Triglyceride response following an oral fat tolerance test in Burmese cats, other pedigree cats and domestic crossbred cats

Abstract

Primary lipid disorders causing fasting triglyceridaemia have been documented infrequently in Burmese cats. Due to the known increased risk of diabetes mellitus and sporadic reports of lipid aqueous in this breed, the aim of this study was to determine whether healthy Burmese cats displayed a more pronounced pre- or post-prandial triglyceridaemia compared to other cats. Serum triglyceride (TG) concentrations were determined at baseline and variably at 2, 4 and 6h after ingestion of a high-fat meal (ie, an oral fat tolerance test) in a representative sample of Burmese and non-Burmese cats. The median 4 and 6h serum TG concentrations were significantly higher in Burmese cats (4h - 2.8mmol/l; 6h - 8.2mmol/l) than in other pedigree and domestic crossbred cats (4h - 1.5mmol/l; 6h - 1.0mmol/l). The non-Burmese group had post-prandial TG concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 3.9mmol/l. Seven Burmese cats had post-prandial TG concentrations between 6.6 and 19.0mmol/l, five had concentrations between 4.2 and 4.7mmol/l, while the remaining 15 had post-prandial concentrations between 0.5 and 2.8mmol/l. None of these Burmese cats had fasting triglyceridaemia. Most Burmese cats with a 4 h TG > 6.0 mmol/l had elevated fasting very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations. This study demonstrates that a proportion of Burmese cats in Australia have delayed TG clearance compared to other cats. The potential repercussions of this observation with reference to lipid aqueous, pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus in Burmese cats are discussed.

An individual approach to feline diabetes care: a case report and literature review

“…Burmese cats in the UK are 3.7 times more likely to develop diabetes than non-pedigree cats [ 3 ]. Similar observations have been made of Burmese cats in Australia [ 7 , 8 ] and Sweden [ 9 ]; and recent studies suggest that this is due to dysregulation of lipid metabolism in this breed [ 10 , 11 ]. A recent pilot study suggests involvement of a major gene locus in diabetes in Burmese cats [ 12 ].…”

Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in Insured Swedish Cats in Relation to Age, Breed and Sex

“…The reason for the Burmese cats having an increased risk of developing DM is still unknown, but a dyslipidemia reflecting an inborn error of lipid metabolism has been described in the breed 20. Studies have shown a proportion of Australian Burmese cats to have fasting hypertriglyceridemia and an exaggerated postprandial triglyceride response after an oral fat tolerance test 21. Moreover, apparently healthy Burmese cats have been shown to have higher fasting glucose concentrations and lower glucose tolerance than non‐Burmese cats matched by age and body condition score 22.…”

Effects of increases in dietary fat intake on plasma lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and associated enzyme activities in cats

“…7 Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations are significantly higher in suckling kittens and cholesterol concentrations are lower in adolescent cats, compared with concentrations in adult cats. 8 Clinical interest in feline lipoprotein metabolism has been stimulated by the recognition of hyperlipidemia in cats associated with obesity, 9,10 diabetes mellitus, 11 and congenital deficiency of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase. 8 Clinical interest in feline lipoprotein metabolism has been stimulated by the recognition of hyperlipidemia in cats associated with obesity, 9,10 diabetes mellitus, 11 and congenital deficiency of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase.…”