Production of amines in equine cecal contents in an in vitro model of carbohydrate overload.
Abstract: Acute laminitis can be induced experimentally in horses by the administration of carbohydrate, resulting in fermentation within the cecum and ischemia-reperfusion of the digits. The products of fermentation that trigger acute laminitis are as yet unknown; however, compounds such as amines might play a role due to their potential vasoactive properties. The objectives of this study were to quantify the amines present in equine cecal contents and to use a model of carbohydrate overload in vitro to test the hypothesis that carbohydrate fermentation is associated with increased amine production. Cecal contents from each horse were divided into aliquots and incubated anaerobically with either cornstarch or inulin (a form of fructan carbohydrate; both 1 g/100 mL). The pH was measured and samples were taken at the same time for amine measurement by HPLC at 2-h intervals over a 24-h period. In a second set of experiments, the effects of the antibiotic virginiamycin (1 mg/100 mL), calcium (CaPO4; 0.3 g/100 mL), and plant steroidal saponin (Yucca schidigera extract; 0.1 g/100 mL) were examined on pH and amine concentrations in cecal contents incubated with starch or inulin. Both starch and inulin caused significant time-dependent falls in pH, from 6.7 +/- 0.1 at 0 h to 5.2 +/- 0.1 (starch) and 5.0 +/- 0.1 (inulin) at 24 h. Fermentation of carbohydrate was also associated with increased production of phenylethylamine and isoamylamine (two- to threefold increases) as well as putrescine and cadaverine (1.5- to twofold increases). Virginiamycin inhibited the fall in pH and increases in production of phenylethylamine and isoamylamine, while calcium phosphate moderated the changes in pH only. Yucca schidigera extract was without effect. These data show that fermentation of carbohydrate by equine cecal microbiota may lead to increased production of amines.
Publication Date: 2002-11-05 PubMed ID: 12413088DOI: 10.2527/2002.80102656xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research explores the link between carbohydrate fermentation in horse’s cecum (part of the digestive system) and the production of amines, a type of compound. The researchers used an in vitro model of a carbohydrate overload situation to investigate whether or not this scenario led to more amine production. By understanding this, we could shed more light on the cause of acute laminitis, a serious health condition in horses.
Methodology
- For this study, the researchers collected cecal contents from horses, divided them into samples or ‘aliquots’, and then subjected these to an anaerobic incubation process using either cornstarch or inulin, which are both forms of carbohydrates.
- The samples were measured at 2-hour intervals for a total of 24 hours. Each time, the pH was recorded and the sample was sent for High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) testing to measure the amine levels.
- In a separate experiment, the researchers also tested the effects of adding virginiamycin (an antibiotic), calcium phosphate (a dietary supplement), and an extract from the Yucca schidigera plant on the pH levels and amine concentrations of the samples.
Findings
- The researchers observed a significant decline in pH levels over time when the samples were incubated with either starch or inulin, indicating active fermentation.
- Importantly, this fermentation process was also linked to an increased production of certain types of amines, including phenylethylamine, isoamylamine, putrescine, and cadaverine.
- When virginiamycin was added, it stopped the pH decline and reduced the increased production of phenylethylamine and isoamylamine. However, calcium phosphate only moderated pH change, not the production of amines. The Y. schidigera extract had no effect.
Significance of the Study
The experiment’s findings demonstrate that the fermentation of carbohydrates within the horse’s cecum is connected with increased production of certain amines. Given that amines have vasoactive properties (meaning they can affect blood vessels), they could potentially play a part in causing acute laminitis in horses. The regulation of carbohydrate fermentation might prove to be a crucial aspect in preventing the disease, though further research is required to confirm this connection.
Cite This Article
APA
Bailey SR, Rycroft A, Elliott J.
(2002).
Production of amines in equine cecal contents in an in vitro model of carbohydrate overload.
J Anim Sci, 80(10), 2656-2662.
https://doi.org/10.2527/2002.80102656x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK. srbailey@rvc.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Acute Disease
- Amines / analysis
- Amines / metabolism
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
- Bacteria / drug effects
- Bacteria / metabolism
- Calcium Phosphates / pharmacology
- Cecum / drug effects
- Cecum / metabolism
- Cecum / microbiology
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / veterinary
- Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
- Fermentation
- Foot Diseases / etiology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses / metabolism
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Inflammation / etiology
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Time Factors
- Virginiamycin / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- MacNicol JL, Renwick S, Ganobis CM, Allen-Vercoe E, Weese JS, Pearson W. A Comparison of Methods to Maintain the Equine Cecal Microbial Environment In Vitro Utilizing Cecal and Fecal Material. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 8;12(15).
- Alam MJ, Islam M, Jeon CO, Lee KC, Kim SH, Yang CJ, Kabir ME, Lee SS. In vitro assessment of probiotic potential of selected bacteria isolated from pig faeces with potential application of odour reduction. Int J Vet Sci Med 2021;9(1):22-30.
- Tuniyazi M, He J, Guo J, Li S, Zhang N, Hu X, Fu Y. Changes of microbial and metabolome of the equine hindgut during oligofructose-induced laminitis. BMC Vet Res 2021 Jan 6;17(1):11.
- Zeng H, Guo C, Sun D, Seddik HE, Mao S. The Ruminal Microbiome and Metabolome Alterations Associated with Diet-Induced Milk Fat Depression in Dairy Cows. Metabolites 2019 Jul 23;9(7).
- Humer E, Kröger I, Neubauer V, Reisinger N, Zebeli Q. Supplementation of a clay mineral-based product modulates plasma metabolomic profile and liver enzymes in cattle fed grain-rich diets. Animal 2019 Jun;13(6):1214-1223.
- Li H, Liu J, Zhu W, Mao S. Intraruminal infusion of oligofructose alters ruminal microbiota and induces acute laminitis in sheep. J Anim Sci 2017 Dec;95(12):5407-5419.
- Schoster A, Weese JS, Guardabassi L. Probiotic use in horses - what is the evidence for their clinical efficacy?. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Nov-Dec;28(6):1640-52.
- Borrel G, Parisot N, Harris HM, Peyretaillade E, Gaci N, Tottey W, Bardot O, Raymann K, Gribaldo S, Peyret P, O'Toole PW, Brugère JF. Comparative genomics highlights the unique biology of Methanomassiliicoccales, a Thermoplasmatales-related seventh order of methanogenic archaea that encodes pyrrolysine. BMC Genomics 2014 Aug 13;15:679.
- Alam MJ, Mamuad LL, Kim SH, Jeong CD, Sung HG, Cho SB, Jeon CO, Lee K, Lee SS. Effect of Phytogenic Feed Additives in Soybean Meal on In vitro Swine Fermentation for Odor Reduction and Bacterial Community Comparison. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2013 Feb;26(2):266-74.
- Alam MJ, Jeong CD, Mamuad LL, Sung HG, Kim DW, Cho SB, Lee K, Jeon CO, Lee SS. Bacterial Community Dynamics during Swine In vitro Fermentation Using Starch as a Substrate with Different Feed Additives for Odor Reduction. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2012 May;25(5):690-700.
- Dougal K, de la Fuente G, Harris PA, Girdwood SE, Pinloche E, Newbold CJ. Identification of a core bacterial community within the large intestine of the horse. PLoS One 2013;8(10):e77660.
- Tomar PC, Lakra N, Mishra SN. Cadaverine: a lysine catabolite involved in plant growth and development. Plant Signal Behav 2013 Oct;8(10):doi: 10.4161/psb.25850.
- Bailey SR, Baillon ML, Rycroft AN, Harris PA, Elliott J. Identification of equine cecal bacteria producing amines in an in vitro model of carbohydrate overload. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003 Apr;69(4):2087-93.
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