From Table to Stable: A Comparative Review of Selected Aspects of Human and Equine Metabolic Syndrome.

This research article is a comparative review of the human and equine metabolic syndrome, focusing on the similarities and mechanism of disease in both species. The review seeks to uncover better management of the metabolic syndromes and share this knowledge with the public.

Introduction

• This research paper presents a comprehensive review of selected aspects of human and equine metabolic syndrome (MetS and EMS respectively). The researchers have explored the scenario of obesity in both humans and companion animals like horses, dogs and cats extending such observations to the developed world where between 25 to 50% of these animals are overweight or obese.
• The article outlines the similarity of this situation with the human scenario, given MetS has had approximately 30 years more research compared to EMS. Despite the difference in complications (cardiac in humans versus laminitis risk in horses), the researchers assert that these conditions share a number of disease mechanisms worthy of further investigation.

Studies and Findings

• Researchers cite that studies have confirmed a link between insulin dysregulation and laminitis in horses, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Following the discovery of the role of adipokines in MetS, constant evidence keeps emerging about the inflammatory mechanisms related to adiposity in various models including rodents, companion animals, horses, and humans.
• They review the connections between oxidative and dicarbonyl stress with obesity, insulin dysregulation, and laminitis. There is particular focus on the vascular actions of insulin through nitric oxide, endothelin-1, and other routes which are under research for their potential to offer better understanding of laminitis pathophysiology in horses.

Requirement for Additional Research and Future Implications

• The authors suggest that more research is needed into neuropathic mechanisms in horses with insulin dysregulation. This could shed light on the pathogenesis of laminitis and the associated pain that horses experience.
• They propose that learning from human literature can provide valuable insights for future studies in areas that have not received much attention. Moreover, they highlight the importance of these findings as they could be shared with horse owners to inform them about the possible consequences of maintaining unhealthy lifestyles for their horses.