Assessment of DNA Methylation Pattern Differences Between Healthy and Obese Dogs Using a Cohort of Golden Retrievers

Assessment of DNA Methylation Pattern Differences Between Healthy and Obese Dogs Using a Cohort of Golden Retrievers

Alvin Sherman Library

It is essential to understand the mechanisms of aging and disease in dogs, especially in the role played by DNA methylation (DNAm). DNAm, an epigenetic modification, offers insights into biological age and disease progression, which are often linked to obesity and its comorbidities. This study addresses the growing prevalence of canine obesity, a major contributor to chronic inflammation and age-related diseases through the exploration of DNAm patterns to identify early biomarkers for disease detection. To find out how DNAm patterns differ between healthy and diseased dogs and whether these patterns can reveal biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment, researchers analyzed 199 archived blood samples from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study using the Methyl-Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) technique. DNAm patterns were analyzed to compare between healthy controls and dogs with diseases such as obesity, osteoarthritis, and chronic kidney disease. Previous studies done in a variety of mammals have found differences in methylation state between healthy and un-healthy individuals, and our hypothesis is that we will see similar patterns here. This will allow us to identify areas of the genome that are affected by obesity and may contribute to disease development. This research establishes a foundation for developing non-invasive methods for diagnosis and targeted therapies in veterinary medicine, with insights that may extend to human health and conservation biology. The study highlights how DNAm biomarkers have the potential to transform early disease detection and treatment, improving dogs' quality of life and establishing pathways for more extensive uses in the medical field.

This research is funded by EpiPaws Inc. through a grant from Morris Animal Foundation.