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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(18); 2479; doi: 10.3390/ani12182479

Effect of the Administration of a Nutraceutical Supplement in Racehorses with Lower Airway Inflammation.

Abstract: Mild−moderate equine asthma (MEA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lower airways of the horse, characterized by tracheal mucus accumulation, cough and poor performance. The therapeutic approach is based on pharmacological treatment and environmental management. Moreover, the efficacy of the administration of antioxidant molecules has been reported. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of a commercial nutraceutical supplement, composed of several herbal extracts, on lower airway inflammation in racehorses. Twelve Thoroughbreds affected by MEA were selected. All horses underwent a clinical examination with assignment of a clinical score, airway endoscopy and cytological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In seven horses, the supplement was administered for 21 days in association with environmental changes, while in five horses only environmental changes were performed. All procedures were repeated at the end of the study. Data concerning the clinical score, the endoscopic scores and the cytology at the beginning and at the end of the study were statistically compared. Data showed a significant reduction (p < 0.0156) of the clinical score and a significant reduction (p < 0.0156) of the tracheal mucus score. The results showed the beneficial effect of the supplement on mild−moderate lower airway inflammation, probably due to its antioxidant activity.
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Publication Date: 2022-09-19 PubMed ID: 36139339PubMed Central: PMC9495102DOI: 10.3390/ani12182479Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigates the effects of a nutraceutical supplement on racehorses suffering from mild intermittent asthma (MEA), a chronic lower respiratory tract inflammatory condition. Additional treatment included environmental modifications. Results suggest the supplement significantly reduced clinical and tracheal mucus scores, supporting its beneficial effects on MEA, likely due to its antioxidant properties.

Research Methodology

  • The study was designed to examine the efficacy of a nutraceutical supplement composed of several herbal extracts in treating lower airway inflammation, characteristic of mild-moderate equine asthma (MEA), in racehorses.
  • For this purpose, twelve Thoroughbred racehorses, all afflicted by MEA, were chosen and each underwent a clinical exam which was scored, an airway endoscopy, and cytological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
  • Seven of these horses were administered the supplement for 21 days alongside changes in their environment, while the remaining five horses underwent only environmental changes.
  • All procedures administered at the outset of the test were repeated at the conclusion of the study.

Data Analysis and Findings

  • Data related to the clinical score, endoscopic scores, and cytology from both the beginning and end of the trial were compared statistically.
  • The results showed a substantial reduction in the clinical score (p < 0.0156), indicating disease severity decreased significantly.
  • Similarly, a considerable reduction was observed in the tracheal mucus score (p < 0.0156), demonstrating less mucus accumulation – a symptom of MEA – in the horses' trachea after the supplementation.

Conclusion

  • The clear decline in both the clinical and the tracheal mucus score proves the beneficial impact of the nutraceutical supplement on lower airway inflammation in horses suffering from mild to moderate MEA.
  • This improvement in health status, as indicated by the scores, is likely attributed to the antioxidant activity of the supplement, suggesting its potential use in the management of MEA in racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
(2022). Effect of the Administration of a Nutraceutical Supplement in Racehorses with Lower Airway Inflammation. Animals (Basel), 12(18), 2479. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182479

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 18
PII: 2479

Researcher Affiliations

Grant Funding

  • CTE_NAZPR22FFERR_02 / Acel Pharma s.r.l.

Conflict of Interest Statement

F.F. is responsible for the funding received by Acel Pharma s.r.l., for the execution of the study. L.S., C.M.L.F., B.C., G.S. declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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