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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Physiol / Nitric oxide and exercise in the horse.
The Journal of physiology1996; 495 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3); 863-874; doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1996.sp021638

Nitric oxide and exercise in the horse.

Abstract: 1. The effects of exercise on the production rate of nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled air (VNO) and the effects of inhaled NO (80 p.p.m.) on cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were investigated in five Throughbred horses. 2. The concentration of NO ([NO]) in exhaled air collected from within the nasal opening was lower when collected at a high flow rate of 80 l min-1 than at a low flow rate of 20 l min-1: when trotting at 3.7 m s-1 the values were 0.78 +/- 0.15 and 1.23 +/- 9.14 p.p.b., respectively, and when cantering at 9 m s-1 the values were 1.69 +/- 0.31 and 2.25 +/- 0.32 p.p.b., respectively. 3. Nebulized methoxamine (40 mg ml-1 for 60 s), an alpha 1-adrenergic agonist, further reduced [NO] during the 9 m s-1 canter to 1.05 +/- 0.14 and 1.99 +/- 0.41 p.p.b. when collected at 80 and 20 l min-1, respectively, and induced cyclical changes in the breathing pattern. 4. Exercise induced a linear increase in VNO with work intensity to a maximum (428.1 +/- 31.6 pmol min-1 kg-1) which coincided with the maximal oxygen uptake for the horses (138.3 +/- 11.7 ml min-1 kg-1), although a further increase in VNO (779.3 +/- 38.4 pmol min-1 kg-1) occurred immediately after exercise. The changes in VNO correlated well with the tidal volume (r = 0.968; P < 0.01) and the haematocrit (r = 0.855; P < 0.01). 5. In the first 2 min of high intensity exercise, inhaled NO (80 p.p.m.) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the pulmonary artery pressure: during the first minute, pulmonary artery pressure was 83.1 +/- 7.6 mmHg compared with a control value of 94.4 +/- 6.3 mmHg, and during the second minute, 84.2 +/- 7.1 mmHg compared with a control value of 98.4 +/- 4.7 mmHg. There were no other significant changes in cardiovascular or respiratory indices, including cardiac output, measured during exercise between control and inhaled NO tests. 6. The results show that exhaled NO is released from the airways of the horse and may contribute to the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone during exercise.
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Publication Date: 1996-09-15 PubMed ID: 8887788PubMed Central: PMC1160787DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1996.sp021638Google 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 was an examination of the influence of physical exertion on the generation of nitric oxide in horses’ exhaled air, and the role of inhalation of nitric oxide in heart and respiratory functions. A clear increase in exhaled nitric oxide during physical activity was observed, associated with both work intensity and post-exercise tension, with inhalation of nitric oxide lessening pulmonary artery pressure.

Methodology and Findings

  • The research involved Five Thoroughbred horses participated in exercise tests to measure the production rate of Nitric Oxide (NO) in the exhaled air and the effects of inhaled NO on cardiovascular and respiratory parameters.
  • The volume of exhaled NO was tracked, and it consistently decreased at increased gas flow rates during sampling. The initial concentration of NO in exhaled air was lower when it was collected at a high flow rate than at a low flow rate. This pattern occurred in both trotting and cantering horses.
  • The use of nebulized methoxamine, an alpha1-adrenergic agonist, additionally decreased NO concentration during high-speed exercise and induced cyclical alterations in the horses’ breathing patterns.

Effects of Nitric Oxide

  • The concentration of exhaled NO (VNO) linearly increased with exercise intensity. The maximum VNO was measured immediately after exercise and was in line with the horses’ maximum oxygen uptake.
  • The changes in VNO strongly correlated with the tidal volume and the hematocrit levels.
  • A significant reduction in the pulmonary artery pressure occurred within the initial two minutes of high-intensity exercise when the horses have inhaled nitric oxide.
  • No significant alterations were recorded in the horses’ cardiovascular or respiratory indices, including cardiac output, during the exercise between the control and inhaled NO test.

End Observations

  • From the study, it was concluded that exhaled NO is released from the horses’ airways and may contribute to the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone during exercise.
  • These findings imply that closer surveillance of horses’ nitric oxide levels, particularly in athletic horse training programs, could provide useful insights into their cardio-pulmonary responses and overall performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Mills PC, Marlin DJ, Demoncheaux E, Scott C, Casas I, Smith NC, Higenbottam T. (1996). Nitric oxide and exercise in the horse. J Physiol, 495 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3), 863-874. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1996.sp021638

Publication

The Journal of physiology
ISSN: 0022-3751
NlmUniqueID: 0266262
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 495 ( Pt 3)
Issue: Pt 3
Pages: 863-874

Researcher Affiliations

Mills, P C
  • Equine Centre, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK.
Marlin, D J
    Demoncheaux, E
      Scott, C
        Casas, I
          Smith, N C
            Higenbottam, T

              MeSH Terms

              • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / pharmacology
              • Animals
              • Blood Pressure / drug effects
              • Blood Pressure / physiology
              • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
              • Female
              • Horses / physiology
              • Humans
              • Male
              • Methoxamine / pharmacology
              • Nitric Oxide / administration & dosage
              • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
              • Nitric Oxide / physiology
              • Physical Exertion / physiology
              • Pulmonary Artery / drug effects
              • Pulmonary Artery / physiology
              • Pulmonary Circulation / drug effects
              • Pulmonary Circulation / physiology
              • Respiration / drug effects
              • Respiration / physiology
              • Species Specificity

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              Citations

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