Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Immunometabolic parameters in overweight dogs during weight loss with or without an exercise program.
- Journal:
- Domestic animal endocrinology
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Vitger, A D et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how exercise affects the health of overweight dogs during weight loss. Over 12 weeks, 16 overweight dogs were divided into two groups: one group followed a diet with an exercise program, while the other group just followed the diet. Both groups lost weight and showed some signs of improved health, like lower levels of certain markers in their blood that indicate inflammation and metabolic issues. However, there were no significant differences in health improvements between the dogs that exercised and those that did not. Overall, while both groups benefited from losing weight, adding exercise did not seem to provide any extra health advantages.
Abstract
The influence of physical activity on metabolic health in overweight dogs is unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate biomarkers of immunometabolic health in relation to changes in physical activity and adiposity. Client-owned overweight dogs participated in a 12-wk intervention based on caloric restriction combined with a training program (fitness and diet [FD] group, n = 8), or caloric restriction alone (diet-only [DO] group, n = 8). Physical activity was monitored by accelerometry. All dogs were fed the same diet and achieved similar weight loss. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after 6- and 12-wk intervention. Insulin resistance was evaluated from plasma insulin and C-peptide as well as homeostasis model assessment. Inflammation and dyslipidemia were evaluated from circulating leptin, adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), monocyte chemoattractant factor-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and cholesterol. Accelerometer counts in both groups were high compared with previous reports of physical activity in overweight dogs. No difference in blood parameters was evident between groups, evaluated by linear mixed-effects model (P > 0.05). Within the groups, the following changes were significant by t-test (P < 0.05): leptin decreased in both groups. Within the FD group, IL-8, MCP-1, and CRP decreased at 6 wk and IL-8 and cholesterol at 12 wk. Within the DO group, C-peptide and HOMA decreased at 6 wk and C-peptide at 12 wk. We conclude that, for both groups, weight loss resulted in minor indications of improved immunometabolic health, whereas this level of physical activity did not add further benefits.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27951413/