Effect of a modified Gomi-Shodoku-In formulated with an additional ingredient Portulaca oleracea L. on serum fatty acid levels in healthy dogs

Abstract

The effects of daily administration of modified Gomi-Shodoku-In（MGSI）, which contains Portulaca oleracea L.（POL）, on serum fatty acids concentrations were investigated in ten clinically healthy beagles. The recommended dose（RD）group（n＝5）received 4 tablets, （containing 60％POL per 270 mg tablet, per day, while the high-dose（HD）group（n＝5）was given 10 tablets per day. The daily supplements dose was divided into 2 equal amounts and administered, mixed into food, twice daily, for 8 weeks. Serum fatty acid concentrations were determined by gas chromatography using an internal standard method. In the RD group, the post-dose（8W）eicosapentaenoic acid（EPA）levels were significantly higher than the pre-dose（Pre）levels（p＜0.01）; the 8W arachidonic acid（AA）levels were significantly lower than the Pre AA levels in the RD group（p＜0.05）. In the HD group, the 8W EPA levels were significantly higher than the Pre levels（p＜0.01）; 8W AA levels were significantly lower than Pre AA levels in the RD group（p＜0.05）. In the RD group, the 8W n-6/n-3 ratio was significantly lower than the Pre ratio（p＜0.05）. Similarly, in the HD group, the 8W n-6/n-3 ratio was significantly lower than the Pre ratio（p＜0.05）. In both groups, the 8W EPA/AA ratio was significantly higher than the Pre ratio（p＜0.01）. These changes in serum fatty acid composition support the use of MGSI for treating inflammatory diseases, including skin disorders, in dogs.