FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine2026; 48; e005725; doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm005725

Effects of total parenteral nutrition and electrolyte solutions with or without glutamine on the hormonal profiles of horses subjected to exploratory laparotomy.

Abstract: Starvation and nutritional support clinically influence horses, particularly during the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and post-surgical recovery. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different nutritional strategies on the endocrine response of horses subjected to exploratory laparotomy followed by food deprivation. Sixteen healthy adult horses were randomly allocated into four groups (n=4) based on treatments: enteral fluid therapy without (ENTFL) or with glutamine (ENTGL), and parenteral fluid therapy with glucose (PARFL) or total parenteral nutrition with glutamine (PARGL). Treatments were administered for 144 hours of starvation followed by 144 hours of refeeding. Blood samples were collected at five time points for hormonal (leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, cortisol, insulin, free T3, and free T4) analyses. Serum insulin and glucose significantly varied across all groups, with the PARGL group exhibiting hyperinsulinemia and persistent hyperglycemia during starvation. No significant alterations in free T3 or T4 concentrations were observed, which is potentially attributed to elevated serum glucose levels maintaining thyroid hormone stability. Notably, cortisol levels increased in the ENTGL group 72 hours after the onset of starvation. Ghrelin significantly increased only in the PARGL group during starvation, and it decreased after refeeding. Adiponectin levels were enhanced in the PARFL group during deprivation, which dropped after refeeding. Starvation reduced leptin levels in the ENTGL and PARGL groups, which were increased after refeeding. Despite hormonal changes, enteral nutrition maintained glycemic control, indicating stable intestinal absorptive function. These findings highlight the influence of nutritional route and composition, especially glutamine and glucose, on endocrine adaptation during starvation and refeeding. However, limitations such as the small sample size and absence of an absolute fasting group constrain the interpretations. Future studies involving broader hormonal panels and longer follow-up can better clarify neuroendocrine regulation during nutritional stress in horses. A inanição e o suporte nutricional são aspectos clínicos relevantes na medicina equina, especialmente durante o manejo de doenças gastrointestinais e na recuperação pós-operatória. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos de diferentes estratégias nutricionais sobre a resposta endócrina de equinos submetidos à privação alimentar após laparotomia exploratória. Dezesseis cavalos adultos saudáveis foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (n=4): hidratação enteral sem (ENTFL) ou com glutamina (ENTGL), e hidratação parenteral com glicose (PARFL) ou nutrição parenteral total com glutamina (PARGL). Os tratamentos foram administrados durante 144 horas de inanição seguidas de 144 horas de realimentação. Amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas em cinco momentos para análise hormonal (leptina, grelina, adiponectina, cortisol, insulina, T3 livre e T4 livre). Foram observadas variações significativas nas concentrações séricas de insulina e glicose em todos os grupos, com hiperinsulinemia e hiperglicemia persistente no grupo PARGL durante a fase de inanição. Não foram identificadas alterações significativas nos níveis de T3 e T4 livres, possivelmente devido à manutenção da glicemia elevada. Os níveis de cortisol aumentaram 72 horas após o início da inanição, especialmente no grupo ENTGL. A grelina aumentou apenas no grupo PARGL durante a inanição e reduziu após a realimentação. A adiponectina aumentou no grupo PARFL na privação e reduziu após a realimentação. A leptina diminuiu nos grupos ENTGL e PARGL durante a inanição e aumentou após a realimentação. Apesar das alterações hormonais, a via enteral manteve o controle glicêmico, indicando preservação da capacidade absortiva intestinal. Este estudo destaca a influência da via e composição nutricional, especialmente a presença de glutamina e glicose, na adaptação endócrina durante a privação e realimentação. Limitações como o número reduzido de animais e a ausência de um grupo em jejum absoluto restringem a interpretação dos dados. Estudos futuros devem ampliar o painel hormonal e o tempo de acompanhamento para melhor compreensão da regulação neuroendócrina em situações de estresse nutricional em equinos.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2026-01-14 PubMed ID: 41550891PubMed Central: PMC12807115DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm005725Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Cite This Article

APA
Ferreira C, Palhares MS, de Melo UP, Leme FOP, Maranhão RPA, Garcia HC, Gheller VA. (2026). Effects of total parenteral nutrition and electrolyte solutions with or without glutamine on the hormonal profiles of horses subjected to exploratory laparotomy. Braz J Vet Med, 48, e005725. https://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm005725

Publication

Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine
ISSN: 2527-2179
NlmUniqueID: 9918435088106676
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 48
Pages: e005725
PII: e005725

Researcher Affiliations

Ferreira, Cintia
  • Centro Universitário Maurício de Nassau (Uninassau). Natal, RN, Brazil.
Palhares, Maristela Silveira
  • Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Departamento Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias. Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Pampulha, MG. Brazil.
de Melo, Ubiratan Pereira
  • Centro Universitário Maurício de Nassau (Uninassau). Natal, RN, Brazil.
Leme, Fabíola de Oliveira Paes
  • Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Departamento Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias. Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Pampulha, MG. Brazil.
Maranhão, Renata de Pino Albuquerque
  • Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Departamento Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias. Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Pampulha, MG. Brazil.
Garcia, Hélio Chiarini
  • Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Pampulha, MG. Brazil.
Gheller, Valentim Arabicano
  • Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Departamento Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias. Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Pampulha, MG. Brazil.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest in the preparation, execution, and dissemination of the results of this study.

References

This article includes 44 references
  1. Bæk O, Fabiansen C, Friis H, Ritz C, Koch J, Willesen JL, Heegaard P, Lykkesfeldt J, Briend A, Golden MH, Sangild PT, Thymann T. Malnutrition predisposes to endotoxin-induced edema and impaired inflammatory response in parenterally fed piglets.. JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 2020;44(4):668–676.
    doi: 10.1002/jpen.1705pubmed: 31512266google scholar: lookup
  2. Bailey PA, Hague BA, Davis M, Major MD, Zubrod CJ, Brakenhoff JE. Incidence of post-anesthetic colic in non-fasted adult equine patients.. The Canadian Veterinary Journal = La Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne 2016;57(12):1263–1266.
    pmc: PMC5109629pubmed: 27928173
  3. Buff PR, Morrison CD, Ganjam VK, Keisler DH. Effects of short-term feed deprivation and melatonin implants on circadian patterns of leptin in the horse.. Journal of Animal Science 2005;83(5):1023–1032.
    doi: 10.2527/2005.8351023xpubmed: 15827247google scholar: lookup
  4. Calvani M, Scarfone A, Granato L, Mora EV, Nanni G, Castagneto M, Greco AV, Manco M, Mingrone G. Restoration of adiponectin pulsatility in severely obese subjects after weight loss.. Diabetes 2004;53(4):939–947.
    doi: 10.2337/diabetes.53.4.939pubmed: 15047608google scholar: lookup
  5. Campbell I. Starvation, exercise, injury and obesity.. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine 2004;5(7):243–248.
    doi: 10.1383/anes.5.7.243.36704google scholar: lookup
  6. Canali ES, Kruel LFM. Respostas hormonais ao exercício.. Revista Paulista de Educação Física 2001;15(2):141–153.
    doi: 10.11606/issn.2594-5904.rpef.2001.139895google scholar: lookup
  7. Carr EA. Enteral/Parenteral nutrition in foals and adult horses: Practical guidelines for the practitioner.. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice 2018;34(1):169–180.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2017.11.012pubmed: 29426711google scholar: lookup
  8. Christensen RA, Malinowski K, Massenzio AM, Hafs HD, Scanes CG. Acute effects of short-term feed deprivation and refeeding on circulating concentrations of metabolites, insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, somatotropin, and thyroid hormones in adult geldings.. Journal of Animal Science 1997;75(5):1351–1358.
    doi: 10.2527/1997.7551351xpubmed: 9159284google scholar: lookup
  9. Di Filippo PA, Duarte BR, Albernaz AP, Quirino CR. Effects of feed deprivation on physical and blood parameters of horses.. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Medicine 2021;43(1):e000321.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm000321pmc: PMC9179197pubmed: 35749104google scholar: lookup
  10. Douyon L, Schteingart DE. Effect of obesity and starvation on thyroid hormone, growth hormone, and cortisol secretion.. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America 2002;31(1):173–189.
    doi: 10.1016/S0889-8529(01)00023-8pubmed: 12055988google scholar: lookup
  11. Erdmann J, Töpsch R, Lippl F, Gussmann P, Schusdziarra V. Postprandial response of plasma ghrelin levels to various test meals in relation to food intake, plasma insulin, and glucose.. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2004;89(6):3048–3054.
    doi: 10.1210/jc.2003-031610pubmed: 15181097google scholar: lookup
  12. Ferreira C, Palhares MS, Melo UP, Chiarini-Garcia H, Maranhão RPA, Gheller VA, Leme FOP. Comparison between the techniques of inclusion in glycol methacrylate (GMA)-based plastic resin and paraffin for evaluation of intestinal morphometry in horses.. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Medicine 2022;44:e004521.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm004521pmc: PMC9179190pubmed: 35749088google scholar: lookup
  13. Ferrufino JC, Taxa L, Angeles G. Histología normal del intestino delgado.. Revista Médica Herediana 1996;7(1):46–57.
  14. Geor RJ. Endocrine and metabolic physiology.. In: Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. Geor R. J., Harris P. A., Coenen M., editors. W.B. Saunders; 2013. pp. 33–63.
    doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-3422-0.00002-Xgoogle scholar: lookup
  15. Glade MJ, Gupta S, Reimers TJ. Hormonal responses to high and low planes of nutrition in weanling thoroughbreds.. Journal of Animal Science 1984;59(3):658–665.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1984.593658xpubmed: 6386779google scholar: lookup
  16. Guimarães S. M., Oliva V. N. L. S., Maia C. A. A., Ciarlini L. D. R. P., Perri S. H. V., Silva A. R. S., Oliveira D. B., Vivan M. C. R.. Correlation of the diferent fasting periods with serum cortisol, plasma glycemia, condition clinic and acid-base balance in dogs submitted to inhalation of general anaesthesia.. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science 2007;44(supl.):96–102.
    doi: 10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2007.26596google scholar: lookup
  17. Guyton A. C., Hall J. E.. Tratado de fisiologia médica. 11. Elsevier Editora Ltda; 2006. 1128.
  18. Hennemann G., Krenning E. P.. The kinetics of thyroid hormone transporters and their role in non-thyroidal illness and starvation. Baillière’s Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2007;21(2):323–338.
    doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2007.03.007pubmed: 17574011google scholar: lookup
  19. Imbeault P., Pomerleau M., Harper M. E., Doucet E.. Unchanged fasting and postprandial adiponectin levels following a 4-day caloric restriction in young healthy men. Clinical Endocrinology 2004;60(4):429–433.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2004.01997.xpubmed: 15049956google scholar: lookup
  20. Kaneko J. J., Harvey J. W., Bruss M.. Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals. 6th. Academic Press; 2008. 896.
  21. Lawson A. L., Sherlock C. E., Ireland J. L., Mair T. S.. Equine nutrition in the post-operative colic: Survey of diplomates of the american colleges of veterinary internal medicine and veterinary surgeons, and european colleges of equine internal medicine and veterinary surgeons. Equine Veterinary Journal 2021;53(5):1015–1024.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13381pmc: PMC8451781pubmed: 33174212google scholar: lookup
  22. Maia M. A., Botteon P. T. L., Spindola B. F., Botteon R. C. C. M.. Alteração do pH fecal de equinos pela administração de alcalinizantes orais. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Medicine 2017;39(1):1–6.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm017google scholar: lookup
  23. Magdesian K. G., Bozorgmanesh R.. Nutritional considerations for horses with colitis. Part 2: Parenteral nutrition, new nutritional considerations and specific dietary recommendations. Equine Veterinary Education 2018;30(11):608–615.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12691google scholar: lookup
  24. McCue M. D.. Starvation physiology: Reviewing the different strategies animals use to survive a common challenge. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology 2010;156(1):1–18.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2010.01.002pubmed: 20060056google scholar: lookup
  25. McKenzie H. C.. Parenteral nutrition. In: Equine fluid therapy. Fielding C. L., Magdesian K.G., editors. Willey Blackwell; 2015. pp. 323–339.
    doi: 10.1002/9781118928189.ch25google scholar: lookup
  26. Melo U., Palhares M. S., Leme F. O. P., Ferreira C., Gheller V. A., Maranhão R. P. A.. Effects of total parenteral nutrition and enteral fluid therapy, with or without glutamine, and crystalloid fluid therapy on the renal function of horses subjected to starvation after exploratory laparotomy. Revista de Ciências Agroveterinárias 2025;24(1):59–75.
    doi: 10.5965/223811712412025059google scholar: lookup
  27. Melo U. P., Palhares M. S., Ferreira C., Leme F. O. P., Gheller V. A.. Effects of total parenteral nutrition associated with glutamine, enteral fluid therapy, with or without glutamine, and fluid therapy on the lipidogram of horses subjected to starvation after laparotomy. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 2023;75(5):807–820.
    doi: 10.1590/1678-4162-12964google scholar: lookup
  28. Melo U. P., Palhares M. S., Ferreira C., Leme F. D. O. P., Gheller V. A.. Effects of total parenteral nutrition associated with glutamine, enteral fluid therapy with or without glutamine, and fluid therapy on the acid–base and electrolyte balance of horses starved after exploratory laparotomy. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Medicine 2022;44:e003222.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003222pmc: PMC9581104pubmed: 36284629google scholar: lookup
  29. Melo U. P., Palhares M. S., Ferreira C., Gheller V. A., Leme F. O. P.. Efeitos da nutrição parenteral ou enteral, associadas ou não à glutamina, sobre a motilidade gastrintestinal em equinos submetidos à inanição e realimentação. Revista Brasileira de Ciência Veterinária 2021;28(2):69–74.
    doi: 10.4322/rbcv.2021.0013google scholar: lookup
  30. Melo U. P., Palhares M. S., Gheller V. A., Ferreira C.. Respostas neuroendócrinas à inanição em equinos. Acta Veterinaria Brasilica 2011;5(1):24–32.
  31. Melo UP, Ferreira C, Palhares MS, Silva JM, Filho. Circulatory shock in horses. Semina: Ciências Agrárias 2010;31(1):205–230.
    doi: 10.5433/1679-0359.2010v31n1p205google scholar: lookup
  32. Melo UP, Palhares MS, Oliveira J, Ferreira C, Silva JM, Filho. Nutrição parenteral em equinos. Arquivos de Ciências Veterinárias e Zoologia da UNIPAR 2008;11(1):63–69.
  33. Piccione G, Bertolucci C, Foà A, Caola G. Influence of fasting and exercise on the daily rhythm of serum leptin in the horse. Chronobiology International 2004;21(3):405–417.
    doi: 10.1081/CBI-120038609pubmed: 15332446google scholar: lookup
  34. Mota GR, Zanesco A. Leptina, ghrelina e exercício físico. Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia & Metabologia 2007;51(1):25–33.
    doi: 10.1590/S0004-27302007000100006pubmed: 17435852google scholar: lookup
  35. Nogueira LC, Cortopassi SRG, Intelizano TR, Souza MSB. Efeitos do jejum alimentar pré-cirúrico sobre a glicemia e o período de recuperação anestésica em cães. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science 2003;40(supl.):20–25.
    doi: 10.1590/S1413-95962003000700003google scholar: lookup
  36. Powell DM, Lawrence LM, Fitzgerald BP, Danielsen K, Parker A, Siciliano P, Crum A. Effect of short-term feed restriction and calorie source on hormonal and metabolic responses in geldings receiving a small meal. Journal of Animal Science 2000;78(12):3107–3113.
    doi: 10.2527/2000.78123107xpubmed: 11132825google scholar: lookup
  37. Radin MJ, Sharkey LC, Holycross BJ. Adipokines: A review of biological and analytical principles and an update in dogs, cats, and horses. Veterinary Clinical Pathology 2009;38(2):136–156.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-165X.2009.00133.xpubmed: 19392760google scholar: lookup
  38. Ralston SL. Insulin and glucose regulation. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice 2002;18(2):295–304, vii.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(02)00014-7pubmed: 15635909google scholar: lookup
  39. Ramsay TG, White ME. Insulin regulation of leptin expression in streptozotocin diabetic pigs. Journal of Animal Science 2000;78(6):1497–1503.
    doi: 10.2527/2000.7861497xpubmed: 10875631google scholar: lookup
  40. Reimers TJ, McGarrity MS, Strickland D. Effect of fasting on thyroxine, 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine, and cortisol concentrations in serum of dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research 1986;47(12):2485–2490.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.1986.47.12.2485pubmed: 3800108google scholar: lookup
  41. Romero CEM, Zanesco A. O papel dos hormônios leptina e grelina na gênese da obesidade. Revista de Nutrição 2006;19(1):85–91.
    doi: 10.1590/S1415-52732006000100009google scholar: lookup
  42. Sticker LS, Thompson DL, Junior, Fernandez JM, Bunting LD, DePew CL. Dietary protein and(or) energy restriction in mares: Plasma growth hormone, IGF-I, prolactin, cortisol, and thyroid hormone responses to feeding, glucose, and epinephrine. Journal of Animal Science 1995;73(5):1424–1432.
    doi: 10.2527/1995.7351424xpubmed: 7665373google scholar: lookup
  43. Wang Y, Han J, Zang Y, Guo W. Effects of vanadate on leptin production from isolated rat adipocytes. Biological Trace Element Research 2002;85(2):171–182.
    doi: 10.1385/BTER:85:2:171pubmed: 11899024google scholar: lookup
  44. Wijesekara N, Krishnamurthy M, Bhattacharjee A, Suhail A, Sweeney G, Wheeler MB. Adiponectin-induced ERK and Akt phosphorylation protects against pancreatic beta cell apoptosis and increases insulin gene expression and secretion. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 2010;285(44):33623–33631.
    doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.085084pmc: PMC2962460pubmed: 20709750google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,850 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.