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Equine veterinary journal2009; 41(7); 717-719; doi: 10.2746/042516409x464780

Effect of lipopolysaccharide infusion on gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in normal horses in vivo.

Abstract: Horses are exquisitely sensitive to bacterial endotoxin and endotoxaemia is common in colic cases. In this study, gene expression of inflammatory cytokines was characterised in the blood of healthy horses following i.v. administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Six horses received an LPS infusion and 6 controls received an equivalent volume of saline. Gene expression of genes encoding interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was quantified by real-time PCR. Gene expression of all inflammatory cytokines was upregulated following administration of LPS. Interleukin-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-8 and TNF-alpha gene expression peaked at 60 min, while IL-6 expression peaked at 90 min post LPS infusion. Interleukin-1beta and IL-6 messenger RNA expression levels were above the baseline values 3 h post LPS infusion, whereas IL-1alpha, IL-8 and TNF-alpha expression levels returned to baseline values by 3 h after LPS infusion. It was concluded that LPS infusion upregulated gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in the blood of healthy horses.
Publication Date: 2009-11-26 PubMed ID: 19927593DOI: 10.2746/042516409x464780Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The article focuses on a study understanding how the infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affects the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in healthy horses, which is particularly relevant as horses are sensitive to bacterial endotoxin and commonly experience endotoxaemia in colic cases.

Experiment Design

  • The research involved twelve horses divided into two groups: six given an infusion of lipopolysaccharide (a type of bacterial endotoxin), and six control horses given an equivalent volume of saline.
  • The gene expression of various interleukins (IL) – namely IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 – and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was quantified through real-time PCR.

Results and Findings

  • The researchers observed an increase in the gene expression of all the studied inflammatory cytokines upon LPS administration.
  • The peak expression for IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, and TNF-alpha was observed at 60 minutes after LPS infusion, while IL-6 expression peaked at 90 minutes after LPS infusion.
  • However, only IL-1beta and IL-6 levels remained above the baseline values three hours after LPS infusion. The expression levels of IL-1alpha, IL-8, and TNF-alpha had returned to baseline levels within the same time frame.

Conclusion

  • Based on their results, the researchers concluded that LPS infusion escalates the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in the blood of healthy horses.
  • This may suggest an innate immune response in horses to bacterial endotoxins, which can cause an inflammatory cascade.

Cite This Article

APA
Nieto JE, MacDonald MH, Braim AE, Aleman M. (2009). Effect of lipopolysaccharide infusion on gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in normal horses in vivo. Equine Vet J, 41(7), 717-719. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x464780

Publication

ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 7
Pages: 717-719

Researcher Affiliations

Nieto, J E
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
MacDonald, M H
    Braim, A E Poulin
      Aleman, M

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cytokines / genetics
        • Cytokines / metabolism
        • Gene Expression Profiling / veterinary
        • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
        • Horses / genetics
        • Horses / metabolism
        • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity
        • Male

        Citations

        This article has been cited 18 times.
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