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Frontiers in veterinary science2025; 12; 1591090; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1591090

Investigations on metabolic diseases of horses in Egypt.

Abstract: Obesity is a significant risk factor that predisposes horses to laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, arthritis, heart disease, and respiratory issues. Unassigned: Mares showing overweight or laminitis ( = 30), different BCS ( = 90) weighing 350-550 Kg were subjected to clinical and rump fat assessments. Blood samples were collected to measure circulating estradiol, progesterone, cortisol, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and leptin. Additionally, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, nitric oxide (NO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione reduced, catalase, and serum amyloid A were measured. Statistical comparisons among mares were based on laminitis, hyperinsulinemia, overweight, the combination of hyperinsulinemia and overweight, and rump fat levels. Unassigned: Laminitis was associated with lower glucose levels (4.83 ± 0.16 5.56 ± 0.52 mmol/L; 0.002) and body weight (380.0 ± 10.95 447.6 ± 65.98 kg; 0.02), as well as higher albumin (3.78 ± 0.01 3.11 ± 0.62 g/dL; 0.015), catalase (193.64 ± 69.29 37.45 ± 7.57 U/mL; 0.001), IGF-1 (29.35 ± 17.31 20.29 ± 6.48 ng/mL; 0.043), and the glucose/insulin ratio (0.77 ± 0.68 0.44 ± 0.030; 0.05). Obesity (>450 Kg) was associated with increased glucose levels (5.60 ± 0.54 5.15 ± 0.39 nmol/L; 0.018) and reduced IGF-1 (16.44 ± 4.51 28.24 ± 3.90 ng/mL; 0.001), albumin (2.98 ± 0.67 3.46 ± 0.53 g/dL; 0.041), albumin/globulin ratio (0.72 ± 0.07 0.98 ± 0.11; 0.048), and glucose/insulin ratio (0.34 ± 0.14 0.71 ± 0.58; 0.009). Hyperinsulinemia (>20 μU/L) was associated with significant reduction in albumin (2.67 ± 0.59 3.56 ± 0.37 g/dL; 0.0001), albumin/globulin ratio (0.57 ± 0.24 1.01 ± 0.32 g/dL; 0.0001), catalase (17.23 ± 2.24 100.67 ± 30.99 U/mL; 0.021), NO (19.23 ± 2.24 . 21.35 ± 1.29 mmoL/mL; = 0.002), glucose (5.44 ± 0.53 5.61 ± 0.38 mmol/L; 0.038), and glucose/insulin ratio (0.18 ± 0.04 0.72 ± 0.41; 0.0001). In contrast, globulin levels were significantly elevated (5.02 ± 1.02 . 3.85 ± 1.10 g/dL;  = 0.0001). The combination of hyperinsulinemia and obesity was associated with significant decreases in ( 0.0001) albumin, albumin/globulin, and IGF-1, and increases in LDH, NO, globulins ( 0.006). Additionally, NO levels were significantly reduced in hyperinsulinemia mares with lower body weight ( 0.0001). Unassigned: Obesity, whether assessed by rump fat or overweight, is not always associated with hyperinsulinemia or with metabolic or endocrinologic abnormalities in mares. Conversely, hyperinsulinemia is not always associated with obesity but is related to insulin resistance and dysregulation.
Copyright © 2025 Aboelmaaty, Ahdy, El-khodery and Elgioushy.
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Publication Date: 2025-08-18 PubMed ID: 40901060PubMed Central: PMC12400681DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1591090Google 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.

Research Overview

  • This study investigates metabolic diseases in Egyptian horses, focusing on obesity, laminitis, and related metabolic and endocrinologic parameters in mares.
  • The research examines the relationship between obesity, insulin levels, and metabolic indicators to understand their roles in conditions such as laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome.

Study Design and Methods

  • Subjects: 120 mares of varying body condition scores (BCS), including 30 with overweight or laminitis.
  • Weight Range: Mares weighed between 350 and 550 kg.
  • Clinical Assessments: Included physical examination and rump fat measurement to assess obesity.
  • Blood Tests: Measured several hormones and biochemical markers:
    • Hormones: Estradiol, progesterone, cortisol, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), leptin
    • Metabolites and Enzymes: Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, nitric oxide (NO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione reduced, catalase, serum amyloid A
  • Statistical Comparisons: Made among groups categorized by presence of laminitis, hyperinsulinemia (insulin >20 μU/L), overweight status (>450 kg), their combinations, and rump fat levels.

Key Findings

  • Laminitis:
    • Associated with lower glucose levels (4.83 vs 5.56 mmol/L) and lower body weight (380 vs 448 kg).
    • Higher levels of albumin (3.78 vs 3.11 g/dL), catalase enzyme activity (193.64 vs 37.45 U/mL), IGF-1 (29.35 vs 20.29 ng/mL), and glucose/insulin ratio (0.77 vs 0.44).
  • Obesity (>450 kg):
    • Linked to increased glucose levels (5.60 vs 5.15 mmol/L).
    • Reduced IGF-1 (16.44 vs 28.24 ng/mL), albumin (2.98 vs 3.46 g/dL), albumin/globulin ratio (0.72 vs 0.98), and glucose/insulin ratio (0.34 vs 0.71).
  • Hyperinsulinemia (>20 μU/L):
    • Significant decreases in albumin (2.67 vs 3.56 g/dL), albumin/globulin ratio (0.57 vs 1.01), catalase activity (17.23 vs 100.67 U/mL), nitric oxide levels (19.23 vs 21.35 mmol/mL), glucose (5.44 vs 5.61 mmol/L), and glucose/insulin ratio (0.18 vs 0.72).
    • Increased globulin levels (5.02 vs 3.85 g/dL).
  • Combination of Hyperinsulinemia and Obesity:
    • Marked decreases in albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, and IGF-1.
    • Increases in LDH, nitric oxide, and globulins.
  • Additional Observations:
    • Reduced nitric oxide levels in hyperinsulinemic mares with lower body weight.
    • Obesity does not always correlate with hyperinsulinemia or metabolic/endocrine abnormalities.
    • Conversely, hyperinsulinemia is not always accompanied by obesity but is linked to insulin resistance and metabolic dysregulation.

Implications and Conclusions

  • Obesity in horses is a significant risk factor but is not uniformly associated with metabolic dysfunction; therefore, body weight alone is not sufficient to assess metabolic health.
  • Hyperinsulinemia, a key feature of insulin resistance, can occur independently of obesity, suggesting that other factors contribute to metabolic disorders in horses.
  • Markers such as IGF-1, albumin, and catalase, along with glucose/insulin ratios, provide important insights into the metabolic status of horses with or without obesity and laminitis.
  • These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive metabolic evaluation in managing equine health, particularly in preventing and managing conditions like laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome.

Cite This Article

APA
Aboelmaaty AM, Ahdy AM, El-Khodery S, Elgioushy M. (2025). Investigations on metabolic diseases of horses in Egypt. Front Vet Sci, 12, 1591090. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1591090

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 1591090
PII: 1591090

Researcher Affiliations

Aboelmaaty, Amal M
  • Animal Reproduction and AI Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
Ahdy, Ahmed M
  • Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
El-Khodery, Sabry
  • Department of Medicine and Infectious Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Elgioushy, Magdy
  • Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt.

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. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

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