Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals

J. E. Bauer, 2011

Appropriate dietary amounts of LC omega-3 PUFAs have been found to have important roles in reducing inflammation (basis for many chronic health imbalances) and influencing gene expression impact.

On this review, dietary omega-3 PUFAs interventions are described as a starting point to support the management of clinical disorders and they are included within the safe upper limits described in an NRC publication of 370mg/kg0,75 (only dogs).

  • Skin disorders

Clinical trials in Dogs

  1. 16 dogs with idiopathic pruritis, atopy or flea allergy were orally administered an omega-3 fatty acid capsule containing 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA/4.55 kg for 6 weeks. EPA and DHA improved pruritis, alopecia and coat character.
  2. 22 dogs with early and chronic, non seasonal, atopy were included in a 2 month investigation by feeding them oil blend of 17 mg of EPA/kg, 5 mg of DHA/kg and 35 mg of g-linolenic acid/kg. Improvement was observed in the early atopy dogs.
  3. 29 atopic dogs were included in a 10 weeks investigation by feeding marine oil (50-85 mg of EPA/kg and 35-55 mg of DHA/kg) or flaxoil (570 mg of ALA and 170 mg/kg of linoleic acid). It required 2.3 times as much flax oil as marine omega-3 LC PUFAs to achieve similar improvements.

Clinical trials in Cats

  1. It was reported in 1 study that flaxseed oil and fish oil diets fed at 22% and 14% total fat similarly decreased skin inflammatory responses, and the fish oil diet significantly increased skin LTB5
  2. <75 mg of EPA and DHA/kg of BW0.67/d are found to be safe for dermatitis-related disorders.
  • Cardiovascular disorders

Clinical trials in Dogs

  1. 28 dogs, with chronic heart failure secondary to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy received 27 mg of EPA/kg/d and 18 mg of DHA/kg/d or a placebo. Compared with results for the placebo, fish oil treatment resulted in a greater reduction in PGE2 meaning less inflammation, decreased IL-1 concentrations (used to predict survival time) and improved cachexia.
  2. 24 dogs subjected to atrioventricular pacing for 2 weeks were assigned to oral treatment with 1 g of EPA and DHA/d showing less inducibility of atrial fibrillation and less local slowing of conduction, conduction heterogeneity and a significantly smaller increase in atrial MMP-9 activity and collagen type I and III messenger RNA expression.
  3. 8 dogs with induced atrial fibrillation were given 1.2 g of EPA and DHA for 14 days to evaluate prevention of vagally induced atrial fibrillation and expression of gap junctions CXs in atrial tissue associated with arrhythmogenesis. Results found increased atrial omega-3 PUFA concentrations reduces vulnerability to atrial fibrillation and decreases expression of CX40 and CX43 supporting the Ω-3 antiarrhythmic properties.
  4. 21 dogs with myocardial necrosis were fed with 0.06 g of EPA/kg and 0.04 g of DHA/kg for 6 weeks and they showed a significant reduction in the size of the myocardial infarct.
  5. 21 Boxers with right ventricular arrhythmias were evaluated for 6 weeks using 0.06 g of EPA/kg and 0.04 g of DHA/kg. The number of ventricular premature contractions/24 h were reduced.
  6. Ω-3 treatment reduces cachexia and improves food-intake in some dogs with chronic heart failure-induced anorexia using a dosage of 40 mg of EPA/kg and 25 mg of DHA/kg.
  • Renal disease

Clinical trials in Dogs

21 dogs were subjected to partial nephrectomy and tested with 2.28% EPA and 2.1% DHA: 760 mg of EPA and DHA/kg of BW0.75 for 20 months. Mean clearance of exogenous creatinine was increased and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio was decreased. Proteinuria was reduced as well as glomerular hypertension and production of proinflammatory eicosanoids. The extent of mesangial matrix expansion, glomerulosclerosis, and renal interstitial cellular infiltrates was also lower. Dietary iclusion of 130 to 140 mg of EPA and DHA/ kg of BW0.75 for a 10-kg dog has been recommended for CKD.

Clinical trials in Cats

146 cats were fed several renal veterinary foods and the median survival time was higher (16 months vs 7) in those enriched with Ω3. Positive effects included reductions in renal thromboxane A2 production, plasma total cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations and moderate decreases of mean blood pressure.

  • Osteoarthritis and joint health

Clinical trials in Dogs

COX-2, 5-LOX protein and LTB4 were detected in HJC of osteoarthritic hip joints compared to clinically normal HJ. Omega-3  compete with arachidonic acid as substrates for COX and LOX enzymes. Reduction of thromboxane A2, LTB4, IL-1, IL-2, and TNF in cartilage was observed.

  1. Dogs with ligament injury were fed a fish oil-supplemented diet before and after surgery. 90 mg of EPA and DHA/kg. The expression of MMP activities, tissue inhibitors of MMP-2, and urokinase plasminogen activator in synovial fluid decreased in the contralateral nonoperated joint meaning a moderate amount of inflammation in the nonoperated joint which was stressed due to favoritism for nonuse of the injured joint.
  2. 127 dogs with osteoarthritis tested therapeutic foods containing a mean of 3.48% total omega-3 on a DM basis and glucosamine (0.03%) for six months. Dogs reported improvements in rising from rest, in playing and in walking. The same study was further repeated and assessments by veterinarians (force-plate analysis) revealed improvements in lameness and weight-bearing scores.

Clinical trials in Cats

  1. 40 cats with DJD, were tested with a diet containing 1.88 g of EPA and DHA/1,000 kcal=2.97 g of total omega-3 fatty acids/1,000 kcal, green-lipped muscle extract (74 mg/1,000 kcal) and glucosamine-chondroitin sulfate (250 mg/1,000 kcal). Plasma phospholipid fractions with EPA and DHA was detected, serum alanine transaminase activity was lower, lipase activity was higher and their mobility was improved.
  2. 119 cats with DJD were fed an enriched diet with manganese, methionine, and omega-3 fatty acids. Improvements in arthritic conditions, in activity and a reduction in stiffness and lameness were observed (total EPA and DHA contents not available).
  • Cancer

Clinical trials in Dogs

Tumors in colon, mammary gland, lymphomas, osteosarcomas, prostate cancer tissue and other types have been described in both humans and animals finding a substantial overlap of genes downregulated and similarity in the network of cancer-signaling circuitries. From this comes the importance to evaluate the effect of omega-3 in clinical studies for dogs and humans.

  1. The activities of MMPs were significantly higher in dog malignant mammary gland tumors. Because omega-3 can affect MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMPs in dogs, there is potential for dietary modulation of tumor metabolism.
  2. In vitro, increased lipid peroxidation by inclusion of highly peroxidizable lipid (DHA) kills cancer cells and reduce growth rates.
  3. 32 dogs with stage III lymphoma recieved Doxorubicin plus a diet supplemented with fish oil and arginine (EPA 29 g/kg of diet and DHA 24 g/kg of diet). Lower plasma lactic acid and longer disease-free intervals and survival times were observed.

Clinical trials in Cats

Cats mammary gland tumor cells in omega-3 enriched media had significant reductions in activation of MAPK pathway intermediates, increased apoptosis, decreased cell proliferation, angiogenesis and decreased COX-2 expression. It has been determined significant reduction in MAPK activity along with tumor stasis when switching from omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of 16:1 to < 1:1.

  • Cognitive function, neurologic health and aggression 

Clinical trials in Dogs

  1. 142 dogs ≥ 7 years old showing cognitive decline were tested with 0.01% DHA diet for 60 days. Improvements in recognition of family members or other animals, less excessive licking and patterned pacing behaviors were shown.
  2. Fish oil, in combination with phenobarbital, was used to control idiopathic epilepsy in 2-year-old female Great Dane. The frequency of epileptic seizures was reduced of 85% in 18-month period compared with the frequency for phenobarbital alone.
  3. 18 dogs with clinical signs of aggression showed lower DHA concentrations, higher Ω6/Ω3 suggesting that low plasma concentrations of omega-3 may adversely impact their behaviour.
  • Obesity

Obesity is associated with glucose intolerance, abnormal insulin secretion and possible effects of inflammatory mediators. In one study, effects of dietary fatty acids showed the decreased development of diabetes mellitus in cats.

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