Plasma Lipidomics and Proteomics Analyses Pre- and Post-5000 m Race in Yili Horses.
Abstract: The impact of exercise on human metabolism has been extensively studied, yet limited research exists on the effects of high-intensity racing on equine metabolism. The aim of this study was to screen the effect of a 5000 m race on lipids and proteins in the plasma of Yili horses for the breeding of racehorses. Blood samples were collected from the top three finishers, and lipidomics and proteomics analyses were performed. Lipidomic analysis identified 10 differential lipids. Compared to pre-race levels, phosphatidylethanolamine (18:0/16:0) (PE (18:0/16:0)) and phosphatidylcholine (18:0/18:2) (PC (18:0/18:2)) were significantly upregulated, while triglyceride (26:4/29:4) (TG (26:4/29:4)) and phosphatidylcholine (46:14CHO) (PC (46:14CHO)) were notably downregulated. These lipids were primarily associated with the regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes and glycerolipid metabolism pathways. Proteomic analysis revealed 79 differentially expressed proteins. Post-race, proteasome subunits (alpha type_2, alpha type_5 isoform X1, alpha type_6, and beta type_2), carboxypeptidase E, and S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 showed significant downregulation. These proteins were primarily involved in the cellular catabolic process (Gene Ontology term) and pathways related to the proteasome and type I diabetes mellitus (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes terms). Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between proteasome subunits (alpha type_2 and beta type_2) and PC (18:0/18:2), while a significant negative correlation was found with PC (46:14CHO). Conversely, S-phase kinase-associated protein 1, along with proteasome subunits (alpha type_5 isoform X1 and alpha type_6), exhibited a significant negative correlation with PE (18:0/16:0) and a positive correlation with TG (26:4/29:4). In conclusion, Yili horses may sustain energy balance and physiological equilibrium during racing by suppressing protein degradation and optimizing lipid metabolism. The differentially expressed substances identified could serve as key biomarkers for assessing exercise load in horses.
Publication Date: 2025-03-30 PubMed ID: 40218387PubMed Central: PMC11987874DOI: 10.3390/ani15070994Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates how a 5000m race affects the levels of various lipids and proteins in Yili horses, with the aim of uncovering potential biomarkers for monitoring exercise load in equine athletes.
Objective and Materials
- The research aims to explore the impact of high-intensity horse racing on the lipid and protein profiles in the plasma of Yili horses.
- The blood samples analysed were collected from the top three finishers of a 5000m race.
- Two major analyses were carried out on these samples – lipidomics (the large-scale study of lipids in biological systems) and proteomics (the large-scale study of proteins).
Results: Lipidomics Analysis
- 10 differential lipids were identified in the post-race samples compared to pre-race levels.
- Two phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (18:0/16:0) and phosphatidylcholine (18:0/18:2), were upregulated after the race, while a type of triglyceride and another form of phosphatidylcholine were downregulated.
- These lipids are primarily associated with metabolic pathways, such as the regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes and glycerolipid metabolism.
Results: Proteomics Analysis
- 79 proteins were differentially expressed in the post-race samples.
- Some of the proteins that showed significant downregulation after the race are proteasome subunits, carboxypeptidase E, and S-phase kinase-associated protein 1.
- These proteins are mainly involved in cellular catabolic processes and are associated with several pathways, including the proteasome and type I diabetes mellitus.
Conclusion and Implications
- Based on the observed changes in lipid and protein expression, the researchers concluded that Yili horses might maintain energy balance and physiological equilibrium during racing by suppressing protein degradation and optimizing lipid metabolism.
- Significant correlations were found between certain proteins and lipids post-race. For instance, proteasome subunits (alpha type_2 and beta type_2) showed a positive correlation with phosphatidylcholine (18:0/18:2), and a negative correlation with another form of phosphatidylcholine. Meanwhile, S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 exhibited a negative correlation with phosphatidylethanolamine (18:0/16:0) and a positive correlation with the downregulated triglyceride.
- These results suggest that differentially expressed lipids and proteins might serve as potential biomarkers for assessing the exercise load in horses, which could be beneficial for improving racehorse breeding and performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Wang J, Ren W, Li Z, Li L, Wang R, Ma S, Zeng Y, Meng J, Yao X.
(2025).
Plasma Lipidomics and Proteomics Analyses Pre- and Post-5000 m Race in Yili Horses.
Animals (Basel), 15(7).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15070994 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Urumqi 830052, China.
Grant Funding
- 2022A02013-1 / Major Science and Technology Special Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
- ZYYD2025JD02 / Central Guidance for Local Science and Technology Development Fund
- 32302735 / National Natural Science Foundation of China
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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