Study highlights and clarifications:
The aim of the following study was to evaluate the correlation between carnitine and taurine from plasma, skeletal and cardiac muscles and whole blood taurine, and to determine the effect of diet.
Thirty-three mixed breed dogs and 32 beagles were evaluated on day 0 and then their diets were changed to a randomized trial diet.
The test diets included:
- Rich in animal proteins, cereals included
- Low in animal protein, grain-free
- Low in animal protein, grains included
- Rich in animal proteins, grain-free
“This study observed no correlation between taurine concentrations in plasma, whole blood, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle, but noted some effects between time, breed and diet.
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BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Animal nutritionists and veterinarians BSM Partners, the largest pet care research and consulting company, and chief of cardiology at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center, released the results of a seven-month study that revealed no correlation between taurine concentrations in plasma, whole blood, skeletal and cardiac muscle. dogs. This development indicates that diagnoses of heart disease in dogs should not rely solely on blood tests. The research was published in a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition.
“This particular research found that blood tests are not a reliable indicator of nutrient levels in the heart,” said Dr. Sydney McCauley PhD, PAS, Dpl. ACAS, from BSM Partners, article co-author and certified pet nutritionist. “We can no longer assume that whole blood and plasma taurine tests, which are commonly used to diagnose canine heart disease, can accurately tell us what is happening inside the heart. This discovery is expected to have a significant impact on how dogs are diagnosed with heart problems related to nutritional deficiencies, opening a new chapter in our fields’ collective efforts to continually improve the lives of animals.
For the study, researchers formulated four canine diets with varying amounts of animal protein and with and without grains, which were fed to 33 mixed-breed dogs and 32 beagles. Blood samples were collected every 30 days throughout the seven-month study, and cardiac, endomyocardial, and skeletal muscle biopsies were performed at the beginning and end of the study. This study led to the creation of the largest dataset of healthy dogs to date, which will allow it to be used as a reference for clinical and research comparisons in the future.
“Moving forward, I think this research indicates that measuring blood levels of taurine and carnitine are not reliable predictors of what is happening in the heart in clinical patients,” noted Dr. Stacey Leach DVM , DACVIM, co-author of the paper, and chief of cardiology and associate professor of cardiology at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center.
BSM Partners is the largest full-service pet care research, consulting and product innovation company. BSM Partners’ research professionals collaborate with hundreds of clients ranging from the largest enterprises to the smallest emerging companies to formulate, review and advise on the development of hundreds of new products each year. To learn more, visit www.bsmpartners.net.
SOURCES:
BSM Partners
Evaluation of taurine and carnitine concentrations in whole blood, plasma, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle in dogs. Sydney R. McCauley et al. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. March 3, 2024.
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