URSOLYX™ Soft Chews
This first-in-its-class muscle support features ursolic acid, which targets mRNA expression in skeletal muscle. URSOLYX™ Soft Chews leverage this compound’s demonstrated efficacy1-5 to promote muscle function and strength in aging, active or recuperating canine patients.
Virbac created URSOLYX™ Soft Chews in collaboration with Emmyon, a U.S.-based biotechnology company founded by a physician scientist. Emmyon studies the molecular underpinnings of muscle atrophy. For URSOLYX Soft Chews, we helped translate that research into this canine muscle health supplement.
A natural compound with a scientific application.
- Ursolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpene acid found in various fruits and herbs.
- Targets mRNA expression in skeletal muscle to promote muscle mass and strength.1
- Has been demonstrated to benefit skeletal muscle health and Function in multiple species.2-5
- URSOLYX Soft Chews feature a proprietary coating that enhances the bioavailability of ursolic acid,1 improving it by a factor of 4 in dogs.6
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This 60-day study demonstrated the beneficial effects of ursolic acid on skeletal muscle biomarkers (mRNA expression), as well as changes in exercise participation and performance.
Click here to view full study
Participating dogs received 5x the predicted dose needed for efficacy. At day 28, assessments showed no product-related signs in the ursolic acid group, including body weight, food consumption, behavior, gastrointestinal tract, complete blood counts, blood chemistry and urine chemistry.
Although joint support is a well-established component of mobility protocols, the complementary necessity of muscle support has been largely unaddressed. Advances in veterinary care are helping patients to live longer,8 heightening the need for comprehensive mobility support. Your Virbac representative will be happy to visit your clinic, answer questions and talk with you about how URSOLYX Soft Chews can complement your existing canine mobility protocol.
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REFERENCES:
1. Ebert SM, Nicolas CS, Schreiber P, et al. Ursolic acid induces beneficial changes in skeletal muscle mRNA expression and increases exercise participation and performance in dogs with age-related muscle atrophy. Animals (Basel). 2024;14(2):186. doi:10.3390/ani14020186
2. Yu R, Chen JA, Xu J, et al. Suppression of muscle wasting by the plant-derived compound ursolic acid in a model of chronic kidney disease. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2017;8(2):327-341. doi:10.1002/ jcsm.12162
3. Ebert SM, Dyle MC, Bullard SA, et al. Identification and small molecule inhibition of an activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-dependent pathway to age-related skeletal muscle weakness and atrophy. J Biol Chem. 2015;290(42):25497-25511. doi:10.1074/jbc.M115.681445
4. Kunkel SD, Elmore CJ, Bongers KS, et al. Ursolic acid increases skeletal muscle and brown fat and decreases diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance and fatty liver disease. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e39332. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0039332
5. Kunkel SD, Suneja M, Ebert SM, et al. mRNA expression signatures of human skeletal muscle atrophy identify a natural compound that increases muscle mass. Cell Metab. 2011;13(6):627-638. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2011.03.020
6. Data on file. Virbac Corporation.
7. Grow old with me. American Animal Hospital Association. May 30, 2019. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.aaha.org/resources/grow-old-with-me/.
8. American Veterinary Medical Association. U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook. 2012 edition. American Veterinary Medical Association; 2012.
9. WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. Muscle condition score. World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Accessed August 5, 2024. https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Muscle-Condition-Score-Chart-for-Dogs.pdf.