Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Ketogenic foods are anti-inflammatory in part via the NLRP3 inflammasome. Companion dogs, susceptible to chronic gastroenteritis (CGE), manifest infiltration of leukocytes (WBC) into bowel tissues. We evaluated circulating WBC in dogs eating a ketogenic food in two studies: 1) healthy dogs; 2) a chronic gastroenteritis (CGE) case/control cohort. Hypotheses- Ketogenic food will reduce WBC and this benefit will extend to dogs with CGE. METHODS: Dogs housed in pairs, with daily group exercise in outdoor grassy runs. CGE dogs diagnosed by histopathology; criteria included WBC infiltration into intestinal tissue. Healthy controls matched by age, gender, weight and breed. Blood collections after fasting 16 hours. Macronutrients (P/F/C; % energy): Study #1 (St1, healthy) CON1 (21/32/48); KETO1 (26/68/5); Study #2 (St2, chronic colitis & healthy) CON2 (24/19/57); KETO2 (28/68/4). KETO2 differed from KETO1 by protein ingredient replacement. St1: dogs ate CON1 and then consumed KETO1 (each for 5 weeks). St2 a randomized crossover trial (5 weeks feeding each food). Food analyticals measured by AOAC methods. Clinical measures, pancreatic lipase (cPL) by enzyme assay. Statistical testing by dependent t-test. Significance at α = 0.05. RESULTS: Ketogenic ratios of foods: CON1 (0.46), KETO1 (1.63), CON2 (0.33), KETO2 (1.69). Relative to CON foods, KETO foods decreased circulating monocytes, neutrophils and total WBC; KETO1 also reduced lymphocytes. KETO foods decreased serum globulin, increased albumin and total protein was unchanged. KETO foods decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP). KETO foods increased red blood cells, platelets and blood hemoglobin concentration; KETO2 also increased hematocrit and decreased immature reticulocytes. In St2, cPL was not different in healthy or CGE dogs on KETO2 vs CON2 foods. The CGE dog responded in the same manner to the KETO foods as did healthy dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Ketogenic foods altered circulating inflammatory cell status in healthy dogs and those with enteritis in a manner consistent with reduced inflammatory potential. KETO foods were broadly supportive of health in CGE dogs; the KETO foods increased markers of erythropoiesis and did not increase pancreatic lipase levels. Ketogenic foods may benefit companion animals with inflammatory conditions. FUNDING SOURCES: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc; Topeka, KS 66617, USA