Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Silybin supplements and liver health effects in dogs
By Gogulski, Maciej et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2021·Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of silybin supplementation on nutrient digestibility, hematological parameters, liver function indices, and liver-specific mi-RNA concentration in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of healthy dogs was given a supplement called silybin to see if it would help their liver function without affecting how well they digest food. The results showed that silybin did not interfere with digestion and helped lower liver enzyme levels, which are indicators of liver health. In dogs with liver disorders, the commercial version of the supplement also improved liver function tests and reduced specific liver markers. Overall, silybin appears to be a beneficial treatment for dogs with liver issues.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatopathies are an important group of disorders in dogs where proper nutritional care is crucial. Supplementation with a hepatoprotectant like silybin can improve liver function and should not interfere with nutrient digestibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of both pure silybin and commercial hepatoprotectant on nutrients digestibility, liver function indices and health status in healthy dogs (EXP1). Moreover, the second experiment (EXP2) investigated the effect of commercial hepatoprotectant on liver function tests and liver-associated miRNAs concentration in dogs with idiopathic liver disorder. RESULTS: Nutrient digestibility was not affected by treatment in EXP1. Supplementation did alter the serum fatty acid profile, with no clinical relevance. The levels of liver markers such as ALT, AST and GGT significantly decreased. In EXP2, supplementation with commercial hepatoprotectant containing silybin improved liver function tests. A decrease was observed in liver serum markers such as ALT, AST and miR122 concentration. CONCLUSIONS: EXP1 confirmed that silybin (whether pure or as a commercial hepatoprotectant) does not interfere with digestion which subsequently exerts no detrimental effect on dogs' health and metabolism. In EXP2, dietary supplementation with commercial hepatoprotectant containing silybin resulted in a decreased activity of serum liver markers, accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of liver-specific miRNA molecules. Liver function indices were consequently improved. Silybin supplementation can thus serve as an effective therapeutical tool in dogs with hepatopathies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34174886/