Effects of supplementation with Shiitake powder, Lentinula edodes, on anti-oxidative activities and energy/ lipid metabolism in healthy dogs

Abstract Obesity is the number one health problem pets face. Effective food and supplement should be developed to improve anti-oxidative activities and energy /lipid metabolism in obese animals. In this study, we measured metabolites and hormone concentrations and enzymes activities related to anti-oxidant activities and energy /lipid metabolism in plasma of healthy dogs supplemented with shiitake powder to investigate effects of its supplementation on anti-oxidative function and energy /lipid metabolism in healthy dogs. Shiitake powder was supplemented with healthy dog at the high dose (800mg/kg body weights/day) and low dose (100mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. In dogs supplemented with shiitake powder at the high dose, plasma SOD activities increased significantly and total cholesterol concentrations decreased and sirtuin1 mRNA expression increased in peripheral leukocytes. Plasma ALP and LDH activities tended to decrease in the high dose group. These reactions seemed to reflect of improvement of energy metabolism and hepatic function. Shiitake powder may ameliorate lipid metabolism in canine liver, and may improve anti-oxidative function and energy/lipid metabolisms in healthy dogs. To evaluate the usefulness of shiitake powder for obese dogs, further studies using overweight and obese dogs are needed. (186 words)