BACKGROUND: In recent years, disorder in lipid metabolism has been increased markedly in companion animal’s population. Hyperlipidemia is a common sign of obesity in dogs, which is characterized by hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglycemia. OBJECTIVES:  The purpose of the present survey is to determine the effect of obesity on blood lipid profile changes (including triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C) and comparing the decisive indicators of obesity in dogs in Ahvaz district. METHODS: Three groups of thirty dogs  referred to Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz were studied between  2012-2014. The dogs in group A (control), had good body condition score (BCS= 4 to 5). The dogs were all thin (BCS= 1 to 3) in group B, and all obese in group C (BCS= 6 to 9). All of the studied dogs were selected from small breeds (Terrier, Spitz, Pekingese and Shih Tzu), of both sexes and ranging from 1 to 7 years old. Fasting blood samples were collected from all dogs and lipid profiles including serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were measured using commercial kits. RESULTS: Hyperlipidemia was confirmed in dogs of group A (normal) in 4 cases (13.33%), group B (thin) one case (3.33%), and group C (obese) in 19 cases (63.33%). Data analysis showed that there was a significant difference between group C (224.83±74.34) with groups A (149±39.66) and B (131.80±24.37) for triglyceride level (p<0.001), as well  a significant difference was seen between group C (229.40±60.36) with groups A (178.80±50.17) and B (151.47±23.45) and between group A with B for cholesterol level (p<0.05). The difference was significant for LDL-C between group C (67.10±22.83) with groups A (47.97±13.01) and B (43.07±13.08) (p<0.001), but there was no difference between various groups for HDL-C (p>0.05). The effects of age, gender and breed on the measured values did not show a significant difference between three groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present survey showed that there was a correlation between obesity and hyperlipidemia in dogs. Determination of body condition score (BCS) can be as a predictive agent in characterization of lipid profile status. Modification of diet and weight loss is necessary in obese dogs.

Several animals have been in the limelight of basic research associated with metabolic diseases like obesity. Obesity can be considered as a significant public health concern in the world. It raises the chances for a variety of disease conditions that includes diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, and cancers, which, in turn, decreases the overall lifespan of adult men and women. The World Health Organization has considered obesity as a global epidemic. Researchers have made several attempts to classify human obesity, but none have been successful. Animal obesity can be classi¬fied based on their etiology; however, till now, no animal model of obesity can replicate models of the human condition, they have only provided clues into the causes, aftermaths, and preventive remedy to human adiposity. Over the years, there are varieties of animal models used to induce obesity. Some of them include monogenic, polygenic, surgical, seasonal, and other models of obesity. Apart from the advantages of these models, most of them are accompanied by limita¬tions. The primary purpose of this review is, therefore, to highlight the several models with their advantages and limitations. By knowing the benefits and limitations of animal models of obesity, researchers may be at liberty to select the appropriate one for the study of obesity. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(1.000): 103-114]

Objective: Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus) fiber has been documented to exert an immunomodu¬latory effect both in vitro and in vivo. However, its beneficial effect against metabolic syndrome remains unknown. This study aimed to reveal whether the jicama fiber (JF) could prevent the development of diabetes and obesity caused by a high-sugar diet (HSD). Materials and Methods: The JF was isolated from its tuberous part and subsequently used as a supplemental diet for adult male Bagg and Albino (BALB)/c mice fed with a HSD. Four different diet paradigms including normal diet, HSD (30% sucrose), and HSD in combination with 10% and 25% of JF, respectively, were deployed continuously for 8 weeks. Furthermore, the blood glucose level, glucose tolerance, body weight, food and water consumption as well as epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) and interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass were determined. Results: Our results revealed that supplementation of 25% JF could significantly prevent the blood glucose increase, excessive body weight gain, and glucose intolerance in mice fed with HSD. Moreover, 10% and 25% JF blunted the HSD-induced WAT mass gain but failed to counteract the depletion of BAT mass. Furthermore, the fiber supplementation elicited a minimum effect on rhythm and total food and water intake. Conclusion: The JF could effectively sustain blood glucose homeostasis as well as improve body weight and WAT mass profile against the development of diabetes and obesity caused by HSD. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(2.000): 222-230]

A high-fat diet (HFD) is characterized by an excessive intake of dietary fats, while often being deficient in essential nutrients and fiber. Studies in animal models have consistently demonstrated that high-fat diets can lead to significant elevation of weight gain, body organs and biochemical parameters. The present research aimed to clarify the adverse physiological consequences of HFD on female rats. The present study was performed on 12 female rats that were divided to equal groups. Group I fed normal basal diet and group II fed HFD for 12 months. The body weight and gain, relative organs weight as well as abdominal fat mass were recorded. Hematological parameters, lipid profile, liver and kidney functions and Heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) were determined. Also, histopathology for liver, kidney and heart were performed. Electrocardiography (ECG) was performed. The body weight, weight gain, relative organs weight and abdominal fat mass were significantly increased in group II than group I. Hematological parameters, lipid profile, liver and kidney functions, H-FABP and ECG as well as histopathology were deteriorated in group II than group I. The findings revealed that prolonged consumption of a high-fat diet resulted in significant physiological perturbations. Understanding the intricate interactions between high-fat diets, body weight, body organs and biochemical parameters is essential for devising effective prevention and treatment strategies for obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Obesity is a global public health issue. It is associated with a spectrum of liver abnormalities, like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Vitamin D3 on light microscopic changes in the liver, as well as hematology and some liver enzymes in experimentally overweight albino rats. Five groups of thirty-five male albino rats were formed. For three months, Control (C) group received a standard laboratory diet. Corn oil (CO) group received normal balanced diet and given orally 20 mg/kg corn oil daily. Vitamin D (D) group received normal balanced diet and orally treated daily with 5000 IU/kg of vitamin D3. Overweight (OW) group rats received high caloric diet. Overweight/ vitamin D (OWD) group received high caloric diet and treated with oral vitamin D3 5000 IU/kg daily. Liver weights of animals were recorded, blood samples for hematology, some liver functions, catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were collected. Liver samples were fixed in 10% formal saline then stained by H&E for histological examination. OW group had significantly higher liver weights, and liver function than CO group. Histologically, there was an increase of fatty degeneration in the OW group. However, OWD group was lower in all the measured and examined liver parameters than that of CO group in this study vitamin D3 supplement could ameliorate the abnormal changes in the hepatocytes induced by obesity.

Obesity’s dangers are becoming more widely recognized around the world. Obese people are more likely to develop a variety of serious diseases, including fatty liver. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Origanum majorana on light microscopic changes in the liver, as well as hematology and some liver enzymes in experimentally obese albino rats. Four groups of twenty-four male albino rats were formed. For three months, the control group was fed a standard laboratory diet and received saline orally by gavage tube. Obese rats were given a high-fat diet. The marj group received 20 mg/kg of aqueous extract of marjoram via gavage tube. The obese/marj group received the same treatment as the obese group and received 20 mg/kg of aqueous extract of marjoram daily via gavage tube. The liver and visceral fat weights of animals were recorded, blood samples for hematology and liver functions were estimated. Liver samples were fixed in 10% formol saline then stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin for histological examination. Obese animals had significantly higher liver, visceral fat weights, and liver function than the control group. Histologically, there was an increase of fatty degeneration in the obese group. However, the obese group that received the aqueous leaf extract of Origanum majorana was lower in all the measured and examined liver parameters than that of the control group. In this study the aqueous leaf extract of Origanum majorana may ameliorate the obesity induced abnormal changes in the hepatocytes.

Obesity alters lipid profile, blood glucose, liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and hormonal balance. Fennel has shown anti-obesity effects in preliminary studies, but its role in ameliorative metabolic complications of obesity needs further research. This study assessed the provisional influences of fennel extract against high-fat diet-provoked metabolic deviations in rats. Forty male albino rats were allocated into standard diet control, obese control, low dose fennel (100 mg/kg) and high dose fennel (300 mg/kg) groups. Obesity was triggered by 4 weeks of high-fat nourishment. Fennel extract was applied orally for 6 weeks. Parameters considered were body weight, lipid profile, blood glucose, liver enzymes, anti-oxidant status, thyroid hormones, leptin, and hepatic insulin receptor gene expression. Fennel significantly diminished body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, liver enzymes, glucose, and leptin while increasing HDL-cholesterol, anti-oxidant enzymes, and thyroid stimulating hormone compared to obese controls. Histological examination has shown alleviation of fat accumulation and intracellular changes in the liver. Insulin receptor gene expression was also significantly increased by fennel extract. This study demonstrated that fennel extract reverses obesity-induced metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and histopathological change in the liver of rats. The hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-oxidant, and hepatoprotective properties of fennel may be beneficial in managing obesity-associated metabolic complications.

The present study investigated the effects of methanolic extract of harmala nanoparticle (H/ZnONP) on the changes in serum lipid profiles, serum leptin levels and liver and kidney PPAR gene expression in high caloric diet (HCD) induced obese rats. After induction of obesity with HCD for one month to half numbers of rats. Non-obese group had three subgroups; G1: Control fed basal diets, G2: basal diets plus H/ZnONPs (200 mg/kg/day) and G3: basal diets plus H/ZnONPs (400 mg/kg/day). However, obese group was divided into three subgroups G4: HFD, G5: HFD+H/ZnONPs (200 mg/kg/day) and G6: HFD+ H/ZnONPs (400 mg/kg/day). After 4 weeks of treatment blood and tissue samples were collected and subjected to laboratory assay of lipid profile and leptin level in addition to expression of PPAR gene in liver and kidney. We also investigated the possible protective effect of H/ZnONP 200 and 400 mg/kg BW on liver and kidney histology. The obtained results demonstrated that H/ZnONP treatment to obese rats significantly decreased serum cholesterols, triglyceride, and LDL level while relative expression of PPAR gene in liver and kidney was significantly increased. Based on the obtained results we can concluded that H/ZnONP supplementation has a potent anti-obesity effect in rats by improving lipid profile, enhance expression of PPAR gene in liver and kidney and improve liver and kidney histology particularly the high dose.

Risk factors associated with canine obesity include the amount of walking a dog receives. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between canine exercise requirements, socio-demographic factors, and dog-walking behaviors in winter in Calgary. Dog owners, from a cross-sectional study which included a random sample of adults, were asked their household income, domicile type, gender, age, education level, number and breed(s) of dog(s) owned, and frequency and time spent dog-walking in a usual week. Canine exercise requirements were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) positively associated with the minutes pet dogs were walked, as was the owner being a female. Moreover, dog walking frequency, but not minutes of dog walking, was significantly associated with residing in attached housing (i.e., apartments). Different types of dogs have different exercise requirements to maintain optimal health. Understanding the role of socio-demographic factors and dog-related characteristics such as exercise requirements on dog-walking behaviors is essential for helping veterinarians and owners develop effective strategies to prevent and manage canine obesity. Furthermore, encouraging regular dog-walking has the potential to improve the health of pet dogs, and that of their owners.

Objective—To evaluate and compare circulating concentrations of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), insulin, and glucose in nondiabetic cats classified by body condition score (BCS) and in cats with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus. Animals—109 (82 nondiabetic, 21 nonketoacidotic diabetic, and 6 ketoacidotic diabetic) cats. rocedures—Cats were examined and BCSs were assessed on a scale of 1 to 9. After food was withheld for 12 hours, blood was collected and plasma concentrations of IAPP and serum concentrations of insulin and glucose were measured. Differences in these values were evaluated among nondiabetic cats grouped according to BCS and in diabetic cats grouped as ketoacidotic or nonketoacidotic on the basis of clinicopathologic findings. Correlations were determined among variables. Results—In nondiabetic cats, BCS was significantly and positively correlated with circulating IAPP and insulin concentrations. Mean plasma IAPP concentrations were significantly different between cats with BCSs of 5 and 7, and mean serum insulin concentrations were significantly different between cats with BCSs of 5 and 8. Serum glucose concentrations were not significantly different among nondiabetic cats. Mean IAPP concentrations were similar between nonketoacidotic diabetic cats and nondiabetic cats with BCSs of 8 or 9. Mean IAPP concentrations were significantly reduced in ketoacidotic diabetic cats, compared with those of nondiabetic cats with BCSs of 6 through 8 and of nonketoacidotic diabetic cats. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that increased BCS (a measure of obesity) is associated with increased circulating concentrations of IAPP and insulin in nondiabetic cats.