title: An Antioxidant Dietary Supplement Improves Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Serum of Aged Dogs: Preliminary Results.
abstract: Biological aging is characterized by a progressive accumulation of oxidative damage and decreased endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms. The production of oxidants by normal metabolism damages proteins, lipids, and nucleotides, which may contribute to cognitive impairment. In this study 36 dogs were randomly divided into four groups and fed croquettes of different compositions for 6 months. We monitored derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) levels in dogs' plasma samples as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels at the beginning and at the end of the dietary regime. Our results showed that a dietary regime, enriched with antioxidants, induced a significant decrease of plasma levels of dROMs (p < 0.005) and a significant increase in BDNF serum levels (p < 0.005) after six months. Thus, we hypothesized a possible role of the diet in modulating pro- and antioxidant species as well as BDNF levels in plasma and serum, respectively. In conclusion the proposed diet enriched with antioxidants might be considered a valid alternative and a valuable strategy to counteract aging-related cognitive decline in elderly dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pathology and Veterinary Clinic Section, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sechi
authors.affiliation: SANYpet S.p.a., Research and Development Department, Via Austria 3, Bagnoli di Sopra, 35023 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiavolelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pathology and Veterinary Clinic Section, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spissu
authors.affiliation: School of Specialization in Clinical Biochemistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cerbo
authors.affiliation: SANYpet S.p.a., Research and Development Department, Via Austria 3, Bagnoli di Sopra, 35023 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Canello
authors.affiliation: SANYpet S.p.a., Research and Development Department, Via Austria 3, Bagnoli di Sopra, 35023 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianandrea
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guidetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pathology and Veterinary Clinic Section, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pathology and Veterinary Clinic Section, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cocco