Nutraceuticals in Behaviour

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Overview

A nutraceutical is defined as "a substance that is produced in purified or extracted form and administered orally to provide agents required for normal body structure and function and administered with the intent of improving the health and well-being of animals" [1]. Nutraceuticals are not regulated in the same way as pharmaceuticals and do not have to undergo the same rigorous testing to be approved. Efficacy has not been properly evaluated for most nutraceuticals.

Alpha-casozepine

Alpha-casozepine is a trypsin hydrolysate of bovine milk casein with anxiolytic and anti-epileptic effects in laboratory rodent models[2]. It has been shown to have potential anxiolytic effects in cats and dogs in two open label trials[3] [4]. However, only one of these studies included a control group, the inclusion criteria were very broad, the populations small and outcomes were measured using questionnaires that had not been validated or checked for test-retest reliability. More studies are required to confirm clinical efficacy.

L-theanine

Naturally found in green tea L-theanine is used to help treat anxiety. It is thought to increase GABA and block glutamate, therefore reducing its excitatory effects. In cats it has been used to treat behavioural problems including inappropriate elimination, fear and aggression both towards humans and other cats and has also been shown to help with the physical effects of anxiety[5]. To date there have been no drug interactions or side effects with use[6]. Benefits are usually seen approximately after 14-30 days of use.

Melatonin

There are reports that melatonin can be helpful in the treatment of anxiety, fear of loud noises[7] and problems with sleeping patterns in dogs and cats, however further research is needed to strengthen these claims and their level of effectiveness.

Tryptophan

Tryptophan is an amino acid which is used to form serotonin. Low levels of tryptophan in the diet are thought to be linked to a fall in serotonin levels. This may have an affect on mood and can be used in alongside conventional pharmacological treatments, however care should be taken to look for any signs of serotonin syndrome. Studies have shown a reduction in behaviours related to stress and a decrease in signs of anxiety in cats supplemented with L-tryptophan[8][9]Tryptophan can be added to the diet or is available at higher levels in some commercial diets.


References

  1. ↑ Anonymous. Council defines "nutraceutical." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1996; 209:1986.
  2. ↑ Miclo, L., Perrin, E., Driou, A., Papadopoulos, V., Boujrad, N., Vanderesse, R., Boudier, J.F., Desor, D., Linden, G., Gaillard, J.L. (2001) Characterization of α-casozepine, a tryptic peptide from bovine αs1-casein with benzodiazepine-like activity. FASEB J.15(10):1780-2.
  3. ↑ Beata, C., Beaumont-Graff, E., Diaz, C., et al. Comparison of the effect of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) versus selegiline hydrochloride on anxiety disorders in dogs. J Vet Behav 2007;2:175-83.
  4. ↑ Beata, C., Beaumont-Graff, E., Coll, V., et al. Effect of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) on anxiety in cats. J Vet Behav 2007;2:40-6.
  5. ↑ Dramard, V., Kern, L., Hofmans, J., et al. Clinical efficacy of l-theanine tablets to reduce anxiety-related emotional disorders in cats: a pilot open-label clinical trial. J Vet Behav 2007;5:85-6.
  6. ↑ Araujo, J.A., de Rivera, C., Ethier, J.L., et al. Anxitane tablets reduce fear of human beings in a laboratory model of anxiety-related behaviour. J Vet Behav 2010;5:268-75.
  7. ↑ Aronson, L. Animal behaviour case of the month. A dog was evaluated because of extreme fear. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999;215:22-4.
  8. ↑ Da Graca Pereira, G., Fragoso, S., L-tryptophan supplementation and its effect of multi-housed cats and working dogs. Proceedings of the 2010 European Veterinary Behaviour Meeting. Hamburg, 2010, 30-35.
  9. ↑ Kato, M., Miyaji, K., Ohtani, N., et al. Effects of prescription diet on dealing with stressful situations and performance of anxiety-related behaviours in privately owned anxious dogs. 2012; 7:21-6
  • Crane, S.W., Griffin, R.W. and Messent, P.R., 2000. Introduction to commercial pet foods. In: M.S. Hand, C.D. Thatcher, R.L. Remillard and P. Roudebush (eds), Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 4th edition (Mark Morris Institute, Topeka, Kansas, USA)


 This article is still under construction.


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