2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

In conclusion, altered serum amino acid concentrations were observed among healthy dogs and hypocobalaminemic dogs with or without EPI. The exact cause of these changes requires further investigation. But the lack of digestive pancreatic enzymes in dogs with EPI could play a role in decreased absorption of amino acids leading to altered amino acid metabolism. Current therapeutic options for canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are focused on reducing intestinal inflammation and achieving clinical remission, but often result in side effects especially due to the use of immunosuppressant drugs. In IBD patients, activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-jB) causes intestinal inflammation. Chondroitin sulphate (CS) inhibits NF-jB phosphorylation and therefore could help to reduce the inflammatory response associated with IBD. Large-bowel fermentation of certain resistant starches increases butyrate production, which helps maintaining the intestinal barrier integrity. Orally administered prebiotics promote the growth of beneficial gut microflora. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a multicentric randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in dogs with IBD, the effects of an oral nutritional supplement containing butyrogenic resistant starch, CS, b-glucans and mannanoligosaccharides on serum biomarkers, intestinal histology, and canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI).