Impact of Commercially Available Diabetic Prescription Diets on Short-Term Postprandial Serum Glucose, Insulin, Triglyceride and Free Fatty Acid Concentrations of Obese Cats

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Diet therapy is an important treatment component available for obese cats. In this study, the impact of four commercially available prescription diet regimens (1 for general use and 3 aimed at treating obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM)) on short-term postprandial serum glucose, insulin, triglyceride and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations was investigated with five obese cats. The diet regimens used were as follows: C/D dry (general use: moderate protein, moderate fat, high carbohydrate and low fiber), M/D dry (DM: high protein, high fat, low carbohydrate and high fiber), W/D dry (DM: high protein, low fat, high carbohydrate and high fiber) and Diabetic dry (DM: high protein, low fat, low carbohydrate and high fiber). A significant reduction (10-13%) in postprandial glucose (area under the curve; AUC) was observed with the M/D and Diabetic diets, which both contained lower concentrations of carbohydrates than the C/D diet. An accompanying significant reduction (30-36%) in postprandial insulin AUC was also observed with the three DM diets, which all had higher amounts of fiber, as compared with the C/D diet. Lastly, a significant increase (32-65%) in postprandial NEFA AUC was observed with the M/D and Diabetic diets as compared with the C/D diet. Therefore, dietary amounts of carbohydrates and fiber, as opposed to protein content or dietary fat, appear to have a very significant impact on postprandial glycemia and subsequent insulin requirement levels in obese cats. In addition, dietary amounts of carbohydrates may also impact lipid metabolism in obese cats.

Routine plasma biochemistry analytes in clinically healthy cats: within-day variations and effects of a standard meal

“…However, a similar response has previously been reported in healthy lean and obese cats after ingestion of some commercially available diets and was associated with a high increase in insulin. 17,18 Overall, the amplitude of the shifts in plasma glucose concentration was mostly slight and unlikely to be of clinical relevance (Tables 3 and 4). However, postprandial response may notably be affected by gender, 15 carbohydrate content of the diet, 19 carbohydrate source 20 and feeding management.…”

Influence of high-protein and high-carbohydrate diets on serum lipid and fructosamine concentrations in healthy cats

“…There are conflicting reports of the influence of diet on triglyceride concentrations in cats. Several studies have reported that a high-protein and low-carbohydrate diet does not significantly affect triglyceride concentrations in cats, 19,23,24 whereas others have shown that a high-fat diet results in a significant increase in triglyceride concentrations. 17,25,26 The current study showed that a high-protein diet increased triglyceride concentrations in healthy cats.…”

“…Several studies have reported that a high-protein and low-carbohydrate diet does not significantly affect serum triglyceride concentrations in cats. 19,23,24 In comparison, cats fed diets high in fat had significant increases in triglyceride concentrations. 17,25,26 Although high-fibre foods lower triglyceride concentrations in diabetic cats 20 they increase cholesterol concentrations in healthy cats.…”

Estimation of major nutrients in dry dog foods and their compliance with nutritional guidelines

“…viscous solutions and impairment of the digestive processes and the absorption of fat and glucose, slowing down the increase in blood sugar [Mimura et al 2013].…”