The objective of this study was to determine associations between serum concentrations of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or body condition and serum concentrations of adipokines in healthy dogs. Body condition score and percentage of body fat were determined for 62 adult, client-owned dogs. Serum was harvested for total lipid determination, fatty acid analysis and concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, insulin, glucose and triglyceride. We also determined associations between those concentrations and each of several variables (age, sex, percentage of body fat and concentrations of total lipid, α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid).
Serum concentrations of docosapentaenoic acid were significantly, positively associated with adiponectin and leptin and negatively associated with triglyceride. Concentrations of α-linolenic acid were significantly, positively associated with triglyceride. No significant associations were detected between serum concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid and any of the outcome variables.
Percentage of body fat was significantly, positively associated with concentrations of leptin, insulin and triglyceride but not with adiponectin. Age was positively associated with leptin, insulin and triglyceride and negatively associated with adiponectin. Sex did not significantly affect concentrations for any of the outcome variables.
Docosapentaenoic acid may increase serum concentrations of adiponectin and leptin and decrease triglyceride concentration in healthy dogs.
Source : M. Mazaki-Tovi et al., 2012. Effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and body condition on serum concentrations of adipokines in healthy dogs. AJVR 73: 1273-1281. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.73.8.1273
