Method for decreasing cartilage damage in dogs

• US 8,629,182 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2010
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hill's Pet Nutrition Incorporated (Colgate-Palmolive Company)
• Original Assignee: Hill's Pet Nutrition Incorporated (Colgate-Palmolive Company)
• Inventors: Caterson, Bruce, Little, Christopher Bond, Innes, John Francis, Fritsch, Dale A., Jewell, Dennis Edward, Schoenherr, William David, Harwood, John L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Padmanabhan, Sreeni
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAROL, JODY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US12/820,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20100261793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 514/560, 424/442
• US Class Current: 514/560
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 20/158 Fatty acids; Fats; Products containing oils or fats
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 50/40 for carnivorous animals, e.g. cats or dogs
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/202 having three or more double bonds, e.g. linolenic eicosanoids, e.g. leukotrienes A61K31/557
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/04 Centrally acting analgesics, e.g. opioids
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00

Abstract

A method for modulating enzymatic degradation of articular cartilage in a dog comprises administering to the dog an enzymatic degradation modulating effective amount of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), for example as a component of a food composition. By practice of the method in a dog having arthritis, mobility of the dog can be increased, weight bearing in an arthritic limb can be increased, and/or pain associated with arthritis can be reduced.

Claims

1. A method for modulating enzymatic degradation of articular cartilage in a dog, the method comprising feeding a dog in need thereof, a food composition comprising:

protein, carbohydrate, fat, and an enzymatic degradation modulating effective amount of eicosapentaenoic acid wherein the concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid is at a concentration of 0.4 wt. % to 5.0 wt. %;

a total omega-3 fatty acid content of about 3.5 wt. % to about 8.0 wt. % on a dry matter basis; and

at least one of an omega-6 fatty acid, wherein the ratio of total omega-3 fatty acids to total omega-6 fatty acids is 1 total omega-3 fatty acid to about 0.8 to about 0.2 total omega-6 fatty acids.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more genes responsible for cartilage degradation are down-regulated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more genes responsible for cartilage degradation are turned off.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein mRNA message expression in cartilage tissue of the dog for an enzyme causing cartilage degradation is reduced.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the enzyme is aggrecanase.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein reduction of mRNA message expression is accompanied by incorporation of eicosapentaenoic acid into membranes of chondrocytes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein induced release of glycosaminoglycan from cartilage tissue of the dog is decreased.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the food composition is a component of a nutritional diet, a snack, a supplement or a treat.

9. The method claim 1, wherein the food composition is administered orally in a nutraceutical or pharmaceutical dosage form.