A comparison of the lipolytic and anticoagulative properties of heparin and pentosan polysulphate in the thoroughbred horse.

The research article is about a comparative study of heparin and pentosan polysulphate, specifically their effects on lipase release, anticoagulation and influence on plasma free fatty acid concentration in thoroughbred horses.

Understanding the Study

• The study’s primary objective was to develop a model that could effectively foresee an increase in plasma free fatty acids in horses pre-exercise. This model could potentially be useful in future investigations related to fat metabolism during physical activities.
• The researchers compared the effects of heparin and pentosan polysulphate on several factors. These included their ability to release lipase (an enzyme that processes fats) and anticoagulative effects (prevention of blood clotting).
• Notably, the study also evaluated whether these substances could increase the concentration of plasma free fatty acids when administered together with a triglyceride emulsion (Intralipid 20).
• Heparin and pentosan polysulphate were administered to the horses intravenously, with doses of 0.39 and 1.3 mg/kg body weight, respectively.

Key Findings

• Both heparin and pentosan polysulphate significantly increased total lipase activity in plasma.
• However, there was no discernible difference in lipase activity between the treatments with heparin and pentosan polysulphate.
• Administering heparin caused a dramatic increase in activated partial thromboplastin time (a measure of blood’s ability to clot), while administration of pentosan polysulphate had a less pronounced effect on this metric.
• Both substances, when coadministered with a triglyceride emulsion, resulted in a substantial increase in plasma free fatty acid concentrations. Once again, there was no significant difference between heparin and pentosan polysulphate treatments.

Conclusion

• Although a higher dose of pentosan polysulphate is required to achieve a lipolytic effect comparable to that of heparin, its impact on the clotting function is significantly lower.
• Because of its less pronounced effect on clotting function compared to heparin, pentosan polysulphate might be a better choice for increasing plasma free fatty acids before exercise when used with a triglyceride emulsion.