The Serum and Fecal Metabolomic Profiles of Growing Kittens Treated with Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid or Doxycycline

Abstract

The long-term impact of antibiotics on the serum and fecal metabolome of kittens has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the serum and fecal metabolome of kittens with an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) before, during, and after antibiotic treatment and compare it with that of healthy control cats. Thirty 2-month-old cats with a URTI were randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 20 days or doxycycline for 28 days, and 15 cats of similar age were enrolled as controls. Fecal samples were collected on days 0, 20/28, 60, 120, and 300, while serum was collected on days 0, 20/28, and 300. Untargeted and targeted metabolomic analyses were performed on both serum and fecal samples. Seven metabolites differed significantly in antibiotic-treated cats compared to controls on day 20/28, with two differing on day 60, and two on day 120. Alterations in the pattern of serum amino acids, antioxidants, purines, and pyrimidines, as well as fecal bile acids, sterols, and fatty acids, were observed in antibiotic-treated groups that were not observed in control cats. However, the alterations caused by either amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or doxycycline of the fecal and serum metabolome were only temporary and were resolved by 10 months after their withdrawal.

Alterations and correlations of gut microbiota, fecal, and serum metabolome characteristics in a rat model of alcohol use disorder

“…Compared to serum metabolites, fecal metabolites may be more representative of the direct microbial metabolic products produced in the gut. On the other hand, these metabolites eventually can enter the liver, muscle, adipose tissue, and brain, where they signal through targeting host molecules and affecting host signaling pathways ( Koh and Bäckhed, 2020 ; Stavroulaki et al, 2022 ). While there have been many studies describe microbial metabolites in obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and other metabolic diseases ( Pedersen et al, 2016 ; Wahlström et al, 2016 ; Federici, 2019 ).…”

Collaborative Metabolism: Gut Microbes Play a Key Role in Canine and Feline Bile Acid Metabolism

“…For example, unlike in dogs, no studies depict the normal development of BA pools in healthy cats. Presently, studies are largely limited to evaluations of healthy cats within the context of diet modifications [ 156 , 157 , 158 ] and antimicrobial administration [ 159 , 160 ], or in states of disease such as kittens with upper respiratory infections (URIs) [ 161 ], feline CKD [ 162 ], and feline chronic enteropathy [ 163 ]. Herein, the current evidence available regarding feline BAs will be reviewed.…”

“…Microbial-derived SBAs have also been studied in states of disease in cats including kittens with URIs given antimicrobials [ 161 ], feline CKD [ 162 , 166 ], and feline CE [ 163 ]. The development and maturation of the fecal BA pools has recently been characterized in kittens with URIs starting at 2 months of age up to approximately one year [ 161 ].…”

“…Microbial-derived SBAs have also been studied in states of disease in cats including kittens with URIs given antimicrobials [ 161 ], feline CKD [ 162 , 166 ], and feline CE [ 163 ]. The development and maturation of the fecal BA pools has recently been characterized in kittens with URIs starting at 2 months of age up to approximately one year [ 161 ]. URI-inflicted kittens either received amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (20 mg/kg PO q12h for 20d; n = 15), doxycycline (10 mg/kg PO q24h for 28d; n = 15), or did not receive any antimicrobials ( n = 15) [ 161 ].…”

“…The development and maturation of the fecal BA pools has recently been characterized in kittens with URIs starting at 2 months of age up to approximately one year [ 161 ]. URI-inflicted kittens either received amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (20 mg/kg PO q12h for 20d; n = 15), doxycycline (10 mg/kg PO q24h for 28d; n = 15), or did not receive any antimicrobials ( n = 15) [ 161 ]. Fecal BAs were assessed serially at day 0, upon completion of antimicrobial therapy (day 20 for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and day 28 for doxycycline and control groups), and day 60, 120, and 300 [ 161 ].…”