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Veterinary medicine and science2025; 11(2); e70202; doi: 10.1002/vms3.70202

Effects of Age, Sex, and Exercise on Measurement of Serum CTnI Levels and Some Parameters Related to the Cardiovascular Capacity of Caspian Horses.

Abstract: Due to their high specificity and exclusive cardiac myocyte sensitivity, cardiac troponins T and I (cTnT, cTnI) are currently regarded as ideal biomarkers to identify cardiomyocyte damage, myocardial injury, myocardial infarction, and chronic heart failure. In fact, cTnI is considered the most reliable biomarker for diagnosing heart-related issues. This study aimed to investigate the effects of age, gender, and exercise training on serum cTnI levels and various parameters related to the cardiovascular capacity of Caspian horses. For this purpose, 50 adult Caspian horses over 3 years old, both male and female, were selected from horse breeding centres and clubs in the provinces of Tehran, Alborz, and Gilan. To account for age-related differences, the horses were divided into three groups: Group A (less than 5 years), Group B (between 5 and 10 years), and Group C (over 10 years). To measure cTnI levels, 10 mL of blood was collected from the jugular vein of each horse using a venoject blood collection tube before exercise and another 10 mL 2 h post-exercise. The samples were refrigerated and centrifuged for 30 min after collection. Two millilitres of serum obtained from each horse at both time points was stored at -20°C for subsequent analysis. Troponin I levels were measured in the laboratory using the electrochemical luminescence (ECL) method. The results of this study reveal for the first time that the normal average of serum cTnI, packed cell volume (PCV), and blood haemoglobin (Hb) levels in Caspian horses is 2.5 ng/L, 35.52%, and 12.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the findings indicate that exercise significantly increases serum levels of cTnI, PCV, and blood haemoglobin; however, age and gender did not appear to affect these measured parameters. Therefore, it can be concluded that exercise stimulates the release of troponin due to myocardial injury.
Publication Date: 2025-03-11 PubMed ID: 40065591DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70202Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article investigates the impact of age, sex, and exercise on cardiac-specific biomarkers known as Cardiac troponins T and I (cTnT and cTnI) and other heart-related parameters in Caspian horses.

Research Aim and Methodology

  • The main aim of the study was to examine the influence of age, gender, and exercise training on serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and other cardiovascular parameters in Caspian horses.
  • A total of 50 adult Caspian horses, both males and females, aged over 3 years were involved in the study. They were selected from horse breeding clubs and centres in the provinces of Tehran, Alborz, and Gilan.
  • The horses were categorized into three groups according to their age to ascertain any age-related differences: Group A (under 5 years), Group B (5 to 10 years), and Group C (above 10 years).
  • Blood was drawn from each horse before and after exercise to measure cTnI levels. The samples were preserved in a cold environment and later spun in a centrifuge for 30 minutes after collection.
  • The serum obtained from the centrifuged blood sample was used for laboratory analysis using the Electrochemical Luminescence (ECL) method to measure Troponin I levels.

Research Findings

  • The research arrived at a normal average of 2.5 ng/L for serum cTnI, 35.52% for packed cell volume (PCV), and 12.1% for blood haemoglobin (Hb) in Caspian horses.
  • Exercise was observed to significantly elevate the serum levels of cTnI, PCV, and blood haemoglobin.
  • However, the research noted that neither age nor gender appeared to impact these measured parameters.

Conclusion

  • In conclusion, the study suggests that exercise stimulates the release of troponin due to myocardial damage in horses.
  • It also emphasizes that cTnI is a reliable biomarker for detecting heart-related ailments due to its high sensitivity and specificity to cardiac myocyte, supporting its use in veterinary and equine sports medicine.

Cite This Article

APA
Mehrazin H, Sakha M, Safi S. (2025). Effects of Age, Sex, and Exercise on Measurement of Serum CTnI Levels and Some Parameters Related to the Cardiovascular Capacity of Caspian Horses. Vet Med Sci, 11(2), e70202. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70202

Publication

ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Pages: e70202

Researcher Affiliations

Mehrazin, Hossein
  • Department of Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Science and research branch,Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Sakha, Mehdi
  • Department of Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Science and research branch,Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Safi, Shahabeddin
  • Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / physiology
  • Female
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Male
  • Troponin I / blood
  • Sex Factors
  • Age Factors
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Iran

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