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Topic:Biochemistry
The study of biochemistry in horses encompasses the chemical processes and substances that occur within equine organisms. This field investigates the molecular interactions and pathways that are fundamental to horse physiology, including metabolism, enzyme activity, and genetic expression. Key areas of interest include the examination of metabolic disorders, nutrient absorption, and the biochemical basis of muscle function and energy production. Researchers utilize biochemical analysis to understand health and disease mechanisms in horses, contributing to the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. This page gathers peer-reviewed studies and scholarly articles that explore various biochemical processes and their implications for equine health and performance.
Effect of proinflammatory cytokines on endometrial collagen and metallopeptidase expression during the course of equine endometrosis. Equine endometrosis (endometrial fibrosis) is a degenerative chronic process that occurs in the uterus of the mare and disturbs proper endometrial function. Fibrosis is attributed to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The turnover of ECM is mediated by matrix metallopeptidases (MMP). Previously, it was shown that cytokines modulate MMP expression in other tissues and may regulate fibrosis indirectly by attracting inflammatory cells to the site of inflammation and directly on various tissues. However, the regulation of MMP expression in equine endometrosis is still r...
Effect of delayed plasma centrifugation on equine adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration is used in the diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. We enrolled 10 horses, 5 PPID-positive and 5 PPID-negative, in our study, September 20-22, 2016. On day 0, 5 mL of whole blood was collected into each of 6 EDTA tubes and immediately placed in a refrigerator at 7°C. One tube was centrifuged within 15 min of collection, followed by centrifugation of one tube from each horse at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 h following collection. At each time, centrifuged plasma was pipetted into 1.5-mL polypropylene tubes and stor...
The total content of toxic elements in horsehair given the level of essential elements. Elemental status of 214 mares aged 3-7 years from 11 breeds was studied: Arabian purebred (n = 20), Bashkir (n = 20), Kabarda (n = 20), Vyatka (n = 20), Tuva (n = 19), Yakutsk (n = 30), Mezenskaya (n = 20), Thoroughbred (n = 20), Akhal-Teke (n = 20), Russian trotter (n = 15), Soviet Heavy Draft (n = 10) bred in 13 regions of Russia. The research objective is to study the content of chemical elements in hair from the horse's mane, depending on the sum of toxic elements in animal hair expressed in moles. The elemental composition of the hair was defined by atomic emission and mass spectrometry (...
Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Scoring System for Distinguishing Early Osteoarthritis Disease States: A Feasibility Study. Early detection of osteoarthritis (OA) remains a diagnostic challenge owing to insensitive diagnostic techniques currently available. Herein a new semiquantitative scoring system, based upon contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CECT) imaging, is described for further refinement of early OA disease staging. Trochlear ridge cartilage defects were surgically created in the femoropatellar joint of an adult horse (ACUC approved protocols). Seven weeks post-surgery, CECT imaging was performed on a clinical scanner after intra-articular injection of a cationic iodinated contrast agent, CA4+, into ...
Tamoxifen in horses: pharmacokinetics and safety study. Tamoxifen (TAM), a selective modulator of estrogen receptors (SERMs) has been recently explored as a therapeutic option for the oral treatment of airway inflammation in the horse. The objective of this work was to establish pharmacokinetic parameters of TAM and its main metabolites in equines, as well as to determine its clinical safety in short-term treatments. Results: We determined TAM and its three main metabolites (4-OH tamoxifen, endoxifen, and N-desmethyl tamoxifen) in plasma after single administration of 0.25 mg/kg in healthy adult horses ( = 12). A maximum concentration of TAM w...
Effects of extender, cryoprotectants and thawing protocol on motility of frozen-thawed stallion sperm that were refrozen for intracytoplasmic sperm injection doses. We examined the effects of different freezing extenders, cryoprotectant agents (CPA) and initial thawing temperatures for preparing doses of refrozen stallion sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Single ejaculates, from twelve stallions, were frozen in lactose-EDTA-egg yolk extender (LE) with 5% glycerol. In experiment 1, sperm were initially thawed to 5 °C or 37 °C, before being diluted in LE or skim milk-egg yolk extender (SMEY) containing either 5% glycerol (GLY), 5% methylformamide (MF) or 5% of a combination of both (GMF). In experiment 2, frozen sperm were initially t...
Rapid Communication: Differential skeletal muscle mitochondrial characteristics of weanling racing-bred horses. Responses of equine skeletal muscle characteristics to growth and training have been shown to differ between breeds. These differential responses may arise in part because muscle fiber type and mitochondrial density differ between breeds, even in untrained racing-bred horses. However, it is not known when these breed-specific differences manifest. To test the hypothesis that weanling Standardbreds (SB) and Thoroughbreds (TB) would have higher mitochondrial measures than Quarter Horses (QH), gluteus medius samples were collected from SB (mean ± SD; 6.2 ± 1.0 mo; n = 10), TB (6.1 ± 0.5 mo; n ...
Comparison Between the Hyperelastic Behavior of Fresh and Frozen Equine Articular Cartilage in Various Joints. Fresh and frozen cartilage samples of the fetlock, carpus, and stifle were collected from 12 deceased horses. Half were measured immediately following extraction, and half were frozen for seven days and then measured. Seven indentations (various normalized displacements) were implemented with an indention rate of 0.1 mm/s. Solid phase aggregate modulus (Es), hyperelastic material constant (α), and fluid load fraction (F') of equine articular cartilage were assessed using the Ogden hyperelastic model. The properties were statistically compared in various joints (fetlock, carpus, and stifle),...
Calcium electroporation: The bioelectrochemical treatment of spontaneous equine skin tumors results in a local necrosis. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an anticancer bioelectrochemical therapy where electrical field pulses (electropermeabilization) increase intracellular concentration of antitumor drugs. The procedure is very effective against skin tumors. The restrictive regulations concerning anticancer drugs in veterinary medicine limit use of ECT. Electroporation with calcium (Electroporation Calcium Therapy)(ECaT) was proved to be effective in vivo on induced tumors in laboratory animals. This study evaluated the effects of ECaT in equine sarcoids (spontaneous skin tumors) on an animal cohort. Pulse parameter...
The effect of hypoxia on chondrogenesis of equine synovial membrane-derived and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Joint injury is extremely common in equine athletes and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), a progressive and debilitating disease, is estimated to affect 60% of horses in the USA. The limited potential for intrinsic healing of articular cartilage has prompted intense efforts to identify a cell-based repair strategy to prevent progression of PTOA. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to become an ideal source for cell-based treatment of cartilage lesions; however, full chondrogenic differentiation remains elusive. Due to the relatively low oxygen tension in articular cartilage, h...
A First Step Toward Unraveling the Energy Metabolism in Endurance Horses: Comparison of Plasma Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolomic Profiles Before and After Different Endurance Race Distances. Endurance racing places high demands on energy metabolism pathways. Metabolomics can be used to investigate biochemical responses to endurance exercise in humans, laboratory animals, and horses. Although endurance horses have previously been assessed in the field (i.e., during races) using broad-window Nuclear Magnetic Resonance metabolomics, these studies included several different race locations, race distances, age classes, and race statuses (finisher or elimination). The present NMR metabolomics study focused on 40 endurance horses racing in three race categories over 90, 120, or 160 km. T...
Changes in saliva analytes in equine acute abdominal disease: a sialochemistry approach. The biochemical components of saliva can change in certain pathologies in horses, for example in acute abdominal disease. The aim of this study was (1) to evaluate if a panel of biochemical analytes usually used in serum can be measured in saliva of horses and (2) to study the possible changes of these biochemical analytes in saliva of horses affected by acute abdominal disease. A panel of 23 analytes was analytically validated in saliva of horses and possible changes in these analytes in a pilot study with six healthy horses and six horses with acute abdominal disease were evaluated. The anal...
Anti-Alzheimer’s multitarget-directed ligands with serotonin 5-HT6 antagonist, butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory, and antioxidant activity. Serotonin 5-HT receptors, butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and oxidative stress are related to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Inhibition of BuChE provides symptomatic treatment of the disease and the same effect was demonstrated for 5-HT antagonists in clinical trials. Oxidative stress is regarded as a major and primary factor contributing to the development of Alzheimer's disease; therefore, antioxidant agents may provide a disease-modifying effect. Combining BuChE inhibition, 5-HT antagonism, and antioxidant properties may result in multitarget-directed ligands providing cognitio...
Comparison of the glucose and insulin responses of horses to 2 formulations of corn syrup. The objectives of this study were to compare the insulin and glucose responses of horses to 2 formulations of corn syrup, [Karo Light (Karo) available in the United States, and Crown Lily White (Crown), available in Canada]. Horses were evaluated under both fed ( = 14) and fasted ( = 10) conditions. Using a randomized crossover design, each horse underwent an oral sugar test using Karo or Crown syrup. There were no significant differences in insulin or glucose time of maximum concentration (T), maximum concentration (C), or area under the curve (AUC) or in insulin or glucose concentrations at ...
Alteration of the mare’s immune system by the synthetic progestin, altrenogest. Progestins are immunomodulatory in a variety of species. In the horse, the most commonly administered synthetic progestin is altrenogest (ALT), but its effect on the immune system of the non-pregnant mare is unknown. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from diestrous mares were incubated with varying concentrations of progesterone (P4) or ALT to assess intracellular production of IFNγ and the expression of select cytokines. Additionally, ten mares received either ALT or VEH daily utilizing a switchback design beginning on the day of ovulation and continuing for 7 days. Circulating PBM...
Effects of high doses of levothyroxine sodium on serum concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxine in horses. To investigate the effect of high doses of orally administered levothyroxine sodium (LT) on serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T) and thyroxine (T) in euthyroid horses. Methods: 12 healthy adult horses. Methods: 10 horses initially received water (vehicle) or 240 mg (5X treatment) or 480 mg (10× treatment) of LT, and blood samples were collected at baseline (0 hours) and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after treatment to measure serum T and T concentrations. Three horses then received 480 mg of LT for 14 days, and T concentration was measured on days 0, 14...
Chemical Analysis of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) and Its Effects on Redox Status and on Reproductive Biology in Stallions †. The present study was conducted to assess the chemical composition of Yellow Maca () and its biological activity on stallions following oral administration of hypocotyl powder. Maca was subjected to methanolic extraction and the chemical analysis was carried out by LC-MS-QTOF (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). Our results showed that Maca contains some effective antioxidants, a high percentage of glucosinolates, and other important components with a high antioxidant capacity. To evaluate the plant biological activity in stallions fed with Maca powder for 60 days, the redox status and s...
Paper spray high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry for quantitation of voriconazole in equine tears. Paper spray high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry is a fast and versatile analysis method. This ambient ionization technique enables the quantitation of xenobiotics in complex biological matrices without chromatography or conventional sample extraction. The simplicity, rapidity, and affordability of the paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) method make the technique especially attractive for clinical investigations where fast and affordable sample analysis is crucial. A new PS-MS method for the quantitation of voriconazole in equine tears was developed and validated. For a concentration r...
Vitrification of stallion sperm using 0.25 ml straws: Effect of volume, concentration and carbohydrates (sucrose/trehalose/raffinose). Sperm vitrification is a rapid freezing method in which carbohydrates are used as cryoprotectants. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal volume, concentration and type of carbohydrates for stallion sperm vitrification using 0.25 ml straws in comparison to conventional freezing. Ejaculates (n = 54) were collected from six stallions. For vitrification, straws were filled with different volumes (30, 70, 100 μl), sperm concentrations (50, 100, 200 × 10 sperm/ml) and extenders containing sucrose (20, 100, 200 mM), trehalose (50, 100, 200 mM) and raffinose (50, 100, 20...
The Haematococcus pluvialis extract enriched by bioaccumulation process with Mg(II) ions improves insulin resistance in equine adipose-derived stromal cells (EqASCs). Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the characteristic features of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Presently, the only therapies of choice are caloric restrictions combined with mineral supplementation, which might improve insulin sensitivity. In this study we investigated the effect of Haematococcus pluvialis algae water extract enriched in bioaccumulation process in magnesium ions (Hp_Mg(II)) on equine adipose derived mesenchymal stromal stem cells, in which insulin resistance was induced by palmitic acid (IR-EqASCs). For this purpose, chemical characterization of H. pluvialis was performed w...
Fetal-fluid proteome analyses in late-term healthy pregnant mares and in mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis. Characterisation of fetal fluids in healthy and disease states of pregnant mares can help to unravel the pathophysiology and to identify putative markers of disease. Thus, this study aimed to compare the protein composition of: (1) amniotic and allantoic fluids of healthy mares obtained immediately after euthanasia and (2) allantoic fluid harvested via centesis before and after experimental induction of placentitis via transcervical inoculation of Streptococcus equi ssp zooepidemicus in healthy mares. Fetal fluids were analysed with a high-throughput proteomic technique after in-gel digestion....
In silico and in vitro analysis of genetic variants of the equine CYP3A94, CYP3A95 and CYP3A97 isoenzymes. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) of the equine CYP3A subfamily are predominantly involved in drug metabolism. In this study, genetic variants of the equine CYP3A94, CYP3A95, and CYP3A97 were identified and characterized using in silico modeling and in vitro enzyme kinetics. The genomes of 81 horses were sequenced to obtain the genetic variants. Structural CYP modifications of the most frequent variants were analyzed in silico using the 3D-structures predicted by homology modeling. Enzyme kinetic analyses were performed using testosterone as substrate. Twenty genetic variants were found including...
Urinary Bladder Matrix Does Not Improve Tenogenesis in an In Vitro Equine Model. Extracellular matrix (ECM) is responsible for tendon strength and elasticity. Healed tendon ECM lacks structural integrity, leading to reinjury. Porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM) provides a scaffold and source of bioactive proteins to improve tissue healing, but has received limited attention for treating tendon injuries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of UBM to induce matrix organization and tenogenesis using a novel in vitro model. We hypothesized that addition of UBM to tendon ECM hydrogels would improve matrix organization and cell differentiation. Hydrogels se...
Effects of Harvest Date, Sampling Time, and Cultivar on Total Phenolic Concentrations, Water-Soluble Carbohydrate Concentrations, and Phenolic Profiles of Selected Cool-Season Grasses in Central Kentucky. Grasses are a source of nutrients for grazing horses. However, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) of grasses have been implicated in some equine health issues. Grasses also contain phenolic compounds, whose sensory and antimicrobial properties may affect forage intake by horses and horse health. The goals of this study were to assess factors affecting phenolic and WSC concentrations in selected cultivars of cool-season grasses and profile the phenolic compounds. Total phenolics and WSC were quantified in "Linn" and "Calibra" perennial ryegrass (PRG), "Cajun II" tall fescue (Cajun TF), "Persist...
Chondrogenic expression and DNA methylation patterns in prolonged passages of chondrocyte cell lines of the horse. We investigated the activity of chondrogenic markers and variation of methylation patterns in equine cartilaginous cells cultivated in monolayer. The transcriptional and epigenetic effect of the long-term culture of chondrocytes has been evaluated using several passages of chondrocyte cell-lines derived from equine articular cartilage. Using 3 genes as endogenous control we tested the expression of 7 genes important for different stages of chondrocyte differentiation and maturation. CpG islands in RUNX3 locus were inspected for the evaluation of differential methylation state of passaged cell-...
Evaluation of equine articular cartilage degeneration after mechanical impact injury using cationic contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Cationic agent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (cationic CECT) characterizes articular cartilage ex vivo, however, its capacity to detect post-traumatic injury is unknown. The study objectives were to correlate cationic CECT attenuation with biochemical, mechanical and histological properties of cartilage and morphologic computed tomography (CT) measures of bone, and to determine the ability of cationic CECT to distinguish subtly damaged from normal cartilage in an in vivo equine model. Mechanical impact injury was initiated in equine femoropatellar joints in vivo to establish subtle ...
Urinary bladder matrix does not improve tenogenesis in an in vitro equine model. Extracellular matrix (ECM) is responsible for tendon strength and elasticity. Healed tendon ECM lacks structural integrity, leading to reinjury. Porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM) provides a scaffold and source of bioactive proteins to improve tissue healing, but has received limited attention for treating tendon injuries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of UBM to induce matrix organization and tenogenesis using a novel in vitro model. We hypothesized that addition of UBM to tendon ECM hydrogels would improve matrix organization and cell differentiation. Hydrogels see...
Altered morphokinetics in equine embryos from oocytes exposed to DEHP during IVM. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a commonly used plasticizer with endocrine-disrupting properties. In this study, we used an equine model to investigate DEHP concentrations in ovarian follicular fluid (FF), and to determine the effects of exposure of oocytes to potentially toxic concentrations of DEHP during in vitro maturation (IVM) on embryo development and quality. Embryo development was evaluated using time-lapse monitoring (TLM), a photomicroscopic tool that reveals abnormalities in cleavage kinetics unobservable by conventional morphology assessment. Blastocyst bioenergetic/oxidativ...
Selenium and Vitamin E Concentrations in a Healthy Donkey Population in Central Italy. Selenium and vitamin E protect the body against oxidative stress. Clinical manifestations of their deficiency in equids include neurologic and muscular symptoms. Despite the importance of donkeys as working and production animals, there is a dearth of scientific data on selenium and vitamin E normal values. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the plasma concentrations of selenium and vitamin E in healthy donkeys belonging to different ages, sexes, and productive phases. Animals were divided into five groups including foals (group A: n = 7, n = 4 males and n = 3 females), wea...
Evaluation of Biological Indicators of Fatigue and Muscle Damage in Arabian Horses After Race. The aim of this study was to assay changes in blood biochemical parameters that resulted from exercise-induced muscle fatigue in horses participating in the two races (1,250 and 1,400 meters). Six male Arabian horses (3 to 6 years old) were used in this study. Blood samples were collected at time intervals including 1 hour before the race, immediately after the race, 1 and 24 hours after the end of race. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, the blood level of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured, as w...
