Effect of Nutrition on Age-Related Metabolic Markers and the Gut Microbiota in Cats

Abstract

Age-related changes in the gut microbiota and metabolites are associated with the increased risk of detrimental conditions also seen with age. This study evaluated whether a test food with potential anti-aging benefits results in favorable changes in plasma and fecal metabolites and the fecal microbiota in senior cats. Forty healthy domestic cats aged 8.3–13.5 years were fed a washout food for 30 days, then control or test food for 30 days. After another 30-day washout, cats were switched to the other study food for 30 days. Assessment of plasma and fecal metabolites showed lower levels of metabolites associated with detrimental processes (e.g., uremic toxins) and higher levels of metabolites associated with beneficial processes (e.g., tocopherols) after cats consumed the test food compared with the control food. A shift toward proteolysis with the control food is supported by higher levels of amino acid metabolites and lower levels of carbohydrate metabolites. Operational taxonomic units of greater abundance with the test food positively correlated with carbohydrate and nicotinic acid metabolites, and negatively correlated with uremic toxins, amino acid metabolism, secondary bile salts, and branched-chain fatty acids. Taken together, the test food appears to result in greater levels of metabolites and microbiota associated with a healthier state.

Collaborative Metabolism: Gut Microbes Play a Key Role in Canine and Feline Bile Acid Metabolism

“…For example, unlike in dogs, no studies depict the normal development of BA pools in healthy cats. Presently, studies are largely limited to evaluations of healthy cats within the context of diet modifications [ 156 , 157 , 158 ] and antimicrobial administration [ 159 , 160 ], or in states of disease such as kittens with upper respiratory infections (URIs) [ 161 ], feline CKD [ 162 ], and feline chronic enteropathy [ 163 ]. Herein, the current evidence available regarding feline BAs will be reviewed.…”

“…Additional evidence for changes in microbial-derived BAs in response to diet composition is available in elderly healthy research cats ( n = 40) between the ages of 8.3 and 13.5 years [ 156 ]. All cats received a geriatric-formulated diet compared to a traditional control diet for 30 days in a crossover study design that included a 30-day washout period between study periods.…”

“…All cats received a geriatric-formulated diet compared to a traditional control diet for 30 days in a crossover study design that included a 30-day washout period between study periods. Cats fed the geriatric-formulated diet displayed an increase in the relative abundance of Coriobacteriaceae , Veillonellaceae , Bifidobacteriaceae , and Lactobacillaceae (assessed via 16S amplicon sequencing) [ 156 ]. Subsequently, a significant decrease in the fecal microbial-derived SBAs DCA, LCA, dehydro-LCA, UDCA, iso-UDCA, and 7a-hydroxycholestenone with a concurrent increase in the fecal PBA CA were observed [ 156 ].…”

“…Cats fed the geriatric-formulated diet displayed an increase in the relative abundance of Coriobacteriaceae , Veillonellaceae , Bifidobacteriaceae , and Lactobacillaceae (assessed via 16S amplicon sequencing) [ 156 ]. Subsequently, a significant decrease in the fecal microbial-derived SBAs DCA, LCA, dehydro-LCA, UDCA, iso-UDCA, and 7a-hydroxycholestenone with a concurrent increase in the fecal PBA CA were observed [ 156 ]. Furthermore, the relative abundance of P. hiranonis negatively correlated with CA and positively correlated with all observed SBAs, as would be expected given this microbe’s known 7 α -dehydroxylation ability [ 156 ].…”

“…Subsequently, a significant decrease in the fecal microbial-derived SBAs DCA, LCA, dehydro-LCA, UDCA, iso-UDCA, and 7a-hydroxycholestenone with a concurrent increase in the fecal PBA CA were observed [ 156 ]. Furthermore, the relative abundance of P. hiranonis negatively correlated with CA and positively correlated with all observed SBAs, as would be expected given this microbe’s known 7 α -dehydroxylation ability [ 156 ]. Notably, other microbes had stronger correlations, including a microbe from the family Coriobacteriaceae , genus Adlercreutzia , which had the strongest negative correlation with CA and strongest positive correlation with dehydro-LCA, DCA, and LCA as well as a positive correlation with iso-UDCA [ 156 ].…”