Relationship Between Selenium, Copper, Zinc and Their Biomarkers in Blood and Skeletal Muscle Tissue in Adult Horses From Southern Chile.
Abstract: Microminerals are necessary for all bodily functions. In animal species, selenium (Se), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) all form part of antioxidant enzymes. Micromineral deficiencies, particularly Se, are well recognized in large animal species in Chile. Glutathion peroxidase (GPx) is a widely used biomarker for Se nutritional status and to diagnose Se deficiency in horses. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a Cu and Zn-dependant antioxidant enzyme, although it is not commonly used as a proxy for the nutritional status of these minerals. Ceruloplasmin (CP) is used as a biomarker of Cu nutritional status. This study´s objective was to explore correlation between said minerals and biomarkers in adult horses from southern Chile. Se, Cu, Zn, GPx, SOD, and CP were measured in whole blood of a group of 32 adult horses (5-15 years old). Further, a second group of 14 adult horses (5-15 years old) underwent gluteal muscle biopsies to determine Cu, Zn, GPx, and SOD. Correlations were determined by means of Pearson´s r coefficient. Significant correlations were found for blood GPx and Se (r = 0.79), blood GPx and SOD (r = -0.6), muscular GPx and SOD (r = 0.78), and Cu and CP (r = 0.48). These results confirm previously described strong association between blood GPx and Se in horses, validating the former´s use as a diagnostic proxy of Se deficiency in Chilean horses, and suggest significant interactions between GPx and SOD in blood and muscle tissue.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-07-06 PubMed ID: 37422140DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104881Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research explores the relationship between certain microminerals (selenium, copper, zinc) and their biomarkers in adult horses in Southern Chile, validating the use of certain biomarkers for diagnosing mineral deficiencies and providing insight into significant interactions between these biomarkers in horse blood and muscle tissues.
Objective of the Study
- The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between the microminerals selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) and biomarkers in the blood and muscle tissues of adult horses in Southern Chile.
About Microminerals and Their Biomarkers
- Se, Cu, and Zn are necessary for all bodily functions in animal species and form part of antioxidant enzymes.
- Se deficiencies are widely recognized in large animal species in Chile.
- Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is an important biomarker for Se nutritional status and is used to diagnose Se deficiency in horses.
- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a Cu and Zn-dependent antioxidant enzyme, although it is not commonly used as a proxy for the nutritional status of these minerals.
- Ceruloplasmin (CP) is used as a biomarker of Cu nutritional status.
Methodology
- Se, Cu, Zn, GPx, SOD, and CP were measured in the whole blood of a group of 32 adult horses that were between 5 to 15 years old. In a second group of 14 adult horses, within the same age range, gluteal muscle biopsies were performed to determine Cu, Zn, GPx, and SOD levels.
- The correlations between these minerals and biomarkers were determined using Pearson’s r coefficient.
Results
- Significant correlations were found for blood GPx and Se (r = 0.79), blood GPx and SOD (r = -0.6), muscular GPx and SOD (r = 0.78), and Cu and CP (r = 0.48).
- These results validate the strong association between blood GPx and Se in horses, bolstering the use of GPx as a diagnostic proxy for Se deficiency in Chilean horses.
- Additionally, the study suggests significant interactions between GPx and SOD in both the blood and muscle tissues of the horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Deride C, Chihuailaf R, Arnés V, Morán G, Uberti B.
(2023).
Relationship Between Selenium, Copper, Zinc and Their Biomarkers in Blood and Skeletal Muscle Tissue in Adult Horses From Southern Chile.
J Equine Vet Sci, 128, 104881.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104881 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
- Instituto de Farmacología y Morfofisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile. Electronic address: benjamin.uberti@uach.cl.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Selenium
- Copper
- Zinc
- Antioxidants
- Chile
- Superoxide Dismutase
- Muscle, Skeletal
- Biomarkers
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Tadich T, Calderón-Amor J, González I, Palma B, Lagos J. Working like a mule? The physiological toll of heavy loads on mules. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1725279.
- Liu G, Shen X. Study on Soil Selenium-Induced Copper Deficiency in Yudong Black Goats. Animals (Basel) 2024 May 16;14(10).
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