Understanding How Dogs Age: Longitudinal Analysis of Markers of Inflammation, Immune Function, and Oxidative Stress.

As in human populations, advances in nutrition and veterinary care have led to an increase in the lifespan of companion animals. Detrimental physiological changes occurring later in life must be understood before interventions can be made to slow or reduce them. One important aspect of human aging is upregulation of the inflammatory response and increase in oxidative damage resulting in pathologies linked to chronic inflammation.

Astaxanthin stimulates cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in cats.

Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant carotenoid and may play a role in modulating immune response in cats. Blood was taken from female domestic shorthair cats (8-9 mo old; 3.2 ± 0.

Dietary fish oil and flaxseed oil suppress inflammation and immunity in cats.

The modulatory activity of dietary n-3 fatty acids on inflammation and immune response in domestic cats is unknown. Mature female cats (n=14/treatment) were fed control, fish oil or flaxseed oil diets with n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratios of 20:1, 5:1 and 5:1, respectively, for 12 wk. Immune response was assessed on wk 0, 6 and 12, and skin hypersensitivity response on wk 6 and 12.

Dietary astaxanthin enhances immune response in dogs.

No information is available on the possible role of astaxanthin on immune response in domestic canine. Female Beagle dogs (9-10 mo old; 8.2 ± 0.

Astaxanthin uptake in domestic dogs and cats.

Background: Research on the uptake and transport of astaxanthin is lacking in most species. We studied the uptake of astaxanthin by plasma, lipoproteins and leukocytes in domestic dogs and cats.

Methods: Mature female Beagle dogs (18 to 19 mo old; 11 to 14 kg BW) were dosed orally with 0, 0.

Exploring mechanisms of sex differences in longevity: lifetime ovary exposure and exceptional longevity in dogs.

To move closer to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of sex differences in human longevity, we studied pet dogs to determine whether lifetime duration of ovary exposure was associated with exceptional longevity. This hypothesis was tested by collecting and analyzing lifetime medical histories, age at death, and cause of death for a cohort of canine 'centenarians'--exceptionally long-lived Rottweiler dogs that lived more than 30% longer than average life expectancy for the breed. Sex and lifetime ovary exposure in the oldest-old Rottweilers (age at death, > or = 13 years) were compared to a cohort of Rottweilers that had usual longevity (age at death, 8.

Isolation and characterization of primary canine lens epithelial cells.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the proliferation and differentiation of primary canine lens epithelial cells (LEC) under standard culture conditions.

Procedure: Canine LEC were isolated by mechanical dissection of the canine globe and enzymatic digestion of the lens capsule from fresh lenses. Isolated capsules and cell suspensions were seeded in laminin-coated culture flasks.

Modulation of immune response through nutraceutical interventions: implications for canine and feline health.

Mounting research demonstrates that certain nutraceutical compounds interact with the immune system. These interactions may be positive or negative depending on the compound or dose administered to the individual. Understanding the mechanisms by which these compounds work should provide opportunities to design nutritional interventions to bolster the health of dogs and cats.

Effects of age and dietary beta-carotene on immunological variables in dogs.

beta-Carotene is a naturally occurring carotenoid reported to have health-promoting effects in several species. Advancing age is known to have a negative impact on various immune variables in several species. This study was conducted in order to assess the effect of age on immune response in dogs and to determine whether beta-carotene is able to reverse this age-associated decline.

Oxidized lipid depresses canine growth, immune function, and bone formation.

Dietary oxidized lipids can increase oxidative stress and potentially contribute to a variety of disease syndromes. This research describes the first use of a canine model to assess the effects of dietary oxidized lipids on growth, antioxidant status, and some immune functions. Three groups of eight, two-month old coon-hound puppies were pair fed diets for 16 weeks.