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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2012; 27(1); 157-163; doi: 10.1111/jvim.12021

Relationships between body condition score and plasma inflammatory cytokines, insulin, and lipids in a mixed population of light-breed horses.

Abstract: Obesity and hyperinsulinemia increase the risk of laminitis in horses and ponies. In mares, obesity also has been associated with increased circulating concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The association of other proinflammatory cytokines with body condition score (BCS) and insulin requires further determination. Objective: Plasma concentrations of TNF, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and serum amyloid A (SAA) will positively correlate with BCS or insulin or both in horses. Furthermore, inflammatory protein concentrations will correlate with age and variables associated with BCS, including plasma insulin, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, and leptin concentrations. Methods: One hundred and ten mixed light-breed horses, including mares, geldings, and stallions, aged 4-20 years. Methods: Samples were selected from a larger population of plasma samples previously collected during June-July of 2006. Samples were analyzed for TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, and SAA using commercially available ELISAs and simple correlations were used to determine relationships with BCS, insulin, age, and sex. Results: Plasma TNF (P = .047) and IL-6 (P = .021) concentrations were higher in females than males, whereas IL-6 concentrations correlated (P = .001) with age. Plasma SAA concentrations correlated with both insulin (P < .001) and BCS (P = .007). Conclusions: This study provides evidence for factors, including age and sex, that may be associated with plasma concentrations of inflammatory proteins. Concentrations of SAA correlated with BCS and insulin, independent of age or sex. Because BCS and insulin correlate with increased SAA, it is possible that SAA is a component of laminitis pathophysiology.
Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2012-12-06 PubMed ID: 23216530DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12021Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

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 study explores the relationship between body conditioning score, insulin levels, lipids, and plasma inflammatory cytokines in light-breed horses. The main finding is that serum amyloid A (SAA), an inflammatory protein, levels in the blood are associated with both body conditioning score (BCS) and insulin levels, separate from age or sex, suggesting a potential role of SAA in the development of laminitis, a painful condition in horses.

Objective and Hypothesis

  • The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma concentrations of certain proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, and SAA), body condition score (BCS), and insulin levels in horses.
  • The researchers hypothesized that these proinflammatory protein levels would positively correlate with BCS and insulin levels. Furthermore, these might be influenced by age and other factors associated with BCS like plasma insulin, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, and leptin concentrations.

Methodology

  • The research involved samples from one hundred and ten mixed light-breed horses of different genders and ages.
  • Plasma samples used in this study were selected from a previously collected population of samples.
  • The samples were analyzed for the presence of TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, and SAA using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs), a commonly used method for measuring proteins in biological samples.
  • The researchers then identified the correlation between these cytokine levels and BCS, insulin, age, and sex.

Results

  • The study found that plasma TNF and IL-6 concentrations were higher in female horses than in males.
  • Moreover, the IL-6 levels also increased with age.
  • The plasma SAA concentrations were found to correlate with both insulin levels and BCS.

Conclusions

  • This study provides evidence that factors such as age and sex influence the plasma concentrations of inflammatory proteins in horses.
  • Concentrations of SAA were found to correlate with both BCS and insulin levels, independent of horse age or sex.
  • Given that BCS and insulin levels are linked with elevated SAA levels, it suggests that SAA might play a role in the pathophysiology of laminitis, a painful condition that affects the feet of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Suagee JK, Corl BA, Crisman MV, Pleasant RS, Thatcher CD, Geor RJ. (2012). Relationships between body condition score and plasma inflammatory cytokines, insulin, and lipids in a mixed population of light-breed horses. J Vet Intern Med, 27(1), 157-163. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12021

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 27
Issue: 1
Pages: 157-163

Researcher Affiliations

Suagee, J K
  • Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Corl, B A
    Crisman, M V
      Pleasant, R S
        Thatcher, C D
          Geor, R J

            MeSH Terms

            • Aging
            • Animals
            • Body Composition
            • Cytokines / blood
            • Cytokines / metabolism
            • Female
            • Horses / blood
            • Horses / physiology
            • Insulin / blood
            • Insulin / metabolism
            • Lipids / blood
            • Male
            • Sex Factors

            Citations

            This article has been cited 24 times.
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