Potential use of cholesterol lipoprotein profile to confirm obesity status in dogs

Abstract

A common sign of obesity, in dogs, is hyperlipidemia, which is characterized by hypercholesterolemia and/or hypertriglycemia. Hyperlipidemia can be caused by a quantitative increase in circulating lipoproteins (LP) or by a higher lipid concentration in the various LP classes. In this study, we sought to determine whether aberrations occur with cholesterol lipoprotein profile, especially with sub HDL-cholesterol fraction % in obese dogs. Using clinically healthy and disease free (no overt signs) body condition score classified obese dogs, of all ages, we attempted to determine the influence of age, gender and obesity status on cholesterol lipoprotein profiling. Overall, no aberration in pattern was observed in obese dogs <8 years of age. However, in older obese animals (≥8 years of age), the general aberration pattern to cholesterol lipoprotein observed was that a significant decrease in HDL2 and 3 fraction % occurs with a concomitant increase in either HDL1-Cho or VLDL and LDL -Cho fraction % depending on gender. Linear regression analysis indicated that obesity status appears to significantly affect total cholesterol, HDL2 and 3-Cho, VLDL and LDL-Cho levels (P=0.02, 0.046, and 0.045, respectively), whereas it is borderline with HDL1-Cho (P=0.062). On the other hand, age significantly influenced TG, Total cholesterol, and HDL1-Cho levels (P=0.009, 0.006, and 0.002, respectively), while gender influenced VLDL and LDL-Cho (P=0.024) level. Therefore, aberrations in cholesterol lipoprotein profile pattern might be of potential use to assess and diagnose obesity status, in conjunction with BCS, especially of older overweight animals which might be considered borderline obese.

Blood Pressure, Serum Glucose, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides in Dogs with Different Body Scores

“…Serum triglyceride concentrations in dogs with BCS 8-9 and dogs with MS are similar in other studies [7, 12, 13] and higher in others [14, 15]. The median values of cholesterol in the BCS 8-9 group were similar to described previously [14, 15] but in the MS group were higher when compared to these same studies.…”

“…The median values of cholesterol in the BCS 8-9 group were similar to described previously [14, 15] but in the MS group were higher when compared to these same studies. Pancreatitis, hepatobiliary disease, atherosclerosis, eye damage [12], insulin resistance [16], and seizures are complications associated with hyperlipidemia, but none of the animals had these complications. In dogs overweight and obese 27 with triglycerides above 445 mg/dL and 19 (70,37%) dogs from MS group were observed.…”

Metabolic Parameters in Obese Dogs Undergoing to the Diet with Calorie Restriction

“…ALKP and GGT fell significantly after the 16 week weight loss program, and the detection of the increased serum ALKP activity in obese dogs has been described previously [24]. Although there are a few studies in this regard, it is spe-…”

“…Reference [23] notices a considerable increase in serum insulin concentrations and pancreatic B cell function in obese dogs, in spite of the maintenance of euglycemia. Reference [24] did not identify any changes in glucose and insulin index. However, the authors suggest that it probably occurred due to the degree of adiposity, which means, the animals studied were overweight and not obese, which corroborates our work, where overweight dogs (M1) showed no signs of IR as observed in the obese dogs.…”

Abdominal obesity is associated with heart disease in dogs

“…Interestingly, canine obesity is also relevant to the development of insulin resistance [7], altered lipid profiles [26], and mild hypertension [7] that could be improved by weight reduction [27]. The results of this CT-based study indicate increased IAF in dogs with heart disease compared with healthy dogs.…”