Antioxidant supplementation during illness in dogs: effect on oxidative stress and outcome, an exploratory study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether combination antioxidant supplementation for 30 days in systemically ill dogs alters antioxidant status, degree of lipid peroxidation, clinical score and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty client-owned systemically-ill hospitalised dogs were eligible for inclusion. Dogs were randomised to no supplementation (NS; n=19) or supplementation with N-acetylcysteine/S-adenosylmethionine/silybin and vitamin E (AS; n=20) for 30 days. Clinical score and oxidative biomarkers including glutathione, cysteine, vitamin E, selenium and urine isoprostanes/creatinine (F-IsoPs/Cr) were determined on days 0 and 30. Glutathione, cysteine, vitamin E and urine F-IsoPs/Cr were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, and selenium concentrations determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS: Thirty-two dogs completed the study (NS, n=16; AS, n=16). Vitamin E concentrations were significantly greater in the supplemented compared to the non-supplemented group. No other markers of oxidative stress significantly changed with supplementation. There was no difference in Day 30 clinical scores or survival between the two groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this population of systemically-ill hospitalised dogs, combination antioxidant supplementation did not alter redox state or clinical outcome.