Near infrared spectroscopy of pedal haemodynamics and oxygenation in normal and laminitic horses.
Abstract: The present study applies near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to the haemodynamics of the pedal circulation in normal and laminitic horses. NIRS is a noninvasive technique which uses changes in light absorption at 4 wavelengths to provide information on the changes in cytochrome aa3 (cyt aa3) reduction-oxidation (redox) status, and changes in the tissue concentration of oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb) and therefore total haemoglobin (tHb). Other studies have shown NIRS to be sensitive to changes in tissue oxygenation and perfusion in human cerebral and limb circulation. In this study, the NIRS sensor was applied to the dorsal surface of horses' hooves. Normal and laminitic animals (acute and chronic) were subjected to manoeuvres (cuff tourniquet; digital vessel occlusion at the palmar surface of the pastern; lifting of contralateral limb) predicted to change pedal haemodynamics. The procedures produced changes in pedal haemodynamics and oxygenation, which were similar to those observed in the ischaemic/reperfused human forearm. Laminitic differed from normal horses: return of HHb to baseline was slower and the change in cyt aa3 more rapid than normal in cases of chronic laminitis, taken to indicate reduced O2 stores as a result of compromised basal perfusion. In acute laminitis, baseline values did not fluctuate following any of the manoeuvres, suggesting haemostasis in the diseased hoof. NIRS is a useful noninvasive method to assess pedal vascular function in normal and laminitic horses.
Publication Date: 1995-11-01 PubMed ID: 8565944DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04428.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research explores the use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to analyze blood dynamics and oxygen levels in the feet of both healthy horses and those suffering from a painful condition known as laminitis.
Understanding Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)
- NIRS is a non-invasive tool that tracks changes in light absorption at four different wavelengths.
- It allows scientists to measure changes in the reduction-oxidation (redox) status of cytochrome aa3 (a protein involved in the electron transport chain) and evaluate variations in the concentration of substances like oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb), and total haemoglobin (tHb) within the tissue.
- Previously, NIRS has been used effectively to monitor changes in tissue oxygenation and perfusion in the brain and limbs of humans.
NIRS and Pedal Haemodynamics in Horses
- In this study, a NIRS sensor was attached to the dorsal surface of the horses’ hooves to observe changes in blood flow and oxygenation.
- Both healthy horses as well as those suffering from acute and chronic laminitis, a painful and debilitating hoof condition, were included in the study.
- The horses were subjected to maneuvers such as cuff tourniquet application, digital vessel occlusion at the palmar surface of the pastern, and the lifting of a contralateral limb. These processes were designed to influence pedal haemodynamics.
- These procedures induced changes in the blood dynamics and oxygenation levels of the horses’ feet, resembling the characteristics of an ischemic/reperfused human forearm.
Differences Between Normal and Laminitic Horses
- Horses with laminitis exhibited slower return of HHb to baseline and a quicker change in cyt aa3 than the healthy group. These findings are associated with decreased oxygen stores, resulting from compromised basal perfusion commonly seen in chronic laminitis.
- Interestingly, in cases of acute laminitis, baseline values remained stable following the different maneuvers, hinting at a state of balance in blood flow and oxygenation within the affected hoof.
NIRS as a Diagnostic Tool
- This research indicates that NIRS can successfully be used in a non-invasive manner to monitor and evaluate blood flow and oxygen levels in horses’ feet.
- Specifically, this method may help detect variations normal and laminitic horses, potentially aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of this painful condition among horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Hinckley KA, Fearn S, Howard BR, Henderson IW.
(1995).
Near infrared spectroscopy of pedal haemodynamics and oxygenation in normal and laminitic horses.
Equine Vet J, 27(6), 465-470.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04428.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
- Female
- Foot Diseases / metabolism
- Foot Diseases / physiopathology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hemodynamics
- Hemoglobins / analysis
- Hemostasis / physiology
- Hoof and Claw / blood supply
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Oxidation-Reduction
- Oxygen / metabolism
- Oxyhemoglobins / analysis
- Oxyhemoglobins / metabolism
- Spectrophotometry, Infrared / methods
- Spectrophotometry, Infrared / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Frabasile L, Amendola C, Buttafava M, Chincarini M, Contini D, Cozzi B, De Zani D, Guerri G, Lacerenza M, Minero M, Petrizzi L, Qiu L, Rabbogliatti V, Rossi E, Spinelli L, Straticò P, Vignola G, Zani DD, Dalla Costa E, Torricelli A. Non-invasive estimation of in vivo optical properties and hemodynamic parameters of domestic animals: a preliminary study on horses, dogs, and sheep. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1243325.
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