Comparative pathophysiology of nonglandular ulcer disease: a review of experimental studies.
Abstract: Ulceration of the nonglandular, stratified squamous mucosa of the equine and porcine stomach is a common event in both species, although in pigs the fatality rate is significant and it is an economically important disease. Because the barrier function of this mucosa in horses and pigs appears similar, it is probable that similar pathophysiological mechanisms may be responsible for the initiating lesions and reparative events. Recent studies of ulcer pathogenesis in the pig have shown that feed preparation or prolonged fasting can result in disruption of the normal stratification of gastric contents, thereby allowing high concentrations of HCl, pepsin and refluxed bile to mix in the proximal stomach. Conditions simulating those found in vivo have been shown to damage this mucosa in vitro and indicate that luminal products, such as short chain fatty acids and bile salts, which act in synergy with HCl, probably are necessary to induce significant damage to this mucosa. Studies of the equine stomach have shown a similar proximal to distal pH gradient in the fed stomach, a significant duodenal-gastric reflux, and induction of squamous ulcers with fasting, thereby illustrating that similar conditions may be responsible for damage to the equine nonglandular mucosa.
Publication Date: 2000-03-04 PubMed ID: 10696288DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05163.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper is a comparative study of the ulcerations that occur in the nonglandular regions of both equine and porcine stomachs, exploring how the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the initial lesions and repair events in both species might be similar, taking into consideration, the similar barrier functions.
Ulceration in Both Equine and Porcine Stomachs
Scientists conducted a comparison study between the ulceration of nonglandular, stratified squamous mucosa that is found in both horse (equine) and pig (porcine) stomachs. They found that this kind of ulceration is a common event in both species. However, in pigs, the ulceration becomes fatal at significant rates and thus macros a notable economic impact on swine farming.
- The researchers postulate that similar pathophysiological mechanisms could be responsible for creating lesions and aiding in reparative events, given the resemblances in the mucosal barrier performances between the two species.
Ulcer Pathogenesis and Contribution of Diet
The study also reviewed recent research into ulcer formation in pig stomachs. It was found various factors such as the way feed is prepared and prolonged fasting periods could disrupt the normal layers of gastric contents. This can lead to high concentrations of Hydrochloric acid (HCl), pepsin, and refluxed bile to mix in the upper (proximal) areas of the stomach.
- The researchers suggest that these conditions in the stomach have been shown to damage the mucosa when simulated in vitro (in a controlled lab environment).
- Additionally, luminal products, including short chain fatty acids and bile salts, seen in synergy with HCl, are probably necessary to cause significant damage to the mucosa.
Similar Conditions in Equine Stomach
The study observed similarities in the equine stomach to the described porcine stomach conditions. Similarities include a similar pH gradient from the proximal to distal region in the fed stomach, a significant duodenal-gastric reflux, and the induction of squamous ulcers with fasting.
- The researchers considered these common conditions as potential contributors to damage to the equine nonglandular mucosa.
Cite This Article
APA
Argenzio RA.
(2000).
Comparative pathophysiology of nonglandular ulcer disease: a review of experimental studies.
Equine Vet J Suppl(29), 19-23.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05163.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Bile Acids and Salts / physiology
- Fasting / physiology
- Gastric Mucosa / physiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Peptic Ulcer / physiopathology
- Peptic Ulcer / veterinary
- Rabbits
- Swine
- Swine Diseases / physiopathology
References
This article includes 37 references
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Hewetson M, Tallon R. Equine Squamous Gastric Disease: Prevalence, Impact and Management. Vet Med (Auckl) 2021;12:381-399.
- MacNicol JL, Pearson W. Gastrin and Nitric Oxide Production in Cultured Gastric Antral Mucosa Are Altered in Response to a Gastric Digest of a Dietary Supplement. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:684203.
- Peralvo-Vidal JM, Weber NR, Nielsen JP, Denwood M, Haugegaard S, Pedersen AØ. Association between gastric content fluidity and pars oesophageal ulcers in nursery pigs: a cross-sectional study of high-risk Danish herds using commercial feed. Porcine Health Manag 2021 Feb 23;7(1):19.
- Hildebrandt T, Scheuch E, Weitschies W, Grimm M, Schneider F, Bachmann L, Vervuert I. Measurement of abomasal conditions (pH, pressure and temperature) in healthy and diarrheic dairy calves using a wireless ambulatory capsule. Livest Sci 2017 Sep;203:41-47.
- Tao S, Duanmu Y, Dong H, Tian J, Ni Y, Zhao R. A high-concentrate diet induced colonic epithelial barrier disruption is associated with the activating of cell apoptosis in lactating goats. BMC Vet Res 2014 Sep 26;10:235.
- Perkins GA, den Bakker HC, Burton AJ, Erb HN, McDonough SP, McDonough PL, Parker J, Rosenthal RL, Wiedmann M, Dowd SE, Simpson KW. Equine stomachs harbor an abundant and diverse mucosal microbiota. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012 Apr;78(8):2522-32.
- Ho SB, Luu Y, Shekels LL, Batra SK, Kandarian B, Evans DB, Zaworski PG, Wolfe CL, Heinrikson RL. Activity of recombinant cysteine-rich domain proteins derived from the membrane-bound MUC17/Muc3 family mucins. Biochim Biophys Acta 2010 Jul;1800(7):629-38.
- Luu Y, Junker W, Rachagani S, Das S, Batra SK, Heinrikson RL, Shekels LL, Ho SB. Human intestinal MUC17 mucin augments intestinal cell restitution and enhances healing of experimental colitis. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2010 Jun;42(6):996-1006.
- Fink C, Hembes T, Brehm R, Weigel R, Heeb C, Pfarrer C, Bergmann M, Kressin M. Specific localisation of gap junction protein connexin 32 in the gastric mucosa of horses. Histochem Cell Biol 2006 Mar;125(3):307-13.
- Hodgson E, Thirouin M, Narayanan P, Romano TR, Wise J, Bond S. A novel placement method of a calibration-free pH capsule for continuous wireless measurement of intragastric pH in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17273.
- 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.
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