Effects of equine metabolic syndrome on inflammation and acute-phase markers in horses.
Abstract: Obesity and metabolic disorders are associated with systemic low-grade chronic inflammation, both in humans and animals. The aim of the study is to assess the effects of obesity and hyperinsulinemia on individual components of the acute-phase reaction in equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) horses. Eight mixed-breed EMS and six control, age-matched horses of both sexes were included in the study. Animals were classified as EMS or control based on the assessment of BCS, cresty neck score, and basal insulin >50 μU/mL and/or insulin responses to the oral sugar test (OST) >60 μU/mL. Peripheral venous blood was collected. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines, the concentration of circulating cytokines, and acute-phase proteins (serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, activin A, and procalcitonin) were measured. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test, whereas correlations were examined using Spearman's correlation coefficient. The tests were statistically significant if P ≤ 0.05. There were no differences in cytokine gene expression, circulating cytokine concentrations, or concentrations of acute-phase proteins between the EMS and the control groups. There was a strong correlation between the basal concentration of insulin and the serum concentrations of IL-6 (r = 0.71, P < 0.05). Activin A was positively correlated with post-OST insulin concentrations (r = 0.707, P = 0.05), indicating that this marker of inflammation could warrant further investigation in horses with EMS.
Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-02-14 PubMed ID: 32247989DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106448Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigated whether equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), a condition associated with obesity and hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels), results in increased inflammation or altered acute-phase response in horses. The researchers found no significant differences in inflammation and acute-phase markers between horses with EMS and control horses. However, they established correlations between insulin levels and certain inflammation markers, suggesting this relationship needs further investigation.
Objective of Study
- The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of obesity and high insulin levels on individual components of acute-phase reactions (an early response of the body to injury or infection) among horses diagnosed with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).
Methods
- Participants included eight mixed-breed EMS horses and six age-matched control horses. These horses were categorized as having EMS or being controls based on indicators of obesity, and either high basal insulin levels or high insulin responses after an oral sugar test.
- Blood samples were collected and were tested for the expression, or activity, of molecules that promote inflammation (proinflammatory cytokines), levels of circulating cytokines, and acute-phase proteins that are a part of the body’s early response to inflammation or infection.
Results
- The researchers did not observe any significant differences in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, circulating levels of cytokines, or concentrations of acute-phase proteins between the EMS and control groups.
- A significant correlation was observed between basal insulin levels and the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is associated with inflammation.
- The researchers also found a correlation between the levels of insulin post-oral sugar test and the amount of activin A, another inflammation marker, hinting that this marker should be studied further among EMS horses.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that obesity and high insulin levels did not cause differences in inflammation and acute-phase response between the EMS and control horses. However, the observed correlation of certain inflammation markers with insulin levels indicates possible associations that should be probed further.
Cite This Article
APA
Zak A, Siwinska N, Elzinga S, Barker VD, Stefaniak T, Schanbacher BJ, Place NJ, Niedzwiedz A, Adams AA.
(2020).
Effects of equine metabolic syndrome on inflammation and acute-phase markers in horses.
Domest Anim Endocrinol, 72, 106448.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106448 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: agnieszka.zak@upwr.edu.pl.
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Veterinary Science, MH Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Science, MH Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Population Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
- Department of Population Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Veterinary Science, MH Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Acute-Phase Proteins / genetics
- Acute-Phase Proteins / metabolism
- Adipose Tissue / metabolism
- Animals
- Biomarkers / blood
- Case-Control Studies
- Cytokines / genetics
- Cytokines / metabolism
- Female
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Inflammation / metabolism
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Insulin / metabolism
- Male
- Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
- Metabolic Syndrome / veterinary
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