U.S. patent application number 09/738492 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-03 for product for promoting weight loss in overweight dogs.
Invention is credited to Davenport, Gary Mitchell, Sunvold, Gregory Dean, Tetrick, Mark Alan.
Application Number | 20010000786 09/738492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22224782 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010000786 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sunvold, Gregory Dean ; et
al. |
May 3, 2001 |
Product for promoting weight loss in overweight dogs
Abstract
A process for feeding a pet food supplement or diet to an
overweight canine for the purpose of promoting weight loss,
increasing lean body mass, and enhancing the satiety of the animal
is provided. The supplement or diet contains an effective amount of
L-carnitine.
Inventors: |
Sunvold, Gregory Dean;
(Eaton, OH) ; Tetrick, Mark Alan; (Dayton, OH)
; Davenport, Gary Mitchell; (Dayton, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Killworth, Gottman, Hagan & Schaeff, L.L.P.
One Dayton Centre, Suite 500
Dayton
OH
45402-2023
US
|
Family ID: |
22224782 |
Appl. No.: |
09/738492 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09738492 |
Dec 15, 2000 |
|
|
|
09337938 |
Jun 22, 1999 |
|
|
|
6204291 |
|
|
|
|
60090882 |
Jun 26, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
514/556 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 43/00 20180101;
A23K 50/40 20160501; A61P 3/04 20180101; A23K 20/174 20160501; A61K
31/205 20130101; A61P 3/00 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/556 |
International
Class: |
A61K 031/205 |
Claims
1. A process for promoting weight loss in canines comprising the
step of administering to a canine an effective amount of
L-carnitine for a time sufficient to effect a reduction in the
weight of the animal.
2. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which said L-carnitine is
administered in a diet containing supplemental L-carnitine in an
amount of from about 15 to about 195 mg/kg of diet.
3. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which said L-carnitine is
administered in a diet containing supplemental L-carnitine in an
amount of from about 25 to about 150 mg/kg of diet.
4. A process as claimed in claim 2 in which said diet comprises
from about 18 to 40 wt % crude protein, about 4 to 30 wt % fat, and
about 2 to 20 wt % total dietary fiber.
5. A process as claimed in claim 2 in which said L-carnitine is
present in said diet in a concentration of between about 15 to
about 195 ppm.
6. A process as claimed in claim 2 in which said L-carnitine is
present in said diet in a concentration of between about 25 to
about 150 ppm.
7. A process as claimed in claim 2 in which said L-carnitine is
present in said diet in a concentration of about 50 to about 100
ppm.
8. A process as claimed in claim 2 in which said diet comprises
about 21.1 wt % crude protein, about 8.6 wt % fat, and about 1.7 wt
% crude fiber.
9. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which said L-carnitine is
administered as a supplement in an amount between about 1 to about
100 mg L-carnitine per day.
10. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which said L-carnitine is
administered as a supplement in an amount of from between about 2.5
to about 50 mg L-carnitine per day.
11. A process for increasing the lean body mass of a canine
comprising the step of administering to a canine an effective
amount of L-carnitine for a time sufficient to effect an increase
in the lean body mass of said animal.
12. A process as claimed in claim 11 in which said L-carnitine is
administered in a diet containing supplemental L-carnitine in an
amount of from about 15 to about 195 mg/kg of diet.
13. A process as claimed in claim 11 in which said L-carnitine is
administered in a diet containing supplemental L-carnitine in an
amount of from about 25 to about 150 mg/kg of diet.
14. A process as claimed in claim 12 in which said diet comprises
from about 18 to 40 wt % crude protein, about 4 to 30 wt % fat, and
about 2 to 20 wt % total dietary fiber.
15. A process as claimed in claim 12 in which said L-carnitine is
present in said diet in a concentration of between about 15 to
about 195 ppm.
16. A process as claimed in claim 12 in which said L-carnitine is
present in said diet in a concentration of between about 25 to
about 150 ppm.
17. A process as claimed in claim 12 in which said L-carnitine is
present in said diet in a concentration of about 50 to about 100
ppm.
18. A process as claimed in claim 12 in which said diet comprises
about 21.1 wt % crude protein, about 8.6 wt % fat, and about 1.7 wt
% crude fiber.
19. A process as claimed in claim 11 in which said L-carnitine is
administered as a supplement in an amount between about 1 to about
100 mg L-carnitine per day.
20. A process as claimed in claim 11 in which said L-carnitine is
administered as a supplement in an amount of from between about 2.5
to about 50 mg L-carnitine per day.
21. A process for enhancing the satiety and decreasing voluntary
food intake of a canine comprising the step of administering to a
canine an effective amount of L-carnitine for a time sufficient to
effect a reduction in the voluntary food intake of the animal.
22. A process as claimed in claim 21 in which said L-carnitine is
administered in a diet containing supplemental L-carnitine in an
amount of from about 15 to about 195 mg/kg of diet.
23. A process as claimed in claim 21 in which said L-carnitine is
administered in a diet containing supplemental L-carnitine in an
amount of from about 25 to about 150 mg/kg of diet.
24. A process as claimed in claim 22 in which said diet comprises
from about 18 to 40 wt % crude protein, about 4 to 30 wt % fat, and
about 2 to 20 wt % total dietary fiber.
25. A process as claimed in claim 22 in which said L-carnitine is
present in said diet in a concentration of between about 15 to
about 195 ppm.
26. A process as claimed in claim 22 in which said L-carnitine is
present in said diet in a concentration of between about 25 to
about 150 ppm.
27. A process as claimed in claim 22 in which said L-carnitine is
present in said diet in a concentration of about 50 to about 100
ppm.
28. A process as claimed in claim 22 in which said diet comprises
about 21.1 wt % crude protein, about 8.6 wt % fat, and about 1.7 wt
% crude fiber.
29. A process as claimed in claim 21 in which said L-carnitine is
administered as a supplement in an amount between about 1 to about
100 mg L-carnitine per day.
30. A process as claimed in claim 21 in which said L-carnitine is
administered as a supplement in an amount of from between about 2.5
to about 50 mg L-carnitine per day.
31. A composition for promoting weight loss in a canine comprising
a diet containing from about 18 to 40 wt % crude protein, about 4
to 30 wt % fat, and about 2 to 20 wt % total dietary fiber, said
composition including from between about 15 to about 195 ppm
supplemental L-carnitine.
32. A composition for promoting weight loss in a canine comprising
a diet containing from about 18 to 40 wt % crude protein, about 4
to 30 wt % fat, and about 2 to 20 wt % total dietary fiber, said
composition including from between about 25 to about 150 ppm
supplemental L-carnitine.
33. A composition as claimed in claim 32 in which said diet
comprises about 21.1 wt % crude protein, about 8.6 wt % fat, and
about 1.7 wt % crude fiber.
34. A food supplement for a canine, said supplement comprising
between about 1 to about 100 mg L-carnitine.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
1. This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 60/090,882, filed Jun. 26, 1998.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
2. The present invention relates to a process and product for
promoting weight loss in overweight dogs, and more particularly to
a process for supplementing a canine diet with L-carnitine to
promote weight loss, improve body composition, and enhance satiety
in the animal.
3. It is estimated that 20 to 40% of the canine population is
overweight or obese. This represents a very large number of animals
that are in need of a means to lose weight. Obesity and being
overweight are conditions associated with several health risks such
as diabetes, increased blood pressure, increased blood
triglycerides, impaired locomotion, skeletal stress, increased
dystocia, thyroid dysfunction, etc. Consequently, ways to help
treat these conditions are much needed by this population of
animals. Currently, the most common form of treating obesity in
dogs is through the use of diets that contain high amounts of fiber
to dilute the calories of the diet.
4. While in some cases these diets can be effective, they are often
associated with several side effects. These include: 1) excessive
stool output, 2) decreased nutrient digestibility, 3) poor skin and
haircoat, 4) decreased palatability, and 5) constipation and(or)
increased frequency of defecation. As a result, alternative
nutritional means to alleviate these conditions are needed.
5. Recently, it has been reported that carnitine, a vitamin-like
substance, increased oxidation of octanoate in newborn pigs (van
Kempen and Odle, J. Nutr. 125:238-250 (1995)), lowered fat
deposition and increased fatty acid oxidation by hepatic cells in
growing salmon (Ji et al, J. Nutr. 126:1937-1950 (19996), and
decreased body fat accumulation in growing pigs (Owen et al, J.
Anim. Sci. 74:1612-1619 (1996).
6. Accordingly, there is still a need for addressing the obesity
problems of canines while still providing adequate nutrition and
without the side effects associated with prior diets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
7. The present invention addresses the problem of obese and
overweight canines through the use of a diet which contains
supplemental L-carnitine. L-carnitine is an amino acid co-factor
which is synthesized in an animal's body from the amino acids
lysine and methionine. We have discovered that L-carnitine, when
administered to a canine in need of treatment at extremely low
supplemental amounts of 100 mg/kg of diet or less, promotes weight
loss in the animal, improves the animal's body composition, and
results in enhanced satiety in the animal. By improving the
animal's body composition we mean that for a given animal ingesting
a given amount of food, the percentage of body fat in the animal
will be lower and the percentage of lean body mass will be higher
when the animal is provided with the effective amount of
supplemental L-carnitine as compared with an animal ingesting the
same amount of food, but without L-carnitine supplementation. The
L-carnitine may be provided to the animal either as a supplement or
contained in a diet fed to the animal. Such a supplement may be in
the form of a pill or capsule, a treat or biscuit, or any other
edible form. By "diet" we mean the food or drink regularly consumed
by the animal.
8. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a process for
promoting weight loss in canines is provided and includes the step
of administering to a canine an effective amount of L-carnitine for
a time sufficient to effect a reduction in the weight of the
animal. In one embodiment, the L-carnitine may be administered in a
diet containing supplemental L-carnitine in an amount of from about
15 to about 195 mg/kg, and preferably from about 25 to about 150
mg/kg of diet. The diet preferably comprises from about 18 to 40 wt
% crude protein, about 4 to 30 wt % fat, and about 2 to 20 wt %
total dietary fiber, and the L-carnitine is present in the diet in
a concentration of between about 15 to about 195 ppm, more
preferably about 25 to about 150 ppm, and most preferably about 50
to about 100 ppm.
9. In another embodiment of the invention, the L-carnitine is
administered as a supplement in an amount of from between about 1
to about 100 mg L-carnitine per day, and more preferably from
between about 2.5 to about 50 mg L-carnitine per day.
10. Practice of the present invention is also useful in increasing
the lean body mass of a canine as well as enhancing the satiety and
decreasing voluntary food intake of a canine.
11. Accordingly, it is a feature of the invention to provide a
process for feeding a pet food supplement or diet for providing
weight loss in a canine by providing an effective amount of
L-carnitine in the diet of the animal. It is also a feature of the
present invention to provide a pet food supplement or diet which
increases the lean body mass of the animal. It is also a feature of
the present invention to provide a pet food supplement which
enhances satiety and reduces voluntary food intake in a canine.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description, the
accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
12. FIG. 1 is a chart illustrating comparative percent body weight
change in dogs consuming an L-carnitine supplemented diet versus a
non-supplemented diet;
13. FIG. 2 is a chart illustrating dietary intake in dogs consuming
an L-carnitine supplemented diet;
14. FIG. 3 is a chart illustrating the body weight of dogs during
ad libitum and restricted feeding of an L-carnitine supplemented
diet;
15. FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating body fat in overweight dogs
before and after 49 days of ad libitum feeding of an L-carnitine
supplemented diet;
16. FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating the body fat of dogs during ad
libitum and restricted feeding of an L-carnitine supplemented
diet;
17. FIG. 6 is a chart illustrating the lean body mass of dogs
during ad libitum and restricted feeding of an L-carnitine
supplements diet; and
18. FIG. 7 is a chart illustrating the relationship of weight loss
to food intake of dogs during ad libitum and restricted feeding of
an L-carnitine supplemented diet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
19. Dietary supplementation of L-carnitine in amounts of from
between about 15 to about 195 ppm, more preferably between about 20
to about 150 ppm, and most preferably about 50 to about 100 ppm,
promotes weight loss in overweight canines. Where an effective
amount of L-carnitine is fed to dogs that are overweight, this
resulted in a greater weight loss than animals fed a diet
containing no supplemental L-carnitine. Further, the animals fed an
L-carnitine-supplemented diet exhibited a greater percentage of
lean body mass(LBM) than animals fed the same diet, but with no
L-carnitine supplementation. Also, animals fed an
L-carnitine-supplemented diet voluntarily restricted their food
intake.
20. The L-carnitine may be provided in a diet which can comprise
any suitable pet food formulation which also provides adequate
nutrition for the animal. For example, a typical canine diet for
use in the present invention may contain about 18-40 wt % crude
protein, about 4-30 wt % fat, and about 2-20 wt % total dietary
fiber. However, no specific percentages or ratios are required.
Preferably, the animal is fed a low-fat L-carnitine-supplemented
diet to promote weight loss. A typical low-fat diet may contain
about 21.1 wt % protein, about 8.6 wt % fat, and about 1.7 wt %
crude fiber. L-carnitine may also be supplied to the canine as a
separate dietary supplement such as, for example, in the form of a
pill, biscuit, or treat.
21. In order that the invention may be more readily understood,
reference is made to the following example which is intended to
illustrate the invention, but not limit the scope thereof.
EXAMPLE
22. Thirty adult ovariohysterectomized female beagle dogs were used
to study the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on weight loss.
All of the animals were current on their vaccination and parasite
prevention program. The dogs were housed individually in oversize
pens and identified by a unique ear tattoo. Fresh water was
provided ad libitum during the entire study period. Food intake was
adjusted as necessary to achieve the desired weight for the study
period.
23. Three dietary treatments were evaluated. The study consisted of
three periods: weight gain, maintenance, and weight loss. During
the eleven-week weight gain period, all dogs were fed a single diet
Eukanuba Veterinary Diets.RTM. Nutritional Recovery Formula.TM.
which contains 36.1 wt % protein, 26.1 wt % fat, and 2.1 wt % crude
fiber) ad libitum.
24. At the initiation of the maintenance phase of the study
(baseline or day 0), the dogs were randomized based on body weight
into three dietary treatment groups of ten dogs each with a three
day feed transition period starting on day 0. Each treatment group
was randomly assigned to one of three low-fat diets (Table 1). The
only difference between diets was the addition of 0, 50, or 100 ppm
supplemental L-carnitine. No differences in the initial body weight
or body condition score existed between groups.
1TABLE 1 Amount of Supplemental Nutrient 0 ppm 50 ppm 100 ppm
Protein, % 20.85 21.25 21.17 Ash 5.54 5.47 5.64 Fat 8.80 8.45 8.46
Crude Fiber 1.55 1.63 1.82 Calcium 0.89 0.92 0.81 Phosphorus 0.69
0.68 0.69 Gross Energy, 4.69 4.67 4.63 kcal/g Carnitine, ppm 21.48
73.12 126.10
25. The dogs were on 100% experimental diet on day 3 and were fed
ad libitum during the seven-week maintenance phase of the
study.
26. During the twelve-week weight loss phase of the study, the same
experimental diets were offered as during the maintenance phase.
However, the food intake was decreased to produce approximately 1.5
to 2.5% body weight loss per week. Exact amounts of experimental
diets were fed to the dogs at approximately the same time each day,
and remaining feed amounts were weighed the following day. Food
intake and body weight were monitored daily and weekly,
respectively. Whole body composition using the Dual Energy X-ray
Absorptiometer (DEXA), and blood samples for CBC and chemistry were
collected periodically during the study. Whole Body Composition by
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. The dogs were scanned with a
Hologic QDR-2000 Plus Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) bone
densitometer, supported with Hologic MXA software, version 8.0. All
dogs were anesthetized and placed on the Dual Energy X-ray
Absorptiometry (DEXA) table in dorsal recumbency, with legs
stretched caudally to avoid overlap of the legs over the body. The
dogs were scanned using the Enhanced Array Whole Body software. The
body composition measurements recorded consisted of surface area
(cm.sup.2), bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD),
lean mass, fat content, percent fat, and estimated body weight. All
measurements were reported in grams except for percent fat and area
(cm.sup.2). Percent lean and percent BMC were calculated from the
lean mass, BMC, and estimated body weight data from the DEXA
results.
27. Anesthesia
28. The whole body composition was performed concomitantly and
under anesthesia. The anesthetic regimen consisted of Atropine
(0.01 mg/lb) as a pre-anesthetic, the combination
Xylazine/Telazol/Torbugesic (0.8/6.7/0.13 mg/kg) as induction and
Isoflurane (Aerrane, Ohmeda Pharmaceutical Products, Liberty
Corner, N.J.) as a maintenance agent using a nose cone.
29. Statistical Analysis
30. A repeated measure classification analysis of variance was used
to study "Treatment" and time dependent "Treatment.times.Time"
effects (Gill and Hafs, J. Animal Sci. 33(2):331(1971)). The
variables from the complete blood count, blood chemistry, body
composition and body weights were studied using this analysis. All
F-tests and mean separations using the Least Square Difference
(LSD) used 0.05 Type 1 Error rate. One degree of freedom
comparisons between experimental diets B versus C (comparison 1)
and A versus B and C (comparison 2) were computed for the body
composition and body weight variables. Comparisons 1 and 2 form an
orthogonal set. An a of 0.05 was used to test for non-zero value of
the mean of the two groups defined per contract. The
"Treatment.times.Time" interaction was investigated by computing a
test for linear, quadratic, and cubic response over time for each
treatment. Then a test of parallelism, equal quadric response and
equal cubic response was done to test equality of trend in response
among treatments. An .alpha. of 0.05 for the F-tests was used in
all cases. All computations were done using SAS (statistical
analysis system) software (1989).
31. Body Weights
32. The animals were randomized based on body weights and
subjective body condition scores at the initiation of the
maintenance period and the body weights were not different
(P>0.05) between treatment groups at that time. The body weight
curves remained somewhat parallel during all periods (weight gain,
maintenance and weight loss) of the study (See, FIG. 3). During the
maintenance and weight loss periods, all groups lost body weight
linearly as days progressed. The linear decrease in body weight was
greater (P<0.05) for diet B (50 ppm) than diet A (control). The
linear decrease of diet C (100 ppm) was intermediate and not
different (P>0.05) from either diets A or B. However, the
repeated measure analysis revealed that the body weights of all
treatment groups were different (P<0.05) at the initiation,
mid-point and termination of the weight loss period with treatments
A, C, and B having the highest, intermediate, and lowest average
body weight, respectively, throughout the study (See, Table 2
below).
33. Whole Body Composition by DEXA
34. The only parameters altered by the test diets were the fat
compartment and estimated body weight. All other parameters
measured by DEXA were not affected by treatments. The repeated
measure analysis revealed that the fat compartment was not
different (P>0.05) at the initiation of the study, but all test
diets resulted in a very significant (P<0.001) time dependant
weight and fat loss as the study progressed. At the initiation and
mid-point of the weight loss period, the estimated body weight and
fat compartment were different (P<0.05) for all test diets with
test diets A, C, and B having the highest, intermediate and lowest
averages, respectively. The estimated body weights were also
different (P<0.05) at the termination of the weight loss period
between the three test diets with the same relationship between
test diets as for the mid-point. At the termination of the weight
loss period, the fat compartment was significantly larger
(P<0.05) for test diet A than for test diets B or C, but test
diet B was not different (P>0.05) from test diet C. Table 2
summarizes the body fat means for each time point measured.
2TABLE 2 Influence of experimental diets on body fat and weight at
baseline (initiation of maintenance period) and during the weight
loss Initiation Mid-Point Termination Diet Baseline Weight Loss*
Weight Loss* Weight Loss* A 6196 .+-. 1069 5595 .+-. 994.sup.a 5246
.+-. 891.sup.a 4590 .+-. 989.sup.a B 5989 .+-. 1443 4871 .+-.
1150.sup.b 4435 .+-. 932.sup.b 3772 .+-. 819.sup.b C 6201 .+-. 1344
5244 .+-. 1244.sup.c 4824 .+-. 1312.sup.c 4028 .+-. 1445.sup.b A
14.9 .+-. 1.8 14.5 .+-. 2.0.sup.a 13.9 .+-. 1.7.sup.a 13.0 .+-.
1.6.sup.a B 14.8 .+-. 2.7 13.4 .+-. 2.1.sup.b 12.7 .+-. 1.8.sup.b
12.1 .+-. 1.8.sup.b C 15.0 .+-. 1.8 14.0 .+-. 1.6.sup.c 13.4 .+-.
1.6.sup.c 12.6 .+-. 1.6.sup.c *Means with different superscript
within the same column are statistically significantly different (P
< 0.05).
35. The relative percent change in fat and estimated body weight
from baseline revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) between
test diet A and test diets B and C (See, FIG. 4). However, test
diets B and C were not different (P>0.05) from each other. The
relative percent change in BMC from baseline indicated that test
diet A lost less (P<0.05) bone mineral content than test diet B.
No differences (P>0.05) were noted between test diets A and C or
test diets B and C for the relative percent change in BMC.
36. Hematology and Blood Chemistry
37. A time/treatment interaction was detected for the white blood
cell (WBC) and the red blood cell (RBC) counts. The WBC tended to
decrease as the study progressed for all test diets and the RBC had
a more erratic behavior. Nevertheless, these two parameters
remained within normal limits for the whole duration of the study.
The other hematologic parameters evaluated were not significantly
different (P>0.05) between treatments.
38. A time/treatment interaction was also detected for several
blood chemistry parameters, namely glucose, cholesterol,
triglycerides, phosphorous, and the enzyme LDH. All test diets
resulted in a significant decrease (P<0.05) in blood glucose
over time. Although blood glucose levels were different between
test diets at several time points, no distinct trend differentiated
the effect of one test diet from the others. Test diets B and C
tended to decrease the cholesterol levels during treatment but it
increased again to meet initial values at the termination of the
weight loss study. The cholesterol levels of test diet A was
erratic. Although cholesterol levels were different between test
diets at several time points, no distinct trend differentiated the
effect of one test diet from the others and the cholesterol
remained within normal limits during the course of the study. The
triglyceride levels increased as the dogs were losing body weight.
Test diet B resulted in the highest triglyceride levels (P<0.05)
at the end of the study followed by test diet A and then test diet
C. The triglyceride levels remained within normal limits throughout
the study except for test diet B which exceeded normal limits
toward the end of the weight loss period. Although statistical
differences were observed for LDH and phosphorous between test
diets for several time points, only erratic response patterns were
observed for all test diets and the LDH and phosphorous levels
remained within normal limits throughout the study.
39. The groups of overweight dogs were fed the respective low-fat
diets for seven weeks. As illustrated in FIG. 1, dogs which were
fed diets containing supplemental carnitine of 50 and 100 ppm,
respectively, achieved a body weight change of -6.4% and -5.7%,
respectively, while the control group of dogs (no carnitine
supplementation) exhibited only a -1.8% body weight change
(P<0.05 from control fed dogs).
40. This greater weight loss appeared to occur due to decreased
dietary intake. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, during seven
weeks of feeding, the control group of dogs voluntarily consumed an
average of 1695 g/week of the diet, while the
carnitine-supplemented groups voluntarily consumed an average
weekly amount of only 1574 g/week (50 ppm carnitine) and 1567
g/week (100 ppm carnitine), respectively. Hence, carnitine
supplementation promoted satiation as illustrated by the reduced
diet intake.
41. A further benefit of the supplemental carnitine in the dogs'
diets was that it promoted an improved body composition of the
animals as shown in Table 3 below. As a result of the seven weeks
of being fed the experimental diets, lean body mass in the animal
(muscle) expressed as a percent of the total body mass was
increased for those dogs which were fed the carnitine supplemented
diets. As a consequence, fat mass expressed as a percent of the
total body mass was decreased with supplemental carnitine.
3TABLE 3 Supplemental Carnitine Body Component Week 0 Week 7 0
LBM.sup.a 55.7% 58.2% 50 LBM 56.0 60.5 100 LBM 55.9 59.5 0 Fat mass
42.7 40.3 50 Fat mass 42.4 37.8 100 Fat mass 42.5 38.9 0 BMC.sup.b
1.5 1.5 50 BMC 1.6 1.7 100 BMC 1.6 1.6 .sup.aLBM = Lean Body Mass
.sup.bBMC = Bone Mineral Content
42. The dogs gained an average of 14% body weight and had an
average of 42.5% body fat at the end of the weight gain period. The
animals lost an average of 15% of their body weight during the
maintenance and weight loss phases of the experiment. See, FIGS. 3
and 4. As shown in FIG. 4, 50 and 100 ppm supplemented L-carnitine
resulted in more body fat loss (P<0.05) compared to 0 ppm
supplementation when the difference in body fat between day 0 and
day 49 was expressed as a percentage of day 0.
43. More fat mass was lost (P<0.05) with L-carnitine
supplementation. As shown in FIG. 5, 50 and 100 ppm supplemented
L-carnitine resulted in more body fat loss (P<0.05) compared to
no (0 ppm) supplementation when the difference in body fat between
day 0 and each subsequent time point (day 49, day 92, and day 133)
was expressed as a percentage of day 0.
44. Lean body mass of the animals numerically increased with
L-carnitine supplementation. As shown in FIG. 6, 50 and 100 ppm
supplemented L-carnitine resulted in a leaner body mass for the
animals than with no supplementation.
45. L-carnitine supplementation resulted in a greater (P<0.05)
body weight loss per quantity of food consumed. As shown in FIG. 7,
50 and 100 ppm supplemented L-carnitine resulted in a greater total
weight loss per total food intake for the animals than with no
supplementation.
46. While certain representative embodiments and details have been
shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the
methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *