Effects of a Lactobacillus fermentation product on the fecal characteristics, fecal microbial populations, immune function, and stress markers of adult dogs.

The objective of this study was to measure the effects of a Lactobacillus fermentation product (LBFP) on fecal characteristics and microbiota, blood biomarkers, immune function, and serum oxidative stress markers of adult dogs. Thirty adult beagle dogs [23 M, 7 F; mean age = 8.47 ± 2.65 yr old; mean BW = 15.43 ± 4.17 kg] were used in a completely randomized design study. All dogs were fed a basal diet to maintain BW for 5 wk, followed by baseline blood and fecal sample collections. Dogs remained on the same diet, but then were randomly assigned to a placebo (dextrose) or LBFP supplement (Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii). Both treatments were dosed at 4 mg/kg BW via gelatin capsule for 5 wk (n = 15/treatment). Fecal and blood samples were collected at that time. Change from baseline data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS 9.4, with P < 0.05 being significant and P < 0.10 being trends. Most circulating metabolites and immunoglobulins (Ig) were unaltered by treatment, but LBFP-supplemented dogs had lower changes in serum corticosteroid isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05), alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.10), and IgM (P < 0.10) than controls. The change in fecal scores tended to be lower (P = 0.068) in LBFP-supplemented dogs than controls, signifying firmer feces in LBFP-supplemented dogs. Regarding the fecal microbiota, alpha diversity indicators tended to be higher (P = 0.087) in LBFP-supplemented dogs than controls. One fecal bacterial phylum (Actinobacteriota) was altered by treatments, with its relative abundance tending to have a greater (P < 0.10) increase in controls than LBFP-supplemented dogs. Fifteen bacterial genera were altered (P < 0.05 or P < 0.10) by treatments, including relative abundances of fecal Peptoclostridium, Sarcina, and Faecalitalea that had a greater (P < 0.05) increase in controls than LBFP-supplemented dogs. In contrast, relative abundances of fecal Faecalibaculum, Bifidobacterium, and uncultured Butyricicoccaceae had a greater (P ≤ 0.05) increase in LBFP-supplemented dogs than controls. After week 5, dogs underwent transport stress (45-min vehicle ride) to assess oxidative stress markers. The change in serum superoxide dismutase after transport had a greater (P < 0.0001) increase in LBFP-supplemented dogs than controls. Our data suggest that LBFP may provide benefits to dogs by stabilizing stool quality, beneficially shifting fecal microbiota, and protecting against oxidative damage when subjected to stress.

Our objective was to measure the effects of a Lactobacillus fermentation product (LBFP) on fecal characteristics and microbiota, immune function, and oxidative stress markers of dogs. Thirty adult dogs were used in a completely randomized design study. All dogs were fed a basal diet to maintain body weight for 5 wk and then randomly assigned to a placebo or LBFP supplement for five more weeks. Fecal and blood samples were collected after baseline and treatment phases. Change from baseline data were analyzed statistically. Most blood markers were unaltered by treatment, but LBFP-supplemented dogs had lower changes in liver enzymes and IgM than controls. Change in fecal scores tended to be lower in LBFP-supplemented dogs than controls, signifying firmer feces. Fecal bacterial alpha diversity tended to be higher in LBFP-supplemented dogs than controls. One fecal bacterial phylum and 15 bacterial genera were altered by treatments. After 5 wk, dogs underwent transport stress (45-min vehicle ride) to assess oxidative stress markers. The increase in serum superoxide dismutase after transport was greater in LBFP-supplemented dogs than controls. Our data suggest that LBFP may provide benefits to dogs by stabilizing stool quality, beneficially shifting fecal microbiota, and protecting against oxidative damage when undergoing stress.

Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product-supplemented diet on fecal characteristics, oxidative stress, and blood gene expression of adult dogs undergoing transport stress.

Previously, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) was shown to positively alter fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, oxidative stress, and circulating immune cell function of adult dogs. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of SCFP on fecal characteristics, serum oxidative stress biomarkers, and whole blood gene expression of dogs undergoing transport stress. Sixteen adult pointer dogs [8M, 8F; mean age = 6.7 ± 2.1 yr; mean body weight (BW) = 25.5 ± 3.9 kg] were used in a randomized crossover design study. All dogs were fed a control diet for 4 wk, then randomly assigned to a control or SCFP-supplemented diet (formulated to include approximately 0.13% of the active SCFP ingredient) and fed to maintain BW for 11 wk. A 6-wk washout preceded the second 11-wk experimental period with dogs receiving opposite treatments. After 11 wk, fresh fecal and blood samples were collected before and after transport in a van for 45 min. Change from baseline data (i.e., before and after transport) were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS 9.4, with P < 0.05 being significant and P < 0.10 being trends. Change in serum malondialdehyde concentrations increased (P < 0.05) and serum 8-isoprostane concentrations tended to increase (P < 0.10) in dogs fed SCFP, but decreased (P < 0.05) in control dogs after transport. Other serum markers were unaffected by diet during transport stress. Fecal dry matter percentage tended to be affected (P < 0.10) by diet during transport stress, being reduced in control dogs, but stable in dogs fed SCFP. Other fecal characteristics were unaffected by diet during transport stress. Genes associated with activation of innate immunity were impacted by diet in response to transport stress, with blood cyclooxygenase-2 and malondialdehyde mRNA expression being increased (P < 0.05) in control dogs, but stable or decreased in dogs fed SCFP. Expression of other genes was unaffected by diet during transport stress. These data suggest that the benefits of feeding a SCFP during transport stress may be mediated through suppression of innate immune cell activation.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) is a yeast product containing bioactive fermentation metabolites, residual yeast cells, and yeast cell wall fragments. In this study, SCFP was investigated for its impacts on fecal characteristics and oxidative stress of dogs undergoing transport stress. Using a randomized crossover study design, 16 adult pointer dogs were used to compare changes in fecal characteristics, oxidative stress marker concentrations, and gene expression when fed a SCFP-supplemented diet or control diet. After transport, change in serum malondialdehyde concentrations increased and serum 8-isoprostane concentrations tended to increase in dogs fed SCFP, but decreased in control dogs. Fecal moisture percentage tended to be affected by diet during transport stress, being reduced in control dogs, but stable in dogs fed SCFP. Blood cyclooxygenase-2 and myeloperoxidase mRNA gene expression was affected by diet during transport stress, being increased in control dogs, but stable or decreased in dogs fed SCFP. In conclusion, these data suggest that the benefits of feeding a SCFP during transport stress may be mitigated through suppression of innate immune cell activation rather than through suppressing oxidative damage to lipids.

Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product-supplemented diet on circulating immune cells and oxidative stress markers of dogs.

Feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) has previously altered fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, and immune function of adult dogs. The objective of this study was to investigate measures of skin and coat health, changes in circulating immune cell numbers and activity, antioxidant status, and oxidative stress marker concentrations of healthy adult dogs fed a SCFP-supplemented extruded diet. Sixteen adult English Pointer dogs (8 M, 8 F; mean age = 6.7 ± 2.1 yr; mean BW = 25.9 ± 4.5 kg) were used in a randomized crossover design study. All dogs were fed a control diet for 4 wk, then randomly assigned to either the control or SCFP-supplemented diet (0.13% of active SCFP) and fed to maintain BW for 10 wk. A 6-wk washout preceded the second 10-wk experimental period with dogs receiving opposite treatments. After baseline/washout and treatment phases, skin and coat were scored, and pre and postprandial blood samples were collected. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration status, and sebum concentrations were measured (back, inguinal, ear) using external probes. Oxidative stress and immune cell function were measured by ELISA, circulating immune cell percentages were analyzed by flow cytometry, and mRNA expression of oxidative stress genes was analyzed by RT-PCR. Change from baseline data was analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS 9.4. Sebum concentration changes tended to be higher (P < 0.10; inguinal, ear) in SCFP-fed dogs than in controls. TEWL change was lower (P < 0.05) on the back of controls, but lower (P = 0.054) on the ear of SCFP-fed dogs. Delayed-type hypersensitivity response was affected by diet and time post-inoculation. Other skin and coat measures and scores were not affected by diet. Changes in unstimulated lymphocytes and stimulated IFN-γ secreting T cells were lower (P < 0.05) in SCFP-fed dogs, while changes in stimulated T cells were lower (P < 0.05) in control-fed dogs. Upon stimulation, the percentage of cytotoxic T cells delta trended lower (P < 0.10) in SCFP-fed dogs. Change in serum superoxide dismutase concentrations was higher (P < 0.05) and change in catalase mRNA expression was lower (P < 0.05) in SCFP-fed dogs. All other measurements of immune cell populations, oxidative stress markers, and gene expression were unaffected by treatment. In conclusion, our data suggest that SCFP positively impacts indicators of skin and coat health of dogs, modulates immune responses, and enhances some antioxidant defense markers.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) is a yeast product containing bioactive fermentation metabolites, residual yeast cells, and yeast cell wall fragments. In this study, SCFP was investigated for its impacts on immune health, oxidative stress, and skin and hair coat health in dogs. Using a randomized crossover study design, 16 adult pointer dogs were used to compare changes in immune cell numbers and activity, antioxidant status and oxidative stress marker concentrations, and skin and coat health markers when fed a SCFP-supplemented diet or control diet. Skin sebum concentrations increased in dogs fed SCFP, but transepidermal water loss changes depended on body location (ear, inguinal, or back). Delayed-type hypersensitivity response was affected by diet and time. Changes in unstimulated lymphocytes and stimulated IFN-γ secreting T cells were lower in SCFP-fed dogs, while changes in stimulated T cells were lower in control dogs. Changes in stimulated cytotoxic T cells tended to be lower in SCFP-fed dogs. Change in serum superoxide dismutase concentrations were higher, while change in catalase mRNA expression was lower in SCFP-fed dogs. In conclusion, our data suggest that SCFP positively impacts indicators of skin and coat health of dogs, modulates immune responses, and enhances some key antioxidant defense markers.