Application of the 51Cr-EDTA urinary recovery test for assessment of intestinal permeability in the horse.

The research study explores the use of the 51Cr-EDTA absorption test for assessing intestinal permeability in horses, testing its effectiveness with experimentally induced alterations in gastrointestinal function. The findings suggest that the test could be useful in diagnosing conditions such as alimentary laminitis and protein-losing enteropathies linked to parasitic infections.

Research Methodology

• The study involved four healthy ponies. They were given 36 MBq of 51Cr-EDTA through a naso-gastric tube.
• The ponies’ urine was collected in polythene bags attached to their abdomens. The total urine voided every six hours was then collected.
• One milliliter samples were then taken from each bag for the measurement of gamma-radiation.
• The researchers then measured the urinary recovery of 51Cr-EDTA following the administration of two drugs – atropine sulphate and bethanecol.
• A significant part of the experiment was the administration of 250,000 third-stage cyathostome larvae to the ponies for 22 and 46 days.

Key Findings

• There was no significant difference in the urinary recovery of 51Cr-EDTA following the administration of a control treatment or atropine and bethanecol.
• Significant increases in 51Cr-EDTA recovery, however, were detected in ponies with the cyathostome infection – an indication of increased permeability of the intestinal membrane.
• The administration of motility modifying agents like bethanecol and atropine did not affect the absorption of 51Cr-EDTA. This implies that minor changes in motility may not affect the ability of the 51Cr-EDTA absorption test to detect altered intestinal permeability.

Conclusion

• The research concludes that the urinary recovery of 51Cr-EDTA increases in ponies with cyathostome infection. This insinuates that 51Cr-EDTA could be a useful marker for assessing intestinal permeability in horses.
• The role of increased intestinal permeability in various equine medical conditions suggests that this test could contribute significantly to the diagnosis and understanding of these conditions.