Effects of Age on Inflammatory Profiles and Nutrition/Energy Metabolism in Domestic Cats
Open Access
- 1 November 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports
- Vol. ume 11, 131-137
- https://doi.org/10.2147/vmrr.s277208
Abstract
Background: Animals tend to increase in body weight and body condition score (BCS) with aging. Serum diagnostic markers related to energy metabolism may show changes even in healthy cats with aging. Materials and Methods: Seventy domestic cats were recruited for this study. Based upon the modified AAFP-AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines, animals were divided into six groups: Junior (7 months– 2 years), Prime (3 − 6 years), Mature (7– 10 years), Senior (11– 14 years), Geriatric-obese (15 years ≤) and Geriatric-thin (15 years ≤). Their body condition scores (BCS) ranged from 3/9 to 9/9. Changes in metabolites, inflammatory markers, hormone concentrations and enzyme activities related to energy metabolism were investigated in serum of 70 domestic cats of various ages. Results: Serum glucose (GLU) concentrations in the Mature, Senior, and Geriatric-obese groups were significantly higher than those in the Junior group. Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations in the Geriatric-thin group were significantly increased compared with the Junior group. SAA concentrations in the Geriatric-obese group tended to increase although there were no statistically significant differences. In the Mature, Senior, Geriatric-obese and Geriatric-thin groups, malate dehydrogenase/lactate dehydrogenase (M/L) ratio, an energy metabolic indicator, tended to decrease compared with the Junior group. In the Senior group, triglyceride (TG) concentrations were significantly increased compared with the Junior group. In the Geriatric-obese and Geriatric-thin groups, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were significantly increased compared with the Junior group. In the Geriatric-obese group, albumin (ALB) concentrations were decreased compared with the Junior group. Conclusion: Aged domestic cats tend to increase in body weight and BCS. In addition, serum GLU, TG, SAA, and BUN concentrations increased and serum ALB concentrations and M/L ratio decreased. These diagnostic markers may be useful to detect small changes related to energy metabolism with aging that may cause obesity with light inflammation in healthy cats.Keywords
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- The biology of the metabolic syndrome and agingCurrent Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 2016
- Overview of Epidemiology and Contribution of Obesity to Cardiovascular DiseaseProgress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 2013
- Long term intensive exercise training leads to a higher plasma malate/lactate dehydrogenase (M/L) ratio and increased level of lipid mobilization in horsesVeterinary Research Communications, 2012
- Lipogenic gene expression in abdominal adipose and liver tissues of diet-induced overweight catsThe Veterinary Journal, 2011
- Evaluation of a nine-point body condition scoring system in physically inactive pet catsAmerican Journal of Veterinary Research, 2011
- Comparison of insulin signaling gene expression in insulin sensitive tissues between cats and dogsVeterinary Research Communications, 2008
- Comparison of Expression of Glucokinase Gene and Activities of Enzymes Related to Glucose Metabolism in Livers between Dog and CatVeterinary Research Communications, 2005
- Serum amyloid A (SAA): Biochemistry, genetics and the pathogenesis of AA amyloidosisAmyloid, 1994
- Study of obesity in dogs visiting veterinary practices in the United KingdomVeterinary Record, 1986
- Impact of obesity on metabolism in men and women. Importance of regional adipose tissue distribution.JCI Insight, 1983