A new study claims the inclusion of insect protein in a canine’s diet can improve a dog’s skin barrier and enhance antioxidant defence mechanisms.
The skin barrier acts as an important defence mechanism in dogs, helping to maintain hydration as well as protecting against allergens, viruses and other potentially harmful aliens.
Including a protein made from black soldier flies in a canine’s diet showed improved skin barrier function, claims manufacturer Protix, which used its ProteinX product as a test.
“Transepidermal water loss decreased at both the pinna and belly, indicating improved water retention,” said researchers carrying out the study at the Federal University of Paraiba in Brazil.
Enhanced skin hydration for dogs
“There was also a significant increase in stratum corneum hydration at the belly – the outermost layer of the skin serving as the primary barrier between the body and the environment – suggesting enhanced skin hydration."
The product used in the research also contains high levels of lauric acid and linoleic acid, which can account for skin barrier function and water retention improvements.
A strong antioxidant system helps protect dogs’ organism against damage from harmful free radical molecules.
“When there are too many free radicals compared to antioxidants in the body, it can lead to damage of the lipids of cells, creating an imbalance known as oxidative stress,” they said.
A harmful agent for dogs
Damaged cellular lipids produce malondialdehyde, which is a cytotoxic and harmful agent.
“This was used as a biomarker of oxidative stress at the beginning and the end of the study – where higher levels suggest more oxidative damage – and showed a trend towards reduced malondialdehyde serum levels,” said the researchers.
Another oxidative stress biomarker, measured at zero to 50 days of the study, was the presence of vitamin E in the blood serum, which occurred when higher levels indicate better antioxidant protection.
However, the dogs in the study were shown to derive antioxidant benefit when fed with ProteinX.