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Dyslipidemia in obese cats
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
Domestic Animal Endocrinology
|August 12, 2008
Summary
Obese cats develop unhealthy plasma lipid profiles, similar to humans, but do not show signs of hypertension or atherosclerosis. This suggests other factors protect obese cats from these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Endocrinology
- Comparative Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Obesity is a significant endocrine disorder in felines, mirroring its role as a risk factor for diabetes in humans.
- Understanding feline obesity's impact on lipid profiles is crucial for comparative health studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of obesity and various diets on plasma lipid profiles in cats.
- To compare lipid profiles in lean and obese cats under fasted and fed conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ultracentrifugation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for plasma lipid analysis.
- Compared 12 lean (LEAN) and 12 obese (OBESE) cats, examining fasted and fed states.
- Assessed effects of high-protein and high-carbohydrate diets (supplemented with fatty acids).
Main Results:
- Obese cats exhibited elevated plasma non-esterified fatty acids and triglycerides, with altered very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) particle sizes.
- Low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) particles were smaller in obese cats, while high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were lower.
- Postprandial increases in plasma triglycerides and cholesterol were observed across all lipoprotein classes, with minimal dietary impact.
Conclusions:
- Long-term feline obesity induces dyslipidemia comparable to human metabolic changes.
- Dyslipidemia alone appears insufficient to cause hypertension and atherosclerosis in obese cats.
- Potential anti-atherogenic factors may be present in obese, dyslipidemic felines, warranting further investigation.
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