Effect of fitness on glucose, insulin and cortisol responses to diets varying in starch and fat content in Thoroughbred horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Abstract: Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) occurs in fit, nervous Thoroughbreds fed high nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) diets. Clinical signs are diminished by feeding low NSC, high fat diets; however, the mechanism is unclear. Objective: To determine if the glucose, insulin and cortisol response to isocaloric diets varying in fat and NSC availability differ in fit vs. unfit Thoroughbreds with RER. Methods: Four fit (10 weeks treadmill training) RER Thoroughbred mares were exercised and fed 3 isocaloric (121 MJ/day) diets in a 5 day/diet block design. Two high NSC concentrates, sweet feed (SF) and a processed pelleted feed (PL) and a low starch high fat feed (FAT) were used. After 24 h of rest and a 12 h fast, horses ate half their daily concentrate. Blood sampled for [glucose], [insulin] and [cortisol] was obtained before, immediately after and at 30-60 min intervals for 420 min. After 3-6 months detraining period, the block design was repeated. Results: Results for SF and PL were similar. Regardless of diet, cortisol was higher in fit vs. unfit horses. Fit horses on SF/PL had higher post prandial [insulin] and insulin:glucose ratio than unfit horses. FAT resulted in lower post prandial [glucose] and [insulin] vs. SF/PL. Higher [insulin] in fit vs. unfit horses was not seen on the FAT diet. Conclusions: Increased post prandial [glucose], [insulin] and [cortisol] induced by high NSC, but not high fat, feeds are enhanced by fitness in RER horses. This combination may trigger rhabdomyolysis through increased excitability in RER Thoroughbreds.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059025DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00199.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
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 focuses on the effect of different diets and fitness levels on blood glucose, insulin, and cortisol levels in Thoroughbred horses suffering from a condition known as Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER). The study reveals that fit horses fed on high carbohydrate diets show increased post-meal blood glucose, insulin, and cortisol levels, which could potentially trigger their disease condition.
Research Methodology
- The research was conducted on four Thoroughbred mares suffering from RER who underwent a fitness regimen of 10 weeks of treadmill training.
- Three distinct diets were administered to these horses: two high Nonstructural Carbohydrate (NSC) feeds – Sweet Feed (SF) and Processed Pelleted Feed (PL), and a low starch, high fat diet (FAT).
- Each of these diets, providing equal amounts of energy (121 MJ/day), was given in a block pattern for 5 days straight.
- Blood samples were collected before and after feeding as well as at regular intervals of 30-60 minutes for a total duration of 420 minutes post-feeding. The aim was to measure levels of glucose, insulin, and cortisol in the blood.
- After the horses had gone through a detraining period of 3-6 months, they were subjected to the same procedure again to understand the difference in responses due to fitness levels.
Findings of the Research
- The results for the two high NSC diets (SF and PL) were found to be similar.
- Regardless of the type of diet, the cortisol level was higher in fit horses as compared to unfit ones.
- Fit horses fed with SF and PL exhibited higher post-meal insulin levels and insulin to glucose ratios than their unfit counterparts.
- The FAT diet led to lower post-meal glucose and insulin levels compared to SF and PL.
- The higher insulin level in fit horses, noticed while on the SF and PL diets, was absent when these horses were fed the FAT diet.
Conclusion
- The study asserts that high NSC diets but not high fat diets contribute to elevated post-meal glucose, insulin and cortisol levels in fit Thoroughbred horses suffering from RER.
- The combination of these raised levels and the horse’s fitness status may lead to increased excitability, potentially triggering rhabdomyolysis in Thoroughbred horses suffering from RER.
Cite This Article
APA
Finno CJ, McKenzie E, Valberg SJ, Pagan J.
(2011).
Effect of fitness on glucose, insulin and cortisol responses to diets varying in starch and fat content in Thoroughbred horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 323-328.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00199.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, USA. cjfinno@ucdavis.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Blood Glucose
- Diet / veterinary
- Dietary Carbohydrates / analysis
- Dietary Carbohydrates / pharmacology
- Dietary Fats / analysis
- Dietary Fats / pharmacology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Hydrocortisone / blood
- Insulin / blood
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Rhabdomyolysis / metabolism
- Rhabdomyolysis / veterinary
- Starch / chemistry
- Starch / metabolism
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
