Abstract: Airborne factors in a conventionally managed racing stable and markers of pulmonary inflammation in the stabled horses were investigated on 3 occasions at 6-month intervals, including 2 winter periods and the intervening summer period. The stable measurements included inside and outside ambient temperature and relative humidity, levels of total and respirable dust, endotoxin, and 1,3-beta-glucan. Horses (n = 12) were examined in detail clinically as well as by endoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of BAL-cells for IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA. Indoor measurements showed low dust levels irrespective of season. Inhalable dust, as well as 1,3-beta-glucan, were higher during the winter stabling period, whereas endotoxin levels were higher during summer. Complete data from all sampling occasions to be used for further evaluation was obtained for only 8 of the horses. There was a trend for elevation of BAL neutrophils in the horses during winter stabling that coincided with a 3.7-fold increased expression of IL-6 mRNA in BAL cells (P = 0.014). Compared to summer sampling, IL-10 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in only 1 of the winter sampling occasions, implicating influence on immune regulation by factor/s apart from seasonal differences. Our findings suggest up-regulation of innate immunity in the airways of stabled horses; in particular involving IL-6 in association with mild elevations in respirable dust, 1,3-beta-glucan, and/or cold ambient air. However, given that this study was observational, other unmeasured environmental factors associated with winter stabling need to be considered. Les facteurs d’origine aérienne présents dans une écurie pour chevaux de course gérée de manière conventionnelle et les marqueurs d’inflammation chez les chevaux hébergés ont été étudiés à trois occasions à six mois d’intervalle (deux périodes d’hiver ainsi que la période d’été les séparant). Les données prises à l’écurie incluaient les températures ambiantes intérieure et extérieure et l’humidité relative, les niveaux de poussière totale et respirable, d’endotoxine et de 1,3-β-glucan. Les chevaux (n = 12) ont été soumis à un examen clinique détaillé ainsi que par endoscopie, une cytologie d’un lavage broncho-alvéolaire (BAL) et une analyse par réaction d’amplification en chaîne par la polymérase en temps réel des cellules du BAL pour la détection d’ARNm d’IL-6 et d’IL-10. Les mesures prises à l’intérieur montraient de faibles niveaux de poussière indépendamment de la saison. Les quantités de poussière respirable ainsi que le 1,3-β-glucan étaient plus élevées durant la période d’hiver, alors que les niveaux d’endotoxine étaient plus élevés durant l’été. Les informations complètes pour tous les échantillonnages n’ont été obtenues que pour 8 chevaux. Lors de l’hébergement des chevaux durant la période d’hiver, on notait une tendance à la hausse des neutrophiles du BAL qui coïncidait avec une augmentation de 3,7 fois l’expression d’ARNm d’IL-6 dans les cellules du BAL (P = 0,014). Comparativement au résultat obtenu lors de l’échantillonnage d’été, l’expression d’ARNm pour IL-10 était significativement augmentée pour seulement un des échantillonnages d’hiver, indiquant ainsi l’influence sur la régulation immunitaire de facteur(s) autre(s) que des différences saisonnières. Nos résultats suggèrent une régulation à la hausse de l’immunité innée dans les voies respiratoires des chevaux mis à l’écurie; en particulier l’association impliquant IL-6 et les légères augmentations de poussière respirable, de 1,3-β-glucan, et/ou l’air froid ambiant. Toutefois, compte tenu qu’il s’agissait d’une étude observationnelle, d’autres facteurs environnementaux non-mesurés associés avec la mise à l’écurie en hiver doivent être considérés. (Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier)
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
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 investigates the effect of airborne elements and their effects on respiratory inflammation in horses in a racing stable. It measures indicators such as temperature, humidity, dust levels, endotoxin, and 1,3-beta-glucan over the course of a year including two winter and one summer period. The study revealed that such environmental factors could cause up-regulation of innate immunity in the airways of stabled horses, especially involving IL-6, with mild elevations in respirable dust, 1,3-beta-glucan, and cold ambient air.
Environmental Measurements
A total of 12 horses in a racing stable were examined in detail over a one year period, which included two winter periods and one summer period.
Measurements inside the stable included ambient temperature, humidity, total and respirable dust levels, endotoxin, and 1,3-beta-glucan.
The study found that indoor measurements showed low dust levels regardless of the season. However, inhalable dust and 1,3-beta-glucan levels were higher during the winter stabling period, while endotoxin levels were higher during summer.
Biological Markers of Pulmonary Inflammation
In addition to clinical and endoscopic examinations, horses were also examined using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of BAL-cells for IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA.
Complete data from all sampling occasions could only be obtained for 8 out of the 12 horses involved in the study.
There was a trend for elevated BAL neutrophils in the horses during winter stabling. This coincided with a 3.7-fold increase in the expression of IL-6 mRNA in BAL cells.
Conclusions of the Study
IL-10 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated only once during the winter sampling occasions. This implies immune regulation influence by factors other than seasonal differences.
Whilst these findings suggest an up-regulation of innate immunity in the horses’ airways, particularly involving IL-6, the study recognises that it did not quantify other, unmeasured environmental factors associated with winter stabling. Therefore, results need to be considered with this observational limitation in mind.
Cite This Article
APA
Riihimäki M, Raine A, Elfman L, Pringle J.
(2008).
Markers of respiratory inflammation in horses in relation to seasonal changes in air quality in a conventional racing stable.
Can J Vet Res, 72(5), 432-439.
Livak KJ, Schmittgen TD. Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2(-Delta Delta C(T)) Method.. Methods 2001 Dec;25(4):402-8.
Xing Z, Gauldie J, Cox G, Baumann H, Jordana M, Lei XF, Achong MK. IL-6 is an antiinflammatory cytokine required for controlling local or systemic acute inflammatory responses.. J Clin Invest 1998 Jan 15;101(2):311-20.
Chen Y, Thai P, Zhao YH, Ho YS, DeSouza MM, Wu R. Stimulation of airway mucin gene expression by interleukin (IL)-17 through IL-6 paracrine/autocrine loop.. J Biol Chem 2003 May 9;278(19):17036-43.
Quaedvlieg V, Henket M, Sele J, Louis R. Cytokine production from sputum cells in eosinophilic versus non-eosinophilic asthmatics.. Clin Exp Immunol 2006 Jan;143(1):161-6.
Sibanda TZ, O'Shea CJ, de Souza Vilela J, Kolakshyapati M, Welch M, Schneider D, Courtice J, Ruhnke I. Managing Free-Range Laying Hens-Part B: Early Range Users Have More Pathology Findings at the End of Lay but Have a Significantly Higher Chance of Survival-An Indicative Study. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 18;10(10).
Couetil L, Cardwell JM, Leguillette R, Mazan M, Richard E, Bienzle D, Bullone M, Gerber V, Ivester K, Lavoie JP, Martin J, Moran G, Niedźwiedź A, Pusterla N, Swiderski C. Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:450.
Zakari FO, Ayo JO, Rekwot PI, Kawu MU, Minka NS. Diurnal rhythms of heart and respiratory rates in donkeys of different age groups during the cold-dry and hot-dry seasons in a tropical savannah. Physiol Rep 2018 Sep;6(17):e13855.