This study investigates how high insulin levels can induce the development of laminitis, a painful hoof condition, in healthy ponies even with normal blood sugar levels. The results indicate that managing hyperinsulinaemia could play a role in preventing laminitis.

Objective of the Study

• The primary aim of this research is to understand the effects of prolonged exposure to insulin on the integrity of hoof lamellar-in vivo in healthy ponies. These ponies examined in the study didn’t have a known history of either laminitis or insulin resistance.

Methodology

• The study included a total of nine clinically healthy ponies, of which five formed the treatment group and the remaining four constituted the control group. The ponies in the treatment group were subjected to insulin through a technique called the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp for 72 hours.
• The control group ponies, however, were infused with a solution containing 0.9% saline. Post reaching Obel grade 2 stage of clinical laminitis, the ponies were euthanized and their hoof lamellar tissues were then examined for histopathological evidence of laminitis.

Findings of the Study

• In the ponies exposed to prolonged hyperinsulinaemia, instances of clinical and histological laminitis were observed in all four feet within 72 hours. They had a significantly higher insulin concentration in their serum compared to the control ponies.
• In contrast to the treatment group ponies, none of the control group ponies developed laminitis. Moreover, there was no clinical evidence of gastrointestinal involvement or signs of systemic illness throughout the experiment in any of the ponies.

Conclusion

• The research data establishes that laminitis can be induced in healthy young ponies via maintaining prolonged hyperinsulinaemia with euglycaemia, hence suggesting a potential role of insulin in the pathogenesis of laminitis. This situation could arise independent of hyperglycaemia or alterations in the hind-gut fermentation.
• The study also suggests that early detection and appropriate management of hyperinsulinaemia could be crucial in managing endocrinopathic laminitis in ponies.