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BMC veterinary research2014; 10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1); S4; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S4

Effect of pectin, lecithin, and antacid feed supplements (Egusin®) on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH and blood gas values in horses.

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of two commercial feed supplements, Egusin 250® [E-250] and Egusin SLH® [E-SLH], on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH, and blood gas values in stall-confined horses undergoing feed-deprivation. Methods: Nine Thoroughbred horses were used in a three-period crossover study. For the three treatment groups, sweet feed was mixed with E-250, E-SLH, or nothing (control group) and fed twice daily. Horses were treated for 21 days, then an additional 7 days while on an alternating feed-deprivation model to induce or worsen ulcers (period one). In periods two and three, horses (n=6) were treated for an additional 7 days after feed-deprivation. Gastroscopies were performed on day -1 (n=9), day 21 (n=9), day 28 (n=9) and day 35 (n=6). Gastric juice pH was measured and gastric ulcer scores were assigned. Venous blood gas values were also measured. Results: Gastric ulcers in control horses significantly decreased after 21 days, but there was no difference in ulcer scores when compared to the Egusin® treated horses. NG gastric ulcer scores significantly increased in E-250 and control horses on day 28 compared to day 21 as a result of intermittent feed-deprivation, but no treatment effect was observed. NG ulcer scores remained high in the control group but significantly decreased in the E-SLH- and E-250-treated horses by day 35. Gastric juice pH values were low and variable and no treatment effect was observed. Mean blood pCO2 values were significantly increased two hours after feeding in treated horses compared to controls, whereas mean blood TCO2 values increased in the 24 hour sample, but did not exceed 38 mmol/l. Conclusions: The feed-deprivation model increased NG gastric ulcer severity in the horses. However, by day 35, Egusin® treated horses had less severe NG gastric ulcers compared to untreated control horses. After 35 days, Egusin® products tested here ameliorate the severity of gastric ulcers in stall-confined horses after feed stress.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-07 PubMed ID: 25238454PubMed Central: PMC4123152DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S4Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This study investigated the effects of two feed supplements, Egusin 250® and Egusin SLH®, in reducing gastric ulcers among stall-confined horses. Furthermore, the study evaluated the effects of these feed supplements on gastric fluid pH and blood gas values. After 35 days of treatment, it was found that the tested Egusin® products were effective in decreasing gastric ulcer severity.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved nine Thoroughbred horses that were kept in a stable and placed under a three-period crossover study.
  • The horses were assigned to three groups, two of which had their sweet feed mixed with either E-250 or E-SLH, while the third group served as the control with their feed remaining untouched.
  • The horses were treated for a total of 21 days, with another 7 days added while they were put on an alternating feed-deprivation model to induce or worsen ulcers (during the first period).
  • In the subsequent two periods, the horses (now reduced to six in number) were treated for an additional 7 days post feed-deprivation.
  • Gastroscopies were conducted on various days of the experiment (day -1, 21, 28, and 35), during which gastric juice pH and gastric ulcer scores were measured. Additionally, venous blood gas values were taken into account.

Results

  • After 21 days, it was observed that gastric ulcers in the control group horses had significantly decreased. Nonetheless, when compared to the horses treated with Egusin®, there was no difference in ulcer scores.
  • On the 28th day, following intermittent feed-deprivation, the ulcer scores in horses of the E-250 group and the control group had increased significantly. However, there was no significant treatment effect observed.
  • By day 35, the ulcer scores remained high in the control group but witnessed a substantial decrease in the horses treated with either E-SLH or E-250.
  • The pH values observed in the gastric juice were found to be low and variable, with no significant treatment effect seen.
  • Mean blood pCO2 values increased significantly two hours after feeding in the treated horses as compared to the control group. Moreover, mean blood TCO2 values showed an increase in the 24-hour samples but did not go beyond 38 mmol/l.

Conclusions

  • The feed-deprivation model resulted in an increase of NG gastric ulcer severity in the horses.
  • However, by the 35th day, horses treated with either form of Egusin® ended up with less severe NG gastric ulcers than the untreated horses in the control group.
  • The study hence concludes that the Egusin® products tested during this research can effectively reduce the severity of gastric ulcers in stall-confined horses, particularly after feed stress.

Cite This Article

APA
Woodward MC, Huff NK, Garza F, Keowen ML, Kearney MT, Andrews FM. (2014). Effect of pectin, lecithin, and antacid feed supplements (Egusin®) on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH and blood gas values in horses. BMC Vet Res, 10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), S4. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S4

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10 Suppl 1
Issue: Suppl 1
Pages: S4

Researcher Affiliations

Woodward, Michelle C
    Huff, Nan K
      Garza, Frank
        Keowen, Michael L
          Kearney, Michael T
            Andrews, Frank M

              MeSH Terms

              • Animal Feed
              • Animals
              • Antacids / administration & dosage
              • Antacids / therapeutic use
              • Body Fluids / chemistry
              • Cross-Over Studies
              • Dietary Supplements
              • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
              • Horses
              • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
              • Lecithins / administration & dosage
              • Lecithins / therapeutic use
              • Oxygen / blood
              • Pectins / administration & dosage
              • Pectins / therapeutic use
              • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy
              • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary
              • Stress, Physiological

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              Citations

              This article has been cited 6 times.
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