Botanicals Reduce Circulating Concentrations of Cholesterol and Triglycerides and Work Synergistically With Arachidonic Acid to Reduce Inflammatory Cytokines in Cats.

Dennis E Jewell,Kiran S Panickar

doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.620447

Abstract

Forty Eight cats were used to measure the effects of feeding a traditional adult cat food supplemented with either arachidonic acid (ARA), a botanical mix (botanicals) or both on circulating biochemical parameters and inflammatory cytokines. The cats were healthy adults (mean age, 3.0; range, 1.3–6.4 years). The adult cats were fed one of four foods (n = 12 per group) for 84 days (dietary changes reported as fed): a traditional adult cat food (control, 0.05% ARA no added botanicals), or control food supplemented with arachidonic acid from chicken liver (0.13% ARA when supplemented), control food supplemented with botanicals (green tea 0.5%, fenugreek 0.05%, and tulsi 0.003%), and control plus ARA (0.13% as fed) with botanicals (green tea 0.5%, fenugreek 0.05%, and tulsi 0.003%). Response variables were compared between treatments: initially, and at 84 days (end of study). The measurements were standard complete blood counts and chemistries as well as circulating cytokines. Botanical inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) circulating cholesterol and triglycerides while arachidonic acid increased (P < 0.05) their concentrations. The pro-inflammatory cytokines MCP-1, TNFα, SDF-1, Flt3L, IL-8, IL-12p40, IL-13, and IL-18 were all reduced (P < 0.05) in cats after consuming the ARA + botanicals food for 84 days with little change after consuming the other foods. Therefore, this combination of ARA and botanicals may be of value in reducing inflammation.

Highlights

The potential of manipulating feline metabolism through the supplementation of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including the feline nutritionally required arachidonic acid (ARA) is significant
The cats eating food with this blend had a lowered food intake. These cats did not significantly gain weight as compared to both the cats eating the control food or the food with ARA alone. This differential response was while glucose numerically declined in the cats eating the control + botanical food while all other cats had a significant increased concentration of circulating glucose
This review [23] states that there is a cholesterol lowering effect of fenugreek which may be having an effect with green tea to reduce circulating cholesterol in the cats consuming the botanical supplemented food

Summary

Introduction

The potential of manipulating feline metabolism through the supplementation of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including the feline nutritionally required arachidonic acid (ARA) is significant This change in metabolism through dietary manipulation of PUFA levels can significantly influence health and disease [1]. Arachidonic Acid, Botanicals, and Cats leukotriene (LTB5) as well as populations and proliferations of lymphocytes This is in relationship to dietary EPA and DHA and to a lesser degree alpha linolenic acid [3]. Cell mediated immune response was decreased as dietary EPA and DHA was increased [4] This may partially be through the response in circulating ARA which decreased, supplying fewer n-6 fatty acids and decreasing the circulating n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratio in blood [4]. In a recent review we concluded that ARA was, in general, a proinflammatory fatty acid as compared to the n-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA [10]

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Results

Conclusion