Fish oil supplementation increases concentration of adiponectin in healthy dogs

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of fish oil supplementation on circulating concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, insulin, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol in healthy dogs. METHODS Twenty healthy adult dogs were administered 220 mg/kg of a fish oil supplement once daily for 30 days. At baseline, on supplement and 10 to 20 weeks off supplement, dogs were examined, body condition scores determined (range: 4 to 6), body measurements recorded for % body fat calculation and fasted blood samples collected. RESULTS Serum concentrations of the measured individual and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increased following supplementation (P<0 center dot 001). Mean serum adiponectin concentration on supplement was 3 center dot 4 mu g/mL (95% confidence interval: 0 center dot 8 to 6 center dot 0; P=0 center dot 006) higher than baseline, and 5 center dot 3 mu g/mL (2 center dot 0 to 8 center dot 7; P<0 center dot 001) higher than off supplement. Concentrations of adiponectin off supplement were not different from baseline. There were no significant differences in weight, body condition scores, % body fat and concentrations of other measured analytes between baseline and on supplement. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Fish oil supplementation significantly increased circulating concentration of adiponectin in healthy non-obese dogs. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether this effect may be extended to obese dogs and to evaluate the potential role of fish oil supplementation in the management of disorders associated with low circulating adiponectin concentrations.