Orally administered β-glucan improves the hemolytic activity of the complement system in horses.
Abstract: Immune-modulating molecules mainly act on innate immune cells, which are central to early defense against invading pathogens and contribute to developing adaptive immunity. Yeast-extracted β-glucan, a model immune-modulating molecule, is widely used in several animal species; however, its effect on horse immune parameters has not been thoroughly investigated yet. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of orally administered β-glucan on selected innate immune parameters in horses. Methods: Eighteen thoroughbred horses were assigned equally into three groups as follows: One control group (no β-glucan) and two β-glucan experimental groups (one received 125 mg and the other 2 g of β-glucan per day for 28 days). Blood samples were collected before and at the end of the experiment for hematological analysis, whole blood phagocytosis, respiratory burst assays, and to assess the serum lysozyme and complement hemolytic activities. Results: At the end of the experiment, significant decreases (p<0.05) in monocyte numbers were observed in the control horses (258.8±45.9 vs. 115.3±41.5) and in those fed 125 mg/day of β-glucan (208.8±72.3 vs. 99.2±60.7), whereas a significant increase in numbers was noted in the horses that were fed 2 g/day of β-glucan (303.5±45.8 vs. 429.8±86.0; p<0.05). The natural hemolytic activity of the complement was higher only in horses fed 2 g/day of β-glucan (p=0.018) compared to the other groups. The hemolytic activity in the classical pathway was higher in those fed 125 mg/day (p=0.0035) and 2 g/day of β-glucan (p=0.0001). Conclusions: β-glucan improves important innate immune parameters and might be fed to horses before stressful events.
Copyright: © Picetti, et al.
Publication Date: 2021-04-05 PubMed ID: 34083928PubMed Central: PMC8167517DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.835-840Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study evaluates the impact of orally taken β-glucan, a yeast-extracted immune-modulating molecule, on the innate immune parameters of horses, finding that it enhances key innate immune metrics and might be beneficial when given to horses before stressful situations.
Study Objective and Methods
- The study explored the effects of β-glucan, a nutrient derived from yeast known to modulate immunity, on the immune system of horses, a species for which this compound hasn’t been thoroughly tested.
- A total of 18 thoroughbred horses were categorized into three groups: one group that didn’t receive β-glucan (control group), one that received 125 mg of β-glucan every day for a month and one that received 2 g of β-glucan each day for a month.
- Using blood samples collected at the beginning and end of the experiment, researchers performed hematological analysis, phagocytosis on blood collected, respiratory burst assays, and assessment of complement hemolytic activities and the presence of serum lysozyme.
Study Results
- At the conclusion of the study, the control group and group given 125 mg/day of β-glucan noticed a significant drop in monocyte numbers. Conversely, the group fed 2 g/day of β-glucan experienced a substantial surge in these cells.
- The study also revealed elevated natural hemolytic activity of the complement system, specifically in the horses that ingested 2 g/day of β-glucan when compared with other groups. This activity is a protective immune response which results in the lysing (bursting) of foreign cells in the bloodstream.
- Additionally, the complement’s classical pathway hemolytic activity also spiked in the group fed 125 mg/day and the group that ingested 2 g/day of β-glucan. This pathway is a part of the immune response that helps antibodies destroy pathogens.
Conclusions
- In conclusion, β-glucan appears to strengthen key aspects of the innate immune response in horses, as observed through various immune parameters within the blood.
- This could hint at its use as a feed supplementary for horses ahead of stressful situations where their immune system may be weakened or challenged.
Cite This Article
APA
Picetti TS, Soveral LF, Miotto R, Erpen LMS, Kreutz Y, Guizzo JA, Frandoloso R, Kreutz LC.
(2021).
Orally administered β-glucan improves the hemolytic activity of the complement system in horses.
Vet World, 14(4), 835-840.
https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.835-840 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
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