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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2017; 228; 7-12; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.09.002

Increased adrenocortical response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in sport horses with equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD).

Abstract: This study tested the hypothesis that adrenocortical function would be altered in horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Twenty-six sport horses competing at national or international levels in eventing (n=15) or endurance (n=11) were subjected to a gastroscopic examination and an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured before (baseline) and after (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150min) IV ACTH injection (1μg/kg bodyweight). Within EGUS, two distinct diseases, equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), can be distinguished. ESGD was diagnosed in 8/11 (73%; 95% confidence intervals [95%CI], 43-92%) endurance horses and 5/15 (33%; 95% CI, 14-58%) eventing horses. EGGD was observed in 9/11 (82%; 95% CI, 53-96%) endurance horses and 9/15 (60%; 95% CI, 35-81%) eventing horses. The presence or severity of ESGD was unrelated to the presence or severity of EGGD. ACTH stimulation induced a larger increase in cortisol concentration in horses with moderate EGGD than in horses with mild EGGD. Cortisol concentration during the entire sampling period (total increase in cortisol concentration during the entire sampling period [dAUC], 31.1±6.4ng/mL) and the highest measured concentration at a single time point (maximal increase in cortisol concentration [dMAX], 10.3±2.3ng/mL) were increased (P=0.005 and P=0.038, respectively), indicating that horses with glandular gastric disease exhibited increased adrenocortical responses to ACTH stimulation. These results suggest that EGGD might be associated with an enhanced adrenocortical sensitivity. Further investigations are warranted to confirm the association between adrenocortical sensitivity and EGGD and to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms involved.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2017-09-11 PubMed ID: 29153110DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.09.002Google 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.

The study explores the relationship between adrenocortical function and equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) in sport horses. It finds a potential link, suggesting that horses with glandular gastric disease may have an increased adrenocortical reaction to ACTH stimuli.

Study Design and Objectives

  • The researchers sought to investigate whether adrenocortical function is altered in horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS).
  • Test subjects included 26 sport horses actively competing at national or international levels. 15 of the horses were classified under eventing, and 11 fell under endurance.
  • To assess adrenocortical function, each horse underwent a gastroscopic examination and an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test.

Methods and Findings

  • Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured both before and after an intravenous ACTH injection. These measurements occurred at different time intervals, namely 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes after the injection.
  • Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD) are two separate diseases that fall under the umbrella of EGUS. The diagnoses revealed that ESGD was present in a significant percentage of horses, differing in prevalence between eventing and endurance horses; however, there was no correlation between its presence or severity with the presence or severity of EGGD.
  • EGGD was significantly prevalent in both categories of horses, with a higher incidence in endurance as opposed to eventing horses.
  • Notably, ACTH stimulation resulted in a larger increase in cortisol concentration in horses with moderate severity of EGGD compared to those with a mild form.

Conclusions and Implications

  • Data indicated an increased adrenocortical response to ACTH stimulation in horses with glandular gastric disease, suggesting that EGGD could be associated with enhanced adrenocortical sensitivity.
  • The findings call for further investigations to confirm the association between adrenocortical sensitivity and EGGD and to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms involved. Such studies could potentially shape ways to manage and treat EGUS in sport horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Scheidegger MD, Gerber V, Bruckmaier RM, van der Kolk JH, Burger D, Ramseyer A. (2017). Increased adrenocortical response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in sport horses with equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD). Vet J, 228, 7-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.09.002

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 228
Pages: 7-12

Researcher Affiliations

Scheidegger, M D
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, Vetsuisse Faculty, Agroscope and University of Berne, Länggassstrasse 124, Postfach 8466, 3001 Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: milena.scheidegger@vetsuisse.unibe.ch.
Gerber, V
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, Vetsuisse Faculty, Agroscope and University of Berne, Länggassstrasse 124, Postfach 8466, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
Bruckmaier, R M
  • Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
van der Kolk, J H
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, Vetsuisse Faculty, Agroscope and University of Berne, Länggassstrasse 124, Postfach 8466, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
Burger, D
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, Vetsuisse Faculty, Agroscope and University of Berne, Länggassstrasse 124, Postfach 8466, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
Ramseyer, A
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, Vetsuisse Faculty, Agroscope and University of Berne, Länggassstrasse 124, Postfach 8466, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / administration & dosage
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horses
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Sports
  • Stomach Diseases / drug therapy
  • Stomach Diseases / veterinary
  • Treatment Outcome

Citations

This article has been cited 17 times.
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