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Journal of equine science2023; 34(3); 73-81; doi: 10.1294/jes.34.73

Association of the severity of colic in horses with oxidative stress biomarkers, acute-phase proteins, and certain trace elements.

Abstract: Sixty-one horses were enrolled in this study and divided into 3 different groups according to their severity of colic (heart rate, oral mucous membrane color, and abdominal distention): a strangulating colic (SC) group (n=21), non-strangulating colic (NC) group (n=20), and control group (n=20) consisting of randomly selected normal horses without signs of colic. The serum concentrations of haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), zinc, iron, and copper were evaluated in all horses. The average concentration of TNFα in the SC group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). The TNFα concentration was higher in the NC group compared with the control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the average concentration of TNFα tended to be higher in the SC group compared with the NC group (P=0.052). The average concentration of haptoglobin in the SC group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). The average concentration of NO was higher in the SC group compared with the NC group. (P=0.016) The average concentration of MDA was higher in the SC group compared with the control group (P=0.042). Furthermore, the concentration of MDA was higher in the SC group compared with the NC group (P=0.048). TNFα in horses with signs of colic may be a reliable indicator of prognosis and the severity of clinical signs. The haptoglobin concentration may be a useful marker in cases where animals are referred to clinicians a few days after the onset of colic. The concentrations of MDA and NO should be interpreted with caution.
©2023 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
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Publication Date: 2023-09-08 PubMed ID: 37781567PubMed Central: PMC10534060DOI: 10.1294/jes.34.73Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 study explores the connection between the severity of colic conditions in horses and indices of oxidative stress, acute-phase proteins and some trace elements. The study suggests that certain biomarkers, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and haptoglobin, could serve as reliable indicators of colic severity in horses.

Methodology and Groupings

  • The research was conducted on 61 horses that were divided into three groups based on the severity of colic identified through symptoms like heart rate, color of oral mucous membrane, and abdominal distention.
  • The first group, known as the Strangulating Colic (SC), included 21 horses that experienced intestinal obstruction due to twists in the intestine.
  • The second group was the Non-Strangulating Colic (NC) which had 20 horses suffering from colic but without the twisting of the intestine.
  • The third group was a control group, with 20 normal horses showing no signs of colic.

Measurements and Findings

  • The study measured the serum concentrations of biomarkers such as haptoglobin, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and trace elements like zinc, iron, and copper in all horses from the three groups.
  • The average concentration of TNFα and haptoglobin were found to be higher in the SC group than in the control group, indicating a potential relation with more severe colic conditions. Similarly, NO and MDA were also found to be higher in the SC group in comparison to the NC and control groups.

Implications and Conclusion

  • The research concluded that TNFα in horses with signs of colic could be a reliable indicator for prognosis and determining the severity of the clinical signs.
  • The haptoglobin concentration could be a beneficial marker for cases where horses are referred to clinicians a few days after the onset of colic symptoms.
  • The concentrations of MDA and NO have been observed to be higher in horses with severe colic conditions. However, their role in diagnosis and prognosis should be assessed with care due to potential confounding factors.

Cite This Article

APA
Hajimohammadi A, Ghane M, Ghari Tehrani M, Paravar B, Mirzaei A, Razavi S, Nikzad M. (2023). Association of the severity of colic in horses with oxidative stress biomarkers, acute-phase proteins, and certain trace elements. J Equine Sci, 34(3), 73-81. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.34.73

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 3
Pages: 73-81

Researcher Affiliations

Hajimohammadi, Ali
  • Large Animal Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz 7144169155, Iran.
Ghane, Mohsen
  • Large Animal Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz 7144169155, Iran.
Ghari Tehrani, Masoud
  • Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz 7144169155, Iran.
Paravar, Benyamin
  • Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz 7144169155, Iran.
Mirzaei, Ahmadreza
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA.
Razavi, SeyedAmin
  • Large Animal Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz 7144169155, Iran.
Nikzad, Mohammad
  • Large Animal Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz 7144169155, Iran.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Mirzaei A, Hajimohammadi A. Diagnostic performance of specific oxidative stress biomarkers, acute phase proteins, and certain trace elements in different severities of equine colic. J Equine Sci 2025 Jun;36(2):45-54.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.36.45pubmed: 40832000google scholar: lookup
  2. Tharwat M, Al-Sobayil F. Equine colic: A comprehensive overview of the sonographic evaluation, diagnostic criteria, and management of different categories. Open Vet J 2025 Mar;15(3):1116-1139.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i3.5pubmed: 40276205google scholar: lookup
  3. Tesena P, Vinijkumthorn R, Preuksathaporn T, Piyakul P, Chotikaprakal T, Sirireugwipas R, Wong-Aree K, Prapaiwan N. Evaluation of gastrointestinal tract lesions and serum malondialdehyde levels after repeated oral administration of phenylbutazone in horses. Vet Res Commun 2024 Aug;48(4):2343-2355.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10415-ypubmed: 38771448google scholar: lookup
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