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. 2021 Jun 26;17(1):228.
doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02929-3.

Effects of silybin supplementation on nutrient digestibility, hematological parameters, liver function indices, and liver-specific mi-RNA concentration in dogs

Maciej Gogulski  1   2   3 , Adam Cieślak  4 , Julia Grabska  4 , Marie Ardois  4 , Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól  1 , Paweł A Kołodziejski  5 , Kacper Libera  1 , Viola Strompfová  3 , Małgorzata Szumacher-Strabel  6
Affiliations

Effects of silybin supplementation on nutrient digestibility, hematological parameters, liver function indices, and liver-specific mi-RNA concentration in dogs

Maciej Gogulski et al. BMC Vet Res. .

Abstract

Background: Hepatopathies are an important group of disorders in dogs where proper nutritional care is crucial. Supplementation with a hepatoprotectant like silybin can improve liver function and should not interfere with nutrient digestibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of both pure silybin and commercial hepatoprotectant on nutrients digestibility, liver function indices and health status in healthy dogs (EXP1). Moreover, the second experiment (EXP2) investigated the effect of commercial hepatoprotectant on liver function tests and liver-associated miRNAs concentration in dogs with idiopathic liver disorder.

Results: Nutrient digestibility was not affected by treatment in EXP1. Supplementation did alter the serum fatty acid profile, with no clinical relevance. The levels of liver markers such as ALT, AST and GGT significantly decreased. In EXP2, supplementation with commercial hepatoprotectant containing silybin improved liver function tests. A decrease was observed in liver serum markers such as ALT, AST and miR122 concentration.

Conclusions: EXP1 confirmed that silybin (whether pure or as a commercial hepatoprotectant) does not interfere with digestion which subsequently exerts no detrimental effect on dogs' health and metabolism. In EXP2, dietary supplementation with commercial hepatoprotectant containing silybin resulted in a decreased activity of serum liver markers, accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of liver-specific miRNA molecules. Liver function indices were consequently improved. Silybin supplementation can thus serve as an effective therapeutical tool in dogs with hepatopathies.

Keywords: Canine; Hepatoprotector; Neutraceuticals; Nutrition; Supplement; Sylimarin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
miRNA serum concentration in the healthy dogs in EXP1. CON: control group; HEP: group fed diet supplemented with commercial hepatoprotectant containing silybin; SIL: group fed diet supplemented with pure silybin. The values are expressed as mean ± SD
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
miRNA serum concentration in dogs with hepatopathies at the beginning of the supplementation with commercial hepatoprotectant containing silybin (H1) and 28 days later (H28) in EXP2. The values are expressed as mean ± SD
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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