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PloS one2014; 9(11); e112621; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112621

Preliminary investigation into a potential role for myostatin and its receptor (ActRIIB) in lean and obese horses and ponies.

Abstract: Obesity is a widespread problem across the leisure population of horses and ponies in industrialised nations. Skeletal muscle is a major contributor to whole body resting energy requirements and communicates with other tissues through the secretion of myokines into the circulation. Myostatin, a myokine and negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass, has been implicated in obesity development in other species. This study evaluated gene and protein expression of myostatin and its receptor, ActRIIB in adipose tissues and skeletal muscles and serum myostatin concentrations in six lean and six obese animals to explore putative associations between these factors and obesity in horses and ponies. Myostatin mRNA expression was increased while ActRIIB mRNA was decreased in skeletal muscles of obese animals but these differences were absent at the protein level. Myostatin mRNA was increased in crest fat of obese animals but neither myostatin nor ActRIIB proteins were detected in this tissue. Mean circulating myostatin concentrations were significantly higher in obese than in lean groups; 4.98 ng/ml (±2.71) and 9.00 ng/ml (±2.04) for the lean and obese groups, respectively. In addition, there was a significant positive association between these levels and myostatin gene expression in skeletal muscles (average R2 = 0.58; p<0.05). Together, these results provide further basis for the speculation that myostatin and its receptor may play a role in obesity in horses and ponies.
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Publication Date: 2014-11-12 PubMed ID: 25390640PubMed Central: PMC4229217DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112621Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 research article is about a study that seeks to determine if the myokine, myostatin, and its receptor ActRIIB, play a role in obesity in horses and ponies. The article found increased myostatin levels in obese horses and ponies compared to lean ones, suggesting a potential correlation between these and obesity.

Introduction

  • This research aims to investigate the potential connection between obesity in horses and ponies and myostatin, a myokine, and its receptor, ActRIIB.
  • Obesity is a common health issue among horses and ponies in industrialized nations. Understanding the factors influencing obesity could aid in devising preventive and curative measures.

Role of Myostatin

  • Myostatin is a myokine, a protein produced by muscle cells, and acts as an inhibitor of muscle growth.
  • The study highlights the role of myostatin and its receptor ActRIIB in muscle mass control and their possible links to obesity.

Study Methodology

  • The study involved evaluation of gene and protein expression of myostatin and its receptor ActRIIB in adipose tissues and skeletal muscles of six lean and six obese horses and ponies.
  • The researchers also measured serum myostatin concentrations in the animal subjects.

Study Findings

  • Results showed increased myostatin mRNA expression and decreased ActRIIB mRNA expression in the skeletal muscles of obese animals. However, there was no substantial difference at the protein level.
  • In the crest fat of obese animals, myostatin mRNA was increased but the presence of myostatin or ActRIIB proteins was not detected.
  • Obese animals had significantly higher circulating myostatin concentrations than lean ones, with mean levels of 9.00 ng/ml and 4.98 ng/ml respectively, indicating a potential correlation between myostatin levels and obesity.
  • Moreover, there was a significant positive association between these levels and myostatin gene expression in skeletal muscles (average R2 = 0.58; p<0.05)

Conclusion

  • The findings of the study indicate the potential involvement of myostatin and its receptor ActRIIB in the development of obesity in horses and ponies.
  • However, these results are preliminary and further research is needed to definitively ascertain the role of myostatin and its receptor in equine obesity.

Cite This Article

APA
Morrison PK, Bing C, Harris PA, Maltin CA, Grove-White D, Argo CM. (2014). Preliminary investigation into a potential role for myostatin and its receptor (ActRIIB) in lean and obese horses and ponies. PLoS One, 9(11), e112621. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112621

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: e112621
PII: e112621

Researcher Affiliations

Morrison, Philippa K
  • University of Liverpool, Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, United Kingdom.
Bing, Chen
  • University of Liverpool, Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, United Kingdom.
Harris, Patricia A
  • Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
Maltin, Charlotte A
  • University of Liverpool, Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, United Kingdom.
Grove-White, Dai
  • University of Liverpool, Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, United Kingdom.
Argo, Caroline McG
  • University of Liverpool, Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Activin Receptors, Type II / genetics
  • Activin Receptors, Type II / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Myostatin / blood
  • Myostatin / genetics
  • Myostatin / metabolism
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Obesity / metabolism

Conflict of Interest Statement

Patricia A. Harris is employed by one of the funders of this research (WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, United Kingdom). The authors can confirm that they have adhered to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials. The authors also confirm that none of the authors record a conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. O'Hara V, Cowan A, Riddell D, Massey C, Martin J, Piercy RJ. A highly prevalent SINE mutation in the myostatin (MSTN) gene promoter is associated with low circulating myostatin concentration in Thoroughbred racehorses. Sci Rep 2021 Apr 12;11(1):7916.
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  2. Wang J, Zhang K, Hou X, Yue W, Yang H, Chen X, Wang J, Wang C. Molecular characteristic of activin receptor IIB and its functions in growth and nutrient regulation in Eriocheir sinensis. PeerJ 2020;8:e9673.
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  3. Hanousek K, O'Hara V, Riddell DO, Piercy RJ. Temporal and intra-horse consistency of circulating myostatin concentrations in Thoroughbred racehorses. Sci Rep 2025 Nov 5;15(1):38708.
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  4. Kowalik S, O'reilly M, Niedźwiedź A, Kędzierski W. Equine Asthma Does Not Affect Circulating Myostatin Concentrations in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 4;14(5).
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