JP2014139165A - Method of improving walking ability of companion animal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the muscle strength and walking ability of animal limbs.SOLUTION: An agent for improving the muscle strength of animal limbs, an agent for improving the muscle mass of the limbs, and a walking improving agent contain sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA as an active ingredient.

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in walking ability of companion animals.

  In recent years, animals such as dogs and cats that live with human beings are positioned as companions in life and are generally called companion animals (companion animals). Companion animals tend to have a longer life with recent improvements in breeding environments, but more recently, improvements in the quality of life (QOL) of companion animals have attracted attention. In order to improve QOL, maintaining the athletic ability of companion animals is an important issue. If companion animal's exercise ability decreases due to limb muscle weakness or obesity, etc., it causes further muscle weakness and obesity, increasing the risk of various diseases and the risk of bedridden, resulting in a significant decrease in companion animal's QOL. A drop in companion animal QOL also threatens the breeder's QOL. Therefore, appropriately controlling the body fat mass and muscle mass of a companion animal, and maintaining and improving its exercise ability is very important for keeping the QOL of the companion animal high.

  Sesame is well blended in pet foods, especially pet snacks, for the purpose of improving fragrance and enhancing palatability. Sesame is well known as a health food, and a lignan compound is known as a functional ingredient contained in sesame. The lignan compounds contained in sesame are roughly classified into oil-soluble sesame lignans and water-soluble sesame lignans. Oil-soluble sesame lignan is a component rich in sesame oil, and sesamin is well known. As pet foods containing sesamin, animal foods and drinks (Patent Document 1) and feeds for reducing body fat (Patent Document 2) for improving animal body odor and luster are known. Patent Documents 3 to 5 describe anti-fatigue agents containing sesamin.

  On the other hand, water-soluble sesame lignan mainly contains sesaminol glycosides. When sesaminol glycosides are ingested by a living body, it is considered that sugars are dissociated by β-glucosidase in the digestive tract and absorbed as sesaminol which is an aglycon. A large amount of water-soluble sesame lignan exists in a residue obtained by squeezing sesame oil (sesame cake or defatted sesame). However, sesame meal is a waste produced when producing sesame oil, and although it has been conventionally used in part as a fertilizer or feed material (Patent Documents 6 to 7), most is discarded. When sesame meal is used for feed, it is generally added to livestock and poultry feed, not as a pet food raw material, because of its low palatability.

  Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are a kind of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. Increased vigilance, vitality, training, cognitive function, or motor skills coordination or agility, retina development, cartilage protection, cartilage damage reduction, muscle maintenance, skin and fur quality improvement, or inflammation It has been proposed that an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid is brought into contact with an animal for prevention, reduction or treatment of the condition (Patent Documents 8 to 14). In addition, in humans who continuously ingested omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing preparations, the muscle synthesis rate during amino acid and insulin loading increased (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2), and dogs with osteoarthritis It has been reported that the ability to walk and the negative weight of the limbs were improved by giving a diet containing -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in high concentration (Non-Patent Documents 3 to 4).

JP 2007-274913 A Japanese Patent No. 3205315 International Publication No. 2007/119378 International Publication No. 2008/126587 JP 2009-73749 A JP-A 64-39953 JP 2011-167203 A Special table 2008-526209 Special table 2008-526214 gazette Special table 2008-531483 gazette Special table 2009-515906 Special table 2009-519899 gazette Special table 2011-528555 gazette Special table 2011-528556 gazette

Am J Clin Nutr 2011; 93: 402-12 Clinical Science (2011) 121, 267-278 J Am Vet Med Assoc 2010; 236: 59-66 J Am Vet Med Assoc 2010; 236: 67-73

  There is a need to improve the walking ability and exercise ability of animals such as companion animals by preventing body fat mass and obesity, or strengthening the body and limb muscles.

  As a result of studying the method capable of obtaining the above-described improving action, the present inventors have used sesame lignan and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in combination. The present inventors have found that the obesity of the animal can be suppressed and the muscular strength of the limb can be maintained or increased, and further, the walking ability thereof can be improved.

That is, the present invention provides a companion animal limb muscle strength improving agent comprising as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.
The present invention also provides a companion animal limb muscle mass improving agent comprising sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA as active ingredients.
The present invention also provides a companion animal gait improving agent comprising as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.
The present invention also provides a method for improving limb muscle strength of a companion animal, comprising administering or ingesting a companion animal with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.
The present invention also provides a companion animal limb muscle mass improving method comprising administering or ingesting a companion animal with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.
The present invention also provides a companion animal walking improvement method comprising administering or ingesting a companion animal with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

  According to the agent or method of the present invention, while suppressing obesity of an animal, the muscle mass of the limb can be suppressed or increased, or the muscular strength of the limb can be improved. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the walking ability of an animal can be improved, and as a result, its QOL can be maintained or improved.

Changes in body weight, body fat percentage, body fat mass, and hindlimb circumference in dogs fed with the pet food of Example 1. A: change in body weight and relative change in body weight before and after Example 1 feeding, B: body fat percentage, body fat mass, and hindlimb circumference (mean ± standard error, N = 5). Individual No. The hindlimb perimeter after feeding the pet food of Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 in FIG. Error bars are standard errors.

  According to the present invention, by using sesame lignan together with DHA or EPA, it is possible to suppress an increase in body fat mass and obesity of an animal, improve limb muscle mass, and improve the walking ability of the animal. it can. That is, sesame lignan and DHA or EPA can be used in combination as an active ingredient for improving limb muscle strength, improving limb muscle mass, or improving animal walking or lameness. . Furthermore, the combined use of sesame lignan and DHA or EPA is effective in preventing or improving disc herniation or knee osteoarthritis through the effect of improving the muscle mass of the limbs.

Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention provides a limb muscle strength improving agent, a limb muscle mass improving agent, or a gait or lameness improving agent comprising, as an active ingredient, sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA. Provide the agent.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a limb muscle strength improving agent, a limb muscle mass improving agent, or at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA for producing a gait or lameness improving agent. Provide use.
The above agent is preferably an oral agent. In one embodiment, the agent consists essentially of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides the use of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for improving limb muscle strength, limb muscle mass, or improving gait or lameness. .
The above use may be a therapeutic use, or may be a non-therapeutic use for the purpose of maintaining or improving the health of animals, maintaining or improving athletic ability, or maintaining or improving QOL.

  In yet another aspect, the present invention provides at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan, DHA and EPA for use in improving limb muscle strength, limb muscle mass, or improving gait or lameness.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for improving limb muscle strength, improving limb muscle mass, or improving walking or lameness of an animal. The method includes administering or ingesting the animal with sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA.
The above method may be a therapeutic method, or may be a non-therapeutic method for the purpose of maintaining or improving the health of an animal, maintaining or improving athletic ability, or maintaining or improving QOL.

  In the present specification, “improvement” of a disease means improvement or alleviation of symptoms of the disease, prevention or delay of deterioration of symptoms of the disease, or reversal, prevention or delay of progression of symptoms of the disease. Further, in the present specification, “improvement of limb strength” means, for example, an increase in limb strength, an increase in limb strength compared to a control that is not administered or ingested a combination of sesame lignan and DHA or EPA. It means that the speed is improved, the limb muscle strength is maintained without being reduced, the decrease in the limb muscle strength is suppressed, the speed of the decrease in the limb muscle strength is delayed, and the like. In the present specification, “improvement of limb muscle mass” means, for example, an increase in limb muscle mass, limb muscle mass compared to a control that is not administered or ingested a combination of sesame lignan and DHA or EPA. It means that the speed of increase of the limb is improved, that the muscle mass of the limb is maintained without decreasing, the decrease in the muscle mass of the limb is suppressed, the speed of the decrease in the muscle mass of the limb is delayed, etc. . In this specification, “walking improvement” means, for example, an increase in limb negative weight, an increase in vertical peak force of limbs, a decrease in wobbling during walking, a decrease in falls, an increase in spontaneous walking frequency, a walking speed Increase in speed, increase in frequency of running or running, increase in speed of running or running, etc.

  In the present invention, animals to which sesame lignan and DHA or EPA are applied are non-human mammals, preferably athlete animals such as companion animals and horses, and livestock animals such as cows, pigs, sheep and goats. . In the present specification, examples of the companion animal include mammals for pets such as dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits, hamsters, etc. Among them, dogs and cats are preferable, and dogs are more preferable. The animal to which the present invention is applied may be a young individual, an adult, or an elderly individual, and preferably an adult or an elderly individual. More preferable examples of animals to which the present invention is applied are adult dogs, adult drawings, old dogs or old drawings, more preferably old dogs or old drawings, and still more preferably old dogs.

  Alternatively, preferred examples of animals to which sesame lignan and DHA or EPA are applied in the present invention include animals for which improvement of walking ability is desired; animals for which prevention or suppression of walking ability is desired; obesity, disease or disorder , Animals having reduced walking ability due to trauma, aging, or the like; or animals at risk thereof; animals after sickness or sickness in which walking ability is reduced or at risk. Further preferably, in the present invention, as the animal to which sesame lignan and DHA or EPA are applied, an animal having a disorder of walking or possibly causing a disorder; walking disorder such as intervertebral disc herniation and knee osteoarthritis Animals suffering from a disease or disorder that may bring about; lameness animals; animals that want to improve or increase muscle strength of the limbs; prevention or suppression of muscle weakness or muscle loss of the limbs is desired Animals; animals whose limb strength or muscle mass is reduced or at risk due to obesity, disease or disorder, trauma, aging, etc .; diseases whose limb strength or muscle mass is reduced or at risk And animals after illness.

  More specific examples of the above animals include adult dogs, adult cats, old dogs, old cats, and dogs who suffer from obesity, disease sickness, limb muscle weakness due to disability, trauma, aging, difficulty walking, and lameness. And cats, and dogs and cats suffering from diseases or disorders that may impair gait such as herniated discs and knee osteoarthritis. More preferable examples include adult dogs, old dogs, and dogs who suffer from obesity, disease sickness, muscular weakness of limbs due to disability, trauma, aging, difficulty walking, and lameness. Alternatively, young dogs and cats who are desired to improve walking ability and limb strength to prevent obesity and activate behavior, preferably young dogs and cats under 1 year old, and limb strength and gait. Athlete dogs and the like whose performance is desired are also examples of animals to which the present invention is applied.

  In this specification, young individuals such as young dogs and young cats mean individuals from 0 to less than 12 months of age, and adults such as adult dogs and adult cats mean individuals from 12 months to less than 7 years of age. A good old individual such as an old dog or old cat means an individual who is 7 years old or older.

  In one embodiment, the limb of the animal whose muscle strength or muscle mass is improved in the present invention may be any of the limbs of the animal, for example, any of the forelimbs, any of the hind limbs, both forelimbs, or both hind limbs. It may be a combination of the forelimbs and hind limbs, and all of the forelimbs and hindlimbs, preferably including any of the hind limbs, more preferably including both hind limbs. In one embodiment, the improvement in the muscle strength or muscle mass of the animal's limb according to the present invention is preferably an improvement in the muscle strength or muscle mass of the animal's hind limb, which together indicates that the muscle strength or muscle mass of the forelimb is improved. I do not disturb.

  As used herein, sesame lignan refers to a compound having the same structure as lignans that can be isolated from sesame. Thus, sesame lignans include lignans isolated from sesame and lignans not derived from sesame having the same structure, examples include fat-soluble lignans such as sesamin, sesamolin, sesamol, sesaminol, and sesaminol distribution. Examples include water-soluble lignans such as saccharides. The above fat-soluble lignan is mainly contained in the sesame lipid content and is contained in a large amount in sesame oil. Sesaminol glycoside, which is a water-soluble lignan, is mainly contained in the defatted component of sesame and is contained in a large amount in defatted sesame. Sesaminol glycoside is decomposed in vivo to sesaminol and acts on the living body.

  Examples of sesame lignans used in the present invention include the fat-soluble and water-soluble sesame lignans described above, preferably sesamin, sesamolin, sesamol, sesaminol and sesaminol glycosides. Of these, sesaminol and sesaminol glycosides are more preferred, and sesaminol glycosides such as sesaminol triglucoside are more preferred.

  In the present invention, any one of the above sesame lignans may be used alone, but two or more may be used in any combination. The combination may be fat-soluble lignans, water-soluble lignans, or a combination of fat-soluble lignans and water-soluble lignans. Accordingly, the sesame lignan used in the present invention is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of sesamin, sesamorin, sesamol, sesaminol and sesaminol glycosides, more preferably sesaminol and sesaminol glycosides. It is at least one selected from the group consisting of bodies, and more preferably sesaminol glycosides such as sesaminol triglucoside.

  In the present invention, the sesame lignan may be a commercially available product, but any food or feed material containing the sesame lignan, preferably from sesame processed products such as sesame, sesame oil, defatted sesame and processed products thereof, It may be isolated according to a known method. Or in this invention, you may use the foodstuff and feed material containing the said sesame lignan instead of the isolated sesame lignan. The food or feed material is preferably sesame, sesame oil, defatted sesame and processed products thereof, more preferably sesame oil, defatted sesame and processed products thereof, more preferably defatted sesame and processed products thereof. It is.

  In the present invention, when a mixture of a fat-soluble lignan and a water-soluble lignan is used as the sesame lignan, or when a food or feed material containing the sesame lignan is used, the content ratio of sesaminol triglucoside to sesamin and sesamolin (sesaminol) Triglucoside / (sesamin + sesamolin)) is preferably greater than 1.5, more preferably greater than 1.75, even more preferably greater than 2.0, even more preferably greater than 3, still more preferably 3. 5 or more.

  The content of various sesame lignans in the material and product can be measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Specifically, the material is ground, stirred in 80% aqueous ethanol and centrifuged. The obtained supernatant was used as a sample for HPLC analysis (ODS column; gradient elution from 20% methanol to 80% methanol; detection at excitation wavelength of 280 nm and fluorescence wavelength of 350 nm), and sesame lignans such as sesamin, sesamolin, sesaminol triglucoside, etc. Measure the signal. The amount of sesame lignan in the sample can be calculated based on the measurement value from a standard product having a known sesame lignan concentration.

  The DHA and EPA used in the present invention may be in the form of a free fatty acid, but may be an ester. Examples of the ester include monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides of the fatty acids. The fatty acids that bind to the diglycerides and triglycerides may be of the same type or different types, or some of them may be fatty acids other than DHA and EPA. Examples of DHA or EPA ester include DHA monoglyceride, DHA diglyceride, DHA triglyceride, DHA-containing di- or triglyceride, EPA monoglyceride, EPA diglyceride, EPA triglyceride, EPA-containing di- or triglyceride, and the like. It is not limited. In the present invention, any one of the above DHA or EPA free or ester forms may be used alone, or two or more kinds may be used in any combination.

  Commercial products can be used for DHA and EPA. Alternatively, it may be isolated from fats and oils rich in DHA or EPA, for example, fish oil, sesame oil, linseed oil, canola oil and soybean oil according to a known method. Alternatively, in the present invention, instead of the isolated DHA or EPA, an oil and fat containing abundant DHA or EPA, such as fish oil, sesame oil, linseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, or a mixed oil or the like thereof is used. It may be used.

  The amount of DHA or EPA in the material or product can be measured by gas chromatography. Specifically, after internal decomposition (heptadecanoic acid), ethanol and hydrochloric acid (5 mol / L) were added to the sample for acid decomposition, ethanol and diethyl ether / petroleum ether mixture (volume ratio 1: 1) was added to obtain a lipid. Perform extraction. After the organic solvent layer is washed with water, the solvent is distilled off, saponification is performed using a 0.5 mol / L sodium hydroxide methanol solution, methyl esterification is performed using a boron trifluoride methanol complex methanol solution, and then Hexane and saturated saline are added, and the amount of DHA or EPA in the sample can be determined by analyzing the hexane layer by gas chromatography (hydrogen flame ion detector).

  In the present invention, sesame lignan and DHA or EPA may be used in a dosage and usage that can achieve effects such as improvement of limb muscle strength, improvement of limb muscle mass, improvement of gait or lameness in an animal to be applied.

  The body fat mass and lean mass of an animal are determined by the heavy water dilution method (method for measuring body composition by a dilution method using heavy water: for example, [www.nutrio.net/kiban2/ronbun/matura01.htm];・ Measured based on Fu, written by Koya Kobayashi et al., “Epidemiology of Obesity”, Nagoya University Press (2010), Chapter 5 describes the principle). That is, body water is obtained by injecting heavy water into an individual and measuring the concentration of the individual's heavy water before and after the injection, and the lean mass is calculated based on the obtained body water content. Furthermore, the body fat mass can be calculated from the lean mass and the body weight. Alternatively, the body fat percentage can be measured using a commercially available body fat scale, and the body fat mass and lean mass can be calculated from the measured body fat percentage and body weight.

  The dose and usage of sesame lignan and DHA or EPA in the present invention may vary depending on the species, age, sex, weight, condition, etc. of the animal to be applied. For example, sesame lignan is administered at a dose of 0.1 mg or more per day, 1 kg or more, preferably 1.0 mg or more, more preferably 2.0 mg or more, and 100 mg or less, preferably 30 mg or less, more preferably 10 mg or less. Can be administered or ingested. Or 0.1-100 mg, 0.1-30 mg, 0.1-10 mg, 1.0-100 mg, 1.0-30 mg, 1.0-10 mg, 2.0-100 mg, 2.0-30 mg, Or it may be administered or ingested at a dose of 2.0 to 10 mg (mg / kg body weight / day). In place of sesame lignans, when using foods and feed materials containing sesame lignans such as sesame, sesame oil, defatted sesame and their processed products, the dosage or intake is calculated in terms of the amount of sesame lignans in those materials. Just decide.

  In the present invention, DHA or EPA has a total dose of DHA and EPA per kg of body weight of 0.001 g or more, preferably 0.003 g or more, more preferably 0.005 g or more, and 0.3 g or less, preferably 0.3 g or less. Can be administered or ingested so as to be 0.1 g or less, more preferably 0.05 g or less. Alternatively, it is administered at a dose of 0.001 to 0.3 g, preferably 0.003 to 0.1 g, more preferably 0.005 to 0.05 g (g / kg body weight / day) as the sum of DHA and EPA, or Can be ingested. When using fats and oils rich in DHA or EPA such as fish oil, sesame oil, linseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, etc., instead of DHA or EPA, in terms of the amount of DHA and EPA in the oil and fat, What is necessary is just to determine administration or intake.

  In the present invention, the dose ratio of sesame lignan to DHA or EPA is preferably 1: 0.2 to 1:50, more preferably 1: 0.5 to mass ratio of sesame lignan to the sum of DHA and EPA. The ratio is 1:30, more preferably 1: 1 to 1:10, and still more preferably 1: 1 to 1: 3.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sesame lignan and DHA or EPA are administered or taken orally.

  In the present invention, the interval between administration or intake of sesame lignan and DHA or EPA is at least twice a day, once a day, once every two days, once every three days, twice a week, once a week, etc. Preferably, it may be once or more per day, but is not limited thereto. The administration or ingestion period is preferably 4 weeks or longer, more preferably 8 weeks or longer, and even more preferably 12 weeks or longer, but may be appropriately determined according to the condition of the animal.

  In the present invention, in addition to the sesame lignan and DHA or EPA, another polyunsaturated fatty acid may be used in combination. Examples of the other polyunsaturated fatty acids include other ω-3 fatty acids and ω-6 fatty acids. More specifically, linoleic acid, γ-linolenic acid, α-linolenic acid (ALA), arachidonic acid ( AA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA), and the like, but are not limited thereto. These fatty acids can be used in combination with sesame lignan and DHA or EPA as any one type or a combination of two or more types. The other polyunsaturated fatty acids may be in the form of free fatty acids or in the form of esters containing monoglycerides, diglycerides or triglycerides, as in the case of DHA and EPA described above. Alternatively, fats and oils rich in the above other polyunsaturated fatty acids such as safflower oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, sesame oil or mixed oils thereof are added with sesame lignan and DHA or EPA. You may use together.

  The amount of the other polyunsaturated fatty acid used in the present invention is preferably 4 to 400, more preferably 20 to the total amount 1 of DHA and EPA as a mass ratio to the total amount of DHA and EPA. 200. The amount of other polyunsaturated fatty acids can be measured by a gas chromatographic method as in the case of DHA and EPA described above.

  In a further aspect, the present invention provides a composition comprising the sesame lignan described above and DHA or EPA. A composition containing the sesame lignan and DHA or EPA (hereinafter also referred to as the composition of the present invention) is prepared from the above sesame lignan and DHA or EPA, and, if necessary, other polyunsaturated fatty acids, pharmaceuticals described above. In addition, it can be produced by a conventional method by combining carriers or additives that are acceptable or edible, other active ingredients, pharmacological ingredients, and the like. The composition may be in any form, but is preferably an oral agent.

  In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention is an animal for improving limb muscle strength, improving limb muscle mass, improving gait or claudication, or improving gait disturbance due to intervertebral hernia or osteoarthritis of the knee. It can be used as a pharmaceutical. The dosage form of the animal medicine is not particularly limited, but is preferably a dosage form for oral administration. In another embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be used as an animal food or drink, for example, pet food, pet beverage, feed or supplement. The animal food or drink is intended to obtain functions such as improving limb muscle strength, improving limb muscle mass, improving walking or lameness, and preferably has a display of the function as necessary. It can be. The animal food and drink may be in any form such as solid, semi-solid, and liquid, and the type is not particularly limited.

  In one embodiment, the food and drink for animals contains protein and / or fat and oil as well as carbohydrate, dietary fiber, palatability enhancer and other components in addition to the above sesame lignan and DHA or EPA. Can be pet food.

  Examples of the protein contained in the pet food of the present invention include at least one selected from the group consisting of animal proteins and plant proteins. Examples of the animal protein include milk proteins such as casein, but animal meat protein is preferable from the viewpoint of obesity prevention effect and ingestion. Such animal meat proteins include cattle, pigs, sheep, deer, horses, rabbits, kangaroos and other meats, animal meat and milk, and by-products and processed products thereof; poultry meats such as chickens, turkeys and quails, Birds and eggs, and by-products and processed products thereof; fish such as fish and white fish, and by-products and processed products thereof; rendering of the above raw materials such as meat meal, meat bone meal, chicken meal, fish meal, etc. It is done. Among these, chicken and fish are more preferable from the viewpoint of obesity prevention effect. When mixing and using several meat protein, it is preferable to contain chicken and / or fish meat in 30% by mass or more, preferably 50% by mass or more and a maximum of 100% by mass in the whole meat. Examples of the vegetable protein include wheat protein such as soybean protein and wheat gluten, rice protein, corn gluten, and dry yeast. In the pet food, the animal and plant proteins listed above may contain only one type or may contain two or more types in combination.

  The pet food may further contain a peptide and a free amino acid in addition to the protein. Examples of the peptide include hydrolysates and enzyme degradation products of various proteins, fermentation products, and peptides purified or isolated from them. Examples of free amino acids include various amino acids including essential amino acids and mixtures thereof.

  The amount of crude protein in the pet food (total of the protein, peptide, free amino acid, and palatability enhancer described later) is 15% by mass or more, preferably 18% by mass or more, as the amount of crude protein per dry matter. More preferably, it may be 20% by mass or more, and 40% by mass or less, preferably 36% by mass or less, more preferably 32% by mass or less. Of the total crude protein contained in the pet food, 10% by mass or more, preferably 20% by mass or more, and 100% by mass or less may be the protein described above, preferably the animal protein described above.

  In this specification, the amount of crude protein refers to the Kjeldahl method described in Chapter 3 2.1 of the feed analysis standard (April 1, 2008, 19th Announcement No. 14729, Notice of Consumption and Safety Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) The value determined based on the amount of nitrogen in the sample.

  In this specification, “per dry matter” is a value obtained by converting the content (%) in the original sample into the content (%) of each component other than moisture in the sample. The amount of water in the original sample is measured by the method described in Chapter 3 of the feed analysis standard.

  Examples of the fats and oils contained in the pet food include at least one selected from the group consisting of animal fats and vegetable fats and oils. The animal and vegetable fats and oils include edible fats and oils such as beef tallow, pork tallow, horse tallow, milk fat and fish oil; soybean, rapeseed, flaxseed, corn, sunflower, safflower, safflower, grape seed, Vegetable oils from wheat, rye, barley, rice, sorghum, oat, millet, wheat germ, corn germ, groundnut, cottonseed, olive, palm, coconut, palm, rice bran, shiso, sesame, sesame, etc .; Examples include hardened oil. Among these, it is preferable to use the fats and oils rich in DHA or EPA mentioned above, for example, fish oil, sesame oil, linseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and the like. In the pet food, only one of the animal and vegetable oils and fats listed above may be contained, or two or more kinds may be contained in combination.

  The amount of crude fat in the pet food can be 5% by mass or more, preferably 8% by mass or more, more preferably 10% by mass or more, and 30% by mass or less, It may be 27% by mass or less, more preferably 24% by mass or less.

  In this specification, the amount of crude fat is a value determined according to the acid-decomposed diethyl ether extraction method described in Chapter 3 of the feed analysis standard, Chapter 3.2.

  The pet food may further contain a carbohydrate. Examples of the carbohydrate source include monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, dietary fibers, and starches. Starches include waxy corn starch, corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, glutinous rice starch, potato starch, honeydew starch, tapioca starch, sago starch, or those that have been chemically treated or chemically modified. Can be mentioned. Carbohydrates may be contained as cereals, and examples of cereals include corn, barley, wheat, rye, sorghum, rice, fin, awa, amarasansus, quinoa and the like. The content of the carbohydrate in the pet food is 10% by mass or more, preferably 20% as a dry matter content from the viewpoint of economically, obesity-preventing effect, ingestion, stool condition, and healthy appearance. It may be not less than mass%, more preferably not less than 30 mass%, and may be not more than 70 mass%, preferably not more than 60 mass%, more preferably not more than 50 mass%.

  The pet food may further contain dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is a component that is indigestible to animal digestive enzymes contained in food and is roughly classified into water-soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Examples of water-soluble fibers include pectin, guar gum, agarose, glucomannan, sodium alginate, carrageenan, polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, etc., and insoluble fibers include cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, agar, chitin, chitosan, beet Pulp etc. are mentioned. The amount of crude fiber in the pet food may be 20% by mass or less as the content per dry matter, but may be preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less, and preferably 0.3%. It may be not less than mass%, more preferably not less than 0.5 mass%. The total dietary fiber content in the pet food may be 30% by mass or less as the content per dry matter, but is preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or less, and preferably 3% by mass. % Or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more.

  In this specification, the amount of crude fiber is a value determined according to the filtration method described in the feed analysis standard, Chapter 3, 4.2, and the total amount of dietary fiber is the Prosky method described in the nutrition labeling standard. It is a value determined according to (enzyme-weight method).

  The pet food may further contain a palatability enhancer. The palatability enhancer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of meat extracts, seafood extracts, visceral extracts, yeast extracts, processed milk products, and hydrolysates thereof. In the pet food, only one of these palatability enhancers may be contained, or two or more may be contained in combination. As the hydrolyzate, an enzyme decomposition product is preferable. The meat extract, seafood extract, and internal organ extract may be obtained from, for example, livestock meat, animal meat, poultry, seafood, or the internal organs thereof. Examples of the milk processed product include skim milk powder. Examples of the hydrolyzate include a hydrothermally decomposed product, an acid decomposed product, and an enzyme decomposed product, and an enzyme decomposed product is preferable. What is marketed as a palatability enhancer for pet food can be used for the said meat extract, seafood extract, a visceral extract, a yeast extract, a milk processed material, and those hydrolysates. The content of the palatability enhancer in the pet food is 0.01% by mass or more, preferably 0.05% by mass or more, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, as a content per dry matter, and Preferably it may be 5 mass% or less, more preferably 3 mass% or less.

  In addition to the above components, the pet food of the present invention may further contain bran, potatoes, vegetables, vitamins, mineral components, plant sterols, and the like. In addition, a gelling agent, a shape-retaining agent, a pH adjuster, a seasoning, an antiseptic, a nutrition reinforcing agent, and the like that are generally used in pet foods may be contained.

  Examples of the bran include rice bran and bran, examples of the rice bran include soybean meal, and examples of the vegetable include vegetable extract. Examples of vitamins include A, B1, B2, D, E, niacin, pantothenic acid, carotene, and the like, and a preferable content is 0.05 to 10% by mass as a content per dry matter.

  As a mineral component, iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, etc. are mentioned, A preferable content is 1-10 mass%. The mineral component includes, for example, iron sulfate, ferric chloride, ferrous fumarate, ferrous carbonate, iron oxide, copper sulfate, copper chloride, copper oxide, copper carbonate, copper sulfide, copper chlorophyll, manganese oxide, It is blended as cobalt carbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and the like.

  Examples of plant sterols include free forms such as α-sitosterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, α-sitostanol, β-sitostanol, stigmasteranol, campestanol, cycloartenol, and fatty acids thereof. Examples include esters such as esters, ferulic acid esters, and cinnamic acid esters. The content of the plant sterol in the pet food of the present invention may be 0.1% or more as a content per dry matter from the viewpoint of cholesterol lowering effect, but it is preferably contained by 0.5% by mass or more. Moreover, the upper limit of plant sterol content should just be the range of 0.1-30 mass% as content per dry matter.

  The pet food may further contain a rosemary extract. The rosemary extract is a water and / or organic solvent extract of leaves of rosemary, which is a plant of the family Lamiaceae, and has an aroma unique to rosemary, which is generally an herb. More specifically, it can be obtained by drying, pulverizing, and extracting rosemary leaves with water, hot water, hexane, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, or a mixed solvent thereof. In the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned extract by water and / or organic solvent, oleoresin preparations formulated with the same or preparations such as rosmanol, carsonol, and isorosmanol, which are constituents, may be used. It is more preferable in terms of flavor that these extracts are further deodorized by a reduced pressure method, a heated reduced pressure method, a supercritical extraction method, a column adsorption method or the like. Here, as a commercially available product of rosemary extract, Harbor Rocks Type O, Type HT-O, Type 25, Duolite NMH, NM-1 (above, manufactured by Calsec Co., Ltd.), Leomile E, Leomile IO ( As mentioned above, Lion Corporation), RM Keeper (Mitsubishi Chemical Foods Co., Ltd.) and the like can be mentioned.

  The rosemary extract may be contained in an amount of 0.04% by mass or more as an extract (no solvent) with respect to the amount of fats and oils in the pet food from the viewpoint of antioxidant effect. From a higher antioxidant effect and flavor and economical viewpoint, an amount of 0.04% by mass or more, preferably 0.08% by mass or more, and 0.4% by mass or less, preferably 0.2% by mass or less. Can be contained. Alternatively, the rosemary extract is 0.004% by mass or more, preferably 0.008% by mass or more, more preferably 0.008% by mass or more as an extract (no solvent) in the pet food from the viewpoint of the antioxidant effect. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of flavor, the content of the rosemary extract in the pet food can be 5% by mass or less, preferably 3% by mass or less. In addition to the rosemary extract, other antioxidants (such as citric acid) can also be added to the pet food.

  The content of sesame lignan in the pet food of the present invention can be appropriately determined based on the above-mentioned daily dose. For example, the content of sesame lignan in the pet food can be 0.001% by mass or more, preferably 0.005% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more as a content per dry matter, and It may be 0.1% by mass or less, preferably 0.08% by mass or less, more preferably 0.06% by mass or less.

Alternatively, when sesame oil is used instead of sesame lignan, the content of the sesame oil in the pet food is 0.2% by mass or more, preferably 0.9% by mass or more, more preferably 1.9% by mass or more. And 18.8% by weight or less, preferably 15% by weight or less, more preferably 11.3% by weight or less.
Alternatively, when defatted sesame is used instead of sesame lignan, the content of the defatted sesame in the pet food is 0.2% by mass or more, preferably 1.1% by mass or more, more preferably as a content per dry matter. Can be 2.2% by weight or more and 22.2% by weight or less, preferably 17.8% by weight or less, more preferably 13.3% by weight or less.
Alternatively, when sesaminol triglucoside is used as a sesame lignan, the content in the pet food is 0.001% by mass or more, preferably 0.005% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% in terms of sesaminol. Mass% or more, more preferably 0.02 mass% or more, even more preferably 0.05 mass% or more, and 0.20 mass% or less, preferably 0.12 mass% or less, more preferably 0 .10% by mass or less.

  The content of DHA or EPA in the pet food can be appropriately determined based on the above-mentioned daily dose and the content ratio relative to sesame lignan. For example, the content of DHA or EPA in the pet food is 0.01% by mass or more, preferably 0.02% by mass or more, more preferably 0.03% as the total amount of DHA and EPA and the content per dry matter. It may be not less than mass%, and may be not more than 2.0 mass%, preferably not more than 1.0 mass%, more preferably not more than 0.3 mass%. Alternatively, the content of DHA or EPA is 0.02 g / Mcal or more, preferably 0.04 g / Mcal or more, more preferably 0.06 g / Mcal in terms of calories of the pet food as the total amount of DHA and EPA. It can be 3.0 g / Mcal or less, preferably 2.0 g / Mcal or less, more preferably 1.0 g / Mcal or less.

The feeding amount of the pet food may be appropriately determined according to the daily dose of sesame lignan and DHA or EPA, and the species, age, sex, weight, condition, etc. of the animal. For example, in the case of an adult dog, it may be 56 to 175 kcal / (kg body weight) ^0.75 , preferably 70 to 126 kcal / (kg body weight) ^0.75 per day. The animal fed with the pet food may ingest only the pet food, but may ingest other food or feed separately or simultaneously.

  As another exemplary embodiment of the present invention described above, the following is further disclosed herein.

<1> A companion animal limb muscle strength improving agent comprising as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

<2> A companion animal limb muscle mass improving agent comprising as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

<3> A companion animal gait improver comprising as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

<4> An improvement agent for lameness of companion animals, comprising as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

<5> A companion animal herniated disc herniated agent comprising as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

<6> A companion animal for improving osteoarthritis of knee joint, comprising as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

<7> A method for improving muscular strength of a limb of a companion animal, comprising administering or ingesting a companion animal with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

<8> A method for improving muscle mass of limbs of a companion animal, comprising administering or ingesting a companion animal with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

<9> A companion animal walking improvement method comprising administering or ingesting at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA to a companion animal.

<10> A method for improving lameness of a companion animal, comprising administering or ingesting at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA to the companion animal.

<11> A method for improving disc herniation of a companion animal, comprising administering or ingesting a companion animal with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.

<12> A method for improving knee osteoarthritis of a companion animal, comprising administering or ingesting at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA to a companion animal.

<13> Use of at least one selected from the group consisting of sesameignan, DHA, and EPA for improving limb muscle strength of companion animals.

<14> Use of at least one selected from the group consisting of sesameignan, DHA, and EPA for improving muscle mass of limbs of companion animals.

<15> Use of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for improving companion animal walking.

<16> Use of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for improvement of lameness of companion animals.

<17> Use of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for the improvement of disc herniation of companion animals.

<18> Use of a companion animal for improvement of knee osteoarthritis with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan, DHA and EPA.

<19> A combination of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA, for use in improving muscular strength of limbs of companion animals.

<20> A combination of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA, for use in improving muscle mass of limbs of companion animals.

<21> A combination of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA, for use in improving walking of companion animals.

<22> A combination of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for use in improving lameness of companion animals.

<23> A combination of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA, for use in improving a herniated disc herniation.

<24> A combination of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA, for use in improving knee osteoarthritis of a companion animal.

<25> Use of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for the production of a limb muscle strength improving agent of a companion animal.

<26> Use of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for the production of a limb muscle mass improving agent of a companion animal.

<27> Use of at least one selected from the group consisting of sesameignan, DHA and EPA for the production of a companion animal gait improving agent.

<28> Use of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for the production of an improvement agent for lameness of companion animals.

<29> Use of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for the manufacture of a companion animal improving agent for disc herniation.

<30> Use of sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA for the manufacture of a companion animal improving agent for knee osteoarthritis.

<31> In the above items <1> to <30>, the companion animal is preferably a dog or a cat, more preferably an old dog or an old drawing.

<32> In the above items <1> to <31>, the limb preferably includes a hind limb.

<33> In the above <1> to <32>, the dose of the sesame lignan is:
Preferably 0.1 mg / kg body weight / day or more, more preferably 1.0 mg / kg body weight / day or more, more preferably 2.0 mg / kg body weight / day or more, and preferably 100 mg / kg body weight / day or less. More preferably 30 mg / kg body weight / day or less, still more preferably 10 mg / kg body weight / day or less,
Alternatively, preferably, 0.1 to 100 mg / kg body weight / day, 0.1 to 30 mg / kg body weight / day, 0.1 to 10 mg / kg body weight / day, 1.0 to 100 mg / kg body weight / day, 0.0-30 mg / kg body weight / day, 1.0-10 mg / kg body weight / day, 2.0-100 mg / kg body weight / day, 2.0-30 mg / kg body weight / day, or 2.0-10 mg / day kg body weight / day.

<34> In the above items <1> to <33>, at least one dose selected from the group consisting of the DHA and EPA is a total dose of the DHA and EPA per kg body weight, preferably 0 per day. 0.001 g / kg body weight / day or more, more preferably 0.003 g / kg body weight / day or more, more preferably 0.005 g / kg body weight / day or more, and preferably 0.3 g / kg body weight / day or less, more The dose is preferably 0.1 g / kg body weight / day or less, more preferably 0.05 g / kg body weight / day or less. Alternatively, the total of DHA and EPA is preferably 0.001 to 0.3 g / kg body weight / day, more preferably 0.003 to 0.1 / kg body weight / day, and further preferably 0.005 to 0.05 g. / Kg body weight / day.

<35> In the above <1> to <34>, the ratio of the dose of the sesame lignan to at least one selected from the group consisting of the DHA and EPA is the mass ratio of the sesame lignan and the sum of the DHA and EPA. Is preferably 1: 0.2 to 1:50, more preferably 1: 0.5 to 1:30, still more preferably 1: 1 to 1:10, still more preferably 1: 1 to 1: 3. .

<36> In the above <1> to <35>, the content ratio of sesaminol triglucoside to sesamin and sesamorin in the above sesame lignan [sesaminol triglucoside / (sesamin + sesamorin)] is preferably larger than 1.5. More preferably, it is larger than 1.75, More preferably, it is larger than 2.0, More preferably, it is larger than 3, Still more preferably, it is 3.5 or more.

<37> In the above <1> to <36>, at least one selected from the group consisting of the sesame lignan and the DHA and EPA is applied orally to the companion animal.

<38> In the above <1> to <37>, at least one selected from the group consisting of the sesame lignan and the DHA and EPA is preferably 4 weeks or more, more preferably 8 weeks, relative to the companion animal. More preferably, it is applied for a period of 12 weeks or more.

(1. Nutritional composition analysis)
The nutritional composition in the composition was measured by the following method.
Crude protein was determined by quantifying the amount of nitrogen by the Kjeldahl method described in Chapter 3 2.1 of Feed Analysis Standards and multiplying it by a conversion factor of 6.25. Crude fat was measured by the acid-decomposed diethyl ether extraction method described in Chapter 3 of the feed analysis standard. The crude ash was measured by the analysis method described in Feed Analysis Standard 3.5. Crude fiber was measured by the filtration method described in Feed Analysis Standards Chapter 3 4.2. The water content was measured by the heat loss method described in Chapter 3 of the feed analysis standard. The soluble nitrogen-free product was determined by subtracting the content of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, crude ash, and water from 100%.

(2. Metabolic energy density)
Using the modified Atwater coefficient, the metabolic energy density of the pet food was calculated by the following formula.
Metabolic energy density (kcal / 100g)
= 3.5 × crude protein content (%) + 8.5 × crude fat content (%) + 3.5 × soluble nitrogenous content (%)

(3. Determination of sesame lignan)
The sesame lignan content was quantified as follows. That is, the sample was pulverized, stirred for 12 hours with a 12-fold amount of 80% aqueous ethanol, and the supernatant was separated by centrifugation. The whole supernatant obtained by repeating this operation three times was made up to 50-fold volume, and then subjected to HPLC analysis. The column was an ODS column and was eluted with a gradient of 20% methanol to 80% methanol. Detection was performed using a fluorescence detector at an excitation wavelength of 280 nm and a fluorescence wavelength of 350 nm. As standard products, commercially available products (purchased from Nagara Science) were used for sesamin and sesamolin, and sesaminol triglucoside was extracted and purified from sesame according to a conventional method. Based on a calibration curve created from a standard product, the amount of sesaminol triglucoside as sesamin, sesamorin, and sesaminol glycoside in the sample was determined, and the total of these was taken as the sesameignan content.

(4. Determination of polyunsaturated fatty acids)
The sample was subjected to acid decomposition by adding internal standard (heptadecanoic acid), ethanol, hydrochloric acid (5 mol / L), and then lipid was extracted by adding ethanol / diethyl ether / petroleum ether mixture (volume ratio 1: 1). It was. The organic solvent layer was washed with water, the solvent was distilled off, saponification was performed using a 0.5 mol / L sodium hydroxide methanol solution, and then methyl esterification was performed using a boron trifluoride methanol complex methanol solution. . Thereafter, hexane and saturated saline were added, and the resulting hexane layer was analyzed by gas chromatography (hydrogen flame ion detector) to quantify polyunsaturated fatty acids. Analytical quantification was requested from the Japan Food Analysis Center.

(5. Body composition)
The weight of the fasting animal was measured using a weight scale (digital health meter THD-652, manufactured by Tanita Co., Ltd.) capable of measuring in units of 100 g.
The body fat percentage of fasting animals was measured using a body fat meter for health lab dogs (IBF-D02, manufactured by Yamato Seiken Co., Ltd.).
The body fat mass was calculated according to the following formula.
Body fat mass = body weight x body fat percentage

(6. Hindlimb circumference)
The circumference of an animal's limb is known as an indicator of muscle mass and strength of the limb (for example, "Practical techniques for rehabilitation of dogs and cats", Kazuya Edamura, Tadashi Sano, Interzoo, Inc., 2010 Chapter 4; and Companion Animal Practice Vol. 26 No. 9, 2011, p70-75). In a standing animal, the circumference of the hind limb was measured using a vinyl measure with the vinyl thigh at the base of the thigh of the hind limb as a base, and the hind limb was measured. When keeping the measure along the hind limb, care was taken not to tighten the measure and to keep the hair down with fingers while keeping the measure along with the measure so that the effect of the hair did not appear. In this example, the circumference of the left and right hind limbs was measured and the average value was obtained.

Example 1
A pet food having the composition shown in Table 1 was produced. As sesame lignan, defatted sesame (purchased from Takemoto Yushi Co., Ltd. or Kadoya Oil Co., Ltd.) obtained as a pressed extract residue of roasted sesame was added. As DHA or EPA, soybean oil, fish oil and linseed oil were appropriately mixed and added.

Test example 1
(Examination group)
Five senior dogs (11-13 years old) were fed the pet food of Example 1. The amount of pet food supplied to each individual was adjusted as needed to maintain an appropriate figure. Prior to the start of this test, these individuals had been fed pet food (Comparative Example 1, ingredients shown in Table 1) containing the same amount or more of DHA or EPA as Example 1. By the start of the study, there was no trend of weight loss in these individuals over the long term (Table 2).

(Body composition and hindlimb circumference)
Prior to feeding the pet food of Example 1 (week 0), after 8 weeks and 12 weeks after feeding, the weight, body fat percentage, body fat mass, and hindlimb circumference of each individual were measured. The measurement results are shown in FIG. The animals fed with the pet food of the examples tended to lose weight and body fat percentage compared to before feeding. On the other hand, despite the tendency of decreasing body weight and body fat mass, the hindlimb circumference was increasing, suggesting that the muscles of the limbs were strengthened.

(Behavior observation)
The behavior of each individual during the feeding of the pet food of Example 1 was observed and compared with that before the feeding. As a result of observation, the individual given the pet food of Example 1 tended to be active. Table 3 is a report on behavioral changes during feeding pet food of examples for some individuals. The pet food of Example 1 was particularly effective for individuals whose walking and exercise ability had decreased due to aging or disability.

(Significant effect on lameness)
The present invention has brought a remarkable improvement effect to individuals who have caused lameness.
Individual No. No. 5 had a gait abnormality for about three years. This individual was unable to carry any weight on the left hind limb before the start of the study, and severe claudication was observed. He had been given a joint supplement (Glycoflex) for a long time, but no improvement in symptoms was seen. In the fourth week after salary in Example 1, this individual became able to carry a negative weight on the left hind limb when the right hind limb was raised, and the lameness and the hindrance of the hind heel appeared to have improved. Furthermore, at 12 weeks after salary, this individual recovered to a level where lameness could not be discerned, and it was observed that the gait was clearly lightened, and the disorder of the left hind limb was remarkably improved. It was.

Test example 2
Individual No. Concerning No. 5, the pet food of Example 1 was continuously fed for one year, and during that time a total of 6 times (after 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months), hindlimb circumference Was measured. Thereafter, the pet food of Comparative Example 2 was fed, and the hindlimb circumference was measured after 5 weeks. As a result, the average value (right and left average) of the measured hindlimb circumference in the salary of Example 1 was 36.1 ± 2.3 cm, whereas the hindlimb circumference (after 5 weeks of Comparative Example 2) ( The left / right average) was reduced to 31.6 cm.
Individual No. FIG. 2 shows the average hindlimb circumference during salary of Example 1 in No. 5, the hind leg circumference after salary of Comparative Example 1 (before the start of this test), and the hindlimb circumference after 5 weeks of salary in Comparative Example 2.

Claims (10)

  A companion animal limb muscle strength improving agent comprising as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.   A companion animal limb muscle mass improving agent comprising, as an active ingredient, sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA.   A companion animal gait improving agent comprising, as an active ingredient, sesame lignan and at least one selected from the group consisting of DHA and EPA.   The agent of any one of Claims 1-3 whose said companion animal is a dog or a cat.   The agent according to claim 4, wherein the companion animal is an old dog or an old drawing.   A method for improving muscular strength of limbs of a companion animal, comprising administering or ingesting a companion animal with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.   A method for improving muscle mass of limbs of a companion animal, comprising administering or ingesting a companion animal with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.   A method for improving limb walking of a companion animal, comprising administering or ingesting a companion animal with at least one selected from the group consisting of sesame lignan and DHA and EPA.   The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the companion animal is a dog or a cat.   The method of claim 9, wherein the companion animal is an old dog or old drawing.