Relationship between serum butyrylcholinesterase and obesity in dogs: a preliminary report

The aim of this study was to analyse serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) values in experimentally developed obesity in Beagle dogs. A short-term fattening protocol was applied to 11 dogs to obtain a wide range of bodyweight (BW) gains and body condition scores (BCS) of 4 and 5; four other dogs with BCS scores of 3 were used as controls. A significant increase in serum BChE activity in overweight dogs was observed when compared with the group of optimal weight dogs. Significant correlation was detected between BChE and BCS (r=0.911), BW (r=0.538) and morphological parameters (waist and thorax circumference, r=0.563 and r=0.552, respectively). Serum BChE concentration had a negative correlation with adiponectin concentration (r=0.719) and a positive correlation with serum lipid profile (cholesterol (r=0.781), HDL-cholesterol (r=0.763), LDL-cholesterol (r=0.878)). It was concluded that serum BChE activity is increased in experimentally overweight dogs and is correlated with other physical and biochemical markers of obesity.