Effect of a low-fat diet on serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations and lipoprotein profiles in Miniature Schnauzers with hypertriglyceridemia
Panagiotis G. Xenoulis, P. Cammarata, Rosemary L. Walzem, Jan S. Suchodolski, Jörg M. Steiner
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia is common in Miniature Schnauzer (MS). Dietary management of hypertriglyceridemia is important, but no studies are available. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a commercially available low-fat diet on serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations and lipoprotein profiles in MS with hypertriglyceridemia. ANIMALS: Sixteen MS with hypertriglyceridemia and 28 MS without hypertriglyceridemia. METHODS: Prospective clinical trial. Four blood samples (1-2 months before and 1 day before diet change and 2 and 3 months after the dogs were fed the low-fat diet) were collected from the MS with hypertriglyceridemia. RESULTS: Serum triglyceride concentrations for the 2 samples after the diet change (median of sample 3 = 177 mg/dL; range, 48-498; median of sample 4 = 168 mg/dL; range, 77-745) were significantly lower than the 2 samples before the diet change (median of sample 1 = 480 mg/dL; range, 181-1320; median of sample 2 = 493 mg/dL; range, 114-1395; P < .001). Serum cholesterol concentrations for the 2 samples after the diet change (mean for sample 3 = 257 mg/dL, SD = 82.2; mean for sample 4 = 178 mg/dL, SD = 87.4) were also significantly lower than the 2 samples before the diet change (mean for sample 1 = 381 mg/dL, SD = 146.1; mean for sample 2 = 380 mg/dL, SD = 134.7; P < .001). Before the diet change, 15/16 (94%) of hyperlipidemic MS were classified as hyperlipidemic based on their lipoprotein profiles alone. After the diet change, significantly fewer MS (7/16; 44%; odds ratio = 19.3; 95% CI = 2.0-184.0; P = .006) were classified as hyperlipidemic based on lipoprotein profile analysis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The study diet was effective in reducing serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations and correcting lipoprotein profiles in MS with hypertriglyceridemia.