Increasing concentrations of dietary (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), e.g., eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), relative to (n-6) FA, e.g., arachidonic acid (AA), have been shown to increase plasma concentrations of EPA and DHA and reduce AA concentrations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of enriching food with bioactive ingredients, including EPA and DHA, on body composition, and concentrations of circulating fatty acids and the inflammatory biomarker prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). Domestic short hair cats (n=81; mean age 11.1 y, range 6 to 14 y) were fed a pretrial food for 30 d, randomized into three groups, and then fed one of three diets for 180 d. The protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. The pretrial food contained 33.4% protein, 0.12% arachidonic acid (AA) and negligible EPA and DHA. The control food contained 32.6% protein, 0.10% AA, 0.03% EPA, and 0.02% DHA. Test food 1 (TF1) and Test food 2 (TF2) contained 31.8% and 30.2% protein, respectively, as well as 0.04% AA, 0.095% EPA, and 0.06% DHA. Both TF1 and TF2 contained additional bioactive food factors (from broccoli, tomatoes, oats, and peas), with TF2 having increased bioactive ingredient concentrations compared with TF1. Serum was analyzed for FA and PGE₂ concentrations initially, and at 45, 90 and 180 d. Concurrently, body composition was determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. After consuming food for 180 d, lean body mass (LBM) was unchanged in cats fed control food (42±30 g), whereas cats fed TF1 (73±30 g; p=0.02) and TF2 (197±31 g; p<0.01) had increased LBM. Body fat was unchanged in cats fed control food (-11±43 g), but decreased in cats fed TF1 (-124±42 g; p<0.01) and TF2 (-185±43 g; p<0.01). PGE₂ concentrations were decreased in cats fed control and TFs, and were positively correlated to the ratio of (n-6) to (n-3) FA in serum (r=0.31; p<0.01) and negatively correlated to the sum of (n-3) FA (r=0.30; p<0.001). Cats consuming foods containing plant bioactives and fish oil had reduced concentrations of the inflammatory biomarker PGE₂ and enhanced lean body composition, which together may aid in offsetting inflammation and adiposity associated with aging in cats.

Disclosures

Disclosures to report.
D.E. Jewell, and M.I. Jackson are employees of Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. J.A. Hall has received grant money from Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.