Nutrigenomics – Linking Nutrition to Genetics

Examining How Canine Nutrition Can Alter Genetic Expression in Dogs

Sep 26, 2009

The science of nutrigenomics studies how diet interacts with the genetic code. In dogs, nutrition can overcome genetics to reduce obesity and improve diseased joints.

It is often believed that the genetic code of a person or animal determines the physical makeup of that individual. For the most part, this is true. However, there are other factors which can modify the expression of the genetic code and alter the physical expression of a trait. Diet and nutrition are examples of factors which may affect and even overcome genetic expression.

Nutrigenomics, Canine Nutrition and Canine Genetics

Nutrigenomics is a science which studies the interaction between nutrition and genetics. In canine medicine, nutrigenomics has studied the effects of genetics and nutrition on arthritis, or degenerative joint disease, as well as on weight management and obesity.

Effects of Genetics and Nutrition on Arthritis in Dogs

Canine arthritis, also known as canine degenerative joint disease, is a well-known and widely recognized disease common in many breeds of dogs. In arthritic dogs, the gene expression seen in chondrocytes (specific types of cells found within the joints which are responsible, in part, for maintaining joint health) is different than that seen in healthy, non-arthritic dogs.

Scientists examining the genetic makeup of chondrocytes in arthritic dogs and non-arthritic dogs have compared the gene expression of both populations of dogs. Numerous specific genes within these cells have been identified which regulate the destruction of cartilage in dogs, leading to arthritis. However, research has found that the addition of specific nutrients within arthritic joints, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can actually help these damaged cells repair themselves, resulting in a healthier joint and improvement of arthritis symptoms. In other words, adding omega-3 fatty acids to the diet of arthritic dogs in quantities sufficient to allow fatty acids to penetrate the diseased joints allows the genetic expression of the diseased chondrocytes to change to a healthier state, thus improving the overall health of the joint.

Canine Genetics and Diet in Relation to Weight Management and Obesity in Dogs

Canine obesity is a common problem and, as in people, genetics can play a large role in the expression of weight in dogs. Researchers have examined the gene expression profile of overweight and obese dogs and compared those profiles to the profiles of lean dogs. Obese dogs possess genes which make the dog efficient in storing fat in adipose tissue, whereas in lean dogs, gene expression results in a greater ability to burn fat for energy rather than storing fat.

In one study, overweight dogs being fed a weight reduction diet were studied, with the examination of the gene expression profile examined before the start of the diet and again 4 months later. Body fat percentage measurements were also measured in these dogs. Dogs fed this weight reduction diet responded by losing weight and becoming lean and their gene expression profile changed from a metabolism which stores fat to a metabolism which burns fat for energy. In other words, these dogs not only lost weight but their genetic expression profile changed to resemble that of a dog which is lean by genetic nature.

Moreover, similarly overweight dogs fed a different weight loss diet which was high in protein underwent no change in their gene expression profile, even though these dogs lost weight and became lean. In these dogs, even though weight loss was successful, the genetic expression of their genome did not change, making it more likely that these dogs would gain weight again easily. Hence, the type of diet fed can impact the genetic expression of a physical trait.

Nutrigenomics and the Link Between Diet and Gene Expression

Clearly, nutrition in the proper form can alter genetic expression allowing overweight dogs to lose weight by changing their basic metabolism. In addition, nutrition can also be used to improve joint health and treat degenerative joint disease, such as arthritis, in dogs. Investigation in the field of nutrigenomics is ongoing and may eventually provide even more insight into the way that diet and nutrition affects the expression of genetic codes within both animals and people.

Nutrigenomics: Overcoming Genetics with Diet? Yin, Sophia, DVM, MS (Animal Science) Veterinary Forum September, 2009 Vol. 26, No. 9: p.16-18.

The copyright of the article Nutrigenomics – Linking Nutrition to Genetics in Pet Nutrition is owned by Lorie Huston. Permission to republish Nutrigenomics – Linking Nutrition to Genetics in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.