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BMC veterinary research2019; 15(1); 400; doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2145-9

Establishment of a model for equine small intestinal disease: effects of extracorporeal blood perfusion of equine ileum on metabolic variables and histological morphology – an experimental ex vivo study.

Abstract: In horses a number of small intestinal diseases is potentially life threatening. Among them are Equine Grass Sickness (EGS), which is characterised by enteric neurodegeneration of unknown aetiology, as well as reperfusion injury of ischaemic intestine (I/R), and post-operative ileus (POI), common after colic surgery. The perfusion of isolated organs is successfully used to minimize animal testing for the study of pathophysiology in other scenarios. However, extracorporeal perfusion of equine ileum sourced from horses slaughtered for meat production has not yet been described. Therefore the present study evaluated the potential of such a model for the investigation of small intestinal diseases in an ex vivo and cost-efficient system avoiding experiments in live animals. Results: Nine ileum specimens were sourced from horses aged 1-10 years after routine slaughter at a commercial abattoir. Ileum perfusion with oxygenated autologous blood and plasma was successfully performed for 4 h in a warm isotonic bath (37.0-37.5 °C). Ileum specimens had good motility and overall pink to red mucosa throughout the experiment; blood parameters indicated good tissue vitality: 82 ± 34 mmHg mean arterial partial pressure of oxygen (pO) compared to 50 ± 17 mmHg mean venous pO 48 ± 10 mmHg mean arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO) compared to 66 ± 7 mmHg venous pCO and 9.8 ± 2.8 mmol/L mean arterial lactate compared to 11.6 ± 2.7 mmol/L venous lactate. There was a mild increase in ileum mass reaching 105 ± 7.5% of the pre-perfusion mass after 4 hours. Histology of haematoxylin and eosin stained biopsy samples taken at the end of perfusion showed on average 99% (±1%) histologically normal neurons in the submucosal plexus and 76.1% (±23.9%) histologically normal neurons in the myenteric plexus and were not significantly different to control biopsies. Conclusions: Extracorporeal, normothermic perfusion of equine ileum over 4 h using autologous oxygenated blood/plasma perfusate showed potential as experimental model to test whether haematogenous or intestinal exposure to neurotoxins suspected in the pathogenesis of EGS can induce neuronal damage typical for EGS. Also, this model may allow investigations into the effect of pharmaceuticals on I/R injury, as well as into the pathogenesis of equine POI.
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Publication Date: 2019-11-08 PubMed ID: 31703590PubMed Central: PMC6839147DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2145-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research explored the potential of using extracorporeal blood perfusion of horse ileum as an experimental model to study various life-threatening small intestinal diseases in horses, such as Equine Grass Sickness, ischemic reperfusion injury, and post-operative ileus. The tissue samples, obtained from horses slaughtered for meat production, demonstrate good vitality throughout the testing, suggesting that this method could reduce the need for live animal testing.

Study Methodology

  • The study worked with nine specimens of horse ileum, sourced from a commercial abattoir from animals aged 1-10 years and slaughtered for meat production.
  • The horse ileum was perfused for 4 hours using oxygenated autologous blood and plasma. This was done in a warm, isotonic bath with a temperature between 37.0 and 37.5 °C.

Results Observed

  • Throughout the experiment, the ileum specimens maintained good motility and pink to red mucosa, indicating good tissue vitality.
  • Blood parameters reflected good tissue vitality. The arterial and venous partial pressures of oxygen were at 82 ± 34 mmHg and 50 ± 17 mmHg respectively. The arterial and venous partial pressures of carbon dioxide demonstrated values of 48 ± 10 mmHg and 66 ± 7 mmHg respectively. Additionally, arterial and venous lactate levels were recorded at 9.8 ± 2.8 mmol/L and 11.6 ± 2.7 mmol/L respectively.
  • A slight increase in the ileum mass was observed, reaching 105 ± 7.5% of its original mass after 4 hours.
  • Biopsy samples taken at the end of the perfusion process and stained with haematoxylin and eosin showed an average of 99% and 76.1% histologically normal neurons in the submucosal and myenteric plexus respectively. These percentages were not significantly different from control biopsy results.

Conclusion

  • This study demonstrates the feasibility of using extracorporeal, normothermic perfusion of horse ileum as an experimental model in the research of small intestinal diseases in horses, avoiding the need for testing with live animals.
  • The model was especially promising for studies investigating the potential neuronal damage caused by exposure to neurotoxins suspected in the pathogenesis of Equine Grass Sickness.
  • Beyond this, the model presents opportunities to explore the impact of pharmaceuticals on ischemic reperfusion injury and delve into the pathogenesis of post-operative ileus in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Unterköfler MS, McGorum BC, Milne EM, Licka TF. (2019). Establishment of a model for equine small intestinal disease: effects of extracorporeal blood perfusion of equine ileum on metabolic variables and histological morphology – an experimental ex vivo study. BMC Vet Res, 15(1), 400. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-2145-9

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 400
PII: 400

Researcher Affiliations

Unterköfler, Maria S
  • Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Hospital, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
McGorum, Bruce C
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.
Milne, Elspeth M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.
Licka, Theresia F
  • Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Hospital, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria. theresia.licka@vetmeduni.ac.at.
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK. theresia.licka@vetmeduni.ac.at.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Ileum / blood supply
  • Ileum / innervation
  • Ileum / metabolism
  • Intestinal Diseases / veterinary
  • Models, Animal
  • Perfusion / methods

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Ahmadnejad-Asl-Gavgani M, Maham M, Dalair-Naghadeh B. In vitro effects of essential oils of Tanacetum balsamita and carvone on the contractility of bovine ileum smooth muscles. Vet Res Forum 2022 Mar;13(1):29-37.
    doi: 10.30466/vrf.2021.521204.3118pubmed: 35601771google scholar: lookup
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