Overweight and obese dogs can develop metabolic dysfunction, characterized by an inflammatory response and involvement of liver functions. If a modulation of the gut microbiome and its interaction ...with the gut-liver axis is implicated in the development of metabolic dysfunction, exploration becomes necessary. Over the past decade, diverse therapeutic approaches have emerged to target pathogenic factors involved in metabolic dysfunction. This study investigated the impact of a supplement with hepatoprotective activity, containing extracts of
, prebiotics, probiotics, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals on hematological markers of liver functions and inflammation, as well as on the intestinal microbiota of 10 overweight adult dogs over a 35-day time span. Animals underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations every 7 days, both before the administration of the supplement (T0) and after 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). In comparison to T0, a significant (
< 0.05) decrease in ALP, glucose, direct bilirubin, and CRP was observed from T3 to T5. The alpha diversity of the fecal microbiota significantly decreased (
< 0.05) only at T1, with high variability observed between dogs. Total short-chain fatty acid and lactic acid were also lower at T1 (
< 0.05) compared to the other times of sampling. The beta diversity of the fecal microbiota failed to show a clear pattern in relation to the sampling times. These results of blood parameters in overweight dogs show a reduction of the inflammation and an improvement of metabolic status during the study period, but the effective contribution of the supplement in this clinical outcome deserves further investigation. Furthermore, the considerable individual variability observed in the microbiome hinders the confident detection of supplement effects.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study aimed to determine the impact of a novel formulation of a supplement composed of the natural ingredients, bromelain, quercetin, and
, on the gut microbiota of healthy adult dogs. Adult ...healthy female dogs were administered either a placebo (CTR,
= 15) or the supplement (TRT,
= 15) over 28 days. Stool samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing before supplement administration (T0), at completion of supplement administration (T28), and one week after the end of supplement administration (T35) to characterize changes in the gut microbial communities. QIIME was used to determine both alpha- and beta-diversity, and ANCOM-BC was used to identify differences in taxonomic abundances before and after supplementation. We found a significant decrease in overall diversity in the CTR group but no significant differences in overall diversity in the TRT group over time. Furthermore, we found differences in the abundance of several taxa in both the CTR and TRT groups, but differences in the abundance of beneficial bacteria were more pronounced in the TRT group. Specifically, we found increases in the abundance of sequences belonging to the genera
,
, and
at T28 in the TRT group with significant increases in
and
persisting at T35 when compared to T0. Importantly, members of these genera are considered important for their anti-inflammatory properties, vital for fostering a balanced and robust gut microbiota in dogs. The results of our study show the potential of our supplement to selectively enhance specific beneficial bacterial taxa, offering a targeted approach to modulating the gut microbiome without causing disruptions to the overall equilibrium.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Weaning entails numerous modifications of the intestinal structure and microbiota composition, making puppies at high risk of sickness during this delicate life stage. The aim of this study was to ...investigate the effects of a four-week administration of a supplement composed of ultramicronised Palmitoylethanolamide, bovine colostrum and
(Normalia
Extra, Innovet Italia Srl, Saccolongo, Italy) on markers of gut health and microbiome of weaning puppies. Twenty-nine four-week-old Golden Retriever puppies were randomly assigned to control (CG,
= 13) and treated (TG,
= 16) groups. During the whole experimental time, there were no differences between the groups with regard to average daily gain and faecal score. In TG, faecal calprotectin and zonulin values were statistically significantly decreased compared to CG, especially at week 8 (zonulin: 42.8 ± 1.54 ng/mL and 55.3 ± 42.8 ng/mL, and calprotectin: 2.91 ± 0.38 µg/g and 5.71 ± 0.43 µg/g, in TG and CG, respectively;
< 0.0001 for both comparisons). Bacteria belonging to phylum
decreased (
= 0.04), while those referring to genera
and
increased (
= 0.01 and
= 0.04, respectively). The supplementation of the tested complementary feed can promote the intestinal health of puppies and therefore facilitate weaning by lowering gut inflammation.
Chronic intestinal disorders (CID) are characterized by persistent, or recurrent gastrointestinal (GI) signs present for at least three weeks. In human medicine, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a ...group of chronic GI diseases and includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). On the other hand, the general term chronic enteropathies (CE) is preferred in veterinary medicine. Different therapeutic approaches to these diseases are used in both humans and pets. This review is focused on the use of traditional therapies and nutraceuticals with specific antioxidant properties, for the treatment of CID in humans and animal patients. There is strong evidence of the antioxidant properties of the nutraceuticals included in this review, but few studies report their use for treating CID in humans and none in animals. Despite this fact, the majority of the nutraceuticals described in the present article could be considered as promising alternatives for the regular treatment of CID in human and veterinary medicine.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Oxidative stress causes several pathological conditions in humans and animals, including gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to analyze the antioxidant capacity of three natural ...powdered raw materials containing quercetin, bromelain, and
and develop a new feed supplement for dogs using a combination of them. The total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and ABTS (2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) of the extracts, either individually or in combination, were evaluated colorimetrically. The effects of this supplement on healthy adult dogs' nutritional, inflammatory, and stress status were evaluated. American Staffordshire Terrier adult female dogs (
= 30) were randomly assigned to a control (
= 15) or a treated (
= 15) group. The supplement was added as powder to the food of the treated dogs once daily for 28 days. There was no significant difference in the body weight and body condition scores between the initial and final phases of the experiment. At the end of our study, a significant decrease in fecal calprotectin, cortisol, indole/skatole, and N-methylhistamine and a significant increase in short-chain fatty acids were observed as compared to the control group. In conclusion, this natural feed supplement can be used to improve gastrointestinal health and psycho-physical conditions in dogs.
The effects of a 35-day administration of a supplement containing extracts from Silybum marianum, prebiotics, probiotics, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins were considered in ...our research involving 10 overweight adult dogs. The supplement demonstrated positive impacts on ALP, glucose, direct bilirubin, and CRP, with a decrease observed during the 35-day administration period. Fecal microbiota diversity decreased just after 7 days from the beginning of supplement administration and recovered from day 14 onwards. However, there was significant individual variability in the interaction between the supplement and the microbiome. Overall, the study suggests a potential benefit of the supplement in supporting the health of overweight dogs. Overweight and obese dogs can develop metabolic dysfunction, characterized by an inflammatory response and involvement of liver functions. If a modulation of the gut microbiome and its interaction with the gut–liver axis is implicated in the development of metabolic dysfunction, exploration becomes necessary. Over the past decade, diverse therapeutic approaches have emerged to target pathogenic factors involved in metabolic dysfunction. This study investigated the impact of a supplement with hepatoprotective activity, containing extracts of Silybum marianum, prebiotics, probiotics, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals on hematological markers of liver functions and inflammation, as well as on the intestinal microbiota of 10 overweight adult dogs over a 35-day time span. Animals underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations every 7 days, both before the administration of the supplement (T0) and after 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). In comparison to T0, a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in ALP, glucose, direct bilirubin, and CRP was observed from T3 to T5. The alpha diversity of the fecal microbiota significantly decreased (p < 0.05) only at T1, with high variability observed between dogs. Total short-chain fatty acid and lactic acid were also lower at T1 (p < 0.05) compared to the other times of sampling. The beta diversity of the fecal microbiota failed to show a clear pattern in relation to the sampling times. These results of blood parameters in overweight dogs show a reduction of the inflammation and an improvement of metabolic status during the study period, but the effective contribution of the supplement in this clinical outcome deserves further investigation. Furthermore, the considerable individual variability observed in the microbiome hinders the confident detection of supplement effects.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this study, we tested the antioxidant capacity of three natural products (quercetin, bromelain, and Lentinula edodes) and their combination. A new feed supplement based on the combination was ...formulated and evaluated in a randomized control trial in kennel adult female dogs. The three ingredients tested together showed a high antioxidant capacity. Additionally, the new formulation showed anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, indicating a potential for use in improving gastrointestinal health and psycho-physical conditions in dogs. Oxidative stress causes several pathological conditions in humans and animals, including gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to analyze the antioxidant capacity of three natural powdered raw materials containing quercetin, bromelain, and Lentinula edodes and develop a new feed supplement for dogs using a combination of them. The total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and ABTS (2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) of the extracts, either individually or in combination, were evaluated colorimetrically. The effects of this supplement on healthy adult dogs’ nutritional, inflammatory, and stress status were evaluated. American Staffordshire Terrier adult female dogs (n = 30) were randomly assigned to a control (n = 15) or a treated (n = 15) group. The supplement was added as powder to the food of the treated dogs once daily for 28 days. There was no significant difference in the body weight and body condition scores between the initial and final phases of the experiment. At the end of our study, a significant decrease in fecal calprotectin, cortisol, indole/skatole, and N-methylhistamine and a significant increase in short-chain fatty acids were observed as compared to the control group. In conclusion, this natural feed supplement can be used to improve gastrointestinal health and psycho-physical conditions in dogs.
Background and Aims
Violence against female sex workers (FSWs) is a widespread phenomenon, especially in African nations like Ghana where sex work is outlawed primarily because of the pervasive ...worldview that sex work is a contravention of morality. Violence against FSWs deters them from accessing critical health services and heightens their risk of STIs including HIV infection. The study examined the prevalence and the associated factors of multiple indicators of violence against FSWs.
Methods
The study utilized a cross‐sectional secondary data from the 2015 Integrated Bio‐Behavioral Surveillance Survey conducted among FSWs and their nonpaying partners by Ghana AIDS Commission. We analysed data on a total of 4279 participants. Bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were utilized to identify factors associated with physical and sexual violence against FSWs. Data were analysed using Stata version 15.
Results
Of the 4279 FSWs, 433 (10%) and 1059 (25%) suffered physical and sexual violence, respectively. The predictors of physical violence are being a seater (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 0.53, 95% confidence interval CI: 0.36–0.74), aged ≥40 (aOR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.08–0.64), nonuse of drugs (aOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.44–0.70), not using alcohol before sex (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56–0.86) and petty business (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.05–1.82). Sexual violence was predicted by those aged 31–40 (aOR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.49–0.94) and age ≥40 (aOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.22–0.66), currently married (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.27–0.67), having no living children (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51–0.94), nonuse of drugs (aOR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68–0.94), and not using alcohol before sex (aOR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63–0.86). Region was associated with both physical and sexual violence. Both physical and sexual violence had negative consequences on consistency of condom use and condom failure among FSWs.
Conclusion
Physical and sexual violence against FSWs is pervasive, and a critical public health issue in Ghana. The identified associated factors could be considered as part of an overall strategy aimed at addressing the menace.
