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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Investigating the Relationship Between Cardiac Function and ...
Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 9; 899951; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.899951

Investigating the Relationship Between Cardiac Function and Insulin Sensitivity in Horses: A Pilot Study.

Abstract: Metabolic syndrome in humans is commonly associated with cardiovascular dysfunction, including atrial fibrillation and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Although many differences exist between human and equine metabolic syndrome, both of these conditions share some degree of insulin resistance. The aims of this pilot study were to investigate the relationship between insulin sensitivity and cardiac function. Seven horses (five mares, two geldings, aged 17.2 ± 4.2 years, weight 524 ± 73 kg) underwent insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance testing to determine insulin sensitivity (mean 2.21 ± 0.03 × 10-4 L/min/mU). Standard echocardiograms were performed on each horse, including two-dimensional, M-mode, and pulse-wave tissue Doppler imaging. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were used to determine the association of insulin sensitivity with echocardiographic measures of cardiac function in 5 horses. Insulin sensitivity was found to be significantly correlated with peak myocardial velocity during late diastole (r = 0.89, P = 0.0419), ratio between peak myocardial velocity in early and late diastole (r = -0.92, P = 0.0263), isovolumetric relaxation time (r = -0.97, P = 0.0072), and isovolumetric contraction time (ρ = -0.90, P = 0.0374). These preliminary data suggest that decreased insulin sensitivity is correlated with alterations in both systolic and diastolic function, as measured with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Due to the small sample size of this study, the relationship between insulin sensitivity and myocardial function in horses requires further investigation.
Copyright © 2022 Williams, Furr, Navas de Solis, Campolo, Davis and Lacombe.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-08 PubMed ID: 35873691PubMed Central: PMC9305457DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.899951Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 research article highlights the findings of a pilot study that set out to explore the relationship between insulin sensitivity and cardiac function in horses, suggesting that decreased insulin sensitivity can be linked with functions in both systolic and diastolic measurements.

Purpose and Methodology of the Study

  • The intent of this pilot study stemmed from a known connection between metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular dysfunctions in humans, with particular emphasis on atrial fibrillation and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
  • In the context of this comparison, it is important to note some level of insulin resistance is a common characteristic of both humans and horses when suffering from metabolic syndrome.
  • Seven horses were included in the study (five female and two male), each being approximately 17.2 years old and weighing roughly 524 kg. They all underwent insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance testing to figure out their insulin sensitivity.
  • A standard echocardiogram was carried out on each horse to observe their two-dimensional images, M-mode, and pulse-wave tissue Doppler imaging.
  • The authors used Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses to determine the potential connection of insulin sensitivity with echocardiographic measures of the horses’ heart function.

Key Findings of the Study

  • Insulin sensitivity demonstrated a considerable correlation with an array of cardiac function measures, such as peak myocardial velocity during late diastole, the ratio between peak myocardial velocity in early and late diastole, isovolumetric relaxation time, and isovolumetric contraction time.
  • From an analytical perspective, insulin sensitivity’s correlation with these measures showed strong positive values close to 1 (ranging from 0.89 to -0.97), signaling a strong correlation among the variables.
  • The study’s preliminary data suggest that in horses, like in humans, a decrease in insulin sensitivity might be associated with changes in both systolic and diastolic functions. This was measured using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

Implications and Future Research

  • While the data uncovered are promising, the paper acknowledges the study’s limited sample size. Consequently, it suggests more extensive research is required to assertively establish the relationship between insulin sensitivity and myocardial function in horses.
  • This implies that for a full understanding of the link between insulin sensitivity and heart function in horses, the findings need verification through a larger-scale study.
  • This initial investigation provides a valuable foundation and indicates the potential for further, more comprehensive research in the area.

Cite This Article

APA
Williams NJ, Furr M, Navas de Solis C, Campolo A, Davis M, Lacombe VA. (2022). Investigating the Relationship Between Cardiac Function and Insulin Sensitivity in Horses: A Pilot Study. Front Vet Sci, 9, 899951. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.899951

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Pages: 899951

Researcher Affiliations

Williams, Natasha J
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States.
Furr, Martin
  • Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States.
Navas de Solis, Cristobal
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.
Campolo, Allison
  • Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States.
Davis, Michael
  • Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States.
Lacombe, Véronique A
  • Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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