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BMC veterinary research2022; 18(1); 49; doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03149-z

Demographic, morphologic, hormonal and metabolic factors associated with the rate of improvement from equine hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis.

Abstract: Although several studies have investigated factors associated with the onset and occurrence of hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis (HAL), few have examined the factors associated with the rate of improvement during recovery from an acute bout of the disease. This observational study sought to discover if a range of demographic, morphologic, hormonal and metabolic variables are associated with the improvement rate from HAL in 37 naturally-occurring cases identified by 16 clinics across Germany. Each case was evaluated for laminitis severity on the day of inclusion in the trial (d 0), then after 4, 9, 14, 25 and 42 d. The horses were managed according to best clinical practice including restricting exercise and prescribing a diet of hay-only, for a minimum of 9 d. Blood samples were also collected during each evaluation, except on d 9, and analysed for glucose, insulin, ACTH and leptin. Results: Based on individual clinical laminitis scores plotted against time, most horses improved markedly within 2 weeks, with a 'fast group' (n = 27) having a median (interquartile range) score on a 12-point scale of 0 (0-2) by d 14. However, there was a clear disparity within the total cohort, as ~ 1 in 4 horses demonstrated much slower improvement, with a median score of 5 (4-7) by d 14, or a marked relapse thereafter ('slow group', n = 10). Horses in the slow improvement group were younger (12.5 (8.8-16.3) vs 17 (14-24) yr; P = 0.008), but were not more likely to be heavier, male, very fat, to have presented with a previous history of laminitis or elevated ACTH concentrations, or to be receiving pergolide treatment. Of the hormonal and metabolic parameters measured, glucose and insulin concentrations were within the normal range following transition to the hay-only diet, but were higher in the group that failed to improve quickly, with a small but significant difference being evident on d 4, 14 and 25 for glucose (11 to 16%; P < 0.05), and a larger difference for insulin on d 14 and 25 (51 to 55%; P < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups in ACTH or leptin concentrations throughout the study. The main limitations of this study were the small number of slow-improvement horses and an inability to control or measure certain variables, such as feed quality. Conclusions: Young age and a modest increase in blood glucose and insulin concentrations are associated with delayed laminitis improvement.
© 2022. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2022-01-18 PubMed ID: 35042535PubMed Central: PMC8764787DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03149-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Observational Study
  • Observational Study
  • Veterinary

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 study looks at the relationship between various factors and the recovery rate from hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis (HAL) in horses. It found that younger age, and higher concentrations of glucose and insulin in the blood are associated with slower recovery from HAL.

Background of the Study

  • This research came about due to the lack of detailed investigation into the variables that influence the rate of improvement from Hyperinsulinaemia-Associated Laminitis (HAL) in horses. While several studies had looked into factors linked with the onset and occurrence of the disease, research on what influences recovery rates was lacking.
  • The study was observational in nature and spanned across 16 clinics in Germany, covering 37 cases of naturally-occurring HAL in horses.

Research Method

  • The study evaluated each clinical case for severity of laminitis at different time intervals. These were on the day of trial initiation, then after 4, 9, 14, 25, and 42 days.
  • The horses were given specific care according to best clinical practices, which included restricted exercise and a hay-only diet for a minimum of nine days.
  • During evaluation, blood samples were also collected for the analysis of glucose, insulin, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), and leptin levels. Only the ninth day was excluded in this process.

Findings and Results

  • Most of the horses started showing marked improvements within the first two weeks. However, about a quarter of the horses either had a slower recovery rate or experienced a serious relapse after some initial improvement.
  • The age of the horse was a significant factor in determining the speed of improvement. Younger horses (average age of 12.5 years) showed slower recovery compared to older ones (average age of 17 years).
  • Differences in rates of improvement were not seen to be significantly influenced by the horse’s weight, gender, body fat, prior history of laminitis, ACTH concentrations, or whether they were on pergolide treatment.
  • Blood glucose and insulin levels also affected the rate of improvement. Although these levels were within normal range in all horses after starting the hay-only diet, horses with slower recovery had higher levels of glucose and insulin. Significant differences were recorded on days 4, 14, and 25 for glucose, and on days 14 and 25 for insulin.
  • No significant differences were observed in ACTH and leptin levels between the two groups of horses.

Limitations and Conclusion

  • The study had a few limitations; the small number of horses demonstrating slower recovery, and the inability to control or measure certain factors, such as the quality of the feed, posed challenges.
  • In conclusion, younger age and higher levels of glucose and insulin in the bloodstream are associated with a slower rate of recovery from HAL.

Cite This Article

APA
Sillence M, Meier A, de Laat M, Klee R, Reiche D. (2022). Demographic, morphologic, hormonal and metabolic factors associated with the rate of improvement from equine hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis. BMC Vet Res, 18(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03149-z

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Pages: 49

Researcher Affiliations

Sillence, Martin
  • Queensland University of Technology (QUT), School of Biology and Environmental Science, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia. martin.sillence@qut.edu.au.
Meier, Alexandra
  • Queensland University of Technology (QUT), School of Biology and Environmental Science, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia.
de Laat, Melody
  • Queensland University of Technology (QUT), School of Biology and Environmental Science, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia.
Klee, Rebecca
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany.
Reiche, Dania
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Animals
  • Dermatitis / veterinary
  • Foot Diseases / etiology
  • Foot Diseases / veterinary
  • Germany
  • Glucose
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horses
  • Hyperinsulinism / complications
  • Hyperinsulinism / veterinary
  • Insulin
  • Leptin
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal

Conflict of Interest Statement

RK, and DR are employees of the company that funded this research: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH. None of the other authors have any competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Kirkwood NC, Hughes KJ, Stewart AJ. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in Horses. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 10;9(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9100556pubmed: 36288169google scholar: lookup
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