all animal-derived food products either for moral dilemma, health concerns or both. To meet people's will of applying their dietary choices to their domestic animals, the pet food industry answered by launching on the market some plant-based diets. This leads to concerns about whether these diets are adequately formulated to satisfy the target species nutritional requirements, especially for cats which are still considered strict carnivores. This case report follows a 2-year-old male neutered Main Coon and a 1-year-old female spayed Domestic Shorthair cat, presented to the nutrition service of the University of Toulouse, France. Reason for consultation was lethargy with in anamnesis a recent dietary transition to a plant-based pet food. Dysorexia, lethargy and muscle waste were present at first consultation. Progressive weight loss developed during follow-ups. A macrocytic, non-regenerative anaemia with serum folates below reference were the main clinical features. Analysis of pet food showed multiple nutrients below minimum recommendation at the average daily intake of both cats. Folic acid supplementation improved dysorexia, and subsequent reintroduction of animal-derived ingredients in the diet restored appetite, weight and a normal mentation in both cases.

Managing Feline Idiopathic Hypercalcemia With Chia Seeds (Salvia hispanica L.): A Case Series

Background: We describe for the first time the use of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) as a non-pharmacological solution in managing feline idiopathic hypercalcemia when dietary change alone fails. Case Summary: Over a 2-year period of time, three female spayed, middle-aged, Domestic Shorthair cats were diagnosed with idiopathic hypercalcemia. Reason for consultation were lethargy and dysorexia, with a single episode of vomiting described in one cat and dysuria in another. Thorough diagnostic work-up included complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, ionized calcium, calcemic hormones, parathyroid hormone-related protein, and imaging of chest and abdomen. Based on different nutritional reasons, each cat was switched to a different high-moisture pet food as first-step in managing the disorder: a high-fiber diet, a diet formulated for chronic kidney disease management and a diet designed to prevent calcium oxalate urolithiasis. In the three cats, 6 weeks of dietary change alone did not result in normocalcemia. Before resorting to any pharmacological solution, supplementation to the diet of chia seeds (2 g/cat/day) was started. After 4 weeks from the introduction of Salvia hispanica L., all cats achieved normalization of ionized calcium concentration. Conclusion: Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) supplementation could be a useful tool in managing feline idiopathic hypercalcemia.

Appetite-stimulating effect of gabapentin vs mirtazapine in healthy cats post-ovariectomy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the appetite-stimulating effect of gabapentin by comparing it with mirtazapine in healthy cats in the first 8 h after ovariectomy surgery.

METHODS

This double-masked, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical trial included 60 healthy cats presented to the hospital for ovariectomy: 20 received gabapentin, 21 received mirtazapine and 19 received a placebo immediately before and 6 h after surgery. Food was offered at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h post-ovariectomy. After each meal, food intake was measured. Data were analysed using repeated-measure ANOVA and a linear mixed-model analysis. Post-hoc Tukey's honest significant difference test was performed for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

Food intake increased in both treatment groups vs placebo. No statistically significant difference was found between cats treated with gabapentin or mirtazapine.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Cats receiving gabapentin ate more than cats in the placebo group. Thirty percent of cats in the gabapentin group covered their resting energy requirements, while none of the cats in the placebo group did. Gabapentin and mirtazapine produced similar effects on food intake.

Characterization of GMO or glyphosate effects on the composition of maize grain and maize-based diet for rat feeding

INTRODUCTION

In addition to classical targeted biochemical analyses, metabolomic analyses seem pertinent to reveal expected as well as unexpected compositional differences between plant genetically modified organisms (GMO) and non-GMO samples. Data previously published in the existing literature led to divergent conclusions on the effect of maize transgenes on grain compositional changes and feeding effects. Therefore, a new study examining field-grown harvested products and feeds derived from them remains useful.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to use a metabolomics approach to characterize grain and grain-based diet compositional changes for two GMO events, one involving Bacillus thuringiensis toxin to provide insect resistance and the other one conferring herbicide tolerance by detoxification of glyphosate. We also investigated the potential compositional modifications induced by the use of a glyphosate-based herbicide on the transgenic line conferring glyphosate tolerance.

RESULTS

The majority of statistically significant differences in grain composition, evidenced by the use of 1H-NMR profiling of polar extracts and LC-ESI-QTOF-MS profiling of semi-polar extracts, could be attributed to the combined effect of genotype and environment. In comparison, transgene and glyphosate effects remained limited in grain for the compound families studied. Some but not all compositional changes observed in grain were also detected in grain-based diets formulated for rats.

CONCLUSION

Only part of the data previously published in the existing literature on maize grains of plants with the same GMO events could be reproduced in our experiment. All spectra have been deposited in a repository freely accessible to the public. Our grain and diet characterization opened the way for an in depth study of the effects of these diets on rat health.

Toxicity of endophyte-infected ryegrass hay containing high ergovaline level in lactating ewes

The symbiotic association of var. (formerly named ) with perennial ryegrass () leads to the production of ergovaline (EV) and lolitrem B (LB) that are toxic for livestock. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of feeding endophyte-infected ryegrass (SE+) hay on 16 lactating ewes (BW 80 ± 10 kg) in comparison with endophyte-free ryegrass (SE-) hay to investigate the putative mechanisms of action of EV and LB and to evaluate their persistence in milk and animal tissues. The mean EV and LB concentrations in SE+ hay were 851 and 884 μg/kg DM, respectively, whereas these alkaloids were below the limit of detection in SE- hay. No effect of SE+ was observed on animal health and skin temperature whereas prolactin decreased and significant differences between hays were observed from d 7 to 28 of the study ( < 0.03) but had no effect on milk production. Hematocrit and biochemical analyses of plasma revealed no significant difference between SE+ and SE-, whereas cortisol concentration differed significantly on d 28 ( = 0.001). Measurement of oxidative damage and antioxidant enzyme activities in plasma, liver, and kidneys revealed a slight increase in some enzyme activities involved in defense against oxidative damage in the SE+ fed ewes. Slight variations in the activities of hepatic and kidney flavin monooxygenase enzymes were observed, whereas in the kidney, glutathione -transferase activity decreased significantly ( = 0.002) in the SE+ fed ewes, whereas uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase activity increased ( = 0.001). After 28 d of exposure of ewes to the SE+ hay, low EV and LB concentrations were measured in tissues. The highest concentration of EV was observed in the liver (0.68 μg/kg) whereas fat contained the highest concentration of LB (2.39 μg/kg). Both toxins were also identified at the trace level in milk.

Evaluation of total body water in canine breeds by single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method: specific equations are needed for accuracy

Background

Equations based on single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis at 50 kHz for determination of total body water content (TBW) have been previously validated in healthy non-sedated beagle dogs. We investigated whether these equations are predictive of TBW in various canine breeds by comparing the results of these equations with TBW values evaluated directly by deuterium oxide (D₂O) dilution.

Methods

Total body water content of 13 healthy adult pet dogs of various breeds was determined directly using D₂O dilution and indirectly using previous equations based on values obtained with a portable bioelectric impedance device. Paired Student’s t-tests were used to compare TBW obtained by single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and D₂O dilution. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses.

Results

Significant differences were observed between TBW determined by the reference method and the values obtained with both predictive equations.

Conclusions

The proposed equations including single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis parameters validated at 50 kHz in healthy adult beagles need to be modified including morphological parameters such as body size and shape in a first approach. As in humans, morphological-specific equations have to be developed and validated.

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and heme iron induce oxidative stress biomarkers and a cancer promoting environment in the colon of rats

The end products of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) peroxidation, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), and isoprostanes (8-iso-PGF2α), are widely used as systemic lipid oxidation/oxidative stress biomarkers. However, some of these compounds have also a dietary origin. Thus, replacing dietary saturated fat by PUFAs would improve health but could also increase the formation of such compounds, especially in the case of a pro-oxidant/antioxidant imbalanced diet. Hence, the possible impact of dietary fatty acids and pro-oxidant compounds was studied in rats given diets allowing comparison of the effects of heme iron vs. ferric citrate and of ω-6- vs. ω-3-rich oil on the level of lipid peroxidation/oxidative stress biomarkers. Rats given a heme iron-rich diet without PUFA were used as controls. The results obtained have shown that MDA and the major urinary metabolite of HNE (the mercapturic acid of dihydroxynonane, DHN-MA) were highly dependent on the dietary factors tested, while 8-iso-PGF2α was modestly but significantly affected. Intestinal inflammation and tissue fatty acid composition were checked in parallel and could only explain the differences we observed to a limited extent. Thus, the differences in biomarkers were attributed to the formation of lipid oxidation compounds in food or during digestion, their intestinal absorption, and their excretion into urine. Moreover, fecal extracts from the rats fed the heme iron or fish oil diets were highly toxic for immortalized mouse colon cells. Such toxicity can eventually lead to promotion of colorectal carcinogenesis, supporting the epidemiological findings between red meat intake and colorectal cancer risk. Therefore, the analysis of these biomarkers of lipid peroxidation/oxidative stress in urine should be used with caution when dietary factors are not well controlled, while control of their possible dietary intake is needed also because of their pro-inflammatory, toxic, and even cocarcinogenic effects.

Indirect prediction of total body water content in healthy adult Beagles by single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis

OBJECTIVE

To develop equations for prediction of total body water (TBW) content in unsedated dogs by combining impedance (resistance and reactance) and morphological variables and to compare the results of those equations with TBW content determined by deuterium dilution (TBW(d)).

ANIMALS

26 healthy adult Beagles.

PROCEDURES

TBW content was determined directly by deuterium dilution and indirectly with equations developed from measurements obtained by use of a portable bioelectric impedance device and morphological variables including body length, height, weight, and thoracic and abdominal circumferences.

RESULTS

Impedance and morphological data from 16 of the 26 dogs were used to determine coefficients for the following 2 equations: TBW(1) = -0.019 (BL(2)/R) + -0.199 (RC + AC) + 0.996 W + 0.081 H + 12.31; and TBW(2) = 0.048 (BL(2)/R) + -0.144 (RC + AC) + 0.777 W + 0.066 H + 0.031 X + 7.47, where AC is abdominal circumference, H is height, BL is body length, R is resistance, RC is rib cage circumference, W is body weight, and × is reactance. Results for TBW(1) (R(2)(1) = 0.843) and TBW(2) (R(2)(2) = 0.816) were highly correlated with the TBW(d). When the equations were validated with data from the remaining 10 dogs, the respective mean differences between TBW(d) and TBW(1) and TBW(2) were 0.17 and 0.11 L, which equated to a nonsignificant underestimation of TBW content by 2.4% and 1.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results indicated that impedance and morphological data can be used to accurately estimate TBW content in adult Beagles. This method of estimating TBW content is less expensive and easier to perform than is measurement of TBW(d), making it appealing for daily use in veterinary practice.

Ergovaline in tall fescue and its effect on health, milk quality, biochemical parameters, oxidative status, and drug metabolizing enzymes of lactating ewes

Ergovaline (EV) produced by symbiotic association of Epichloë coenophiala with tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) causes toxicoses in livestock. In this study, 16 lactating ewes (BW 76.0 ± 0.6 kg) were used to determine the effects of feeding endophyte-infected (FE+) or endophyte free (FE-) tall fescue hay on animal health and performances and to investigate the putative mechanisms of action of EV. The mean EV concentrations in FE+ and FE- diets were 497 ± 52 and <5 µg/kg DM, respectively. Decreased hay consumption and BW were observed in the FE+ group. Prolactin (PRL) concentrations decreased (P < 0.02) in the FE+ group from d 3 to 28 of the study compared to the FE- group, but no consequences were observed on milk quantity or quality. Skin temperature and the thermocirculation index were lower (P < 0.05) in the FE+ than in the FE- group from d 3 to 7, but this effect disappeared from d 14 to 28. Hematocrit, mineral and biochemical, and enzymatic analyses of plasma revealed no differences between the 2 groups. Measurement of oxidative damage and antioxidant enzyme activities revealed a decrease in the activities of plasma catalase (P < 0.05), kidney glutathione reductase and peroxidase and in kidney total glutathione and malondialdehyde contents (P < 0.02) in ewes fed FE+. Hepatic flavin monooxygenase enzyme activities decreased (P < 0.01) in ewes fed FE+, except for a marked increase in the demethylation of erythromycin. This activity is linked to cytochrome P4503A content and is known to be involved in ergot alkaloid metabolism. Glutathione S-transferase activity in the kidneys decreased (P < 0.02) in the FE+ group, whereas no difference was observed in uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase activity in the liver or kidneys. The reversibility of the effect of FE+ hay on skin temperature and the increase in erythromycin N-demethylase activity may contribute to the relative resistance of ewes to EV toxicity.

Low doses of bisphenol A induce gene expression related to lipid synthesis and trigger triglyceride accumulation in adult mouse liver

Changes in lifestyle are suspected to have strongly influenced the current obesity epidemic. Based on recent experimental, clinical, and epidemiological work, it has been proposed that some food contaminants may exert damaging effects on endocrine and metabolic functions, thereby promoting obesity and associated metabolic diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this work, we investigated the effect of one suspicious food contaminant, bisphenol A (BPA), in vivo. We used a transcriptomic approach in male CD1 mice exposed for 28 days to different doses of BPA (0, 5, 50, 500, and 5,000 μg/kg/day) through food contamination. Data analysis revealed a specific impact of low doses of BPA on the hepatic transcriptome, more particularly on genes involved in lipid synthesis. Strikingly, the effect of BPA on the expression of de novo lipogenesis followed a nonmonotonic dose-response curve, with more important effects at lower doses than at the higher dose. In addition to lipogenic enzymes (Acc, Fasn, Scd1), the expression of transcription factors such as liver X Receptor, the sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, and the carbohydrate responsive element binding protein that govern the expression of lipogenic genes also followed a nonmonotonic dose-response curve in response to BPA. Consistent with an increased fatty acid biosynthesis, determination of fat in the liver showed an accumulation of cholesteryl esters and of triglycerides.

CONCLUSION

Our work suggests that exposure to low BPA doses may influence de novo fatty acid synthesis through increased expression of lipogenic genes, thereby contributing to hepatic steatosis. Exposure to such contaminants should be carefully examined in the etiology of metabolic diseases such as NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Prevalence of gastric ulcer syndrome in high-level endurance horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY

Equine gastric ulcers syndrome (EGUS) prevalence studies are rare in the endurance horse and none has been carried out to date in horses competing at high level.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of EGUS in high-level endurance horses.

METHODS

Thirty endurance horses competing at high level were selected and submitted to 2 gastroscopic examinations. The first gastroscopy was performed during the interseason period, and the second during the competition season within 2-3 days following a ride of 90-160 km. Data related to housing, feeding, training system as well as age, breed and gender were recorded for each horse.

RESULTS

The prevalence of squamous gastric ulcers was 48% during the interseason period (mean score 0.85 ± 0.13 on a scale from 0-4) and 93% during the competition season (mean score 1.60 ± 1.15) with a highly significant difference between the seasons (P = 0.001). Most of the lesions were situated in the squamous portion of the stomach but 33.3% of horses showed also glandular lesions. Significant influence of training and performance level on the gastric score (according to the distance of the ride preceding the second gastroscopy) was shown (P = 0.038). There was also a significant influence of housing on the gastric score (P = 0.002) showing higher scores in the horses kept totally on pasture (mean score: 2.14 ± 0.14) vs. horses housed in a mixed environment (stable + pasture, mean score: 1.43 ± 0.17). Both the pastured and (stabled + pastured) groups were receiving a grain supplement but the pastured group received a higher daily starch intake, which might explain the higher ulcer prevalence. There was no influence of age, breed or gender on the gastric scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of gastric lesions observed in this study is probably related to the high level of training and performance of the horses examined compared to the population of horses included in the prior study.

POTENTIAL RELEVANCE

This prevalence of EGUS in high-level endurance horses is comparable to the prevalence established in racing horses. The equine veterinarians may take into consideration EGUS as a potential cause of poor performance.

Oxidative stress in dog with heart failure: the role of dietary Fatty acids and antioxidants

In dogs with heart failure, cell oxygenation and cellular metabolism do not work properly, leading to the production of a large amount of free radicals. In the organism, these free radicals are responsible of major cellular damages: this is oxidative stress. However, a suitable food intake plays an important role in limiting this phenomenon: on the one hand, the presence of essential fatty acids in the composition of membranes decreases sensitivity of cells to free radicals and constitutes a first protection against the oxidative stress; on the other hand, coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, and polyphenols are antioxidant molecules which can help cells to neutralize these free radicals.

Cotoneaster sp. poisoning in a llama (Lama glama)

A case of poisoning with a Cotoneaster sp. is described in a llama (Lama glama). The clinical signs were dyspnea, with congested mucous membranes, chewing, recumbency, and opisthotonos. Several hours after ingestion of the plant, the llama died, despite treatment with sodium thiosulfate and nitrite. Necropsy revealed approximately 676 g of leaves and fruit of Cotoneaster in the first compartment of the stomach. The blood was light red and did not clot. Because Cotoneaster sp. contains low concentrations of cyanogenic glycosides, toxicosis occurs only following massive ingestion of plant material.

Hypocalcaemia due to nutritional calcium deficiency and hypoparathyroidism in an adult dog

A 13-year-old intact male poodle had suffered periodic tetanic crises for two months. It was cachectic and moderately dehydrated, and during the crises blindness, a stiff gait and behavioural changes were observed. Routine haematological and biochemical profiles showed that it was severely hypocalcaemic, with a corrected plasma calcium concentration of 1.13 mmol/litre (reference range 2.25 to 3 mmol/litre). The dog was fed a home-made diet composed of chicken and basmati rice cooked with a soup bouillon cube; an analysis of its daily allowance indicated that the dog was generally malnourished and received only 0.222 g of calcium per day rather than the 0.6 g it required. In addition, the dog had a low blood concentration of parathyroid hormone of 12 ng/litre (reference range 20 to 80 ng/litre). Supplementing the dog with calcitriol for four days and correcting its diet increased its blood calcium to the lower part of the reference range and resolved the clinical signs, although its parathyroid hormone concentration was still low one year later.

Enantioselectivity of the enterohepatic recycling of carprofen in the dog

The disposition of the two enantiomers of carprofen (CPF), the (R)-CPF and the (S)-CPF, was investigated after iv administration of the racemate (4 mg/kg) in dogs equipped with a chronic bile duct catheter. Studies in dogs with diverted bile flow showed that both enantiomers were extensively excreted in bile with 74% of the (R)-enantiomer and 92% of the (S)-enantiomer from the iv administered dose being recovered in the bile as the respective glucuronide conjugates. The direct administration of acidic bile containing acyl-glucuronides of CPF in the duodenum showed that both conjugated enantiomers led to high CPF enantiomer systemic availability. However, comparison of CPF pharmacokinetics between dogs with nondiverted bile flow and dogs with diverted bile flow suggested that CPF was subjected to enantioselective enterohepatic recycling (EHC) and that only the (S)-CPF was recycled. The absence of EHC for the (R)-CPF is hypothesized to be the result of formation of glucuronidase-resistant isoglucuronides (epimers) to a greater extent for the (R)-CPF than for the (S)-CPF.

Migrating motor complex of the intestine and absorption of a biliary excreted drug in the dog

The role of the migrating motor complex (MMC) of the small intestine in the absorption of an enterally administered marker (tolfenamic acid, TA) used to investigate enterohepatic recycling was studied in the fasted dog. TA was rapidly and extensively absorbed in the duodenum as well as in the ileum. In contrast, the conjugated form of TA (CTA) was not absorbed in the duodenum but only in the ileum, i.e., after bacterial hydrolysis. By administering CTA in the duodenum at different phases (I and II) of the MMC, it was shown that CTA had to be propelled from the duodenum to the ileum by the motor activity of the MMC. Under these conditions, the peak plasma TA concentration was only observed when phase II of the MMC present in the duodenum at the time of CTA administration arrived in the ileum. The estimated mean transit time of CTA from the duodenum to ileum was 45 min and the mean hydrolysis time of CTA to TA was about 75 min. It was concluded that 1) in the fasted dog, a relatively long delay must exist between bile excretion of a conjugate and the reabsorption of its free moiety in the ileum and 2) a realistic physiological model of enterohepatic recycling must take into account the MMC pattern of the intestine when drugs are administered to animals in the fasted state.

Gastric and pancreatic lipase levels during a test meal in dogs

The levels of gastric and pancreatic lipases in the duodenum and the jejunum were measured during the digestion of a test meal in dogs. Using both a specific enzymatic titration and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, it is shown for the first time that gastric lipase remains active in the duodenal and jejunal contents. An experimental device was set up for measuring the secretions and the intestinal flows of lipases during the digestion of a liquid test meal. In a dog equipped with gastric and duodenal cannulae, the secretion of gastric lipase was stimulated by food ingestion, reaching 3.0 +/- 0.3 mg/h (three times the basal secretion rate) during the 1st h of digestion. The total secretory outputs of gastric and pancreatic lipases recorded over a 3-h period of digestion were 7.2 +/- 1.2 mg and 18.7 +/- 1.2 mg, respectively.