# Serum Metabolomic Profiling in Healthy Dogs Supplemented with Increasing Levels of Purified Beta-1,3/1,6-Glucans

## TL;DR

This study shows how beta-glucan supplements affect the metabolism of healthy dogs, particularly in amino acid and energy pathways.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how beta-glucans modulate canine metabolism through detailed serum metabolomic profiling.

## Key findings

- Beta-glucan levels of 0.07% and 0.14% significantly influenced amino acid and energy metabolism in dogs.
- Key metabolic pathways affected include phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and glyoxylate metabolism.
- Higher beta-glucan levels modulated lipid metabolism and gut microbiota-related pathways.

## Abstract

Diet plays a crucial role in the health of dogs, and researchers are constantly exploring ways to improve nutrition through dietary supplements. This study investigated how beta-1,3/1,6-glucans, a nutraceutical known for its potential immune and gut health benefits, affect the metabolism of healthy dogs. Eight dogs participated in a controlled experiment using a double Latin square design, ensuring that each animal received all diet treatments in a balanced way. This study lasted a total of 140 days, divided into four experimental periods of 35 days each. The dogs were fed diets with different amounts of beta-glucans (0.0%, 0.07%, 0.14%, and 0.28%), and blood samples were collected at the end of each period to analyze metabolic changes. The results showed that certain levels of beta-glucans (0.07% and 0.14%) had a greater impact on metabolism, particularly in pathways related to amino acids and energy production. These findings help us to better understand how this supplement interacts with a dog’s body and could contribute to the development of more tailored and beneficial diets for pets. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and practical applications of beta-glucan supplementation in pet nutrition.

Metabolomics has proven to be an effective tool for elucidating mechanisms and assessing the effectiveness of dietary interventions in canine and feline nutrition. In this context, the present study aimed to perform a metabolomic analysis of the serum of dogs supplemented with increasing levels of beta-1,3/1,6-glucans to generate evidence and gain a deeper understanding of the metabolic responses associated with this supplementation. Eight dogs were evenly assigned to two balanced 4 × 4 Latin squares. Four diets were tested, differing only in beta-glucan content (0.0%, 0.07%, 0.14%, and 0.28%), and the dogs were fed according to their individual maintenance energy requirements. Each experimental period lasted 35 days. On day 35, 5 mL of blood was collected via jugular venipuncture to obtain serum for metabolomic analysis. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis identified 12 key serum metabolites. Hierarchical heat map analysis revealed differences in metabolite intensity between treatments (p < 0.05). Additionally, the most relevant metabolic pathways were phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. This study demonstrated that increasing levels of purified beta-1,3/1,6-glucans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae modulated key metabolic pathways in dogs, particularly those related to amino acid, lipid and energy metabolisms, and gut microbiota. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which beta-glucans influence canine health.