Composition of nutrients based on medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to provide health benefits to animals and uses.

Abstract

A mixture of nutrients based on medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to provide health benefits to animals. The present invention relates to a method for treating sarcopenia or muscle atrophy in an animal and a method for increasing weight gain, increasing fat gain, or maintaining lean body mass in an animal in need of such treatment. The method may comprise the oral administration of a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of medium-chain triglycerides to the animal.

Description

Composition of nutrients based on medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to provide health benefits to animals and uses. REFERENCE TO RELATED DEPOSIT REQUESTS

[001] This request claims priority over the provisional request. U.S. Serial No. 62 / 855045, filed Friday, May 31, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND

[002] During aging, there is a gradual decrease in the ability to maintain skeletal muscle function and mass. The condition is known as sarcopenia. The exact cause of sarcopenia is unknown, but it may be due to a combination of the gradual failure of satellite cells that help regenerate skeletal muscle fibers and a decrease in the sensitivity or availability of critical secreted growth factors that are necessary to maintain muscle mass and ensure the survival of satellite cells. Methods to combat sarcopenia are known in the art. US7442706 discloses methods for treating sarcopenia with growth hormone secretagogues. US7232580 and US7138148 disclose the use of Ginkgo biloba extracts to prepare a medicament for the treatment of sarcopenia.

[003] Similarly, muscle atrophy is defined as a decrease in muscle mass. Muscle atrophy can be a partial or complete weakening of the muscle. When a muscle atrophies, it becomes weaker and, since the ability to exert force is related to mass, it loses its ability to effectively support bodily functions, for example, movement. Atrophy Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, page 9 / 65 Muscle atrophy (2 / 19) can be caused by many factors, for example, diseases such as cancer, AIDS, congestive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure, and severe burns. Frequently, these animals suffer from cachexia and have a poor prognosis for good health or survival. Methods to combat muscle atrophy are known in the art. Document US20070122821 discloses antisense compositions and methods for the treatment of muscle atrophy. Document US20060003959 discloses methods and agents for maintaining muscle mass and for preventing muscle atrophy and related biomarkers.

[004] Despite these known methods, problems attributable to sarcopenia and muscle atrophy persist. There is therefore a need for new methods to combat sarcopenia and muscle atrophy in animals, particularly in aging animals. SUMMARY

[005] The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising medium-chain triglycerides and methods comprising administering the compositions to an animal to provide a health benefit. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to compositions comprising medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and, in some aspects, may optionally include one or more omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, or arginine. The present disclosure also relates to methods for treating sarcopenia or muscle atrophy and to methods for increasing weight gain, increasing fat gain, or maintaining lean body mass in an animal in need thereof by administering the present MCT compositions to the animal.

[006] The present inventors have discovered that the present MCT compositions can treat sarcopenia or muscle atrophy in Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 10 / 65 3 / 19 an animal, as well as increasing weight gain, increasing fat gain, or maintaining lean body mass in an animal that needs the same. This effect can help treat animals suffering from cancer, AIDS, congestive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure, severe burns, and cachexia. Consequently, in a generic embodiment, a method is provided for treating sarcopenia or muscle atrophy in an animal, as well as increasing weight gain, increasing fat gain, or maintaining lean body mass in an animal that needs the same. The method may comprise the oral administration of a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of medium-chain triglycerides to the animal.

[007] Additional features and advantages are described in the present invention and will become apparent from the detailed description below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

[008] Some definitions are provided later in this document. However, the fact that definitions may be located in the Modalities section below, and the Definitions heading above, does not mean that such disclosures in the Modalities section are not definitions.

[009] As used in this disclosure and the accompanying claims, the singular forms a, an, or include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, the reference to an ingredient or the ingredient includes two or more ingredients. The term and / or, used in the context of X and / or Y, should be interpreted as X or Y, or X and Y. When used herein, the term example, particularly when followed by a list of terms, is merely exemplary and illustrative and should not be considered exclusive or comprehensive. Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 11 / 65 4 / 19

[0010] As used herein, the term "approximately" is understood to refer to numbers within a range of numerals, for example, the range of -10% to +10% of the reference number, preferably within 5% to +5% of the reference number, more preferably within 1% to +1% of the reference number, most preferably within -0.1% to +0.1% of the reference number. A range that lies between two values ​​includes those two values. Furthermore, all numerical ranges in this document should be understood as including all whole numbers, fractional or non-fractional, within the range. Additionally, these numerical ranges should be interpreted as supporting a claim directed to any number or subset of numbers that lies within that range. For example, a revelation from 1 to 10 should be interpreted as encompassing a range from 1 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, and so on.

[0011] All percentages indicated in the present invention are expressed as a weight of the total weight of the composition, based on dry matter, unless otherwise indicated. When reference is made to pH, the values ​​correspond to pH measured at 25°C with standard equipment.

[0012] The terms food, food product and food composition mean a product or composition that is intended for ingestion by an animal and provides at least one nutrient to the animal. The term pet food means any food composition intended to be consumed by a pet. Such food compositions may include main meals, treats, drinks, supplements, etc.

[0013] The term pet means a dog or a cat. As used here, the terms cat and feline can be used interchangeably. Additionally, the terms dog and canine can be used interchangeably. Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, page 12 / 65 5 / 19 can be used interchangeably. In one version, the pet can be a cat.

[0014] The term aging means being of advanced age, such that the animal has already exceeded 50% of the average life expectancy for its specific species and / or breed within a species. For example, if the average life expectancy for a particular breed of dog is 10 years, then a dog of that breed over 5 years of age would be considered aging for the purposes of the present invention. Furthermore, for example, if the average life expectancy of a breed of cat is 15 years, then a cat of that breed over 7.5 years of age would be considered aging for the purposes of the present invention. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods disclosed herein involve an elderly animal, i.e., an elderly dog ​​or an elderly cat. Animals, such as dogs and cats, are considered elderly in the last 25% of their lives.As observed in the present invention, the lifespan of a dog or cat depends on its size and / or breed, and an elderly dog ​​or cat can be determined based on the calculation above, but using the numerical value of 75%, so that the age limit is greater than 75% of the average life expectancy.

[0015] Wet food is pet food that has a moisture content of about 50% to about 90%, preferably, and in one aspect, from about 70% to about 90%. Dry food means pet food that has a moisture content of less than about 20%, and in one aspect, less than about 15%, and in one specific aspect, less than about 10%. Semi-moist food means pet food that has a moisture content of about 20% to about 50%, and in one aspect, from about 25% to about 35%. The term Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 13 / 65 6 / 19 Pet food pellets refers to pieces of dry or semi-moist pet food, which may be pellet-shaped or any other shape. Non-limiting examples of pet food pellets include particulates; pellets; pet food chunks, dehydrated meat, meat analogues, vegetables and combinations thereof; and pet snacks such as dried meats or vegetables, rawhide and biscuits.

[0016] The compositions disclosed herein may not have any element that is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, a disclosure of an embodiment using the term "comprising" includes a disclosure of embodiments that essentially consist of and consist of the aforementioned components. Similarly, the methods presented in the present invention may be devoid of any step that is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, a disclosure of an embodiment using the term "comprising" includes a disclosure of embodiments that essentially consist of and consist of the aforementioned steps. Furthermore, the description of some steps as optional does not imply that the other steps not explicitly described as optional are necessarily required.

[0017] Any modality revealed here can be combined with any other modality revealed here.

[0018] The term prevention includes reducing the risk and / or severity of a clinical condition or disorder. The terms treatment, treat, and alleviate include prophylactic or preventive treatment (which avoids and / or slows the development of a target pathological condition or disorder) and curative, therapeutic, or disease-modifying treatment, including therapeutic measures that cure, slow, delay the symptoms of, and / or halt the progression of a diagnosed pathological condition or disorder; and treatment of Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, page 14 / 65 7 / 19 patients at risk of contracting a disease or suspected of having contracted a disease, as well as patients who are ill or have been diagnosed with a disease or clinical condition. The term does not necessarily suggest that an individual is treated until full recovery. The terms treatment and treat also refer to the maintenance and / or promotion of health in an individual who does not suffer from a disease but may be susceptible to developing an unhealthy condition. The terms treatment, treat, and alleviate are also intended to include the enhancement or otherwise improvement of one or more primary prophylactic or therapeutic measures. The terms treatment, treat, and alleviate are further intended to include the dietary management of a disease or condition or the dietary management of prophylaxis or prevention of a disease or condition. Treatment may be patient-related or physician-related.

[0019] The related terms enhanced, augmented, intensified and the like refer to the effects of the composition disclosed in the present invention (a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of medium-chain triglycerides or a prophylactic dose of medium-chain triglycerides) relative to a composition having a smaller amount of, or no, medium-chain triglycerides, but which is otherwise identical.

[0020] The term therapeutically effective amount means an amount of a compound of the present invention that (i) treats or prevents the specific disease, condition or disorder, (ii) attenuates, improves or eliminates one or more symptoms related to the specific disease, condition or disorder, or (iii) prevents or delays the onset of one or more symptoms of the specific disease, condition or disorder described herein. In one embodiment, the therapeutically effective amount may refer to Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 15 / 65 8 / 19 amount to treat any condition related to sarcopenia or muscle atrophy.

[0021] The term long-term administration means periods of repeated administration or consumption exceeding one month. Periods longer than two, three, or four months may be used for certain modalities. In addition, more prolonged periods may be used, which includes more than 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 months. Periods exceeding 11 months or 1 year may also be used. Long-term use, extending for 1, 2, 3, or more years, may also be included in the invention. For certain aging animals, the animal may continue to consume on a regular basis for the remainder of its life. Sometimes, this may be referred to as consumption for “extended” periods.

[0022] The term regular base means at least one monthly dose with the compositions or with the consumption of the compositions, and, in some respects, a weekly dose. A more frequent dose or consumption, such as two, three, or seven times a week, may also be used in certain modalities. Still other modalities include regimens that may comprise at least one daily consumption. Those skilled in the art will understand that the frequency of administration will be a function of the composition being consumed or administered, and that some compositions may require more or less frequent administration to maintain a desired level of hydration.

[0023] A medium-chain triglyceride is a lipid in which three fatty acids are linked by ester bonds to a glycerol backbone, and at least two, and preferably all three, fatty acids are between six and twelve carbons in length. Medium-chain fatty acids are caproic acid (comprising six carbon atoms or C6:0), caprylic acid (comprising eight Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 16 / 65 9 / 19 carbon atoms or C8:0), capric acid (comprising ten carbon atoms or C10:0) and lauric acid (comprising twelve carbon atoms or C12:0). In one embodiment, the medium-chain fatty acids are primarily (e.g., at least 98%) in the form of triglycerides. A composition comprising lipids consisting essentially of medium-chain triglycerides contains medium-chain triglycerides as at least 20% of the lipids, in some embodiments at least 30% of the lipids, in other embodiments at least 40% of the lipids, and in some embodiments at least 50% of the lipids in the composition. In one embodiment, the medium-chain fatty acids of the medium-chain triglycerides may include at least 50% caprylic acid of the total medium-chain fatty acids present.In another embodiment, the medium-chain fatty acids of medium-chain triglycerides may include at least 90% caprylic acid of the total medium-chain fatty acids present. Modalities

[0024] The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising medium-chain triglycerides and methods comprising administering the compositions to an animal to provide a health benefit. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to compositions comprising medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and, in some aspects, may optionally include one or more omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, or arginine. The present disclosure also relates to methods for treating sarcopenia or muscle atrophy and to methods for increasing weight gain, increasing fat gain, or maintaining lean body mass in an animal in need thereof by administering the present MCT compositions to the animal.

[0025] The present inventors discovered that the present Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, page 17 / 65 10 / 19 compositions of MCTs can treat sarcopenia or muscle atrophy in an animal, as well as increase weight gain, increase fat gain, or maintain lean body mass in an animal that needs them. This effect can help treat animals suffering from cancer, AIDS, congestive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure, severe burns, and cachexia. Consequently, in a generic embodiment, a method is provided for treating sarcopenia or muscle atrophy in an animal, as well as increasing weight gain, increasing fat gain, or maintaining lean body mass in an animal that needs them. The method may comprise the oral administration of a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of medium-chain triglycerides to the animal.

[0026] The methods may also include an identification step for which treatment or health benefits are sought. For example, the method may additionally include identifying an animal with sarcopenia or muscle atrophy. In other modalities, the method may additionally include identifying an animal that needs one of the following: increased weight gain, increased fat gain, or maintenance of lean body mass, and combinations thereof. In still other modalities, the method may additionally include identifying an animal suffering from cancer, AIDS, congestive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure, severe burns, and cachexia.

[0027] The methods generally comprise the oral administration to the animal of a composition comprising medium-chain triglycerides and, optionally, one or more omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and / or an amino acid. In one embodiment, the composition may additionally comprise a component Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 18 / 65 11 / 19 selected from the group consisting of an omega-3 fatty acid, antioxidants (including vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium and / or polyphenols), arginine and mixtures thereof. The composition may be a pet food, such as a wet pet food, a semi-moist pet food, or a dry pet food, for example, pellet food.

[0028] In general, medium-chain triglycerides can comprise from about 0.5% by weight to about 60% by weight of the composition. In one aspect, medium-chain triglycerides may be present at about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight of the composition. In other aspects, medium-chain triglycerides may be present at about 1% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 1% by weight to about 10% by weight, or from about 2% by weight to about 10% by weight of the composition. Medium-chain triglycerides can be prepared by any known process, such as direct esterification, rearrangement, fractionation, and / or transesterification. For example, medium-chain triglycerides can be prepared from a vegetable oil source, such as coconut oil, by means of a rearrangement process. The chain length and its distribution can vary depending on the oil source.For example, medium-chain triglycerides containing 1 to 10% C6, 30 to 60% C8, 30 to 60% C10, and 1 to 10% C12 are commonly derived from palm and / or coconut oils; in some embodiments, at least a portion of the medium-chain triglycerides is provided by coconut oil, but in other embodiments, the composition does not contain coconut oil. Medium-chain triglycerides containing at least about 95% C8 can be produced by semi-synthetic esterification of octanoic acid in glycerin; in some embodiments thereof, the remainder of the fatty acids are C6 and C10. (Like...) Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 19 / 65 12 / 19 mixtures comprising medium-chain triglycerides with a total of about 50% C8 and / or a total of about 50% C10 are also useful. In one embodiment, the MCTs may include an MCT selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, and a mixture thereof. In another embodiment, the MCTs may substantially include fatty acids that are caprylic acid (C8). For example, such MCTs may include those having at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or even 100% caprylic acid.

[0029] Some non-limiting examples of suitable omega-3 fatty acids include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the omega-3 fatty acids may vary from about 0.2% by weight to about 3% by weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the omega-3 fatty acids are present at least about 0.2% by weight, at least about 1.0% by weight, or at least about 2.0% by weight. In one embodiment, the omega-3 fatty acid may be selected from the group consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and mixtures thereof.

[0030] In some embodiments, the composition may be administered to the pet for a period of at least one week, at least one month, at least two, three, four, five or six months; and, in some embodiments, for at least one year. During this period, the composition may be administered to the dog at least one day per week, at least two days per week, at least three, four, five or six days per week; or up to seven days per week. The composition may be administered in a single dose per day or in multiple doses separated by day. In Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 20 / 65 13 / 19 In one form, the composition can be administered in an amount that provides approximately 0.001 g (50 g) of medium-chain triglycerides per kg of the pet's body weight per day. In another form, 0.1 g (approximately 5 g) of medium-chain triglycerides per kg of the pet's body weight can be administered per day.

[0031] In one particular aspect, the animal may be a pet. In one aspect, the pet may be a cat. In another aspect, the animal may be an elderly or aging animal. In one aspect, the animal may be an elderly cat. In another aspect, the animal may be an aging cat.

[0032] In one embodiment, the compositions described herein may be pet food compositions. The pet food compositions presented herein may be any food formulated for consumption by a pet, such as a cat. In one embodiment, the pet food composition provides complete nutrition as defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and which depends on the type of animal for which the composition is intended (e.g., a cat). In another embodiment, the composition may be a supplement. Such a supplement may be added to a food composition or administered in conjunction with a food composition, or administered separately. Thus, in some embodiments, the present compositions may be complete and nutritionally balanced pet foods.

[0033] In general, pet food composition may include protein, carbohydrates, fat, and ash. In various forms, pet food compositions Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 21 / 65 14 / 19 estimates comprise from about 15% to about 50% crude protein. In some embodiments, such compositions may additionally comprise from about 5% to about 40% fat. In other embodiments, the compositions may additionally comprise from about 15% to about 60% carbohydrate. In other embodiments, the composition may additionally comprise from about 0.1% to about 15% ash.

[0034] For example, pet food may comprise meat, such as emulsified meat. Examples of suitable meats include poultry, beef, pork, lamb, and fish, especially those types of meat suitable for pets. Meat may include any additional parts of an animal, including offal. Some or all of the meats may be provided in the form of one or more meat meals, that is, meat that has been dried and ground to form substantially uniform particle sizes, as defined by AAFCO.Alternatively or as an additional option, vegetable protein can be used, such as pea protein, corn protein (e.g., ground corn or corn gluten), wheat protein (e.g., ground wheat or wheat gluten), soy protein (e.g., soy flour, soy concentrate or soy isolate), rice protein (e.g., ground rice or rice gluten) and the like.

[0035] The pet food compositions presented in the present invention may comprise one or more of a vegetable oil, a flavoring, a coloring agent, or water. Non-limiting examples of suitable vegetable oils include soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, and the like. In some embodiments, the lipids in the composition may consist of Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 22 / 65 15 / 19 medium-chain triglycerides and one or more of any vegetable oil, any fish oil, the lipid of any meat, and any omega-3 fatty acids.

[0036] Non-limiting examples of suitable flavorings include yeast, tallow, reprocessed animal meals (e.g., poultry, beef, lamb, pork), flavoring extracts or mixtures (e.g., grilled beef), hydrolyzed animal-derived material, and the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable colorings include FD&C dyes such as Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6 and the like; natural colorings such as caramel coloring, annatto, chlorophyllin, cochineal, betanin, turmeric, saffron, paprika, lycopene, elderberry juice, pandanus, butterfly pea and the like; titanium dioxide; and any suitable food coloring known to those skilled in the art.

[0037] The pet food compositions presented in the present invention optionally include additional ingredients such as starches, humectants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, amino acids, fiber, prebiotics, sugars, animal oils, flavorings, other oils as an alternative to or in addition to vegetable oil, salts, vitamins, minerals, probiotic microorganisms, bioactive molecules, or combinations thereof.

[0038] Non-limiting examples of suitable starches include a grain, such as corn, rice, wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, peas, beans, cassava and the like, and mixtures of these grains, and may be included at least partially in any flour. Non-limiting examples of suitable humectants include salt, sugars, propylene glycol and polyhydric glycols, such as glycerin and sorbitol, and the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable oral care ingredients include alfalfa nutrient concentrate containing chlorophyll, sodium bicarbonate, Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, page 23 / 65 16 / 19 phosphates (e.g., tricalcium phosphate, acid pyrophosphates, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, metaphosphates and orthophosphates), peppermint, cloves, parsley, ginger and the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable preservatives include potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, sodium methylparaben, calcium propionate, propionic acid and combinations thereof.

[0039] The specific quantities for each additional ingredient in the food compositions disclosed herein will depend on a variety of factors, such as the ingredient included in the first edible material and in any second edible material; the species of animal; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the animal; the rate of consumption of the animal; the purpose for which the food product is administered to the animal; and the like. Therefore, the components and their quantities may vary widely.

[0040] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing pet food, wherein the method comprises adding medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to at least one other edible ingredient, wherein the medium-chain triglycerides are added in an amount effective to provide the health benefits as disclosed herein. For example, MCTs may be added so that a single serving of the pet food comprises an amount of MCTs effective to prevent or treat sarcopenia or muscle atrophy. Example

[0041] By way of example and not limitation, the following non-limiting study is illustrative of compositions and methods that use MCTs to control or reduce blood pressure or treat kidney disease in a pet, in one or more modalities provided by this disclosure. Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 24 / 65 17 / 19 Example 1 - Study in Aging Cats

[0042] Thirty-two cats were used in this study. The cats were aged between 7.6 and 14.4 years at the start of the study, and there were 13 males and 17 females. The cats were randomly divided into two groups and fed either the control diet or the test diet to maintain their body weight during the three-month feeding study. The QMR was used to determine their lean body mass and body fat at baseline and at the end of the study. Body weight was recorded at baseline and at the end of the study. The diets are shown in Table 1. Table 1 Ingredients Control Test Diet Crude protein (%) 41.71 40.85 Crude fat (%) 17.15 21.5 (16% LCT + 5.5% MCT) Moisture (%) 7.82 6.62 Crude fiber (%) 0.66 0.69 Ash (%) 5.56 6.01 MCT (%) 0 5.5 DHA (%) 0 0.23 EPA (%) 0 0.33 Arginine (%) 1.36 2.25 Vitamin E (mg / kg) 81.00 823.00 Vitamin C (mg / kg) 0 172

[0043] Food intake between the two groups is provided in Table 2. Table 2 Average Group (in grams) Test 46.25313 Control 49.88644

[0044] As shown in Table 2, the average of the foods for Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, page 25 / 65 In the 18 / 19 control group, the caloric density was higher than that of the test group. With a caloric density of 5.05 kcal / g for the control group and 5.33 kcal / g for the test group, caloric intake for the control group was slightly higher than the test group (252 kcal for the control group vs. 247 kcal for the test). However, surprisingly, the test group did not lose lean body mass compared to the control group, as shown in Table 3. Furthermore, unexpectedly, the test group actually increased body fat compared to the control group (see Table 4) and body weight (see Table 5). Table 3 Group Baseline (average kg) Treatment (average kg) Test 3.72 3.72 Controls 4.02 3.81 Table 4 Code PHASE % average body fat Test Reference day 26.43 Test End of study 29.09 Control Reference day 25.45 Control End of study 26.86 Table 5 Diet Change in body weight from baseline (g) Control 0 Test 233

[0045] As discussed above, the results showed that cats fed the test diet were able to gain more body fat than cats fed the control diet (2.66% vs. 1.41%). The test diet increased body fat in older cats more than a control diet with identical levels of protein and carbohydrate from the diet, and lower levels of Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 26 / 65 19 / 19 long-chain triglyceride (LCT) fat (16% vs 17.15%). This finding is unexpected, especially since MCTs and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known for their weight loss benefits. Additionally, the results showed that cats fed the test diet were able to gain body weight, while cats fed the control diet did not gain any body weight. This observation is contrary to the weight loss benefits of omega-3 PUFAs and MCTs in other species.

[0046] It should be understood that various alterations and modifications to the present preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such alterations and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of medium-chain triglycerides, characterized in that it is for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of sarcopenia or muscle atrophy in an animal, the composition being formulated for oral use, the animal being a pet, a dog or a cat, the medium-chain triglyceride being a lipid in which three fatty acids are linked by ester bonds to a glycerol structure, and at least two, and preferably all three, fatty acids each having between six and twelve carbons in length, the medium-chain triglycerides comprising from about 0.5% by weight to about 60% by weight of the composition.

2. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that the medium-chain triglycerides comprise from about 1% by weight to about 15% by weight of the composition.

3. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that the medium-chain triglycerides include a medium-chain fatty acid selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid and a mixture thereof.

4. Use, according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of an omega-3 fatty acid, antioxidants, arginine and mixtures thereof, wherein the omega-3 fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and mixtures thereof.

5. Use, according to claim 1, characterized by Petition 870250045391, dated 02 / 06 / 2025, p. 28 / 65 2 / 3, in that the composition is a complete and nutritionally balanced pet food.

6. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that the animal is a cat or an elderly animal.

7. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition must be administered to the animal daily for at least one week.

8. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition should be administered in an amount that provides about 0.001 g to about 50.0 g of medium-chain triglycerides per kg of body weight of the animal per day.

9. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of medium-chain triglycerides, characterized in that it is for the preparation of a composition to increase weight gain, increase fat gain, or maintain lean body mass in a pet that needs them, the composition being formulated for oral use, the animal being a pet, specifically a dog or cat, the medium-chain triglyceride being a lipid in which three fatty acids are linked by ester bonds to a glycerol structure, and at least two, and preferably all three, fatty acids each having between six and twelve carbons in length, the medium-chain triglycerides comprising about 0.5% by weight to about 60% by weight of the composition, the animals needing them being in post-surgical recovery, or having suffered from injuries, cancer, AIDS, congestive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,Kidney failure, severe burns, or cachexia.

10. Use, according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that medium-chain triglycerides comprise about 1%, by weight, to about 15%, by weight, of the composition.

11. Use according to claim 9, characterized in that the composition further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of an omega-3 fatty acid, antioxidants, arginine and mixtures thereof.

12. Use, according to claim 9, characterized in that the composition is a complete and nutritionally balanced pet food.

13. Use according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the animal is an elderly animal.

14. Use according to claim 9, characterized in that the composition is to be administered in an amount that provides about 0.001 g to about 50.0 g of medium-chain triglycerides per kg of animal body weight per day.

15. Composition for the treatment of sarcopenia or muscle atrophy in an animal and / or to increase weight gain, increase fat gain or maintain lean body mass in a pet that needs the same, characterized in that it comprises a therapeutically effective amount of medium-chain triglycerides, the composition being formulated for oral use, the animal being a pet, the pet being a dog or a cat, the medium-chain triglyceride being a lipid in which three fatty acids are linked by ester bonds to a glycerol structure, and at least two and preferably all three fatty acids each having between six and twelve carbons in length, the medium-chain triglycerides comprising from about 0.5% by weight to about 60% by weight of the composition.