Dry food or raw? Diet affects skin gene expression in both healthy and atopic dogs
Date: November 13, 2020
Source: University of Helsinki
Researchers from the University of Helsinki, Finland, examined 48 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, of which eight dogs -- four healthy and four atopic -- were selected for RNA sequencing where their skin gene expression was compared between both atopic and healthy dogs as well as between dogs that ate dry food or raw food.
The diet appears to make a great difference in skin gene expression.
...dietary intervention is extremely important for actual differences in gene expression to emerge," says researcher Johanna Anturaniemi from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki.
Raw food appeared to activate the skin's immune defence system as well as the expression of genes that increase antioxidant production or that have anti-inflammatory effects.
In terms of puppyhood, the researchers consider a particularly important finding the fact that the immune defence of dogs whose diet is based on raw food is activated.
What is known is that in people suffering from atopic dermatitis the development of immunity has been disturbed and that diverse exposure to microbes in childhood reduces the risk of becoming atopic.
Skin Barrier
The differences in skin gene expression between atopic and healthy dogs highlighted the possibility of deficiencies in the lipid metabolism and keratinocyte proliferation of atopic individuals.
Both hold a key role in the normal functioning of the skin barrier.
Additionally, the expression of genes that boost the formation of new blood vessels, a phenomenon known to be associated with the inflammatory response of the skin, was seen to have increased in atopic dogs.
The findings support those made in prior studies.
The dietary intervention trial on Staffordshire Bull Terriers was carried out at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki.
