A recent clinical trial, unveiled by ADM, demonstrates the promising effects of PRIOME® MH postbiotic in supporting canine metabolic health, indicating that the product supports healthy blood sugar levels in adult dogs.
ADM, one of the global leaders in innovative solutions from nature, has revealed the new findings from a recent clinical study investigating the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 (PRIOME® Metabolic Health or PRIOME® MH)1 in both probiotic and heat-treated postbiotic forms in adult dogs. The study resulted with significant reduction in postprandial blood glucose (blood sugar) levels observed after eating a normal kibble meal, compared to dogs given placebo, during the weight loss phase. This suggests the potential role of the strain’s postbiotic form in supporting metabolic health. Measurements were taken to evaluate several hormones, like GLP-1 and glucagon, which are important for multiple metabolic processes, with differences observed between sexes.
This clinical trial contributes to an expanding body of evidence supporting the role of postbiotics in pet health research2, paving the way for further innovation in functional pet nutrition.
“These results mark an important step in advancing our understanding of the potential for postbiotics in metabolic health for pets, a health area that historically has been underserved by biotic ingredients,” said Sophie Nixon, Ph.D., Head of R&D Clinical Research for Pet & Animal Wellbeing at ADM, who oversaw the trial. “With growing interest in functional ingredients for companion animals, our strain PRIOME® MH in its postbiotic form offers exciting capabilities as a dietary supplement to help maintain metabolic health in adult dogs.”
“While postbiotics have long been recognized for their role in gut health, postbiotics like our strain PRIOME® MH are emerging as innovative tools to support metabolic function and overall well-being in companion animals,” expressed Peter Jüsten, Global Vice President, R&D Health & Wellness at ADM. “These findings add to a growing body of research showing that postbiotics can have targeted physiological effects.”
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted in 45 healthy adult dogs, evaluating the impact of daily probiotic or postbiotic supplementation on markers of metabolic health during periods of induced weight gain and weight loss. Dogs were assigned to one of three groups: 1) daily supplementation with 5B CFU PRIOME® MH probiotic (n = 15), 2) daily supplementation with 5B CFU heat-treated PRIOME® MH postbiotic (n = 15), or 3) daily supplementation with placebo (n = 15) alongside a kibble diet. The study consisted of two independent phases: A weight gain phase in which dogs were offered 200% of their maintenance energy requirement and a weight-loss phase in which overweight dogs were fed 100% of the maintenance requirements for their ideal weight. Outcomes measured include body weight, body composition, blood glucose, food intake and gastrointestinal hormones.
Further positive results were seen showing lower blood levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), a biochemical marker of liver function that has been found to be increased in obese dogs, compared to placebo during the weight gain phase.
1 PRIOME® is a trademark registered for ADM or its affiliates in the EU and other countries.
2 Kayser E, et al. J Anim Sci. 2024 Jan 3;102:skae291
