Journal of veterinary internal medicine2019; 33(5); 2257-2266; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15620

Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Abstract: Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum cortisol concentrations increase with illness-associated stress. Dynamics of plasma ACTH and serum cortisol concentrations in adult horses with systemic illness are undocumented. Objective: To determine whether ACTH and cortisol concentrations and the ACTH/cortisol ratio vary with survival, the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), or ischemic gastrointestinal lesions at admission, or throughout hospitalization. Methods: One hundred fifty-one adult horses. Methods: Prospective study measuring serum cortisol and plasma ACTH at admission and on days 2, 4, and 6 of hospitalization. Horses were grouped by outcome (survival, SIRS status, number of SIRS criteria [SIRS score], SIRS severity group, and the presence of an ischemic lesion). Differences between groups and over time for ACTH, cortisol, and ACTH/cortisol ratio were investigated with a mixed effect model. Receiving operator characteristic curves and odds ratios were calculated for survival and ischemia. Results: In all groups, ACTH, cortisol, and ACTH/cortisol ratio significantly decreased over time (P < .0001). ACTH, cortisol, and ACTH/cortisol ratio were higher at admission in nonsurvivors, and ACTH and cortisol were higher in horses with ischemic lesions (P < .01). Horses with ACTH above reference interval at admission were 6.10 (2.73-13.68 [95% confidence interval]) times less likely to survive (P < .0001). No significant difference in ACTH, cortisol, and ACTH/cortisol ratio between horses with different SIRS status, scores, or groups were detected, although nonsurvivors had a higher SIRS score (P < .0001). Conclusions: Pituitary and adrenal responses are altered in nonsurviving horses and those with an ischemic gastrointestinal lesion.
Publication Date: 2019-09-12 PubMed ID: 31512777PubMed Central: PMC6766528DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15620Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The study investigates the levels of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum cortisol in horses with systemic illness, specifically systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and ischemic gastrointestinal lesions. The study found that horses with high ACTH levels on admission were less likely to survive and the hormone concentrations were higher in non-surviving horses and those with ischemic lesions.

Objective

  • The researchers wanted to find out if ACTH and cortisol levels, and their ratio, change with survival, the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), or ischemic gastrointestinal lesions at admission, or during hospitalization.

Methods

  • The study was a prospective assessment where they measured serum cortisol and plasma ACTH of 151 adult horses at admission and on days 2, 4, and 6 of hospitalization.
  • The horses were categorized by outcome (survival, SIRS status, number of SIRS criteria [SIRS score], SIRS severity group, and the presence of an ischemic lesion).
  • A difference between groups and over time for ACTH, cortisol, and their ratio was investigated with a mixed effect model.
  • Receiving operator characteristic curves and odds ratios were also calculated for survival and ischemia.

Findings

  • For all the groups, ACTH, cortisol, and the ratio between the two significantly decreased over time.
  • On admission, ACTH, cortisol, and their ratio were higher in non-survivors, and ACTH and cortisol were higher in horses with ischemic lesions.
  • Horses with ACTH above reference interval at admission were 6.10 times less likely to survive.
  • No significant difference in ACTH, cortisol, and their ratio was found between horses with different SIRS status, scores, or groups, although nonsurvivors had a higher SIRS score.

Conclusion

  • The study shows that pituitary and adrenal responses are altered in non-surviving horses and those with an ischemic gastrointestinal lesion. The findings suggest that stress hormones could act as markers for severe illness in horses and might be useful in predicting survival rates.

Cite This Article

APA
Stewart AJ, Hackett E, Bertin FR, Towns TJ. (2019). Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. J Vet Intern Med, 33(5), 2257-2266. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15620

Publication

ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 5
Pages: 2257-2266

Researcher Affiliations

Stewart, Allison J
  • School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
  • Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Hackett, Eileen
  • College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Bertin, Francois-Rene
  • School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Towns, Taylor J
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.

MeSH Terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / blood
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horses
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Ischemia / blood
  • Ischemia / veterinary
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / blood
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • P30 CA016672 / NCI NIH HHS
  • American College of Veterinary Emergency
  • Critical Care research award and Morris Animal Foundation
  • Veterinary Student Summer Scholarship program

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
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