Effects of whole-grain cereals on fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in dogs: a comparison of rye, oats and wheat

Palmqvist, Hanna; Höglund, Katja; Ringmark, Sara; Lundh, Torbjörn; Dicksved, Johan

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-37975-4

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 52 publications

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“…Although a majority of research to date has been performed using probiotics, investigations into prebiotics have been increasing in companion animals. In both cats and dogs, prebiotic complex carbohydrates have demonstrated positive effects on stool quality, digestive health, and the GI microbiome (7,(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Studies in both humans and animals have found that carbohydrate fermentation by the GI microbiome leads to the increased production of metabolites such as saccharolytic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have been shown to provide anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity, among other effects (19)(20)(21).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prebiotic fiber blend supports growth and development and favorable digestive health in puppies

McGrath,

Motsinger,

Brejda

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

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IntroductionA healthy gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome has been shown to be essential for proper nutrient absorption and metabolism, maintenance of intestinal epithelial integrity and osmolarity, gut immunomodulation, and overall health. One of the most effective ways to promote a healthy GI microbiome is through dietary interventions, such as the addition of prebiotics. Prebiotics are substrates that are selectively utilized by the host GI microbiome through fermentation to confer a health benefit. However, research on prebiotics in companion animals is limited, especially in growing animals. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the effects of a novel prebiotic fiber blend on key parameters related to intestinal health and growth in puppies.MethodsTwenty-two puppies at least 4 months of age but not older than 10 months were fed a commercially available dry food during a prefeed period, and then fed a similarly formulated test food with the addition of the prebiotic fiber blend for a minimum of 90 days. Serum and fecal samples were collected at the end of the prefeed period and throughout the test period.ResultsPuppies fed the test food grew as expected for puppies of this age. Complete blood count and serum chemistry analyses were clinically normal for all animals. Fecal score increased linearly, fecal moisture decreased linearly, and pH exhibited a cubic trend throughout the study duration. There was a linear increase in short-chain fatty acids throughout the study, which is associated with favorable digestive and overall health. The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-7 decreased linearly and interleukin-18 trended towards linear decrease.ConclusionThis study showed that puppies continued to grow and develop normally, and experienced serum and stool characteristics indicative of improved GI health when fed a growth food fortified with a novel prebiotic fiber blend. Furthermore, these results contribute to the overall understanding of the effects of prebiotics on the GI health of growing companion animals.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prebiotic fiber blend supports growth and development and favorable digestive health in puppies

McGrath,

Motsinger,

Brejda

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Effects of commercial and traditional kefir supplementation on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility and the fecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota of healthy adult dogs

Metras,

Oba,

Miller

et al. 2023

Journal of Animal Science

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Kefir is a fermented dairy beverage that has been consumed by humans for centuries, but poorly studied in pets. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of commercial or traditional kefir supplementation on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility (ATTD) and fecal characteristics, microbiota populations, and metabolite and immunoglobulin (Ig) A concentrations of healthy adult dogs. Twelve healthy adult dogs (5.67±1.72 y, 7.27±1.15 kg) were used in a replicated 3x3 Latin square design (n=12/group). All dogs were fed a commercial diet and allotted to 1 of 3 treatments (60 mL/d): 2% reduced-fat milk treated with lactase [CNTL; 4.57E+03 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL], commercial kefir (C-Kefir; 6.95E+04 LAB CFU/mL), or traditional kefir brewed daily from 2% reduced-fat milk and kefir grains (T-Kefir; 1.79E+09 LAB CFU/mL). The experiment was composed of three 28-d periods, with each consisting of a 22-d transition phase, a 5-d fecal collection phase, and 1 d for blood collection. Fecal samples were collected for determination of ATTD and fecal pH, dry matter, microbiota, and metabolite and IgA concentrations. Data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS 9.4. The main effects of treatment were tested, with significance set at p≤0.05 and trends set at p≤0.10. Kefir products differed in microbial density and profile, but fecal microbiota populations were weakly impacted. Bacterial alpha diversity tended to be greater (p=0.10) in dogs fed T-Kefir than those fed CNTL. Bacterial beta diversity analysis identified a difference (p<0.0004) between dogs fed CNTL and those fed C-Kefir. Dogs fed C-Kefir tended to have a greater (p=0.06) relative abundance of Fusobacteriota than those fed CNTL or T-Kefir. Dogs fed T-Kefir had a greater (p<0.0001) relative abundance of Lactococcus than those fed CNTL or C-Kefir. Dogs fed T-Kefir also tended to have a lower (p=0.09) relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and greater (p=0.09) relative abundance of Candidatus stoquefichus than dogs fed CNTL or C-Kefir. Dogs fed C-Kefir tended to have lower (p=0.08) fecal valerate concentrations than those fed CNTL or T-Kefir. All other measures were unaffected by kefir treatments. Our results suggest that kefir supplementation had minor effects on the fecal microbiota populations and fecal metabolite concentrations of healthy adult dogs without impacting ATTD, fecal characteristics, or fecal IgA concentrations.

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Effects of whole-grain cereals on fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in dogs: a comparison of rye, oats and wheat

Cited by 2 publications

References 52 publications

Prebiotic fiber blend supports growth and development and favorable digestive health in puppies

Prebiotic fiber blend supports growth and development and favorable digestive health in puppies

Effects of commercial and traditional kefir supplementation on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility and the fecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota of healthy adult dogs

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