Vitamin E deficiency – a potential threat to pets [07.06.20]
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that must be supplied through food. It is primarily found in vegetable oils and prevents for instance the formation of free radicals. Although vitamin E deficiency has been rarely reported for healthy humans, pets can suffer from severe deficiency symptoms due to inappropriate feeding. Especially in cats, various diseases have been observed in connection with low vitamin E levels.
Picture credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/cat-animal-pets-feline-ginger-636172/
In a current case study, a team encompssing Professor Granvogl from the University of Hohenheim, has investigated the connection between skin disease and vitamin E levels in cat:
Steffl, M., Nautscher, N., Kröpfl, A., Granvogl. Nodular panniculitis in a cat with high alpha tocopherol concentration in serum. Veterinary Medicine and Science. doi.org/10.1002/vms3.286
Abstract
A 5‐year‐old male neutered domestic shorthair cat suffered from recurrent solitary nodules in different subcutaneous body regions. Nodules were surgically removed and each time histopathological diagnosis was fat necrosis and fibrosing to pyogranulomatous panniculitis. After the second surgery the alpha (α)‐tocopherol concentration in serum of the cat was examined and the result (21 mg/L) exceeded the upper limit of the reference interval (3–11 mg/L). Vitamin E amount in diet fed solely in the past was checked as studies have shown that vitamin E amounts in food significantly influence vitamin E concentrations in serum. For comparative purposes, α‐tocopherol concentrations were determined in sera of healthy control cats. Additionally, vitamin E amount in wet food from different manufacturers was analysed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The results showed that the diet did not have higher vitamin E amounts compared to other diets. All control cats had similar high serum α‐tocopherol concentrations. We conclude that panniculitis can occur despite high serum α‐tocopherol concentrations in cats. Further studies are needed to redefine reference values of α‐tocopherol in serum of cats.
You can find out more about vitamin E research at the University of Hohenheim on the website of the Department of Food Biofunctionality, headed by Prof. Frank.
- Department of Food Chemistry
- Department of Food Biofunctionality
