犬の認知症とみかんの皮
Hello everyone, SCIENSPOT is a podcast that shines a spotlight on the latest scientific technology
from Japan. Your host is REN from SCIEN-TALK. Today, I want to talk about a joint research
project from Japan that focuses on using something you usually throw away, mandarin orange peels,
to help aging dogs suffering from dementia. In recent years, the number of dogs and cats kept
as pets in Japan has surpassed the number of children aged 15 and under. As our beloved
companion animals live longer, however, a political social issue has emerged, canine dementia,
often characterized by anxiety-driven behavior like night-hauling and pacing.
To address this challenge, researchers decided to harness the potential of
mandarin orange peels and use a resource that contains a high concentration of beneficial
compounds. This study was conducted collaboratively by a research group led by Associate Professor
Iwai of Kitasato University and Airwater Inc. Mandarin orange peels, MOP, is rich in a
group of natural compounds called flavonoids, which are a type of polyphenol. Flavonoids such as
hesperidin and nobilitin are known for their antioxidant properties and have previously
shown promising protective effects against Alzheimer's disease in small animal models.
The goal of this research was not only to improve the quality of life for pets and their owners,
but also to explore the possibility of applying these findings to find dementia treatment
as companion animals share many disease aspects with humans. To maximize their efficacy,
Airwater prepared a powder from a MOP, specifically focusing on early-repairing mandarins
harvested in October from Wakayama Prefecture, as these varieties have significantly higher
concentrations of flavonoids. The resulting powder contained 9.3 grams of hesperidin and
41 mg of nobilitin per 100 grams. The researchers then incorporated this powder into palatable
gelatin cubes flavored with chicken broth for easy administration.
実験的な犬へのテスト
The team first tested the cubes on four healthy experimental beagle dogs. While blood tests
suggested that the absorption of the main compounds was limited, they observed significant
effects on the dogs' gut microbiota. We know that the gut and the brain are intimately connected,
a pathway known as the gut-brain axis. Disturbances in the gut microbiota are frequently observed in
conditions like Alzheimer's disease. After administrating the MOP cubes for two weeks,
the beagles showed a significant increase in the alpha diversity of their gut microbiota.
A high diversity in gut bacteria is generally considered a sign of a healthier gut ecosystem.
And furthermore, specific bacterial populations changed. They observed a decrease in the
Fusobacteriaceae family, which is often associated with inflammation.
Crucially, there was an increase in the Agriatelaceae family. Bacteria in this family
can produce beneficial plant-derived compounds, such as E. coli, which has been shown to
potentially inhibit cognitive decline. The MOP cubes were given to three senior companion dogs
exhibiting severe dementia symptoms, including night crying and extreme fear.
The results are impressive. A 14-year-old female Shiba Inu exhibiting fear, loss of appetite,
and night crying showed improvement in all symptoms starting on the 7th day of MOP
administration. When the treatment was stopped, the symptoms gradually returned nine days later,
but they improved again when the MOP supplement was resumed.
The other two dogs, Miniature Dachshund, also exhibited reduced anxiety and barking.
Importantly, no adverse gastrointestinal side effects were reported in any dog during the
test periods, indicating the supplement's safety. This preliminary research strongly suggests that
mandarin orange peel discarded resources a safe and promising natural dietary intervention
for enhancing both gut health and cognitive function in senior dogs. Thanks to its high
犬の認知症とマンダリンオレンジの皮
content of hesperidin and nobilitin, this is very important research and Airwater Inc. is now moving
forward with the commercialization of functional dog food based on these findings, making a step
forward in promoting well-being for pets and utilizing agricultural waste through upcycling.
That's all for today's SciencePod. This podcast is broadcast in both Japanese and English.
I'd love for you to listen to the podcast and post your thoughts with the hashtag
SciencePod. Thank you for listening and see you next time.
