Severe hypertriglyceridaemia in horses and ponies with endocrine disorders.
Abstract: Severe hypertriglyceridaemia in horses and ponies with endocrine disorders has been reported anecdotally but has not been documented in the literature. Objective: To describe historical and clinicopathological findings as well as progression and outcome in horses and ponies with severe hypertriglyceridaemia (serum triglyceride concentration >5.65 mmol/l) secondary to an endocrine disorder that were otherwise apparently healthy. Methods: Cases from 6 participating institutions were identified and case details extracted from the medical records. Results: Case details of 3 horses and 4 ponies were available. Presenting complaints included weight loss despite good appetite in 4 animals, while in 3 hypertriglyceridaemia was identified incidentally. All animals were bright and alert and showed a normal or increased appetite. Serum triglyceride concentrations ranged from 10.5 to 60.3 mmol/l. Other abnormalities included hyperglycaemia in 6 animals, suspected insulin resistance and mild to severe increases in hepatic enzyme activities. In 2 animals, moderate hepatic lipidosis was confirmed histologically. Three horses and 3 ponies were diagnosed with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction based on clinical signs and basal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations or dexamethasone suppression test results. In 5 of these, type 2 diabetes mellitus was also confirmed, while one pony suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus without concurrent pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Laboratory abnormalities improved in 4 animals with treatment (pergolide and/or insulin), in one horse specific treatment was not attempted, and in 2 ponies treatment was impaired by the owner or only partly effective. In one of the latter cases, biochemical abnormalities persisted for 7 years without apparent ill effects. Conclusions: Horses and ponies may develop severe hypertriglyceridaemia secondary to endocrine disorders that are associated with insulin resistance. Hypertriglyceridaemia can resolve with treatment of the endocrinopathy. Although biochemical evidence of hepatic compromise was present, clinical abnormalities were not noted in these animals.
© 2013 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013-07-01 PubMed ID: 23663085DOI: 10.1111/evj.12089Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates and documents the occurrence of severe hypertriglyceridaemia, an unusually high level of triglycerides in the blood, in horses and ponies suffering from endocrine disorders. The study reviews case details from six different institutions, providing descriptions and outcomes for three horses and four ponies with this condition. These animals, while otherwise appearing healthy, experienced high triglyceride levels due to endocrine disorders related to pituitary dysfunction and insulin resistance. Treatment with medications resulted in improved laboratory results for some, but not all horses and ponies.
Methodology
- For this study, cases were identified from six different participating institutions, with data extracted from the existing medical records.
- The researchers focused on horses and ponies showing severe hypertriglyceridaemia (serum triglyceride concentration above 5.65 mmol/l) secondary to an endocrine disorder but otherwise displaying normal health.
Results
- Case details from three horses and four ponies were analyzed. Common symptoms included weight loss with a good appetite in four subjects, while the hypertriglyceridaemia condition was found incidentally in three others.
- Despite the health issues, all animals were alert, bright, and showcased normal or increased appetite. Their serum triglyceride concentrations varied broadly, ranging from 10.5 to 60.3 mmol/l.
- Additional abnormalities found included hyperglycaemia in six subjects, suspected insulin resistance, and mild to significant increases in hepatic enzyme activities. In two of these animals, moderate hepatic lipidosis was confirmed histologically.
- Based on clinical signs, ACTH concentrations, or the results of a dexamethasone suppression test, three horses and three ponies were diagnosed with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Five of these animals also had type 2 diabetes mellitus, while one pony suffered from diabetes without the mentioned pituitary dysfunction.
- Following treatment with pergolide or insulin, laboratory abnormalities improved in four cases. Specific treatment was not attempted for one horse, and in two others, treatment was only partially effective or impaired by the owner. One of these cases showed persistent biochemical abnormalities for seven years without apparent ill effects.
Conclusions
- The researchers concluded that horses and ponies might develop severe hypertriglyceridaemia as a result of endocrine disorders, particularly those associated with insulin resistance.
- With treatment of these endocrine conditions, hypertriglyceridaemia can improve, even if such improvement is not systematic.
- Despite clear biochemical evidence of liver involvement, no related clinical abnormalities were noticed in the studied animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Dunkel B, Wilford SA, Parkinson NJ, Ward C, Smith P, Grahame L, Brazil T, Schott HC.
(2013).
Severe hypertriglyceridaemia in horses and ponies with endocrine disorders.
Equine Vet J, 46(1), 118-122.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12089 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Endocrine System Diseases / complications
- Endocrine System Diseases / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Hypertriglyceridemia / etiology
- Hypertriglyceridemia / veterinary
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Kellon EM, Gustafson KM. Hypertriglyceridemia in equines with refractory hyperinsulinemia treated with SGLT2 inhibitors.. Open Vet J 2023 Mar;13(3):365-375.
- Satué K, Miguel-Pastor L, Chicharro D, Gardón JC. Hepatic Enzyme Profile in Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 29;12(7).
- Yang J, Zhou X, Zhang X, Hu J, Gao L, Song Y, Yu C, Shao S, Yuan Z, Sun Y, Yan H, Li G, Zhao J. Analysis of the correlation between lipotoxicity and pituitary-thyroid axis hormone levels in men and male rats.. Oncotarget 2016 Jun 28;7(26):39332-39344.
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