Nutramax Laboratories Inc. announced results of research that the company says supports the use of its Crananidin chewable tablet product in the maintenance of urinary tract health in dogs.
The study, performed at Rutgers University, Marucci Center for Blueberry Cranberry Research, showed that Crananidin inhibited adhesion of P-fimbriated E. coli in canine urine, according to the company.
Crananidin contains proanthocyanidins, PACs, which have been shown in previous research to be the bioactive component in cranberry. Cranberry PACs contain a unique A-type linkage instead of the B-type linkage found in many other PAC-containing foods, like grapes and tea. This linkage is believed to contribute to anti-adhesion activity of the PACs. When the PACs inhibit bacterial attachment to the bladder wall, bacteria fail to colonize and are instead voided in the urine, according to Nutramax.
In this study, healthy dogs were administered Crananidin orally at approximately 1 mg/kg of body weight once daily for three weeks. Serial urine samples were collected at various time points throughout the day on days one, three, five, seven and 21, with routine blood work performed to assess product safety. Anti-adhesion activity was noted in urine of all dogs at day five and peaked at day seven with activity maintained throughout the day. Anti-adhesion activity was noted at day 21, again throughout the 24-hour time period, and was still seen three days after Crananidin administration was stopped. There were no clinically significant changes in blood work, Nutramax says.
