Beta-glucano de aveia como suplemento dietético para cães

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oat beta-glucan supplementation on metabolic, physiological, immunological and nutritional parameters in adult dogs. Fourteen dogs were fed a control diet or a diet supplemented with 1% of beta-glucan during 71 days. Serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol (TC) and lipoprotein fractions, as well as plasma concentrations of peptide YY and ghrelin were determined. In addition, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibilities (CTTAD), feed consumption and fecal production, score and pH were also evaluated. For evaluating the immunological parameters, animals were vaccinated and serum concentrations of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon gamma (INFɣ) were determined, as well as blood cell count on days 0, 7 and 21 (7 days after the second dose of vaccine) after the vaccine challenge. Animals fed the supplemented diet showed lower serum concentrations of TC and low and very low density lipoproteins, lower CTTAD of dry matter, organic matter, mineral matter and lipids, higher fecal production and lower fecal consistency (P<0,05). Moreover, the supplemented diet resulted in higher number of red blood cells, hematocrit percentage and hemoglobin concentration 21 days post-vaccination, as well as lower serum concentration of IL-4 seven days post-vaccination (P<0,05). It is concluded that oat beta-glucan, at the dose used, is able to positively influence metabolic, nutritional and immunological parameters in dogs, presenting potential to be used in obese animals feeding.