Evaluation of substance P as a biomarker for pain in equine colic.
Abstract: Equine colic is an important condition associated with acute abdominal pain and one of the leading causes of death in horses. As such, objectively evaluating pain is of interest for attending veterinarians. Pain scales for assessment are present, but no single pain-specific biomarker has been reported. The aim of this study was to determine if substance P (SP) could be a reliable biomarker to reflect pain and serve as a parameter to predict outcome in equine colic. The hypothesis was that horses displaying severe colic signs present with higher values of SP in contrast to those with mild colic signs. Thirty warmblood horses, aged between 3 and 20 years were recruited; evenly distributed (10 horses each) in three colic groups (mild, moderate, severe). To classify the colic signs, the horses were graded by the Equine Acute Abdominal Pain Scale (EAAPS). Clinical examination and EAAPS were performed at arrival in the hospital. Blood samples were collected four times in hourly intervals commencing from arrival. For comparison, already established parameters for prognosticating equine colic (heart rate, serum cortisol, and blood lactate concentration) were also measured. The assumption of increasing SP concentrations along with pain could not be confirmed. SP did not show any association with heart rate, cortisol, lactate, or EAAPS. Whereas the established parameters increased according to the EAAPS, SP remained stable in individual horses regardless of clinical signs, treatment, and disease progression. Consequently, SP was not a reliable parameter to reflect painful conditions or to predict outcome in equine colic.
Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2023-12-08 PubMed ID: 38072227DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104979Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article focuses on an evaluation of substance P (SP) as a potential biomarker to monitor and assess pain levels in horses suffering from colic. However, the findings reveal no correlation between SP and pain indicators, demonstrating that SP isn’t a reliable predictor for colic pain or for determining outcomes in colic-afflicted horses.
Goal of the Study
- The main aim of this research study was to establish whether “substance P” (SP) which is a neurotransmitter and neuropeptide, could serve as a reliable biomarker for detecting acute abdominal pain, more specifically, colic, in horses. The researchers hypothesized that horses exhibiting severe colic symptoms would have higher levels of SP than those with mild symptoms.
Method of the Study
- The researchers recruited thirty warmblood horses aged between 3 and 20 years, and grouped them evenly into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe cases of colic. They used the Equine Acute Abdominal Pain Scale (EAAPS) to classify the pain levels in the horses presenting any signs of colic.
- Upon arrival at the hospital, each horse was given a clinical examination and EAAPS assessment. Blood samples were taken at hourly intervals over four hours post-admission.
- In addition to assessing SP levels in the blood samples, the researchers also measured established parameters known to prognosticate equine colic; these included heart rate, serum cortisol, and blood lactate concentration.
Findings of the Study
- The results were disappointing with regards to the role of SP as a biomarker. There was no significant correlation found between SP and the established parameters of heart rate, cortisol, lactate, or EAAPS grading. Despite the increasing severity of colic symptoms as per the EAAPS, the SP levels remained stable in individual horses, irrespective of their clinical symptoms, treatment, and disease progression.
- The study concluded that SP cannot be used as a reliable parameter to detect or predict pain severity in horses suffering from colic.
Cite This Article
APA
Gruber N, Gesell-May S, Scholler D, Zablotski Y, May A.
(2023).
Evaluation of substance P as a biomarker for pain in equine colic.
J Equine Vet Sci, 132, 104979.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104979 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Sonnenstrasse 14, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany.
- Center for Equine Ophthalmology, Munich, Germany.
- Equine Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Sonnenstrasse 14, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany.
- Clinic for Ruminants, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Sonnenstrasse 13, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany.
- Equine Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Sonnenstrasse 14, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany. Electronic address: Anna.May@lmu.de.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Colic / diagnosis
- Colic / veterinary
- Substance P
- Hydrocortisone
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Biomarkers
- Lactic Acid
- Abdominal Pain / diagnosis
- Abdominal Pain / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest None of the authors has any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.
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