Abstract: A crossover feeding trial was performed with 9 horses suffering from recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). The study aimed to determine whether ingestion of sunflower oil (SFO), rich in linoleic acid, or seal blubber oil (SBO), a source of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs), changes the fatty acid (FA) ratios in plasma and leukocyte membrane phospholipids (PLs) or the leukocyte numbers or proportions of cell types in the airways. We also investigated diet-related changes in respiratory rate, maximum change in pleural pressure (deltaPpl(max)), dynamic compliance (C(dyn)), and pulmonary resistance (RL). Each animal was fed hay and oats supplemented with 320 mg/kg body weight (BW) of either SFO or SBO for 10 wk. Before and after the feeding periods, we performed FA analyses, cytologic testing of the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), clinical scoring, and pulmonary function testing. The results demonstrated that supplementary FAs were readily ingested and incorporated into leukocyte cell membranes. The n-6:n-3 FA ratios in plasma and leukocyte PLs were reduced after SBO supplementation, as were the PELF leukocyte counts (P < 0.05). On the other hand, pulmonary function and clinical signs were not markedly changed by the different dietary FAs. These results indicate a possible influence of dietary n-3 PUFAs on the pulmonary inflammation of horses with RAO. Further studies are warranted to address effects on inflammatory mediators and clinical outcome. Une expérience d’alimentation en croisée a été effectuée chez neuf chevaux souffrant d’obstruction respiratoire chronique (RAO). L’étude visait à déterminer si l’ingestion d’huile de tournesol (SFO), riche en acide linoléique, ou d’huile de gras de phoque (SBO), une source d’acides gras poly-insaturés à longue chaîne omega-3 (LC n-3 PUFAs), changeait les ratios d’acides gras (FA) dans le plasma et les phospholipides membranaires des leucocytes (PLs) ainsi que le nombre ou les proportions des leucocytes dans les voies respiratoires. Une évaluation a également été faite de l’effet de la diète sur des changements dans le rythme respiratoire, le changement maximal de la pression pleurale (ΔPplmax), la compliance dynamique (Cdyn) et la résistance pulmonaire (RL). Chaque animal a été nourri avec du foin et de l’avoine supplémentés avec une quantité de 320 mg/kg de poids corporel (BW) soit de SFO ou de SBO pendant 10 semaines. Avant et après les périodes d’alimentation, des analyses de FA ont été effectuées, une évaluation cytologique du liquide bordant l’épithélium pulmonaire (PELF) a été faite, et un pointage clinique et une évaluation de la fonction pulmonaire ont été effectuées. Les résultats ont démontré que les FA supplémentaires étaient rapidement ingérés et incorporés dans les membranes cellulaires des leucocytes. Bien que les fonctions respiratoires et les signes cliniques étaient peu modifiés par les différents FA alimentaires, les ratios n-6:n-3 dans le plasma et les PLs des leucocytes étaient réduits après ajout de SBO, tout comme les comptes de leucocytes du PELF (P < 0,05). Cette dernière observation indique une influence possible des PUFAs n-3 alimentaires sur l’inflammation pulmonaire des chevaux avec RAO et des études additionnelles sont nécessaires pour évaluer les effets sur les médiateurs de l’inflammation et le devenir clinique des animaux. (Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier)
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This study explores how feeding horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) either sunflower oil or seal blubber oil could impact their fatty acid ratios, immune cell counts, and functioning of the respiratory system. The results found potential implications for dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in managing pulmonary inflammation in such horses, although more research is needed to understand effects on inflammation mediators and clinical outcomes.
Research Design and Methodology
The research was a crossover feeding trial, involving nine horses suffering from recurrent airway obstruction (RAO).
The aim of the study was to examine the impact of consuming sunflower oil, which is rich in linoleic acid, or seal blubber oil, a provider of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs).
The focus was on whether these diets would affect the fatty acid (FA) ratios in the horse’s plasma and leukocyte membrane phospholipids (PLs), immune cell counts and types in the airways, as well as parameters of lung function such as respiratory rate, pleural pressure changes, dynamic compliance and pulmonary resistance.
Each horse was provided hay and oats, along with a supplement of 320 mg/kg body weight of either sunflower oil or seal blubber oil, over a period of 10 weeks.
Before and after the feeding period, the researchers performed tests to analyze fatty acid levels, cytological tests of the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid, clinical scoring, as well as pulmonary function tests.
Findings of the Study
The results showed that the supplementary fatty acids in both diets were effectively consumed and integrated into the leukocyte cell membranes of the horses.
There was a noted decrease in the n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratios in the plasma and leukocyte phospholipids of the horses that were fed seal blubber oil. The counts of leukocytes, or white blood cells, in the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid also decreased.
The type of ingested fatty acid did not cause significant variations in the pulmonary function or clinical signs for either group.
The findings suggest a possible effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the inflammation process in the lungs of horses with recurrent airway obstruction. However, additional research is necessary to further investigate their effects on inflammatory mediators and the overall clinical outcome.
Cite This Article
APA
Khol-Parisini A, van den Hoven R, Leinker S, Hulan HW, Zentek J.
(2006).
Effects of feeding sunflower oil or seal blubber oil to horses with recurrent airway obstruction.
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