ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Obesity in dogs leads to several health problems, such as premature death, and contributes to other diseases. Recently, body fat percentage has been considered to represent the body condition of dogs, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is the most effective method for accurately measuring body fat in dogs. In Thailand, information on the body condition of dogs is limited, and there is no standard body fat level for Thai or mongrel dogs. This study was designed to evaluate and analyze the body fat percentage in dogs through BIA using a handheld instrument. The results of this study can help enhance the quality of life and health of dogs and aid in setting a standard body fat level for Thai or mongrel dogs. Materials and Methods: The body fat percentage of 340 Thai and mongrel dogs in East Thailand was measured in the standing position, and the body condition score (BCS) (range, 1-5), sex, sterilization status, age, type of diet, and lifestyle were recorded. A linear regression model was developed to compare the variables and the predicted body fat percentage, and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the factors for body fat increment. Results: The linear regression model used to estimate the percentage of body fat (y) for each BCS (x) was y = 0.84 + 8.36x (R2 = 0.7219; p < 0.0001); the average body fat percentage was 27.52% for all studied dogs; specifically, 24.83% for the Thai Bangkaew, 26.42% for the Thai Ridgeback, and 27.65% for mongrels. The median body fat percentage was significantly higher in female than in male dogs. We found that as age increases, body fat percentage also increases; this increasing trend begins at the age of 5 years. However, increasing the level of activity and decreasing meal frequency leads to an increase in body fat percentage in neutered male dogs. Conclusion: The average body fat percentage of dogs in East Thailand is 27.52% and this value is expected to increase when these dogs reach the age of 5 years. BIA is a valid and effective measurement tool for detecting the body fat percentage in dogs.
ABSTRACT
It is hypothesized that the oxidative/nitrosative stress inhibitory effect of a flavanone is governed by its chemical structure. However, the existing cell-based antioxidant assays primarily focus on single chemical to initiate toxic species production. In this study, a novel cell model using macrophage treated with a combination of PMA and LPS leading to generation of peroxynitrite was proposed to provide a more real physiological condition. Three flavanones (eriodictyol, naringenin, and pinocembrin) with different number of ortho-dihydroxyl groups on B-ring were used to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the role of chemical structure in the new model. Dihydrorhodamine123 assay, protein immunoblotting, immunofluorescence assay, and in silico analysis by molecular docking between the flavanones and IKKß catalytic kinase domain at the ATP binding site were employed. Results indicated that the generation of peroxynitrite was decreased at 10 µM of flavanones; eriodictyol was the most effective inhibitor. Western blot analysis and confocal fluorescence image also showed that eriodictyol could inhibit iNOS and p47 protein expressions through the inhibition of NF-kB translocation and performed the maximal inhibition compared to that of the other groups. In addition, the highest CDOCKER energy values of eriodictyol (38.6703 kcal/mol) confirmed that the 3',4'-ortho-dihydroxylation on the B-ring played a crucial role in binding with IKKß kinase domain at ATP binding site. Finally, we propose that the ortho-dihydroxyl groups on B-ring of flavanone may influence directly the occupation of the ATP binding site of IKKß kinase domain leading to the abrogation of peroxynitrite formation in the innovative cell model.
