Plasma levels of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) and beta-endorphin as indicators of stress, pain and prognosis in horses with colic.

This study examines if there’s a relationship between plasma levels of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) or beta-endorphin and the severity of colic symptoms in horses. Through observation, the research finds that beta-endorphin plasma levels correlate with colic severity and survival rate, whereas HSP72 levels do not show a direct relation to colic symptoms but may indicate circulatory issues. Plasma lactate is found to be the most reliable single factor for predicting outcomes in horses with colic.

Overview of the Research

• The study was prospective in nature and observational, meaning the researchers gathered the data in real-time without any interventions.
• The aim of the study was to identify if plasma concentrations of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) or beta-endorphin are connected with the clinical signs, blood chemistry, or severity of colic pain in horses.

Subjects and Grouping

• The study involved a total of 77 horses with colic symptoms and an additional 15 clinically healthy horses as a control group.
• The horses were divided into four categories based on the severity of their colic symptoms (from control horses without any symptoms to horses with mild, moderate, and severe colic).

Data Collection

• Prior to any treatment, blood samples were collected from all horses.
• Measurements of packed cell volume (PCV), as well as plasma HSP72, beta-endorphin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and lactate concentrations, were taken.

Key Findings

• Plasma beta-endorphin was found to be connected to colic severity and animal survival rates. It was also related to other health measures such as plasma cortisol, ACTH, lactate levels, heart rate, PCV and pain score.
• High plasma concentrations of HSP72 could be indicative of circulatory deficits. However, there was no observed relation between HSP72 levels and the clinical signs of colic in horses.
• Among all the factors measured, plasma lactate was found to be the single most reliable prognostic parameter or predictive factor in horses suffering from colic.