Docosahexaenoate-enriched fish oil and medium chain triglycerides shape the feline plasma lipidome and synergistically decrease circulating gut microbiome-derived putrefactive postbiotics

PLoS One. 2020 Mar 12;15(3):e0229868. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229868. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of medium-chain fatty acid-containing triglycerides (MCT), long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing triglycerides, and their combination on the plasma metabolome of cats (Felis catus), including circulating microbiome-derived postbiotics. After a 14-day lead-in on the control food, cats were randomized to one of four foods (control, with 6.9% MCT, with fish oil [FO; 0.14% eicosapentaenoate, 1.0% docosahexaenoate], or with FO+MCT; n = 16 per group) for 28 days. Analysis of plasma metabolites showed that the addition of FO and MCT led to synergistic effects not seen with either alone across a number of lipid classes, including fatty acids, acylcarnitines, and acylated amines including endocannabinoids. Notably, the FO+MCT group had an increase in ketone body production relative to baseline and beyond that seen with MCT alone. N-acyl taurines, the accumulation of which has been implicated in the onset of type 2 diabetes, were significantly decreased in the FO+MCT group. Significant decreases in the gut microbiome-derived postbiotic classes of indoles/indolic sulfates and phenols/phenolic sulfates were observed only the FO+MCT group. Overall, the combination of MCT and FO led to number of changes in plasma metabolites that were not observed with either oil alone, particularly in postbiotics.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial, Veterinary
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed*
  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects*
  • Indoles / blood
  • Indoles / metabolism
  • Ketone Bodies / blood
  • Ketone Bodies / metabolism
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Lipidomics
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Phenols / blood
  • Phenols / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Ketone Bodies
  • Lipids
  • Phenols
  • Triglycerides
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids

Grants and funding

The study was funded by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, where MIJ is a current and DEJ is a former employee. The funder was given opportunity to read manuscript prior to publication but played no role in study design; collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; writing of the paper; and/or decision to submit for publication.