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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2005; 19(2); 223-231; doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2005)19<223:aispha>2.0.co;2

Alterations in serum parathyroid hormone and electrolyte concentrations and urinary excretion of electrolytes in horses with induced endotoxemia.

Abstract: Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia are common in horses with sepsis and endotoxemia. We hypothesize that endotoxemia triggers a systemic inflammatory response that results in hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) administration to healthy horses on serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), ionized calcium (Ca2+) and total calcium (tCa), ionized magnesium (Mg2+) and total magnesium (tMg), phosphate (Pi), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), and insulin concentrations, and on the urinary excretion of these electrolytes. Twelve mares were infused with Escherichia coli LPS (30 ng/kg/h i.v.) for 1 hour. Six mares were infused with saline (controls). In LPS-infused horses, heart rate increased significantly from (mean +/- SD) 40.0 +/- 1.3 to 70.0 +/- 9.0 beats/min, respiratory rate from 12.7 +/- 1.0 to 21.1 +/- 3.0 breaths/min, body temperature from 37.4 +/- 0.3 to 38.9 +/- 0.6 degrees C, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations from 6.6 +/- 3.5 to 507 +/- 260 pg/mL (P < .05). White blood cell count decreased significantly from 7570 +/- 600 to 1960 +/- 560 cells/ microL. Serum concentrations of Ca2+ decreased from 6.5 +/- 0.3 to 6.0 +/- 0.3 mg/dL, of Mg2+ from 0.53 +/- 0.06 to 0.43 +/- 0.04 mM, of tMg from 0.78 +/- 0.05 to 0.62 +/- 0.08 mM, of K+ from 4.3 +/- 0.4 to 3.0 +/- 0.5 mEq/L, and of Pi from 3.4 +/- 0.5 to 1.7 +/- 0.5 mg/dL (all P < .05). PTH increased significantly from 1.3 +/- 0.4 to 6.0 +/- 5.2 pM; however, in some horses (n=2), PTH did not increase despite hypocalcemia. Insulin increased significantly from 9.4 +/- 3.6 to 50.5 +/- 9.6 microIU/mL (n=3). Urinary fractional excretion of Ca2+ decreased significantly from 4.7 +/- 1.4 to 1.7 +/- 1.2%, of Mg2+ from 36.6 +/- 6.5 to 11.7 +/- 7.3%, and of K+ from 37.9 +/- 11.3 to 17.7 +/- 6.2%. Fractional excretion of Pi increased from 0.02 +/- 0.02 to 0.14 +/- 0.07% and of Na+ from 0.26 +/- 0.13% to 1.2 +/- 0.5%. No changes were found in serum tCa, Na+, and Cl- concentrations. In conclusion, endotoxemia in horses resulted in electrolyte abnormalities that included hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and increased serum PTH and insulin concentrations.
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Publication Date: 2005-04-13 PubMed ID: 15822568DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(2005)19<223:aispha>2.0.co;2Google 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.

The research studied the change in blood and urine concentrations of various electrolytes and hormones in horses after inducing endotoxemia, and found that the condition caused electrolyte abnormalities like hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and raised parathyroid hormone and insulin levels.

Methodology of the Study

  • Twelve healthy mares were given a dose of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides intravenously to trigger endotoxemia. The dosage was 30 ng/kg/hour, administered over one hour.
  • In comparison, six mares were given saline as a control group.
  • Once endotoxemia was induced, the following parameters were tracked to understand the effects on the body: heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations, white blood cell count, and serum and urine concentrations of various electrolytes and hormones.

Findings of the Study

  • In the horses that were induced with endotoxemia, all the physiological parameters measured showed significant changes.
  • The average heart rate increased from 40.0 to 70.0 beats/min, respiratory rate increased from 12.7 to 21.1 breaths/min, body temperature increased, and white blood cell count decreased.
  • The serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone and insulin increased, while the concentrations of ionized calcium (Ca2+), ionized magnesium (Mg2+), total magnesium (tMg), potassium (K+), and phosphate (Pi) decreased. However, the total calcium (tCa), sodium (Na+), and chloride (Cl-) concentrations remained unchanged.
  • Note that in some horses, the parathyroid hormone concentrations did not increase despite a decrease in the calcium levels, which is unusual since PTH usually goes up in response to low calcium levels in the blood.
  • The urinary excretion of Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ decreased significantly, while excretion of Pi and Na+ increased. The fractional excretion of these electrolytes help in understanding how the bodies of horses were trying to compensate for the increased losses of these electrolytes in the urine.

Conclusion

  • The experiment concluded that endotoxemia, a potentially life-threatening condition where endotoxins are present in the blood, resulted in significant changes in electrolyte and hormone levels in horses. Specifically, it led to decreased levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphate (hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia), and increased parathyroid hormone and insulin concentrations in the blood.
  • This gives a better understanding of the biochemical changes during endotoxemia, which can help in diagnosing and managing the condition in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Toribio RE, Kohn CW, Hardy J, Rosol TJ. (2005). Alterations in serum parathyroid hormone and electrolyte concentrations and urinary excretion of electrolytes in horses with induced endotoxemia. J Vet Intern Med, 19(2), 223-231. https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2005)19<223:aispha>2.0.co;2

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Pages: 223-231

Researcher Affiliations

Toribio, Ramiro E
  • Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. toribio.1@osu.edu
Kohn, Catherine W
    Hardy, Joanne
      Rosol, Thomas J

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Electrolytes / blood
        • Electrolytes / urine
        • Endotoxemia / blood
        • Endotoxemia / chemically induced
        • Endotoxemia / urine
        • Endotoxemia / veterinary
        • Escherichia coli
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / blood
        • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
        • Horse Diseases / urine
        • Horses
        • Lipopolysaccharides
        • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
        • Time Factors

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