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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Mol Sci / How Inflamed Is the Horse in Training? Insights into Exercis...
International journal of molecular sciences2026; 27(5); 2328; doi: 10.3390/ijms27052328

How Inflamed Is the Horse in Training? Insights into Exercise-Induced Acute Phase Response in Endurance Horses.

Abstract: The article aimed to review the current literature analysing the complexity of an exercise-induced acute phase response in athletic horses undergoing intense training and endurance competitions. Since the endurance discipline demands physical fitness, exceptional health and excellent adaptation to an increasing workload, diagnostic methods of assessing the factors mentioned above are highly required. Athletic horses in endurance training undergo numerous metabolic but also immune adaptations, including changes in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. The inflammatory reaction resembles typical inflammation only to some extent; therefore, the term exercise-induced acute phase response (APR) has been introduced. Among many biomarkers, acute phase proteins (APPs), like serum amyloid A (SAA) and different types of cytokines, especially interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), appear to play a key role. These markers may be modulated by many factors; however, proper training seems to result in the occurrence of an "anti-inflammatory state", which is beneficial for the horse's health and highly required in high-performance equine athletes. Further understanding of the inflammatory reaction associated with extreme physical effort is crucial for ensuring the long-term career and welfare of endurance horses.
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Publication Date: 2026-03-02 PubMed ID: 41828552PubMed Central: PMC12984839DOI: 10.3390/ijms27052328Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Objective Overview

  • This research article reviews how intense exercise and endurance training trigger an acute phase inflammatory response in athletic horses.
  • It aims to understand the complex immune and metabolic changes during training to better assess horse health and performance.

Detailed Explanation of the Research

Background and Importance

  • Endurance horse competitions require horses to have exceptional physical fitness, health, and ability to adapt to increasing workload.
  • Maintaining these qualities necessitates reliable diagnostic methods to monitor health and physiological condition during training and competition.
  • Exercise induces various metabolic and immune system changes, including inflammatory responses similar but not identical to typical inflammation.

Exercise-Induced Acute Phase Response (APR)

  • The inflammatory reaction following intense exercise is described as an acute phase response rather than classical inflammation because it differs in mechanism and purpose.
  • APR involves changes in specific proteins and cytokines released into the bloodstream after exercise stress.
  • Biomarkers like acute phase proteins (APPs) provide measurable indicators of this response.

Key Biomarkers in Inflammatory Response

  • Serum Amyloid A (SAA): a major acute phase protein that increases in response to inflammation and exercise stress.
  • Cytokines: signaling proteins important in regulating the immune system:
    • Interleukin 1 (IL-1)
    • Interleukin 6 (IL-6)
    • Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α)
  • These markers fluctuate in response to exercise and indicate the degree of immune activation and inflammation.

Modulating Factors and Training Adaptations

  • Various factors influence the levels of APPs and cytokines, including the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise.
  • Proper and consistent training appears to shift the horse’s immune system toward an “anti-inflammatory state.”
  • This anti-inflammatory adaptation is beneficial, helping maintain health and performance during prolonged and intense physical activity.

Clinical and Practical Significance

  • Understanding APR and its biomarkers allows for better monitoring of the horse’s health status, enabling early detection of excessive inflammation or potential health risks.
  • Insights into the inflammatory processes help optimize training regimens to enhance performance while minimizing injury or illness.
  • Long-term welfare and career longevity of endurance horses can be improved by managing exercise-induced inflammation effectively.

Conclusions and Future Directions

  • The research emphasizes the need for further investigations to fully understand the biological mechanisms behind exercise-induced APR in horses.
  • Developing standardized diagnostic tools based on APPs and cytokine profiling can improve athletic horse management.
  • Such advancements will contribute significantly to safeguarding the health, welfare, and competitive success of endurance horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Rakowska A, Biazik A, Sobuś M, Cywińska A. (2026). How Inflamed Is the Horse in Training? Insights into Exercise-Induced Acute Phase Response in Endurance Horses. Int J Mol Sci, 27(5), 2328. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052328

Publication

International journal of molecular sciences
ISSN: 1422-0067
NlmUniqueID: 101092791
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 27
Issue: 5
PII: 2328

Researcher Affiliations

Rakowska, Alicja
  • Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Szosa Bydgoska 13, 87-100 Toruń, Poland.
Biazik, Anna
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Szosa Bydgoska 13, 87-100 Toruń, Poland.
Sobuś, Magdalena
  • Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Szosa Bydgoska 13, 87-100 Toruń, Poland.
Cywińska, Anna
  • Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Szosa Bydgoska 13, 87-100 Toruń, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Acute-Phase Reaction / metabolism
  • Acute-Phase Reaction / veterinary
  • Physical Endurance
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cytokines / metabolism

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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