Serum biochemistry profile, inflammatory cytokines, adipokines and cardiovascular findings in obese dogs

• Metabolic profile, adipokines, cytokines and cardiac changes were assessed in 20 obese and 20 normal weight dogs.
• Criteria for obesity-related metabolic disease were applied to dogs in the study group.
• Canine obesity was related to hypoadiponectinaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance.
• Levels of tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 failed to identify a low-grade chronic inflammatory status.
• Obesity in dogs may be related to hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum biochemistry profile, inflammatory cytokines, adipokines and cardiovascular findings in obese dogs. Twenty obese and 20 normal weight healthy pet dogs were recruited into the study, where they underwent blood testing and assessment of cardiovascular function (blood pressure analysis, electrocardiography and echocardiography). Higher concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, lactate dehydrogenase, total serum proteins, α-globulins, total bilirubin, insulin, insulin:glucose ratio, alkaline phosphate and alanine aminotransferase were observed in obese dogs than dogs of normal weight. There were no differences in concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α or interleukin (IL)-6 between the two groups. Obese dogs had higher serum leptin but lower adiponectin concentrations than dogs of normal weight. Systolic arterial blood pressure was higher in obese dogs than dogs of normal weight. The values for the thickness of the free wall of the left ventricle and interventricular septal thickness were greater at end-diastole in obese dogs compared to dogs of normal weight. Four of 20 obese dogs were determined to have obesity-related metabolic dysfunction (ORMD). The findings indicate that a chronic inflammatory state is not necessarily evident in obese dogs, as has been described in human beings, and the criteria used for ORMD can be used to define this syndrome in dogs. In this study, canine obesity was associated with cardiac and vascular dysfunction.