<i>Akkermansia</i> and Microbial Degradation of Mucus in Cats and Dogs: Implications to the Growing Worldwide Epidemic of Pet Obesity

• Main Authors: Jose F. Garcia-Mazcorro, Yasushi Minamoto, Jorge R. Kawas, Jan S. Suchodolski, Willem M. de Vos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
• Series: Veterinary Sciences
• Subjects: feline obesity; canine obesity; mucus degradation; companion animals
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/7/2/44

<i>Akkermansia muciniphila</i> is a mucin-degrading bacterium that has shown the potential to provide anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects in mouse and man. We here focus on companion animals, specifically cats and dogs, and evaluate the microbial degradation of mucus and its health impact in the context of the worldwide epidemic of pet obesity. A literature survey revealed that the two presently known <i>Akkermansia</i> spp., <i>A. muciniphila</i> and <i>A. glycaniphila</i>, as well as other members of the phylum of Verrucomicrobia seem to be neither very prevalent nor abundant in the digestive tract of cats and dog. While this may be due to methodological aspects, it suggests that bacteria related to <i>Akkermansia</i> are not the major mucus degraders in these pets and hence other mucus-utilizing taxa may deserve attention. Hence, we will discuss the potential of these endogenous mucus utilizers and dietary interventions to boost these as well as the use of <i>Akkermansia</i> spp. related bacteria or their components as strategies to target feline and canine obesity.