Dramard V, Kern L, Hofmans J, Rème C A, Nicolas C S, Chala V, Navarro C
Referral Behaviour Veterinary Clinic, 16 rue Jeanne d'Arc, 69003 Lyon, France.
Referral Behaviour Veterinary Clinic, 6 place Léon Deubel, 75016 Paris, France.
Ir Vet J. 2018 Oct 9;71:21. doi: 10.1186/s13620-018-0130-4. eCollection 2018.
L-theanine is an aminoacid found in tea leaves which has relaxing effects in humans and animals. It is a structural analogue of glutamate which can bind glutamate receptors. Although the relaxing action of L-theanine has been shown in humans, laboratory animals and dogs, it has never been published in cats. The goal of this open-label, multicentre and prospective trial was to determine whether an L-theanine based oral supplement (Anxitane®, Virbac, France) could attenuate manifestations of stress in cats under field conditions.
Thirty-three privately owned cats presenting signs associated with stress or fear (inappropriate urination/defecation, fear-induced aggressiveness, hypervigilance/tenseness or physical/functional manifestations of stress) for at least 1 month, were included in the study. They were given L-theanine (Anxitane®, 25 mg twice a day) for 30 days and 20 stress-related parameters were scored at Days 0, 15 and 30. The evolution of some parameters was also rated relative to Day 0. All median scores of the 20 parameters were significantly reduced at D30, and 30/33 cats (91%) had a reduced global score at the end of the study, including 21/33 with ≥50% score reduction. The median (IQR) global scores went from 18 (13-23) at D0 to 11 (8-13) at D15 and 5 (3-12) at D30 ( < 0.0001; Friedman test; significant reduction starting from D15). All the stress-related signs were significantly improved compared to D0, according to the owners, especially inappropriate elimination. Tablet palatability was judged good or very good in 94% of cases with spontaneous intake by cats when given by hand or in food. Tolerance was satisfactory as well, and no side effects were reported, so that most owners (27/33; 82%) were satisfied with the product.
Despite the lack of a placebo group, it can be concluded that L-theanine (Anxitane®) helped to improve the undesirable manifestations of stress in cats in as soon as 15 days, though better results could be seen after 30 days of administration. These encouraging results show that L-theanine can help manage stress-related behaviour, but additional trials with a placebo group should be run to confirm this effect.
L-茶氨酸是一种存在于茶叶中的氨基酸，对人和动物具有放松作用。它是谷氨酸的结构类似物，能够与谷氨酸受体结合。尽管L-茶氨酸的放松作用已在人类、实验动物和犬类中得到证实，但从未在猫身上发表过相关研究。这项开放标签、多中心前瞻性试验的目的是确定一种基于L-茶氨酸的口服补充剂（法国维克公司的安适宁®）在实际环境中是否能减轻猫的应激表现。
33只 privately owned 猫出现与应激或恐惧相关的症状（不适当排尿/排便、恐惧诱发的攻击性、过度警惕/紧张或应激的身体/功能表现）至少1个月，被纳入研究。它们接受L-茶氨酸（安适宁®，每日两次，每次25毫克）治疗30天，并在第0天、第15天和第30天对20个与应激相关的参数进行评分。还相对于第0天对一些参数的变化进行了评估。在第30天时，20个参数的所有中位数评分均显著降低，33只猫中有30只（91%）在研究结束时总体评分降低，其中21只（33只中的）评分降低≥50%。总体评分的中位数（四分位间距）从第0天的18（13 - 23）降至第15天的11（8 - 13）和第30天的5（3 - 12）（P < 0.0001；弗里德曼检验；从第15天开始显著降低）。据猫主人反映，与第0天相比，所有与应激相关的症状均有显著改善，尤其是不适当排泄。在94%的情况下，当通过手喂或混入食物中时，猫会自发进食，片剂适口性被判定为良好或非常好。耐受性也令人满意，未报告任何副作用，因此大多数主人（27/33；82%）对该产品满意。
尽管缺乏安慰剂组，但可以得出结论，L-茶氨酸（安适宁®）在15天内就有助于改善猫应激的不良表现，不过给药30天后效果更佳。这些令人鼓舞的结果表明，L-茶氨酸有助于控制与应激相关的行为，但应进行有安慰剂组的额外试验以证实这种效果。
