Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Omega-3 levels linked to fat hormones in healthy cats
By Mazaki-Tovi, Michal et al.·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2011·Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on serum concentrations of adipokines in healthy cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study looked at how omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), affect healthy cats' blood levels of certain hormones related to fat and sugar metabolism. They found that in obese cats, higher levels of EPA were linked to better hormone balance, with increased adiponectin (a hormone that helps regulate fat) and lower insulin and triglyceride levels. This suggests that adding omega-3 fatty acids to the diet of overweight cats could help improve their overall health by promoting better hormone levels.
People also search for: cat omega-3 fatty acids benefits · how to help obese cats · cat insulin levels and diet
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine associations between serum concentrations of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, and insulin in healthy cats. ANIMALS: 56 healthy adult client-owned cats. PROCEDURES: Body condition score (BCS) was determined, and blood samples were collected after food was withheld for 12 hours. Serum was harvested for fatty acid analysis and measurement of serum concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol. RESULTS: 1 cat was removed because of hyperglycemia. Significant interaction effects between BCS and serum concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were detected for the analyses of associations between EPA and serum concentrations of adiponectin, insulin, and triglyceride. Cats were categorized into nonobese (BCS, 4 to 6 [n = 34 cats]) and obese (BCS, 7 to 8 [21]) groups; serum concentrations of EPA were directly associated with concentrations of adiponectin and inversely associated with concentrations of insulin and triglyceride in obese cats and were directly associated with concentrations of leptin and inversely associated with concentrations of adiponectin in nonobese cats. Additionally, serum concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid were directly associated with concentrations of adiponectin in obese cats. No significant associations between serum concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid or α-linolenic acid were detected in the analyses for all cats. Female cats had higher serum concentrations of adiponectin and lower concentrations of glucose than did male cats. Increased age was associated with a small increase in serum concentrations of leptin. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: EPA may ameliorate the decrease in adiponectin and the increase in insulin and triglyceride concentrations in obese cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21879986/