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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Efficacy of dexamethasone, salbutamol, and reduced respirabl...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2020; 34(2); 979-985; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15696

Efficacy of dexamethasone, salbutamol, and reduced respirable particulate concentration on aerobic capacity in horses with smoke-induced mild asthma.

Abstract: Mild asthma in horses decreases racing performance and impairs gas exchange. The efficacy of treatment on performance is unknown. Objective: Treatment targeting lung inflammation improves V ˙ O2 peak in horses with mild asthma. Methods: Thoroughbred polo horses (n = 12) with smoke-induced mild asthma. Horses were exposed to increased ambient particulate matter (35.51 μg/m3 [PM2.5 ]; day mean, centrally measured) from day -33 to 0, from bushfire smoke (natural model). Methods: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial. All horses completed 3 V ˙ O2 peak tests, measuring aerobic and anaerobic variables: day 0 -baseline; day 16 -after dexamethasone (20 mg IM q24h; DEX, n = 6) or saline treatment (SALINE, n = 6), under improved ambient PM2.5 concentrations (7.04 μg/m3 ); day 17-15-30mins after inhaled salbutamol (1500 μg). Bronchoalveolar lavage and mucus scoring were performed on day -8 and day 20. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the effects of timepoint and treatment group on BAL differential cell counts, mucus scores, aerobic and anaerobic variables. Results: Horses' mucus scores improved significantly from day -8 to 20 by 1.27 ± .38 (P = .01). There was a significant increase in V ˙ O2 peak of 15.5 ± 4.0 mL(min.kg)-1 from day 0 to 17 (P = .002), representing an average (mean) increase in V ˙ O2 peak of 13.2%. There was no difference in V˙O2 peak between treatment groups (SALINE versus DEX) at any timepoint. Conclusions: This study highlighted the key role of improved air quality on functionally important airway inflammation. Evidence provided is central to increasing owner compliance regarding improved air quality for the treatment and prevention of mild asthma.
© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-18 PubMed ID: 31953974PubMed Central: PMC7096652DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15696Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Veterinary

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.

This research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of dexamethasone, salbutamol, and reducing respirable particulate concentration in treating mild asthma caused by smoke inhalation in thoroughbred polo horses and its impact on their aerobic capacity. The study found improved mucus scores and significant increase in peak oxygen uptake, reaffirming the importance of improving air quality for the treatment and prevention of mild equine asthma.

Objective and Methods

  • The primary objective of this research was to examine whether treatment targeting lung inflammation could improve peak oxygen uptake ( O peak) in horses with mild asthma.
  • The study adopted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial methodology. Total number of thoroughbred polo horses selected for the study were twelve, all suffering from mild asthma induced by smoke.
  • Preliminary exposure mimicking a natural model scenario was set up wherein these horses were exposed to increased ambient particulate matter (35.51 μg/m) from bushfire smoke.
  • The performance and health parameters of the horses were tested at various stages: baseline – day 0; after treatment with dexamethasone (a steroid that reduces inflammation) or placebo (saline) under improved ambient particulate matter concentrations – day 16; 15-30 mins after inhalation of salbutamol (a bronchodilator) – day 17.
  • Furthermore, bronchoalveolar lavage (procedure to examine the airways of lungs) and mucus scoring were performed on day -8 and day 20. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to analyze the relationship between timepoint, treatment group, cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage, mucus scores, and aerobic as well as anaerobic variables.

Results

  • The study led to significant findings, illustrating a considerable improvement in the horses’ mucus scores from day -8 to day 20 by 1.27 ± .38.
  • Also, a noteworthy increase was observed in peak oxygen uptake of 15.5 ± 4.0 mL(min.kg) from day 0 to 17, representing an average increase of approximately 13.2% in peak oxygen uptake.
  • However, no difference was found in peak oxygen uptake between the dexamethasone treatment group and the saline (placebo) group at any timepoint during the study.
  • The study emphasized the pivotal role of enhanced air quality in modulating functionally critical airway inflammation, thereby aligning with the context of asthma.

Conclusions

  • The resultant data underscores the need for educating horse owners on the importance of maintaining and improving air quality as a preventive as well as therapeutic measure for mild asthma among horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Bond SL, Greco-Otto P, MacLeod J, Galezowski A, Bayly W, Léguillette R. (2020). Efficacy of dexamethasone, salbutamol, and reduced respirable particulate concentration on aerobic capacity in horses with smoke-induced mild asthma. J Vet Intern Med, 34(2), 979-985. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15696

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 2
Pages: 979-985

Researcher Affiliations

Bond, Stephanie L
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Greco-Otto, Persephone
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
MacLeod, Jacqueline
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Galezowski, Angelica
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Bayly, Warwick
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington.
Léguillette, Renaud
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Albuterol / administration & dosage
  • Albuterol / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Asthma / veterinary
  • Bronchodilator Agents / administration & dosage
  • Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Particulate Matter
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Prospective Studies
  • Respiration
  • Smoke
  • Treatment Outcome

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Sanz MG, Jellen G, Cody L, Bergsma J, Cha M, Kogan C, Kordas G, Bayly WM, Leguillette R. Use of inhaled ciclesonide for treatment of moderate asthma in Thoroughbred racehorses. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Mar-Apr;39(2):e17267.
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  2. Kim LD, Kreitner K, Scott DM, Seabaugh K, Duncan CG, Magzamen S. The effects of ambient air pollution exposure on Thoroughbred racehorse performance. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):712-722.
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  3. Robins TJ, Bedenice D, Mazan M. A Longitudinal Analysis of Equine Asthma Presentation and Response to Treatment Using Lung Function Testing and BAL Cytology Analysis in Combination with Owner Perception. Animals (Basel) 2023 Nov 1;13(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13213387pubmed: 37958142google scholar: lookup
  4. Bessonnat A, Hélie P, Grimes C, Lavoie JP. Airway remodeling in horses with mild and moderate asthma. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Jan;36(1):285-291.
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  5. Mainguy-Seers S, Lavoie JP. Glucocorticoid treatment in horses with asthma: A narrative review. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jul;35(4):2045-2057.
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