Effects of Starch Overload and Cecal Buffering on Fecal Microbiota of Horses.
Abstract: Starch overload in horses causes gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders that are associated with microbiota changes. Therefore, we identified the fecal microbiota and hypothesized that intracecal injection of alkaline solution (buffer; Mg(OH)2 + Al(OH)3) could stabilize these microbiota and clinical changes in horses submitted to corn starch overload. Ten crossbred horses (females and geldings) were allocated to group I (water−saline and starch−buffer treatments) and group II (water−buffer and starch−saline treatments). Clinical signs, gross analysis of the feces, and fecal microbiota were evaluated through 72 h (T0; T8; T12; T24; T48; T72). Corn starch or water were administrated by nasogastric tube at T0, and the buffer injected into the cecum at T8 in starch−buffer and water−buffer treatments. Starch overload reduced the richness (p < 0.001) and diversity (p = 0.001) of the fecal microbiota. However, the starch−buffer treatment showed greater increase in amylolytic bacteria (Bifidobacterium 0.0% to 5.6%; Lactobacillus 0.1% to 7.4%; p < 0.05) and decrease in fibrolytic bacteria (Lachnospiraceae 10.2% to 5.0%; Ruminococcaceae 11.7% to 4.2%; p 0.5; fribolytic r < 0.1; p < 0.05), showing that cecal infusion of buffer did not prevent, but intensified intestinal disturbances and the risk of laminitis.
Publication Date: 2022-12-06 PubMed ID: 36496956PubMed Central: PMC9737938DOI: 10.3390/ani12233435Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research examines the effect of starch overload on the gastrointestinal health of horses, and evaluates the impact of a buffering solution in mitigating these effects. The study found that while the buffer increased certain types of gut bacteria, it also intensified some negative effects associated with starch overload, such as intestinal disturbances and laminitis.
Research Design and Participants
- Researchers used ten crossbred horses (both females and geldings) for this study.
- The horses were divided into two groups, Group I (water-saline and starch-buffer treatments) and Group II (water-buffer and starch-saline treatments).
- Observations and evaluations were carried out on the horses over a period of 72 hours, at several time intervals.
Experiment Procedure
- At time T0, corn starch or water was administered to the horses through a nasogastric tube. This was done to simulate a condition of starch overload.
- At the 8-hour mark (T8), a buffer was injected into the cecum, part of the large intestine, for horses under the starch-buffer and water-buffer treatments. This buffer comprised of an alkaline solution using magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide.
Findings
- The administration of starch resulted in a significant decrease in the richness and diversity of the fecal microbiota of the horses.
- In comparison with the starch-saline treatment, the starch-buffer treatment led to a more marked increase in amylolytic (starch-digesting) bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.
- Simultaneously, there was a decrease in fibrolytic (fiber-digesting) bacteria like Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae following the starch-buffer treatment.
- The buffer, while instigating changes in the microbiota, did not guard against negative outcomes; horses under the starch-buffer treatment displayed more signs of abdominal discomfort and lameness linked to dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiota.
- The changes induced by the buffer hence did not serve as a protective measure against the effects of starch overload, but instead appeared to exacerbate some of the adverse effects such as intestinal disturbances and increased risk of laminitis, a painful hoof condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Bustamante CC, de Paula VB, Rabelo IP, Fernandes CC, Kishi LT, Canola PA, Lemos EGM, Valadão CAA.
(2022).
Effects of Starch Overload and Cecal Buffering on Fecal Microbiota of Horses.
Animals (Basel), 12(23), 3435.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233435 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Technology, Multiuse Sequencing Laboratory, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Technology, Multiuse Sequencing Laboratory, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Technology, Biochemistry of Microorganisms and Plants Laboratory, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
Grant Funding
- 201524860-4 / Su00e3o Paulo Research Foundation
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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