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Equine veterinary journal2010; 41(9); 852-858; doi: 10.2746/042516409x479027

Effects of endotoxaemia and carbohydrate overload on glucose and insulin dynamics and the development of laminitis in horses.

Abstract: Insulin resistance (IR) is a risk factor for pasture-associated laminitis in equids and alimentary carbohydrate overload may trigger laminitis. Whether glucose metabolism responses to carbohydrate overload are more pronounced in insulin-resistant horses requires further study. Objective: Horses pretreated with endotoxin to alter insulin sensitivity differ significantly in their glucose and insulin responses to carbohydrate overload. Methods: Horses (n=24) were divided into 3 groups. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS; n=8) group that received endotoxin as an 8 h 7.5 ng/kg bwt/h i.v. continuous rate infusion, an oligofructose (OF; n=8) group that received an infusion of saline followed by 5 g/kg bwt OF via nasogastric intubation, and a LPS/OF (n=8) group that received LPS followed 16 h later by OF. Glucose and insulin dynamics were evaluated at -24 h and 48 h using the frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test and minimal model analysis. Physical examinations and haematology were performed and the severity of laminitis assessed. Results: Horses receiving LPS developed leucopenia and both LPS and OF induced clinical signs consistent with systemic inflammation. Insulin sensitivity significantly decreased (P < 0.001) over time, but responses did not differ significantly among groups. Time (P < 0.001) and treatment x time (P = 0.038) effects were detected for the acute insulin response to glucose, with mean values significantly increasing in LPS and LPS/OF groups, but not the OF group. Five horses in the LPS/OF group developed clinical laminitis compared with 0 and 2 horses in the LPS and OF groups, respectively. Conclusions: Endotoxaemia and carbohydrate overload reduce insulin sensitivity in horses. Endotoxin pretreatment does not affect the alterations in glucose metabolism induced by carbohydrate overload. Conclusions: Insulin sensitivity decreases after carbohydrate overload in horses, which may be relevant to the development of pasture-associated laminitis.
Publication Date: 2010-04-14 PubMed ID: 20383981DOI: 10.2746/042516409x479027Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This study explores how the response of glucose metabolism to carbohydrate overload varies in horses, particularly in those that have insulin resistance. Researchers divided horses into groups and administered different treatments to each group while observing their glucose and insulin responses, as well as the development of laminitis (a horse-specific disease affecting the feet).

Study Procedure and Methodology

  • The researchers chose 24 horses to participate in the study and divided them into three groups: one that received an endotoxin called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), one that received oligofructose (OF) after an infusion of saline, and one that received both LPS and OF.
  • The reception of the endotoxin was done using continuous rate infusion (for 8 hours), while the oligofructose was introduced through nasogastric intubation.
  • The scientists evaluated the glucose and insulin responses of each horse in two time frames, 24 hours before and 48 hours after the initiation of the treatment.
  • Physical examinations, assessment of laminitis severity, and hematologic tests were also done to enrich the data collection process.

Key Findings

  • Horses that received LPS developed leucopenia, a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood.
  • Both LPS and OF treatments induced systemic inflammation in the horses.
  • Over time, insulin sensitivity sharply decreased in the horses, but there were no significant differences between the groups.
  • In the LPS and LPS/OF groups, the acute insulin response to glucose increased significantly over time. However, there was no similar increase in the OF group.
  • Laminitis developed in five horses in the LPS/OF group, compared to no cases in the LPS group and two cases in the OF group.

Conclusions

  • The findings of this study indicate a connection between endotoxemia/carbohydrate overload and a decrease in insulin sensitivity in horses.
  • Insulin sensitivity decreases after a carbohydrate overload, which could be a relevant factor in the development of pasture-associated laminitis (a painful and potentially crippling disease in horses).
  • The researchers concluded that endotoxin pretreatment does not influence the changes in glucose metabolism induced by carbohydrate overload.

Cite This Article

APA
Tóth F, Frank N, Chameroy KA, Bostont RC. (2010). Effects of endotoxaemia and carbohydrate overload on glucose and insulin dynamics and the development of laminitis in horses. Equine Vet J, 41(9), 852-858. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x479027

Publication

ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 9
Pages: 852-858

Researcher Affiliations

Tóth, F
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA.
Frank, N
    Chameroy, K A
      Bostont, R C

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
        • Carbohydrates / adverse effects
        • Endotoxemia / veterinary
        • Female
        • Foot Diseases / veterinary
        • Glucose / metabolism
        • Hoof and Claw / pathology
        • Horses
        • Inflammation / chemically induced
        • Inflammation / veterinary
        • Insulin / metabolism
        • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity

        Citations

        This article has been cited 9 times.
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