Greg Sunvold

Sunvold Technology, LLC · R&D

According to the present invention there are provided methods of use in companion animals of probiotic bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli.

A method of optimizing one or more attributes of a product according to a product context. A product context and one or more attributes of the product are presented to a user via a software graphical user interface (GUI). A visual rendering of the product including at least one attribute of the product may be presented via the GUI. The user either...

Disclosed here are methods, compositions, and kits which are useful for weight management benefits in the mammal. Each of the methods, compositions, and kits utilize an added boron source.

The invention provides a method for treating abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in an animal by feeding a diet comprising high protein and moderate amounts of carbohydrate and fat. The invention also provides a method for treating conditions associated with insulin resistance or decreased longevity by feeding an animal such diets.

Reducing carbohydrate intake is recommended in diabetic cats and might also be useful in some healthy cats to decrease diabetes risk. To compare postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations and energy intakes between cats fed diets high in protein, fat, or carbohydrate. Twenty-four lean cats with normal glucose tolerance. In a prospective random...

To investigate the influence of dietary supplementation with l-carnitine on metabolic rate, fatty acid oxidation, weight loss, and lean body mass (LBM) in overweight cats undergoing rapid weight reduction. 32 healthy adult neutered colony-housed cats. Cats fattened through unrestricted ingestion of an energy-dense diet for 6 months were randomly as...

The postprandial increase in glucose concentration is typically not considered in selecting diets to manage diabetic and pre-diabetic cats. This study describes increases in glucose and insulin concentrations in 24 clinically healthy, neutered adult cats following one meal (59 kcal/kg) of a moderate carbohydrate diet (25% of energy). Median time to...

Resting energy expenditure (REE) approximates ≥60% of daily energy expenditure (DEE). Accurate REE determination could facilitate sequential comparisons among patients and diseases if normalized against lean body mass (LBM). (1) Validate open-flow indirect calorimetry (IC) system and multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) to deter...

The gastrointestinal environment is a complex interactive system involving the host, ingested dietary components, and numerous microbial species. We hypothesized that isolation and screening of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria adherent to healthy canine gastrointestinal tissue would yield strains with commensal activity in canines. The aims of this...

Urinary tract stones are an important clinical problem in human and veterinary medicine. Hyperoxaluria is the single strongest promoter of kidney stone formation. The aims of the present study were to (a) evaluate oxalate degradation by a range of Bifidobacteria species and Lactobacillus species isolated from the canine and feline gastrointestinal...

To determine effects of probiotics on canine colon health, 30 dogs (averaging 29.5 kg in body weight [BW]) were used. The dogs were allotted to three similar groups and were fed a premium diet twice daily to maintain their BW. After 31 d of adjustment to the diet, two groups (probiotic groups) were given a daily oral dose (10 ⁹ CFU/dog) of Bifidoba...

The objective of this study was to compare simpler indices of insulin sensitivity with the minimal model-derived insulin sensitivity index to identify a simple and reliable alternative method for assessing insulin sensitivity in cats. In addition, we aimed to determine whether this simpler measure or measures showed consistency of association acros...

This study was undertaken to assess the impact of dietary carbohydrate source on food intake, body composition, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and glucose and insulin concentrations in overweight and obese cats with reduced insulin sensitivity. Sixteen overweight and obese cats were divided into two groups and randomly allocated one of two...

This study indicates that measuring caloric intake data of dogs in homes is achievable and can provide a practical and appropriate methodology for determining energy needs. This knowledge can be helpful in developing appropriate guidelines for pet food labels.

To determine the effects of carnitine (Ca) or taurine (Ta) supplementation on prevention of lipid accumulation in the liver of cats. 24 adult cats. Cats were fed a weight-gaining diet sufficient in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), low in long-chain n-3 PUFAs (n-3 LPUFA), and containing corn gluten for 20 weeks. Cats gained at least 30% in b...

To examine effects of dietary protein quality (casein [CA] vs corn gluten [CG]) and dietary lipids (corn oil [CO] vs oil blend [OB] rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [LCPUFAs]) on fatty acid composition in liver and adipose tissue after weight loss in overweight cats. 24 ovariohysterectomized adult cats. Cats were allowed ad libitum ac...

This study investigated relationships between plasma leptin, insulin concentrations, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in lean and overweight cats. Leptin concentrations were measured in 16 cats during glucose tolerance tests before and after gaining weight, and after feeding a test meal in overweight cats. An important finding of this stud...

The effect of dietary chromium supplementation on glucose and insulin metabolism in healthy, non-obese cats was evaluated. Thirty-two cats were randomly divided into four groups and fed experimental diets consisting of a standard diet with 0 ppb (control), 150 ppb, 300 ppb, or 600 ppb added chromium as chromium tripicolinate. Intravenous glucose to...

This study quantifies the effects of marked weight gain on glucose and insulin metabolism in 16 cats which increased their weight by an average of 44.2% over 10 months. Significantly, the development of feline obesity was accompanied by a 52% decrease in tissue sensitivity to insulin and diminished glucose effectiveness. In addition, glucose intole...

To compare fermentation characteristics of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and other fiber substrates that are commonly found in canine diets. Fecal samples from 3 adult dogs. The ability of fiber substrates to be used in microbial fermentation reactions was assessed by use of an in vitro fermentation system. Dogs were fed a commercially available foo...

To determine reference values and test variability for glucose tolerance tests (GTT), insulin tolerance tests (ITT), and insulin sensitivity tests (IST) in cats. 32 clinically normal cats. GTT, ITT, and IST were performed on consecutive days. Tolerance intervals (ie, reference values) were calculated as means +/- 2.397 SD for plasma glucose and ins...

The aims of our study were to determine a reference range for plasma leptin in healthy, normal-weight cats and to measure the effect of weight gain on plasma leptin levels. To increase our understanding of the association between leptin and feline obesity, we investigated the relationship between plasma leptin and measures of adiposity in cats. Twe...

Twenty-eight adult ovariohysterectomized dogs were fed one of four diets differing in type of dietary fiber to assess the effects of fiber on energy digestibility, partitioning of nitrogen (N) components, and changes in intestinal microflora. Dietary fiber sources were beet pulp (BP), short-chain fructooligosaccharides (FOS), cellulose (C) and a fi...

Studies were undertaken to determine the effects of dietary fiber (i.e., cellulose, beet pulp or a pectin/gum arabic blend) on colonic transport of SCFA and fecal microbial populations of adult, female cats. Selection of test fibers was based upon that fiber's ability to be degraded (fermented) within the gut of the domestic cat (i.e., cellulose -...

Twenty-eight adult female cats were used to assess the effects of dietary fiber on feline colonic morphology, mucosal cell density and tissue energetics. Three sources of dietary fiber (i.e., cellulose, beet pulp and a pectin/gum arabic blend) and a non-fiber control diet were compared. The fiber sources were selected according to their degree of f...

To determine effects of dietary lipid and protein on development of hepatic lipidosis (HL) and on physical and biochemical indices following rapid weight loss in cats. 24 ovariohysterectomized cats. Cats were fed a high energy diet until they gained 30% of their ideal body weight and then randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 weight-reduction diets (...

To determine effects of dietary lipid and protein on plasma lipoprotein and free fatty acid concentrations and hepatic fatty acid synthesis during weight gain and rapid weight loss in cats. 24 ovariohysterectomized cats. Cats were fed a high energy diet until they gained 30% of their ideal body weight and then randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 we...

The ingestion of plant fibers and their susceptibility to microbial fermentation in the large bowel modulate intestinal morphology but little is known about effects on the gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of consuming diets containing different levels of fermentability fiber on immune f...

Cereal grains represent 30 to 60% of the DM of many companion animal diets. Once incorporated into a diet, the starch component of these grains can provide an excellent source of ME. However, crystallinity and form of starch are variable and can cause incomplete digestion within the gastrointestinal tract. Diets fed in this experiment included one...

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, induces the gene expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and suppresses leptin gene expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) when given as an acute dose. These contrasting effects of RA leave in doubt the overall effect of chronic RA or vitamin A supple...

To determine whether intestinal dimensions and nutrient absorption are influenced by different types of dietary fiber. 10 adult Beagles of both sexes. Dogs were randomly assigned to 2 groups and fed a diet with fermentable fibers (beet pulp and oligofructose) or a nonfermentable fiber (cellulose) for 6 weeks. Effects of the diets on small intestina...

Ileal proglucagon gene expression and postprandial plasma concentrations of proglucagon-derived peptides are reported to change with the type and quantity of dietary fiber ingested by rats. Within the intestine, proglucagon encodes several proglucagon-derived peptides known to modulate intestinal absorption capacity and pancreatic insulin secretion...

Ileal proglucagon gene expression and postprandial plasma concentrations of proglucagon-derived peptides are reported to change with the type and quantity of dietary fiber ingested by rats. Within the intestine, proglucagon encodes several proglucagon-derived peptides known to modulate intestinal absorption capacity and pancreatic insulin secretion...

To determine effects of dietary protein and calories on progression of induced chronic renal failure in cats. 28 young adult female cats. Renal mass was reduced surgically, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was determined. Cats were alloted to 4 groups of 7 with similar mean GFR (1.52 to 1.55 ml/min/kg of body weight). Diets were formulated to p...

To investigate changes in the fecal flora of healthy cats after dietary supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). 12 healthy, barrier-maintained, specific-pathogen-free-derived adult cats. Fresh fecal samples for quantitative and qualitative bacteriologic examination were collected from each cat after ingestion of a replete dry (basal) di...

To investigate changes in the duodenal flora of healthy cats over time, and evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). 12 healthy, barrier-maintained, specific-pathogen-free cats. Duodenal juice for bacteriologic examination was collected via oral endoscopy 5 times from each cat over a 32-week period. Cats we...

At the present time a paucity of information exists regarding the influence of age and diet on colonic microflora. The purpose of this study was to assess what effect age and diet have on the composition of faecal microflora, as an indirect measure of ongoing changes within the large intestine. Sixteen young (0.9±0.1 yrs) and 16 old (11.23 ± 2.35 y...

To determine the effect of mild dehydration (5%) on expired breath H2 concentrations in dogs. 10 healthy, colony-source dogs. Expired breath samples were collected at baseline, and every 90 minutes for 18 hours after ingestion of a test meal (commercial dog food and kibbled wheat) in fully hydrated dogs and in the same dogs when they had lost 5% of...

For young dogs, preventing primary degenerative joint disease with appropriate nutrition will reduce problems later in life. For those already in the geriatric population, antioxidants, weight reduction, and dietary fatty acids are the nutritional therapies of choice.

Traditionally, high-fiber diets have been recommended to aid glucose metabolism in aging dogs. The search for alternatives with fewer side effects has revealed other options.

Cereal grains represent 30-60% of the dry matter (DM) in companion animal diets. Once incorporated into a diet, the starch component of these grains can provide an excellent source of metabolizable energy. However, crystallinity and form of the starch are variable and can cause incomplete digestion within the gastrointestinal tract. The objective o...

Eighteen healthy males with a body weight of 70.0 +/- 3.1 kg consumed three defined-formula diets that varied only in their fiber and/or lipid components: 1) 6.4% fiber (100% soy polysaccharides) and 13.1% lipid [50% medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs), 40% corn oil, and 10% soy oil]; 2) 3.4% fiber (75% oat fiber, 17.5% gum arabic, and 7.5% carbox...

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect that dietary fiber fermentability had on bacterial excretion in the feces and the partitioning of waste nitrogen between the urine and feces. Purpose-bred beagles were fed nutritionally complete diets that contained one of four fiber substrates: cellulose GOW fermentability), beet pulp (extensive...

Determining body composition of cats has several research and veterinary clinical applications. However, techniques to quantify body composition of cats have not been validated. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a research technology which has been used frequently in humans and is adaptable to cats. This technique was used to estimate body...

We evaluated the influence of gastrointestinal tract microflora from several species on fiber fermentation characteristics in vitro. Selected fibrous substrates (cellulose, beet pulp, citrus pulp, and citrus pectin) were incubated for 6, 12, 24, and 48 h with ruminal fluid from cattle or feces from dogs, cats, pigs, horses, or humans. When data wer...

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the addition of single sources and blends of dietary fibers to cat diets. In Exp. 1, fermentability of selected fibrous substrates by cat fecal microflora was evaluated. After 24 h of fermentation, OM disappearance (OMD) and total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were greatest (P < .05) for citrus...

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate single sources and blends of dietary fiber in dog food. In Exp. 1, 14 fibrous substrates were fermented in vitro using dog feces as the source of inoculum. Organic matter disappearance was lowest (P < .05; < 10%) for Solka Floc and oat fiber and greatest (P < .05; > 80%) for fructooligosaccharides (FOS) an...

Two in vitro fermentation experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of source of dietary fiber fed to dogs and cats on fermentative activity of their fecal microflora. In Exp. 1, six English Pointer dogs were fed a diet containing either a non-fermentable fiber (Solka Floc) or a fermentable fiber (citrus pulp). A fecal sample from each d...

Six steers (BW = 436 +/- 15 kg) were assigned randomly to alfalfa, bromegrass, or prairie hay diets in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design to evaluate the efficacy of different internal markers for estimating OM digestibility (OMD). Internal markers used to estimate OMD included ADL, alkaline peroxide lignin (APL), AIA, and indigestible ADF (IAD...

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate wheat middlings as a supplement for cattle consuming dormant bluestem-range forage. Effects of supplement type and amount were evaluated in Exp. 1, which consisted of feeding supplements of soybean meal:grain sorghum (22:78) or two different amounts of wheat middlings. Sixteen ruminally fistulated steers w...

Influence of increasing crude protein concentration in a wheat middlings-based supplement was evaluated in an intake/digestion trial. Protein-supplemented steers demonstrated increased (P<.01) intake of dormant, bluestem-range forage when compared with unsupplemented steers. Although increasing concentration of supplemental crude protein from 15 to...

Intake of dormant, bluestem-range forage was increased by feeding steers supplements based on wheat middlings or soybean meal + sorghum grain, although the degree of influence on forage intake depended on type and level of supplementation. All supplements increased (P<.10) total diet digestibility. However, fiber digestibility tended to be slightly...

Thesis (M.S.)--Kansas State University, 1990. Includes bibliographical references. Typescript (photocopy).