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Veterinary medicine and science2025; 11(4); e70458; doi: 10.1002/vms3.70458

Effects of Induced Endotoxaemia on Global Cardiovascular, Oxygenation and Haematologic Variables and the Integrity of the Endothelial Glycocalyx in the Horse.

Abstract: Endotoxaemia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in equids due to perfusion impairment and possible destruction of the glycocalyx. To evaluate our hypothesis that endotoxaemia induces changes in global cardiovascular and haematologic parameters and compromises glycocalyx integrity, evidenced by an early rise in plasma shedding products. In vivo experiments METHODS: In a prospective, randomised, controlled experimental trial, endotoxaemia was induced with E. coli B55:O5 LPS 30 ng kg over 30 min IV in six healthy adult horses ventilated with oxygen supplemented with isoflurane. Standard cardiovascular variables were recorded and calculated, and leucocyte counts, lactate, heparan sulphate and syndecan-1 concentration were determined at baseline (B) before endotoxin and at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min after endotoxin. Data were analysed using mixed models and adjusted by Tukey-Kramer (SAS Enterprise Guide Software 7.1). After endotoxin (120 min), a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in cardiac index (43 ± 9 vs. 80 ± 15 mL kg min, p < 0.01), in oxygen delivery index (8 ± 3 vs. 17 ± 4 mL min kg, p <0.001), in pulse pressure variation (8 ± 3 vs. 17 ± 4, p < 0.01) and in lactate (1.55 ± 0,9 vs. 4.4 ± 0.52 mmol L, p < 0.0001) occurred with a decrease in systemic vascular resistance index (247 ± 87 vs. 83 ± 20 dynes s kg cm, p < 0.001), diastolic arterial blood pressure (69 ± 14 vs. 38 ± 5 mmHg; p < 0.001), and leucocyte counts (5.6 ± 1.3 vs. 1.5 ± 0.3 G l, p < 0.0001). No changes in the glycocalyx degradation products could be found. Short-term experimental endotoxaemia under isoflurane induced anticipated cardiovascular changes but did not alter glycocalyx shedding products in this study.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-19 PubMed ID: 40536501DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70458Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates how induced endotoxaemia in horses affects cardiovascular and blood parameters and the health of the glycocalyx, a protective layer on cells. The study also observed no significant changes to the glycocalyx despite cardiovascular changes caused by endotoxaemia.

Study Design

  • The study was a prospective, randomized, controlled experimental trial involving six healthy adult horses.
  • Endotoxaemia (toxic substances in the bloodstream originating from bacterial infection) was artificially introduced using E. coli endotoxins, after which cardiovascular and blood values were monitored.
  • These values were captured at various intervals pre and post endotoxin introduction to observe the progression of effects.
  • The software used for data analysis was SAS Enterprise Guide Software 7.1, employing mixed models and adjusted by Tukey-Kramer.

Key Findings

  • The introduction of endotoxins led to significant increases in cardiac index, oxygen delivery index, pulse pressure variation, and lactate levels.
  • Simultaneously, decreases were observed in systemic vascular resistance index, diastolic arterial blood pressure, and leucocyte (white blood cell) counts.
  • These results are indicative of the disruption in body’s cardiovascular functioning due to endotoxaemia.

Glycocalyx Observation

  • The researchers looked for changes in the glycocalyx by monitoring the presence of heparan sulphate and syndecan-1 concentration which are markers of glycocalyx degeneration.
  • No significant changes were found in these glycocalyx degradation products.
  • The study concluded that short-term endotoxaemia brought about anticipated cardiovascular changes but did not affect the trophic shedding of the glycocalyx measured by these markers.
  • This suggests that, at least in the short term, endotoxaemia does not appear to compromise the glycocalyx’s integrity.

Cite This Article

APA
Neudeck S, Sauter PK, Kutter APN, Steblaj B, Söbbeler FJ, Reiners J, Freise F, Gutiérrez Bautitsta AJ, Kästner SBR. (2025). Effects of Induced Endotoxaemia on Global Cardiovascular, Oxygenation and Haematologic Variables and the Integrity of the Endothelial Glycocalyx in the Horse. Vet Med Sci, 11(4), e70458. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70458

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 4
Pages: e70458

Researcher Affiliations

Neudeck, Stephan
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
  • Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
Sauter, Philipp K
  • G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, Hohelockenstedt, Germany.
Kutter, Annette P N
  • Section of Anaesthesiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Steblaj, Barbara
  • Section of Anaesthesiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Söbbeler, Franz J
  • Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
Reiners, Julia
  • Tierärztliche Kinik für Kleintiere am Kaiserberg, Duisburg, Germany.
Freise, Fritjof
  • Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
Gutiérrez Bautitsta, Alvaro J
  • Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
Kästner, Sabine B R
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
  • Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Glycocalyx / physiology
  • Endotoxemia / veterinary
  • Endotoxemia / chemically induced
  • Endotoxemia / physiopathology
  • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
  • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Female
  • Prospective Studies
  • Oxygen / metabolism

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