Changes in enzyme activity in obese Beagle dogs after weight loss

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in today's dog population and the major risk factor for a number of related diseases. However, the exact pathogenesis of obesity-related complications is not always clear. In people, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is suspected to be involved in lipoprotein metabolism and has also been associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease, one of the potential complications related to obesity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of experimentally induced weight loss on BChE and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in obese dogs to elucidate the possible relationship between these 2 enzymes and obesity. METHODS: Six obese intact female Beagle dogs were allocated to a weight loss program for 3 months. BChE was measured in serum samples using butyrylcholine as substrate, whereas AChE was measured in whole blood after inhibition of BChE with ethopropazine and using acetylcholine as a substrate. RESULTS: After rapid weight loss serum BChE activities were statistically significantly lower (P < .05), whereas AChE activities were higher (P < .01). There was a positive correlation between serum BChE activity and concentrations of total cholesterol (TCHOL, P < .001), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C, P < .001), and triglycerides (P < .05). A negative correlation was detected between serum BChE and AChE activities (P < .0001), and between AChE activity and serum levels of TCHOL (P < .01), LDL-C (P < .01) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term weight loss in obese intact female Beagle dogs resulted in opposite effects in 2 cholinesterase isoenzyme activities, namely lower BChE and higher AChE activities.