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Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 668120; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.668120

A Multiomic Approach to Investigate the Effects of a Weight Loss Program on the Intestinal Health of Overweight Horses.

Abstract: Obesity is endemic in human populations in the western society, and with mounting evidence that the intestinal ecological environment plays a major role in its pathogenesis, identification of therapies based on intestinal microbiota modulation are gaining attention. Obesity in companion animals is also a common clinical problem. We set out using a multidimensional approach, to determine the effectiveness and safety of a weight loss program for horses incorporating diet restriction and exercise. In addition, we aimed to investigate the effect of this program on the overall intestinal health of overweight sedentary horses. The investigation comprised of a randomized, controlled, 6-week study of 14 overweight sedentary horses and ponies who were blocked for age, gender, and breed (controls = 7, treatment = 7). The treatment group were fed a restricted diet (1.4% of body weight dry matter intake) and the control group a maintenance diet (2% of body weight as dry matter intake) over the study period. The treatment group were subjected to a prescribed exercise regime, while the control group were exercised to mimic foraging conditions. Several clinical measurements were taken at the start and end of the study, including morphological parameters, ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat, and blood pressure. Fecal microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, and fecal metabolome was analyzed using NMR spectroscopy, on samples taken at weeks 1, 3, and 6 of the study. All horses completed the study period successfully. However, two of the treatment group had to have modified exercise regimes. The treatment group showed significant weight loss ( < 0.00001) and an associated decrease in waste circumference ( < 0.0001) when compared with the control group. The alpha-diversity of the fecal microbiota in the treatment group showed a significant increase from the start to the end of the study period ( < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between groups at any sampling point. There were significant changes ( < 0.05) in the metabolome in both groups between the start and end of the study, but not between groups at any sampling point. Finally, the resting blood pressure of all horses was significantly lower by the end of the study.
Copyright © 2021 Walshe, Cabrera-Rubio, Collins, Puggioni, Gath, Crispie, Cotter, Brennan, Mulcahy and Duggan.
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Publication Date: 2021-06-18 PubMed ID: 34222398PubMed Central: PMC8249564DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.668120Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research focuses on analyzing the impacts of a diet and exercise program geared towards aiding weight loss in overweight horses, by observing changes both in their physical attributes and intestinal microbiota over a six-week study period.

Objective and Methodology

The researchers aimed to study the effectiveness, safety and the overall impact of a weight loss program on overweight sedentary horses. The methodology incorporated a multidimensional approach:

  • The study was randomized, controlled, and lasted for six weeks.
  • It involved 14 overweight sedentary horses and ponies divided into two groups – control (7 horses) and treatment (7 horses).
  • The treatment group were subjected to a prescribed diet restriction (1.4% of body weight) and an exercise regime. In contrast, the control group were allowed a maintenance diet (2% of body weight) and exercise mimicking natural foraging conditions.

Clinical Measurements and Analysis

In order to provide comprehensive insights into the impact of the weight loss program, several clinical measurements and analyses were undertaken:

  • Morphological parameters, ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat, and blood pressure were recorded at the start and at the end of the study.
  • Fecal microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis in weeks 1, 3, and 6 of the study.
  • The fecal metabolome was analyzed through NMR spectroscopy on samples taken at the same time.

Results and Conclusions

The study yielded notable findings and implications in terms of weight loss and health improvement in the horses:

  • All participating horses successfully completed the study, albeit with modifications in exercise regimes for two horses from the treatment group.
  • Significant weight loss and decreased waist circumference were observed in the treatment group as compared to the control group.
  • The diversity of the fecal microbiota in the treatment group showed a significant increase from the start to the end of the study period, suggesting improved intestinal health.
  • However, there was no significant difference between the control and the treatment groups at any specific sampling point, whether in terms of microbiota diversity or metabolome changes.
  • Lastly, the resting blood pressure of all horses significantly decreased by the end of the study.

Overall, the study reflects the positive impact of a controlled weight loss program on both the physical and intestinal health of overweight horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Walshe N, Cabrera-Rubio R, Collins R, Puggioni A, Gath V, Crispie F, Cotter PD, Brennan L, Mulcahy G, Duggan V. (2021). A Multiomic Approach to Investigate the Effects of a Weight Loss Program on the Intestinal Health of Overweight Horses. Front Vet Sci, 8, 668120. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.668120

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 668120
PII: 668120

Researcher Affiliations

Walshe, Nicola
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Cabrera-Rubio, Raul
  • Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland.
  • APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
Collins, Roisin
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Puggioni, Antonella
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Gath, Vivian
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Crispie, Fiona
  • Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland.
  • APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
Cotter, Paul D
  • Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland.
  • APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
  • VistaMilk, Cork, Ireland.
Brennan, Lorraine
  • UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Conway Institute, UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Mulcahy, Grace
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Duggan, Vivienne
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

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