Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Content in Cranberry Raw Materials and Products.

Cranberry fruit extracts have been shown to inhibit expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 cells and reduce colonic tumor burden and tissue inflammation in a mouse model of colitis. These activities are attributed to both the triterpenoid and polyphenol constituents of the fruit. The pentacyclic triterpenoids ursolic acid (UA), oleanolic acid (OA), corosolic acid (CA), maslinic acid (MA), and esters of UA and OA occur in the waxy layer of cranberry peel, and their content in cranberry products is likely to vary with the fruit source and processing methods.

Effect of dietary antioxidants on free radical damage in dogs and cats.

Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) is an antioxidant that is largely involved in immune defense and enhancing the ability of biological systems to respond to oxidative stress. During the process of free radical scavenging, vitamin C supports the regeneration of vitamin E. Although the functions of antioxidants and their importance have been widely studied, the intricate interplay between antioxidants has yet to be fully elucidated, especially in dogs and cats.

Data on microRNA expression, predicted gene targets and pathway analysis in response to different concentrations of a cranberry proanthocyanidin-rich extract and its metabolite 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid in intestinal Caco-2BBe1 cells.

Cranberry-derived proanthocyanidin (PAC) is processed by the gut microbiota to produce 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid (HPPA), among other metabolites. These data are in support of the article entitled, "Cranberry proanthocyanidin and its microbial metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, but not 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid, partially reverse pro-inflammatory microRNA responses in human intestinal epithelial cells," published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research [1]. Here we describe data generated by nCounter Human v3 miRNA Expression Panel of RNA obtained from Caco-2BBe1 cells exposed to two different concentrations of cranberry extract rich in PAC (50 µg/ml or 100 µg/ml) or 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid (5 µg/ml or 10 µg/ml) for 24 h, then stimulated with 1 ng/ml of IL-1ß or not (mock) for three hours.

Cranberry Proanthocyanidin and Its Microbial Metabolite 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid, but Not 3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-Propionic Acid, Partially Reverse Pro-Inflammatory microRNA Responses in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

Scope: The molecular basis underlying the anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties of cranberries is incompletely understood. The effects of a cranberry proanthocyanidin-rich extract (PAC) and two of its gut microbial metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPAA) and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid (HPPA), on intestinal epithelial cells microRNA (miRNA) expression and their downstream pathways at homeostasis and in inflammatory conditions, are investigated.

Methods And Results: The expression of 799 miRNAs is quantitatively assessed in differentiated Caco-2BBe1 cells pre-treated with PAC, DHPAA, or HPPA and stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β or not.

Comparison of health parameters in normal cats fed a limited iodine prescription food vs a conventional diet.

Objectives The objective was to compare the effect on thyroid function in healthy, adult cats fed a limited-iodine food or conventional diet for 24 months. Methods Cats in the limited-iodine group (n = 14) were fed a commercial, dry food containing 0.2 ppm iodine on a dry-matter basis (DMB).

Positive Impact of Nutritional Interventions on Serum Symmetric Dimethylarginine and Creatinine Concentrations in Client-Owned Geriatric Dogs.

A prospective study was conducted in client-owned geriatric dogs to evaluate the short-term effects of a test food on serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations. Test food contained functional lipids (fish oil), antioxidants (lipoic acid, vitamins C and E), L-carnitine, botanicals (fruits and vegetables), controlled sodium concentration, and high quality protein sources (high bioavailability and an ideal amino acid composition). Dogs (n = 210) were fed either test food or owner's-choice foods (non-nutritionally controlled cohort).

Positive Impact of Nutritional Interventions on Serum Symmetric Dimethylarginine and Creatinine Concentrations in Client-Owned Geriatric Cats.

A prospective study was conducted in client-owned geriatric cats to evaluate the short- term effects of a test food on serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations. Test food contained functional lipids (fish oil), antioxidants (vitamins C and E), L-carnitine, botanicals (vegetables), highly bioavailable protein, and amino acid supplements. Cats (n = 80) were fed either test food or owner's-choice foods (non-nutritionally controlled cohort).

Comparison of foods with differing nutritional profiles for long-term management of acute nonobstructive idiopathic cystitis in cats.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of nutrition on recurrent clinical signs of lower urinary tract (LUT) disease in cats with idiopathic cystitis.

Design: Randomized, controlled, masked clinical trial.

Animals: 31 cats with acute nonobstructive idiopathic cystitis.

Effect of feeding a weight loss food beyond a caloric restriction period on body composition and resistance to weight gain in dogs.

Objective: To determine the effect of feeding a food with coconut oil and supplemental L-carnitine, lipoic acid, lysine, leucine, and fiber on weight loss and maintenance in dogs.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: 50 overweight dogs.

Effect of feeding a weight loss food beyond a caloric restriction period on body composition and resistance to weight gain in cats.

Objective: To determine the effect of feeding a food with coconut oil and supplemental L-carnitine, lysine, leucine, and fiber on weight loss and maintenance in cats.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: 50 overweight cats.

Use of a morphometric method and body fat index system for estimation of body composition in overweight and obese cats.

Objective: To develop morphometric equations for prediction of body composition and create a body fat index (BFI) system to estimate body fat percentage in overweight and obese cats.

Design: Prospective evaluation study.

Animals: 76 overweight or obese cats ≥ 1 year of age.

Use of a novel morphometric method and body fat index system for estimation of body composition in overweight and obese dogs.

Objective: To develop morphometric equations for prediction of body composition and create a body fat index (BFI) to estimate body fat percentage in overweight and obese dogs.

Design: Prospective evaluation study.

Animals: 83 overweight or obese dogs ≥ 1 year of age.

Efficacy of two commercially available, low-magnesium, urine-acidifying dry foods for the dissolution of struvite uroliths in cats.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of using 2 commercially available, low-magnesium, urine-acidifying dry foods to dissolve sterile struvite uroliths in cats.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial .

Sample: 37 cats with presumed struvite uroliths.

Effect of antioxidant-enriched diets on glutathione redox status in tissue homogenates and mitochondria of the senescence-accelerated mouse.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether consumption of diets enriched in antioxidants attenuates the level of oxidative stress in the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM). In separate and independent studies, two different dietary mixtures, one enriched with vitamin E, vitamin C, L-carnitine, and lipoic acid (Diet I) and another diet including vitamins E and C and 13 additional ingredients containing micronutrients with bioflavonoids, polyphenols, and carotenoids (Diet II), were fed for 8 and 10 months, respectively. The amounts of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfides (GSSG) and GSH:GSSG ratios were determined in plasma, tissue homogenates, and mitochondria isolated from five different tissues of SAM (P8) mice.