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Journal of animal science2020; 98(12); skaa377; doi: 10.1093/jas/skaa377

Low dietary silicon supplementation may not affect bone and cartilage in mature, sedentary horses.

Abstract: As osteoarthritis is a major cause of lameness in horses in the United States, improving collagen health prior to onset and increasing collagen turnover within affected joints could improve health- and welfare-related outcomes. Through its positive effects on bone mineral content and density and its role in increasing collagen synthesis, silicon (Si) may slow the development and progression of osteoarthritis, thereby reducing lameness. This study evaluated the hypothesis that Si supplementation would increase cartilage turnover through increased collagen degradation and formation markers, as well as bone formation markers, resulting in reduced lameness severity when compared with controls. Ten mature Standardbred geldings were assigned to either a Si-treated (SIL) or control (CON) group and group-housed on pasture for 84 d. Horses were individually fed to ensure no cross-contamination of Si other than what was present in the environment. For the duration of the study, SIL horses received a Si-collagen supplement at the rate of 0.3 g supplement/(100 kg body weight day). Serum samples were taken weekly for osteocalcin, and plasma samples were taken on days 0, 42, and 84 for plasma minerals. On days 0, 42, and 84, subjective and objective lameness exams were performed, and radiographs and synovial fluid samples were taken from reference and osteoarthritic joints. Plasma minerals were similar in both groups and were lower on day 84 than on day 0 (P < 0.05). Si supplementation, fed at the manufacturer's recommended rate, did not improve lameness or radiographs when compared with controls, and supplemented horses did not show greater collagen degradation and/or synthesis markers in synovial fluid than controls, indicating that cartilage turnover remained unaffected. However, a minimum beneficial threshold and range for Si supplementation standardized to body weight need to be established.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-21 PubMed ID: 33216909PubMed Central: PMC7749713DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa377Google 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.

This research article aims to explore the impact of silicon (Si) supplementation on the bone and cartilage health of mature, sedentary horses. The study hypothesizes that Si supplementation might increase cartilage turnover and reduce the severity of lameness. However, the results reveal no significant improvement in these aspects, suggesting a further need to establish a standardized minimum beneficial threshold and range for Si supplementation catered to body weight.

Research Purpose and Hypothesis

  • The research mainly focuses on the health implications of silicon (Si) supplementation in mature, sedentary horses.
  • The scientists hypothesized that Si supplementation would trigger an increase in cartilage turnover through rising collagen degradation and formation markers and also boost bone formation markers.
  • This effect, they assumed, would result in reduced severity of lameness when compared with horses that did not receive this supplementation.

Methodology

  • A total of ten mature Standardbred geldings were selected for the experiment and divided into two groups: the silicon-treated (SIL) group and the control (CON) group.
  • The horses were kept in group pastures for 84 days and specifically fed to avoid cross-contamination of Si beyond what was present in their environment naturally.
  • The horses designated in the SIL group consumed a Si-collagen supplement at the rate of 0.3 g supplement per 100 kg of body weight per day for the duration of the study.
  • At regular intervals, blood samples were collected for osteocalcin and plasma mineral testing, subjective and objective lameness exams were done, and radiographs and synovial fluid samples were taken from selected joints.

Key Findings

  • The plasma minerals in both groups showed similarity and were found to be lower on day 84 than at the beginning of the study.
  • The Si supplementation, given at the rate suggested by the manufacturer, did not show any noticeable improvement in lameness or results from the radiographs as compared to the controls.
  • Further, horses that received the Si supplementation did not demonstrate any heightened collagen degradation or synthesis markers in the synovial fluid, thereby implying that the turnover rate of cartilage remained unaffected.

Implications and Suggestions

  • Despite the results not affirming the initial hypothesis, the researchers point out that a minimum beneficial threshold and range need to be established for Si supplementation, considering the weight of the body.
  • Once these values have been standardized, further benefits from Si supplementation may be evident.
  • This requirement suggests that further research and more refined methodologies are needed to fully grasp the potential impact of Si supplementation on equine bone and cartilage health.

Cite This Article

APA
Pritchard A, Nielsen BD, Robison C, Manfredi JM. (2020). Low dietary silicon supplementation may not affect bone and cartilage in mature, sedentary horses. J Anim Sci, 98(12), skaa377. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa377

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 98
Issue: 12
PII: skaa377

Researcher Affiliations

Pritchard, Abby
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Nielsen, Brian D
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Robison, Cara
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Manfredi, Jane M
  • Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cartilage
  • Cartilage, Articular
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Silicon
  • Synovial Fluid

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Nielsen BD. A Review of Three Decades of Research Dedicated to Making Equine Bones Stronger: Implications for Horses and Humans. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 22;13(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13050789pubmed: 36899647google scholar: lookup
  2. Pritchard A, Nielsen BD. Silicon Supplementation for Bone Health: An Umbrella Review Attempting to Translate from Animals to Humans. Nutrients 2024 Jan 24;16(3).
    doi: 10.3390/nu16030339pubmed: 38337624google scholar: lookup
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