Fortetropin inhibits disuse muscle atrophy in dogs after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy

Published: PLOS ONE

Keyword: TPLO, Foretropin, myostatin, muscle atrophy, stance analyzer, canine orthopedics

Author(s): Dana A. White, Kenneth R. Harkin, James K. Roush, Walter C. Renberg, David Biller Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Health Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America

Overview:  This prospective randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated one hundred client-owned dogs with naturally-occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture. The trial was randomized into one of two groups: a Fortetropin® treatment group and a placebo-control group.

Materials/Methods:

• Each patient underwent general anesthesia for completion of a routine tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

• Clients were provided the powdered supplement in a light-resistant package labeled “A” or “B” at the time of discharge.

• The dogs were administered Fortetropin®, a freeze-dried, nonthermal pasteurized, chicken egg yolk product (product A), or the cheese powder placebo (product B), with the test agents designed to closely matched macronutrient composition.

• The following data was obtained at baseline (week 0), at the end of the period of forced exercise restriction (week 8), and at the end of the period of gradual return to full exercise (week 12):

• • Thigh circumference

  • Ultrasonographic measurements of thigh muscle thickness

  • Weight bearing analysis via Companion Stance Analyzer

  • Serum myostatin levels

Results: 

• Dogs receiving Fortetropin®

• • There was no significant change in thigh circumference over any of the time periods

  • Stance analysis showed a significant increase in percent weight supported by the affected hind leg (AHL) from 0–8 weeks (mean 5.74%) and 0–12 weeks (mean 7.00%), but not 8–12 weeks (mean 1.26%)

  • There was a significant reduction in percent weight supported by the contralateral hindlimb (COHL) from 0–8 weeks (4.3%) and 0–12 weeks (6.5%), but not 8–12 weeks (2.2%)

  • There was no significant change in serum myostatin levels over any time period.

• Dogs receiving the placebo

• • There was a significant reduction in thigh circumference from week 0-8 (mean 1.21cm and 2.04cm, respectively).

  • Stance analysis showed a significant increase in percent weight supported by the AHL (mean 2.25% and 4.91%, respectively, for weeks 0–8 and 0–12) and a significant decrease in percent weight supported by the COHL over all time periods.

  • There was a significant increase in serum myostatin levels from week 0–8 (358.0pg/ml/week), but not from weeks 8–12 (-244.7pg/ml/week) or weeks 0–12 (185.9pg/ml/week).

Conclusions:  These findings support the feeding of Fortetropin® to prevent disuse muscle atrophy in canine patients undergoing a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.