Antioxidant trace elements in serum of draft horses with acute and chronic lower airway disease.

The research article explores how oxidative stress and the status of antioxidant trace elements are linked to lower airway disease in draft horses. The study found that oxidative stress, along with changes in the levels of specific antioxidant trace elements, is a characteristic of respiratory disease in these horses.

Analysis of Antioxidant Trace Elements

• The research aimed to assess the level of oxidative stress and the status of antioxidant trace elements in draft horses affected by lower airway disease.
• To do this, the researchers collected blood samples from 83 draft horses displaying signs of lower respiratory tract disorders and compared these with samples from a control group of 20 healthy horses.
• The study focused on examining serum trace elements including selenium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron.

Measurement of Oxidative Stress Indicators

• Oxidative stress in horses was evaluated through various measures such as serum malondialdehyde and low-density lipoprotein levels, and plasma hydrogen peroxides concentration.
• Researchers also measured the activity of plasma enzymes known to be involved in the body’s response to oxidative stress, including glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, and catalase.

Findings

• The results showed a significant decrease in the levels of selenium, copper, zinc, and iron in diseased horses compared to healthy ones.
• However, the ratio of copper to zinc and the level of manganese were observed to be higher in the diseased horses.
• Selenium levels were found to be significantly lower in chronically affected horses compared to those with acute cases, but manganese levels were higher.
• Indicators of oxidative stress, such as malondialdehyde, low-density lipoproteins, and hydrogen peroxides, were elevated in diseased horses.
• In contrast, the activity of protective enzymes such as glutathione-S-transferase and catalase was significantly decreased.
• Interestingly, in horses with chronic lower airway disease, a negative correlation was observed between selenium and malondialdehyde, suggesting that lower selenium levels are associated with higher oxidative stress.

Conclusion

• The research concludes that oxidative stress, along with alterations in antioxidant trace element levels, is a feature of respiratory disease in draft horses.