Interpretive Summary: A proof of principle study investigating the effects of supplemental concentrated brewer’s yeast on markers of gut permeability, inflammation, and fecal metabolites in healthy non-challenged adult sled dogs

By: Lindsey M Rummell, Michael A Steele, James R Templeman, Taylor T Yohe, Nadeem Akhtar, Jocelyn G Lambie, Pawanpreet Singh, Thomas Asquith, Adronie Verbrugghe, Wendy Pearson, Anna K Shoveller

This study evaluated the effects of concentrated brewer’s yeast on gut health in dogs. Nineteen Siberian Huskies and one Alaskan husky were blocked and randomly allocated to one of two groups. Treatment dogs received a yeast supplement for 10 wk, while control dogs received no supplement. Dogs were administered two markers to assess intestinal permeability prior to start of treatment and following 10 wk of treatment. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for markers of inflammatory status (serum amyloid A [SAA] and Haptoglobin [Hp]) and oxidative status (serum malondialdehyde [MDA]). Fecal samples were collected weekly to assess fecal score as well as fecal metabolite concentrations. Intestinal permeability was reduced in treatment dogs following treatment, and no change was observed in the control group. Treatment dogs had lower Hp concentrations than control (Ctl), but there were no differences between treatments for SAA and MDA. Fecal arabinose concentrations were significantly greater in the treatment group when compared to control. There were no differences in the relative frequency of defecations scored at any fecal score between treatment and Ctl dogs, nor did mean score differ between the groups. This study suggests that concentrated brewer’s yeast may reduce gut permeability and inflammation without detrimentally impacting markers of health in adult dogs.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.