Effects of warfarin on blood rheology in navicular disease.

The research article investigates the effects of the medication warfarin on blood flow properties (rheology) in horses and ponies, particularly those with navicular disease. The study discovered the blood cell flexibility and viscosity are higher in horses than ponies, elevate in horses with navicular disease, and decline to normal levels after treatment with warfarin.

Study Overview

• The subject of the research is the blood rheology, or flow properties, of horses and ponies and how these vary in conditions like navicular disease and in response to warfarin treatment.
• The scientists particularly measured the flexibility of erythrocytes, more commonly known as red blood cells. They used a centrifuge packing technique to determine this property.

Findings on Blood Rheology

• When it comes to blood rheology, the researchers discovered some differences between horses and ponies. It seems that erythrocyte flexibility is higher in horses (with a value of 30 per cent min-1) compared to ponies (with a value of 23.8 per cent min-1).
• The researchers also observed corresponding differences in blood viscosity between horses and ponies.
• The reason for the higher erythrocyte flexibility in horses is attributed to an unknown factor present in the plasma.

Effects of Navicular Disease

• In horses affected by navicular disease, erythrocyte flexibility was found to be even higher, reaching a value of 38.5 per cent min-1, compared to healthy horses.

Role of Warfarin Treatment

• In treating navicular disease, the anticoagulant medication warfarin was used. Findings identified that this drug apparently reduces erythrocyte flexibility to just below the normal value in horses.
• Specifically, a significant reduction in plasma viscosity and erythrocyte flexibility was discovered after treating four ponies with a daily dose of 6 mg warfarin for one week.

Interpretation of the Results

• This preliminary investigation provides beneficial insights on how medication (specifically warfarin) can impact blood properties in horses and ponies, particularly those afflicted by navicular disease.
• By reducing excessive erythrocyte flexibility in horses with navicular disease, warfarin may help normalize blood flow and possibly contribute to alleviating the disease’s symptoms.
• Moreover, the changes in blood viscosity and erythrocyte flexibility following warfarin treatment present promising avenues for further research and developing therapeutic strategies for alleviating equine navicular disease.