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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(4); 657; doi: 10.3390/ani13040657

A Carnitine-Containing Product Improves Aspects of Post-Exercise Recovery in Adult Horses.

Abstract: Strenuous exercise can cause tissue damage, leading to an extended recovery period. To counteract delayed post-exercise recovery, a commercial product containing L-carnitine (AID) was tested in adult horses performing consecutive exercise tests to exhaustion. Fit Thoroughbreds were administered an oral bolus of placebo (CON) or AID prior to performing an exercise test to exhaustion (D1). The heart rate (HR) and fetlock kinematics were captured throughout the exercise test. Blood was collected before, 10 min and 1, 4 and 6 h relative to exercise for the quantification of cytokine (1, 8, 10, ) gene expression and lactate concentration. Horses performed a second exercise test 48 h later (D2), with all biochemical and physiological measures repeated. The results demonstrate that the horses receiving AID retained a greater ( < 0.05) amount of flexion in the front fetlock on D2 than the horses given CON. The horses presented a reduced ( < 0.05) rate of HR decline on D2 compared to that on D1. The expression of 1, 8 and 10 increased at 1 h post-exercise on D1 and returned to baseline by 6 h; the cytokine expression pattern was not duplicated on D2. These results provide evidence of disrupted cytokine expression, HR recovery and joint mobility in response to consecutive bouts of exhaustive exercise. Importantly, AID may accelerate recovery through an undetermined mechanism.
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Publication Date: 2023-02-14 PubMed ID: 36830444PubMed Central: PMC9951645DOI: 10.3390/ani13040657Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the potential benefits of a L-carnitine-based product on post-exercise recovery in racehorses. The research found that horses given the product demonstrated improved heart rate recovery and joint flexibility after exhaustive exercise compared to those given a placebo.

Study Design

  • The study was conducted on fit adult Thoroughbred horses performing consecutive exhaustive exercise tests. These horses were split into two groups – one group was administered an oral dose of the L-carnitine supplement (AID), while the other group was given a placebo (CON).
  • The first exercise test (D1) was conducted immediately after the administration of the supplement or placebo. The heart rate and joint movement were monitored throughout the exercise, and blood samples were taken at different intervals after exercise to measure cytokine gene expression and lactate concentration.
  • A second exercise test (D2) was performed 48 hours later under the same conditions with all measurements repeated.

Results

  • The horses given AID retained a significantly greater amount of flexion in their front fetlocks during the D2 test compared to horses given the placebo. This suggests that the supplement improved the joint mobility in the horses, leading to better exercise performance.
  • The heart rate decline was smaller for horses in the supplement group on D2 compared to D1, indicating faster heart rate recovery after exercise.
  • The patterns of cytokine expression (proteins involved in cell signalling) were disrupted after consecutive bouts of exhaustive exercise. However, this pattern was not observed in the supplement group. This suggests that L-carnitine may influence the immune response following intense exercise, aiding recovery.

Conclusion

  • Although the exact mechanism is not clear, the Consumption of AID appears to promote post-exercise recovery in horses. It appears to achieve this by enhancing cytokine response, improving heart rate recovery, and improving joint mobility.
  • More in-depth research would be needed to determine how exactly the L-carnitine product benefits recovery and whether the same effects could be achieved in other animal or human subjects.

Cite This Article

APA
Johnson SE, Barshick MR, Gonzalez ML, Riley JW, Pelletier ME, Castanho BC, Ealy EN. (2023). A Carnitine-Containing Product Improves Aspects of Post-Exercise Recovery in Adult Horses. Animals (Basel), 13(4), 657. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040657

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 4
PII: 657

Researcher Affiliations

Johnson, Sally E
  • School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Barshick, Madison R
  • School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Gonzalez, Madison L
  • School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Riley, Julia Wells
  • School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Pelletier, Megan E
  • School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Castanho, Beatriz C
  • School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Ealy, Elayna N
  • School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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