Glucagon-like peptide-1, insulin-like growth factor-1, and adiponectin in insulin-dysregulated ponies: effects of feeding a high nonstructural carbohydrate diet and association with prospective laminitis.

This study examines the effects of a high nonstructural carbohydrate diet on specific hormone concentrations in insulin-dysregulated ponies. It finds that while such a diet increases the concentrations of active glucagon-like peptide-1 and high-molecular-weight adiponectin, these hormones do not play a major role in the development of equine laminitis, a painful condition related to equine metabolic syndrome and insulin dysregulation.

Overview of Research

• The research investigates how a high nonstructural carbohydrate diet affects ponies with insulin dysregulation, a condition where the body doesn’t use insulin properly, commonly seen in horses suffering from endocrinopathic laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome.
• The study specifically analysed the effects of the diet on the concentrations of three major hormones, namely active glucagon-like peptide-1 (aGLP-1), total insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin.
• A total of 37 ponies were studied, being placed on the high nonstructural carbohydrate diet for up to 18 days to induce a condition of high insulin levels, or hyperinsulinemia.

Research Findings

• The study found that this diet led to increased concentrations of aGLP-1 and HMW adiponectin hormones.
• However, there was no significant difference in the levels of these two hormones between ponies that developed laminitis and those that did not, suggesting that they do not play a substantial role in the development of this condition.
• Conversely, IGF-1 showed an inverse relationship with insulin, with a 32% lower concentration present in ponies that were hyperinsulinemic and developed laminitis compared to healthy ponies.
• The research concludes that unlike insulin and possibly IGF-1, the concentrations of aGLP-1 and HMW adiponectin do not have a strong correlation with the development and pathogenesis of equine laminitis.

Implications

• The findings of this study help further understand the hormonal responses in insulin-dysregulated ponies to dietary changes.
• While it shows an increase in certain hormone concentrations following a high nonstructural carbohydrate diet, it underscores that not all of these hormone changes contribute to the development of equine laminitis.
• Specifying key hormonal agents in the pathogenesis of equine laminitis could lead to more targeted treatment and prevention strategies for this condition in future.