title: Failure of a dietary model to affect markers of inflammation in domestic cats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidative stress and inflammation can be altered by dietary factors in various species. However, little data are available in true carnivorous species such as domestic cats. As numerous anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative additives become available and might be of use in cats with chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases, the current study aimed to develop a model of diet-induced inflammation by use of two opposite diets. It was hypothesized that a high fat diet enhanced in n-6 PUFA and with lower concentrations of antioxidants would evoke inflammation and oxidative stress in domestic cats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen healthy adult cats were allocated to two groups. One group received a moderate fat diet, containing pork lard and salmon oil (AA:(EPA + DHA) ratio 0.19) (MFn-3), while the other group was fed a high fat diet, containing pork lard and chicken fat (AA:(EPA + DHA) ratio 2.06) (HFn-6) for 12 weeks. Prior to and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after starting the testing period, blood samples were collected. Erythrocytic fatty acid profile showed clear alterations in accordance to the dietary fatty acid profile. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was higher when fed MFn-3 compared to the HFn-6, suggesting augmented oxidative stress. This was associated with a reduced serum vitamin E status, as serum α-tocopherol concentrations were lower with MFn-3, even with higher dietary levels of vitamin E. Serum cytokine and serum amyloid A concentrations were not influenced by diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results point towards a resistance of cats to develop dietary fat-induced inflammation, but also suggest a high susceptibility to oxidative stress when fed a fish oil-supplemented diet even with moderate fat level and additional vitamin E.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, Merelbeke B-9820, Belgium. averbrug@uoguelph.ca.
authors.forename: Adronie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verbrugghe
authors.forename: Geert P J
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: Hannelore
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van de Velde
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Smet
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vlaeminck
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hesta
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002415:Cats; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D004041:Dietary Fats; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6