Effects of Obesity on Adiponectin System Skin Expression in Dogs: A Comparative Study.

Cecilia Dall’Aglio,Maria Chiara Alterisio,Francesca Mercati,Margherita Maranesi,Antonio Di Loria,Elvio Lepri,Diego Piantedosi,Paolo Ciaramella

doi:10.3390/ani11082308

Cecilia Dall’Aglio, Maria Chiara Alterisio + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082308

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Abstract

Simple SummaryAdipokines are biologically active molecules with hormonal action, produced mainly by white adipose tissue and related to the individual’s nutritional status. Adiponectin with its receptors (ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2) intervenes in the control of energy metabolism, as well as in the regulation of peripheral tissue functions. Adiponectin has a primary role in the skin in both physiological and pathological conditions, in addition, this molecule is greatly affected by nutritional status, and its serum level is lowered in the obese. In this work, the adiponectin system was evaluated in the skin of obese dogs along with adiponectin serum levels. Results were compared to normal weight dogs to evidence modifications in the obesity condition. Obesity is a widespread phenomenon in dogs, with a growing trend, as well, in humans; this condition may interfere with the local functionality of tissues, including the skin. The evaluation performed evidenced that adiponectin and ADIPOR2 skin expression is negatively correlated with the serum adiponectin level and accordingly with obesity. These findings evidence that the adiponectin system changes in the skin of obese dogs; this study also explores the role of adipokines in skin biology.Obesity is an important health issue in dogs since it influences a plethora of associated pathologies, including dermatological disorders. Considering the scarcity of information in pets, this work aimed to evaluate the localization and expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its two receptors (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) in the skin of 10 obese dogs, compared with serum ADIPOQ level. Through immunohistochemistry, ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 were observed in the adipose tissue, sweat and sebaceous glands, endothelium, and some connective cells. Both receptors were observed in the epidermis and the hair follicles, other than in the sweat and sebaceous glands. Real-time PCR evidenced that the ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 transcripts were expressed 5.4-fold (p < 0.01) and 2.3-fold less (p < 0.01), respectively, in obese than in normal weight dogs, while ADIPOR1 expression did not change. Obese dogs showed lower serum ADIPOQ levels than the normal weight group. Accordingly, ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 expression in the skin appear negatively correlated with obesity in the same way as the serum ADIPOQ level. These findings evidence that ADIPOQ system changes in the skin of obese dogs and suggest that the ADIPOQ effect on the skin is at least in part regulated by the reduced expression of ADIPOR2.

Highlights

Obesity is a critical health issue in dogs, and surveys assessing obesity in the canine population suggest there is a high global incidence of this phenomenon [1]
These findings evidence that ADIPOQ system changes in the skin of obese dogs and suggest that the ADIPOQ effect on the skin is at least in part regulated by the reduced expression of ADIPOR2
The concentration of cutaneous ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 appears positively correlated with the molecule plasma levels. These results suggest that obese dogs could present an alteration of the skin functions related to ADIPOQ, such as the stimulation of the cell proliferation and migration

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is a critical health issue in dogs, and surveys assessing obesity in the canine population suggest there is a high global incidence of this phenomenon [1]. A dog can be considered obese when its body weight exceeds the optimum weight for the body size by at least 15% [2]. Canine obesity is related to lifestyle and is commonly observed that overweight people are more likely to have overweight dogs [3]. Obesity in dogs is an alteration of the dog’s energy metabolism; it cannot be attributed to the owner’s inability to manage its pet’s food. Obesity represents a significant welfare problem for pet dogs, resulting in adverse effects on health and longevity [7]. Obese dogs die sooner and have a higher incidence of several clinical conditions, including dermatological disorders, when compared to non-obese dogs

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