Research Study Funded by MAF Shows Promise for Feline IBD Diagnosis and Treatment

PRLog (Press Release) – Mar 31, 2009 – In a study funded by Morris Animal Foundation, animal health researchers made progress in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer in felines. As many pet owners are aware, cats are susceptible to a number of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, including inflammatory disorders and feline cancer.

Animal health research studies have shown that proteins that reside in the gastrointestinal tract, called trefoil peptides, are instrumental in protecting and repairing the gastrointestinal tract.  

In addition, abnormal levels of trefoil peptides are associated with inflammation and cancer in the GI tract. Trefoil peptides have already shown promise in treating GI disorders and cancer in rodents and humans.

With funding from Morris Animal Foundation, this study examines trefoil peptide expression in normal, inflamed, and cancerous feline tissues to provide an understanding of how these proteins could be used to diagnose and treat cats with inflammatory bowel disease and GI cancer.

Results: Proteins Cloned and Show Promise for IBD Diagnosis and Treatment in Felines
Researchers at Washington State University knew that trefoil peptides have shown promise in the diagnosis and treatment of human GI disorders, including cancers of the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver and pancreas.

Using this knowledge they successfully cloned these feline proteins, allowing them to measure the amount of these proteins in normal, inflamed and cancerous tissues. This new knowledge will be important in future studies investigating how trefoil peptides might be used to better diagnose and treat cats with inflammatory bowel disease and cancer.

To learn more about Morris Animal Foundation, visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org, or their Happy Healthy Cat Campaign at www.Research4Cats.com.