The effect of a spot-on formulation containing polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential oils on dogs with atopic dermatitis

Recent studies have shown that immunological aberrations and epidermal barrier defects could be important in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) and that oral polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might influence the epidermal barrier. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a spot-on formulation containing PUFAs and essential oils on pruritus and lesions caused by CAD. Forty-eight privately owned dogs of different breeds, ages and genders diagnosed with atopic dermatitis were included in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial. Dogs were treated with a spot-on formulation containing PUFAs and essential oils or placebo on the dorsal neck once weekly for 8 weeks. Before and after the study, CAD extent and severity index-03 (CADESI-03) and pruritus scores were determined by veterinarians and owners, respectively.There was significantly more improvement in CADESI-03 and pruritus scores in the treatment group than in the placebo group (P = 0.011 and P = 0.036, respectively). Additionally, more dogs improved by at least 50% in CADESI-03 and pruritus scores in the treatment group than in the placebo group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.070, respectively). No adverse reactions were observed. The topical preparation containing PUFAs and essential oils was a safe treatment and beneficial in ameliorating the clinical signs of CAD.     

Essential fatty acids supplementation in different-stage atopic dogs fed on a controlled diet

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation in different-stages atopic dogs fed on a controlled diet. Twenty-two non-seasonal atopic dogs of different breeds and ages were included in the 2-month trial. All the patients were given an essential fatty acid (EFA) supplementation [17 mg/kg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + 5 mg/kg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + 35 mg/kg gammalinolenic acid (GLA)], the global (diet + supplementation) omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was 5.5-1. Two groups of dogs were considered: group A 'pre-immunotherapy' (15 cases) included dogs with early stages atopy, which had not been submitted to any treatment yet; group B 'post-immunotherapy' (seven cases) included dogs with chronic atopy immunotherapy non-responsive. Clinical evaluations were performed at the beginning, on day 30 and at the end of the trial. Blood serum fatty acids profile was determined at the beginning and at the end of the study. Better clinical results were obtained in group A, a great difference was found between the two groups on pruritus score. Serum arachidonic acid (AA) was significantly lower at the end of the trial in group A while GLA was significantly higher in group B. We hypothesized that different-stages atopic dogs could have different response to EFA supplementation, maybe because of a different fatty acids metabolism. Early stages cases seem to be more responsive to EFA supplementation.     

Plasma and skin concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids before and after supplementation with n-3 fatty acids in dogs with atopic dermatitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine essential fatty acid concentrations in plasma and tissue before and after supplementation with n-3 fatty acids in dogs with atopic dermatitis. ANIMALS: 30 dogs with atopic dermatitis. PROCEDURE: Dogs received supplemental flaxseed oil (200 mg/kg/d), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 50 mg/kg/d)-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 35 mg/kg/d), or mineral oil as a placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Clinical scores and plasma and cutaneous concentrations of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, alpha-linolenic acid (alpha-LLA), EPA, DHA, prostaglandin E2, and leukotriene B4 were determined. RESULTS: Total plasma concentrations of alpha-LLA and EPA increased and those of arachidonic acid decreased significantly with administration of EPA-DHA, and concentrations of alpha-LLA increased with flaxseed oil supplementation; nevertheless, there was no significant change in the concentrations of these fatty acids or eicosanoids in the skin. There was no correlation between clinical scores and plasma or cutaneous concentrations for any of the measured fatty acids or eicosanoids. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that at the dose used, neither the concentrations of fatty acids in skin or plasma nor a decrease in the production of inflammatory eicosanoids was a major factor involved in the mechanism of action in dogs with atopy that responded to fatty acid supplementation.     

富含十八碳不饱和脂肪酸的植物油对体外瘤胃发酵和甲烷生成的影响

选取3种典型的植物油:菜籽油、豆油和亚麻油,利用体外培养系统进行体外发酵,研究植物油的类型和添加水平对瘤胃体外发酵和甲烷生成的影响。3种植物油分别添加底物干物质的3%、5%和7%,未添加植物油组为对照,共10个处理,每个处理设3个重复。结果表明,菜籽油对甲烷产量无显著影响(P>0.05),豆油7%添加水平显著抑制了甲烷生成,而亚麻油所有添加水平均显著降低了甲烷生成量(P<0.05)。在豆油和亚麻油处理组中,随着添加水平的提高,甲烷产量线性下降(P<0.01)。3种植物油均显著改变了瘤胃发酵模式,随着植物油中所含不饱和脂肪酸不饱和度的增加,乙酸和丁酸的摩尔比例显著降低,丙酸摩尔比例显著升高(P<0.05);植物油添加水平的提高显著降低了乙酸和丁酸摩尔比例,显著升高了丙酸摩尔比例(P<0.05),乙酸丙酸比例显著降低。本试验结果表明植物油降低甲烷的效果跟其来源和添加水平有关;随着植物油添加水平的提高和所含不饱和脂肪酸不饱和度的增加,甲烷生成量显著降低。     

The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XXIII): are essential fatty acids effective?

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) exhibit the potential to affect allergic inflammation through the modulation of prostaglandin and leukotriene production, the inhibition of cellular activation and cytokine secretion as well as the alteration of the composition and function of the epidermal lipid barrier. Because of these multi-faceted effects, EFA have been proposed for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) since 1987. To date, more than 20 trials have been performed, reporting the efficacy of either oral EFA supplements or EFA-rich diets. Unfortunately, most of these studies were found to exhibit one or more of the following deficiencies: heterogeneity of diagnoses used as inclusion criteria, short duration of supplementation, lack of randomization of treatment allocation, lack of blinding of investigators and/or owners, lack of placebo or active controls, lack of documentation of plasma or skin EFA profiles during supplementation, as well as lack of standardization of the basal diets or supplements which could have provided additional EFA. Consequently, there is presently insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of EFA to control clinical signs of canine AD. Evidence of efficacy must await the performance of blinded, randomized and controlled trials of at least 3 months duration in which diets are identical for all of study subjects. In these trials, clinical efficacy should be evaluated in relation to plasma and cutaneous EFA treatment-induced alterations.     

Treating canine atopic dermatitis with unsaturated fatty acids: the role of mast cells and potential mechanisms of action

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by pruritus and associated cutaneous changes. Treatment interventions include allergen avoidance, allergen‐specific immunotherapy as well as a symptomatic therapy using glucocorticoids and antihistamines. In addition, a dietary intervention using polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been shown to alleviate symptoms in some dogs. Although the beneficial effects of PUFA in the treatment of CAD have been known for several years, their mode of action remains unclear. This review discusses the evidential basis of the therapeutic use of dietary PUFA in the treatment of CAD. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of cutaneous mast cells. In addition, recent evidence from in vitro studies on the regulation of mast cell exocytosis will be used to build a mechanistic model of the active principle of PUFA. It is proposed that dietary PUFA are integrated into mast cell membranes resulting in a reorganization of membrane microdomains. This may then be accompanied by functional changes of membrane‐associated proteins such as the phospholipases D (PLD), enzymes having an important impact on mast cell exocytosis processes.     

日粮脂肪酸来源对动物产品中不饱和脂肪酸影响的研究进展

本文就动物日粮脂肪酸来源对肉、蛋和奶中不饱和脂肪酸含量的影响作一简要综述。     

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on canine atopic dermatitis

Twenty-nine dogs were included in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised trial and were orally supplemented for 10 weeks with either flax oil (200 mg/kg/day), eicosapentaenoic acid (50 mg/kg/day) and docosahexaenoic acid (35 mg/kg/day) in a commercial preparation, or mineral oil as a placebo. For each dog, clinical scores were determined based on a scoring system developed prior to the trial. Total omega-6 and omega-3 intake and the ratio of omega-6:omega-3 (omega-6:3) were calculated before and after the trial. The dogs' clinical scores improved in those supplemented with flax oil and the commercial preparation, but not in the placebo group. No correlation was identified between total fatty acid intake or omega-6:3 ratio and clinical scores. Based on the results of this study, the total intake of fatty acids or the omega-6:3 ratio do not seem to be the main factors in determining the clinical response.     

The influence of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids feeding on composition of fatty acids in fatty tissues and eggs of laying hens

The paper deals with supplementation of hen diet with oils with increased content of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and occurrence of fatty acids (FA) in fatty tissues and eggs of laying hens after the respective supplementation. The experiment was carried out on 30 laying hens of ISA BROWN hybrid, divided to three groups (A, B, C). For the period of three weeks the group A was administered flax-seed oil, group B served as a control and group C was fed base rations supplemented with fish oil. In addition to that the diet of groups A and C was supplemented with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Administration of the oils as a source of omega-3 PUFA increased their concentration in both the fatty tissues and egg-yolk which resulted in the change of the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFA. No influence of flax-seed and fish oil on concentration of alpha-tocopherol in egg-yolk was observed.     

Serum and skin IgA concentrations in normal and atopic dogs

Objective To compare serum and skin surface IgA concentrations from atopic and normal dogs.
Procedure IgA concentrations in sera and skin washings of 20 clinically normal dogs that had no history of pruritus or skin disease were compared to those obtained in 20 dogs with a diagnosis of atopy determined by history, clinical examination and positive intradermal skin test.
Results There was no significant difference in the mean serum IgA concentration in normal dogs (252 ± 187 mg/L) versus atopic animals (314 ± 327). When skin washings from all sites in both groups were compared, atopic dogs had significantly greater concentrations of IgA in their skin washings than normal dogs as evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the individual sites of the skin washings of atopic and normal dogs.
Conclusion IgA concentrations of skin washings in atopic dogs were greater than in normal dogs. Further investigations need to determine if the greater concentrations were caused by nonspecific inflammation or by secretion of allergen-specific IgA onto the skin surface.     

多不饱和脂肪酸对鱼饲料转化率的影响及其机理

由于过分的海洋捕捞以及对海水鱼消费的增加,导致海水鱼油供不应求,研究使用鱼油替代品发展水产养殖业势在必行。植物油供应稳定,价廉物美,但是它富含多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFAs),却缺乏高度不饱和脂肪酸(HUFAs),尤其缺乏n-3HUFAs。文章结合本研究所多年来对HUFAs的研究成果,重点综述PUFAs特别是n-3HUFAs对鱼饲料转化率的影响及其机理,并探索植物油替代鱼油存在的问题及解决方法,以促进有效利用PUFAs和用植物油替代鱼油养殖海水鱼,发展可持续的海水养殖业。     

The metabolic profile of growing lambs fed diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids

The effect of two diets enriched with unsaturated fatty acids – one containing the addition of dried distillers grains with solubles (DGS) and the other the addition of false flax – Camelina sativa cake (CS) – on some metabolic parameters and hormone concentration in growing lambs was determined in this experiment. A total of 21 ram lambs of the Polish Whiteheaded mutton sheep were divided into three groups (the control, receiving DGS and CS). The diets were administered to animals for 6 weeks. During the experiment, peripheral blood was collected. Glucose (GL), total cholesterol (CH), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), insulin (IN), leptin (LE), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were assayed in serum. The age‐dependent reduction in CH and TG limited by both experimental diets were observed. A significant increase in FFA concentration was observed in samples collected in the last, that is, third, time period. This was most probably caused by a 12‐h pre‐slaughter fasting period. A significantly lower dynamic of FFA increase in that experimental period was found in animals receiving the experimental feed. Insulin concentration in DGS‐receiving lambs was increased, in contrast to the CS‐receiving lambs, in which it was lower when compared to the control. LE concentration was decreased by both experimental diets, more markedly in the DGS‐receiving animals. No differences between the experimental groups and the control were observed in T3 and T4 concentrations. The effect of 12‐h pre‐slaughter fasting was statistically highly significant for the levels of examined blood markers and hormones, except for TG and IN in the group of lambs receiving the experimental diet with CS.     

水生生物对高不饱和脂肪酸的营养需求

鱼虾必需脂肪酸是指一些不能由机体自身合成而只能由食物提供,以满足其正常生长发育以及维持细胞组织功能所必需的多不饱和脂肪酸.必需脂肪酸对鱼虾的正常生长以及发育繁殖至关重要.本文就水生生物对n-3高度不饱和脂肪酸(n-3 HUFA)和n-6高度不饱和脂肪酸(n-6 HUFA)系列营养需求作一综述.     

高度不饱和脂肪酸对水生动物代谢的影响及其机理

高度不饱和脂肪酸(HUFAs)是机体必需的脂肪酸(EFAs),功能多而重要。然而,在现实研究中,从脂肪或脂肪酸的角度研究其对机体影响的多,专题研究HUFAs的少,以致对HUFAs的影响及其机理的研究不够全面。本文概述HUFAs对水生动物代谢的影响及机理,重点综述HUFAs对脂肪酸代谢、蛋白质代谢、糖(能量)代谢、核酸代谢的影响及其机理,以便进一步深入研究、掌握HUFAs影响水生动物代谢的规律和调控机制,有效地应用HUFAs调控水生动物代谢,改善水生动物的生长发育,促进其健康养殖,提高生产效率,增加社会效益和经济效益。