Plasma concentrations of endothelin-like immunoreactivity in healthy horses and horses with naturally acquired gastrointestinal tract disorders.

The research article presents a comparative study between healthy horses and horses with gastrointestinal tract disorders, focusing on plasma concentrations of endothelin-like immunoreactivity. The research found elevated levels of this immunoreactivity in horses suffering from gastrointestinal tract disorders, with the highest values found in those with specific disorders like large-intestinal obstructions, peritonitis, and enterocolitis.

Methods

• The study utilized a sample of 29 healthy horses and 142 horses with gastrointestinal tract disorders.
• Blood samples were collected from both groups for analysis.
• The clinical conditions of the horses were assessed through a detailed physical examination, and abnormalities, including their extent and duration, were recorded.
• The plasma concentrations of endothelin (ET)-like immunoreactivity were measured using a radioimmunoassay for human endothelin-1.
• The researchers also performed a complete blood count (CBC) and plasma biochemical analysis.

Results

• The study found a significant increase in ET-like immunoreactivity in horses with gastrointestinal tract disorders, compared to healthy ones.
• The median plasma concentration of ET-like immunoreactivity in healthy horses was found to be 1.80 pg/ml, with a range from 1.09 to 3.2 pg/ml.
• Highest levels of ET-like immunoreactivity were found in horses with strangulating large-intestinal obstructions (median, 10.02 pg/ml; range, 3.8 to 22.62 pg/ml), peritonitis (median, 9.19 pg/ml; range, 789 to 25.83 pg/ml), and enterocolitis (median, 8.89 pg/ml; range, 6.30 to 18.36 pg/ml).
• The concentration of ET-like immunoreactivity demonstrated significant correlation with survival, packed cell volume (PCV), and the duration of pain symptoms. However, the correlations with PCV and pain duration were low.

Conclusions

• The research concluded that horses with gastrointestinal tract disorders have increased plasma concentrations of ET-like immunoreactivity compared with healthy horses.
• The greatest values were detected in horses with certain gastrointestinal disorders, especially large-intestinal strangulating obstructions, peritonitis, and enterocolitis.
• The researchers suggest a potential role of endothelin in the development of these specific gastrointestinal tract disorders in horses.