(PRESS RELEASE) The results of a study by the Federal University of Paraiba in Brazil show that the inclusion of ProteinX, Protix’s black soldier fly protein, can improve the skin barrier of dogs and strengthen their antioxidant defences. The findings, published in Archives of Animal Nutrition, are particularly good news for dogs that suffer from skin diseases or allergies. Versatile ProteinX can be incorporated into a variety of end products, from wet food to kibble and (nutritional) treats, so the study opens up various opportunities for manufacturers to develop healthy pet products.
The Results
Improved skin barrier
The skin barrier acts as an important defence mechanism in dogs. An effective skin barrier is essential for maintaining hydration. It protects against allergens, viruses, bacteria and environmental toxins, and ultimately helps to keep the overall skin healthy.
There was a noted improvement in skin barrier function when the canines consumed the ProteinX-based diet. Transepidermal water loss decreased at both the pinna and belly, indicating improved water retention. There was also a significant increase in stratum corneum hydration at the belly (the outermost layer of the skin serving as the primary barrier between the body and the environment), suggesting enhanced skin hydration.
ProteinX contains relatively high concentrations of lauric acid and linoleic acid which may account for the improvements in skin barrier function and water retention.
Better antioxidant defences
A strong antioxidant system helps protect dogs’ organism from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. When there are too many free radicals compared to antioxidants in the body, it can lead to damage of the lipids of cells, creating an imbalance known as oxidative stress. Damaged cellular lipids produce malondialdehyde (MDA), a cytotoxic and harmful agent. This was used as a biomarker of oxidative stress at the beginning and the end of the study (where higher levels suggest more oxidative damage) and showed a trend towards reduced malondialdehyde serum levels.
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Another biomarker of oxidative stress measured at days 0 and 50 of the study was vitamin E in the blood serum, where higher levels indicate better antioxidant protection. The study showed a trend for higher serum vitamin E levels after 50 days of diet consumption.
Based on these measures, the dogs involved in the study were shown to derive antioxidant benefit when fed the ProteinX-diet.
The Study Design
For the purposes of the cross-over study, eight healthy beagles were fed a diet containing ProteinX over a period of 50 days. They were then presented with a control diet based on poultry by-product meal (PBP) with a similar nutritional profile for a further 50-day period.
The skin barrier function and integrity were measured at the dogs’ pinna and belly on days 0, 15, 30 and 45 of each period. This was done by evaluating transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH), two aspects of skin physiology. These parameters respectively quantify the amount of water that passively evaporates through the skin, and the water content within the stratum corneum layer.
Serum samples were collected at the start and at the end of both feeding periods and underwent haematology and biochemistry analysis to assess oxidative stress biomarkers.
The dogs maintained their overall health during the study. Crucially for manufacturers, the beagles themselves found the insect-based diet to be perfectly palatable. There were no refusals or adverse effects, and consumption remained constant throughout.
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Conclusion
The results of this recent study spell good news for canines. The inclusion of ProteinX in the diet has been shown to improve the skin barrier and enhance antioxidant defence mechanisms. For manufacturers, there is now opportunity to incorporate health-boosting ProteinX across a range of canine products.
Full results of the study are available from Protix.
