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Veterinary research communications2012; 36(2); 149-155; doi: 10.1007/s11259-012-9515-0

Long term intensive exercise training leads to a higher plasma malate/lactate dehydrogenase (M/L) ratio and increased level of lipid mobilization in horses.

Abstract: Continuous high intensity training may induce alterations to enzyme activities related to glucose and lipid metabolism in horses. In our study, five Thoroughbred race horses (3 male and 2 female, avg age=5 yrs old) were compared against five riding horses (1 male, 1 female, 3 gelding, avg age=13 yrs old) in terms of energy metabolism, by examining plasma malate (MDH) and lactate (LDH) dehydrogenase activities and M/L ratio. MDH is involved in NADH and ATP generation, whereas LDH can convert NADH back into NAD(+) for ATP generation. An increase in plasma M/L ratio can reflect heightened energy metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle of horses adapted to continuous intensive exercise. Moreover, plasma lipid metabolism analytes (adiponectin, NEFA, total cholesterol (T-Cho), and triglycerides (TG)) can reflect changes to lipolysis rate, which can also indicate a change in energy metabolism. Overall, race horses demonstrated increased MDH and LDH activity in plasma (4x and 2x greater, respectively), in addition to a plasma M/L ratio twice as high as that of riding horses (2.0 vs 1.0). In addition, race horses also demonstrated significantly higher levels of plasma NEFA (50% greater), TG (2x greater), and T-Cho (20% greater) as compared to riding horses. Therefore, race horse muscles may have adapted to prolonged high intensity endurance exercise by gaining a higher oxidative capacity and an increased capacity for fat utilization as an energy source, resulting in heightened energy metabolism and increased rate of lipid mobilization.
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Publication Date: 2012-02-03 PubMed ID: 22297553DOI: 10.1007/s11259-012-9515-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 shows that long-term intensive exercise in horses results in higher metabolism of glucose and lipids, evidenced through increased plasma malate/lactate (M/L) dehydrogenase ratio and lipid mobilization.

Comparison of Thoroughbred and Riding Horses

This study used ten horses in total to compare their energy metabolism based on the different kind of physical training they receive. Half of them were thoroughbred race horses and the other half were ordinary riding horses.

  • The race horses, comprised three males and two females, with an average age of 5 years.
  • The riding horses, consisted of one male, one female and three geldings, with an average age of 13 years.

Methodology of the Study

The energy metabolism in horses was assessed by examining plasma malate and lactate dehydrogenase activities and the malate/lactate (M/L) ratio.

  • Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) is responsible for the generation of NADH and ATP which are essential for energy production.
  • Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) converts NADH back into NAD+ for ATP generation linked to metabolic functions.

Results of the Study

The horses that underwent intensive training, the race horses, presented increased levels of MDH and LDH in plasma and a plasma M/L ratio two times higher than that of the riding horses.

  • Race horses showed a plasma M/L ratio twice as high as that of riding horses, indicating a heightened energy metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle of horses adapted to continuous intensive exercise.
  • The race horses also exhibited significantly greater levels of plasma NEFA, total cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to riding horses, suggesting an increased rate of lipolysis or fat breakdown indicating an altered energy metabolism.

Conclusion of the Study

The results seem to suggest that race horses may have developed an adaptation to prolonged, high-intensity endurance exercise. This could be attributed to a higher oxidative capacity and an increased ability for fat utilization as an energy source, which in turn results in heightened energy metabolism and a higher rate of lipid mobilization.

Cite This Article

APA
Li G, Lee P, Mori N, Yamamoto I, Arai T. (2012). Long term intensive exercise training leads to a higher plasma malate/lactate dehydrogenase (M/L) ratio and increased level of lipid mobilization in horses. Vet Res Commun, 36(2), 149-155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-012-9515-0

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 2
Pages: 149-155

Researcher Affiliations

Li, Gebin
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
Lee, Peter
    Mori, Nobuko
      Yamamoto, Ichiro
        Arai, Toshiro

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Energy Metabolism / physiology
          • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
          • Female
          • Horses / blood
          • Horses / physiology
          • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / blood
          • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
          • Lipid Metabolism / physiology
          • Lipids / blood
          • Malate Dehydrogenase / blood
          • Malate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
          • Male
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
          • Time Factors

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