In the ongoing battle against obesity, researchers are increasingly looking beyond human subjects to our feline companions for insights. New research published in Scientific Reports suggests that studying the gut microbiomes of overweight cats could provide crucial clues for tackling obesity in humans.
The study reveals that the shifts in the gut microbiomes of cats in response to dietary changes closely mirror those seen in humans. This similarity suggests that cats could serve as effective models for understanding and treating human obesity, potentially benefiting both species.
Jenessa Winston, an assistant professor of veterinary clinical sciences at The Ohio State University, emphasizes the relevance of this research: “Animals share our beds, our food, and other aspects of our environment, making them a naturally occurring disease model with similar exposures to humans.”
The research involved analyzing fecal samples from overweight cats subjected to four different diets over 16 weeks. The diets included unrestricted commercial cat food, a week of unrestricted weight-loss food, 11 weeks of calorie-restricted weight-loss food, and a return to the original diet. Researchers observed that changes in the cats’ gut microbiomes during the study closely resembled those in human microbiomes under similar dietary conditions.
Notably, during the calorie-restricted phase, the cats lost weight and showed an increase in propionic acid, a short-chain fatty acid linked to appetite regulation and reduced fat accumulation. Additionally, an increase in the bacterium Prevotella copri was noted, suggesting a potential role in propionic acid production, though conclusive proof was not established.
Winston highlights the significance of these findings: “The increase in propionic acid during the calorie-restricted diet and its subsequent decrease upon returning to the maintenance diet underscores the impact of dietary changes on gut microbiomes.”
Looking ahead, Winston sees potential for this research to inform human obesity treatments: “Observing similar microbial changes in both cats and humans can guide the development of microbiome-directed therapies for obesity.”
In the UK, where over 25% of the population is classified as obese and 38% as overweight, this research could offer a new avenue for addressing a pressing public health issue.
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