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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Immunol Immunopathol / Exercise-induced alterations in pro-inflammatory cytokines a...
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology2007; 118(3-4); 263-269; doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2007.05.015

Exercise-induced alterations in pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin F2alpha in horses.

Abstract: Using an established standardized exercise test on a high-speed treadmill, thirteen Thoroughbred racehorses were exercised to fatigue (failure); blood samples were obtained before exercise, at failure, and at 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise. The exercise test induced a systemic inflammatory response characterized by a mild transient endotoxemia, leukocytosis, increased leukocyte expression of mRNA for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1 beta, and IL-6, and increased circulating concentrations of TNF-alpha and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF 2 alpha), with the most pronounced changes being evident at failure and 2h after exercise. Expression of mRNA for IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta was increased by 120-fold, three-fold, and four-fold, respectively, when compared to pre-exercise values. Plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and PGE2 did not change in response to the exercise test. Collectively, these findings indicate that brief, strenuous exercise induces endotoxemia and a systemic pro-inflammatory response in horses that persists for at least 2h.
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Publication Date: 2007-06-03 PubMed ID: 17617470DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2007.05.015Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research study demonstrates that brief, intense exercise can cause endotoxemia and a pro-inflammatory response in racehorses, which can linger for at least 2 hours post-workout.

Study Design and Exercise Test

  • In this study, thirteen Thoroughbred racehorses were put through a standardized exercise test on a high-speed treadmill. The exercise was done until the horses reached the point of fatigue. Blood samples were taken at different intervals – before the exercise, when the horse reached failure, and 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after the exercise.

Effects of Exercise on Horse Health

  • The exercise test induced a systemic inflammatory response in the horses. This response had several characteristics such as a minor, temporary endotoxemia, increased white blood cell count, increased leukocyte expression of mRNA for several biological markers, and increased levels of certain cytokines and prostaglandins.
  • These increases were most pronounced at the point of failure and 2 hours post-workout.
  • Expression of mRNA for IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta increased manifold as compared to pre-exercise values.
  • Interestingly, plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and PGE2 did not respond to the exercise test.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The observation suggests that brief, strenuous exercise can cause endotoxemia and a systemic pro-inflammatory response in horses that lasts for at least 2 hours.
  • This study provides important insight into the physiological effects of intense exercise on racehorses and may have implications for exercise regimens, recovery practices, and the overall health and well-being of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Donovan DC, Jackson CA, Colahan PT, Norton N, Hurley DJ. (2007). Exercise-induced alterations in pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin F2alpha in horses. Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 118(3-4), 263-269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2007.05.015

Publication

Veterinary immunology and immunopathology
ISSN: 0165-2427
NlmUniqueID: 8002006
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 118
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 263-269

Researcher Affiliations

Donovan, Douglas C
  • Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30605, USA.
Jackson, Christie A
    Colahan, Patrick T
      Norton, Natalie
        Hurley, David J

          MeSH Terms

          • Acid-Base Equilibrium
          • Animals
          • Cytokines / blood
          • Cytokines / metabolism
          • Dinoprost / blood
          • Endotoxins / blood
          • Gene Expression
          • Horses / blood
          • Horses / physiology
          • Interleukin-1beta / genetics
          • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
          • Interleukin-6 / genetics
          • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
          • Leukocytes / metabolism
          • Male
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
          • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood
          • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics

          Citations

          This article has been cited 19 times.
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