Effects of competition on acute phase proteins and lymphocyte subpopulations – oxidative stress markers in eventing horses.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate markers of the acute phase response (APR) in eventing horses by measuring acute phase proteins (APP) (haptoglobin, Hp, and serum amyloid A, SAA), lysozyme, protein adducts such as pentosidine-like adducts (PENT), malondialdehyde adducts (MDA), hydroxynonenal adducts (HNE) and total advanced glycation/glycoxidation end products (AGEs), complete blood count and lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+ and CD21+) both at rest and at the end of an eventing competition. Blood samples were collected from eight Warmblood horses (medium age 10 ± 3) during an official national 2-day event competition at rest (R) and 10 min after the arrival of the cross-country test on the second day. Exercise caused a significant increase in red blood cell number, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, neutrophils, white blood cell and lymphocyte number; however, these values remained within the normal range. The CD4+ and CD8+ cells significantly increased, whereas the CD21+ lymphocytes decreased; a significant increase in serum SAA, lysozyme and protein carbonyl derivates was also observed. Two-day event causes significant changes in APR markers such as lysozyme, protein carbonyl derivates (HNE, AGEs, PENT) and lymphocyte subpopulations. The data support the hypothesis that 2-day event may alter significantly APR markers. Limitations of the study were the relatively small sample size and sampling time conditioned by the official regulations of the event. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate the time required for recovery to basal values in order to define the possible effects on the immune function of the athlete horse.
Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2015-01-28 PubMed ID: 25628172DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12289Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research aims to evaluate the effects of competition-induced stress and strain on eventing horses through analyzing certain blood markers and lymphocyte subpopulations. The results indicate that while participation in a competitive event causes significant shifts in these biological markers, most values remain within normal ranges.
Study Aim and Methodology
- The research is aimed at determining the impacts of competition stress on event horses, specifically by examining the acute phase response (APR).
- APR markers, namely acute phase proteins (APP) like haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA), along with total advanced glycation/glycoxidation end products (AGEs) and others were studied. These substances often increase during states of physiological stress.
- Blood samples from eight Warmblood horses of median age ten were collected at rest and at the end of a 2-day national competition.
- The researchers not only observed the APR markers but also conducted a complete blood count and analyzed lymphocyte subpopulations.
Results and Findings
- The competition was found to induce significant increases in several parameters, including red blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, neutrophils, while blood cell and lymphocyte count.
- Despite these increases, the values generally remained within the normal physiological range.
- Changes were also noted within the lymphocyte subpopulations – the CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts increased, while the CD21+ lymphocytes declined.
- Significant increases were observed in serum SAA, lysozyme and protein carbonyl derivates, indicating a physiological stress response in the horses during the event.
Conclusions and Further Research
- The study validates the hypothesis that a 2-day event visibly alters APR markers in competition horses.
- However, with a relatively small sample size and sampling time limitations due to competition regulations, further research is recommended.
- Future studies should investigate the recovery time needed for these markers to return to their basal amounts and how this stress response may potentially affect the horses’ immune functions.
Cite This Article
APA
Valle E, Zanatta R, Odetti P, Traverso N, Furfaro A, Bergero D, Badino P, Girardi C, Miniscalco B, Bergagna S, Tarantola M, Intorre L, Odore R.
(2015).
Effects of competition on acute phase proteins and lymphocyte subpopulations – oxidative stress markers in eventing horses.
J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 99(5), 856-863.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12289 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Acute-Phase Proteins / metabolism
- Animals
- Biomarkers / blood
- Blood Cell Count / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Lymphocyte Subsets / physiology
- Male
- Oxidative Stress / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Schmucker S, Preisler V, Marr I, Krüger K, Stefanski V. Single housing but not changes in group composition causes stress-related immunomodulations in horses.. PLoS One 2022;17(8):e0272445.
- Knab AM, Nieman DC, Zingaretti LM, Groen AJ, Pugachev A. Proteomic Profiling and Monitoring of Training Distress and Illness in University Swimmers During a 25-Week Competitive Season.. Front Physiol 2020;11:373.
- Nieman DC, Groen AJ, Pugachev A, Simonson AJ, Polley K, James K, El-Khodor BF, Varadharaj S, Hernández-Armenta C. Proteomics-Based Detection of Immune Dysfunction in an Elite Adventure Athlete Trekking Across the Antarctica.. Proteomes 2020 Mar 3;8(1).
- Gariglio M, Dabbou S, Crispo M, Biasato I, Gai F, Gasco L, Piacente F, Odetti P, Bergagna S, Plachà I, Valle E, Colombino E, Capucchio MT, Schiavone A. Effects of the Dietary Inclusion of Partially Defatted Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Meal on the Blood Chemistry and Tissue (Spleen, Liver, Thymus, and Bursa of Fabricius) Histology of Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata domestica).. Animals (Basel) 2019 May 31;9(6).
- Bujok J, Gąsior-Głogowska M, Marszałek M, Trochanowska-Pauk N, Zigo F, Pavľak A, Komorowska M, Walski T. Applicability of FTIR-ATR Method to Measure Carbonyls in Blood Plasma after Physical and Mental Stress.. Biomed Res Int 2019;2019:2181370.
- Witkowska-Piłaszewicz OD, Żmigrodzka M, Winnicka A, Miśkiewicz A, Strzelec K, Cywińska A. Serum amyloid A in equine health and disease.. Equine Vet J 2019 May;51(3):293-298.
- Nieman DC, Groen AJ, Pugachev A, Vacca G. Detection of Functional Overreaching in Endurance Athletes Using Proteomics.. Proteomes 2018 Sep 1;6(3).
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