Symmetric and asymmetric dimethylarginines in healthy and colic horses.

This research aims to determine the levels of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in the blood of healthy horses and those suffering from colic. The findings suggest that neither SDMA nor ADMA are effective biomarkers for differentiating between unique forms of colic or identifying a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in horses.

Research Methodology:

• The research focused on horses both healthy and those affected by colic, specifically divided according to the type of colic, SIRS status, treatment, and outcome.
• Investigations were carried out on them including a physical examination and an evaluation of their SIRS status upon admission.
• Test measurements were taken to determine the concentrations of SDMA and ADMA at T0 (initial time of admission) and again at four subsequent time points (T1, T2, T3, T4) which were 24 hours apart.

Data Analysis:

• Differences between groups (healthy horses, horses with non-strangulating intestinal obstruction, horses with strangulating intestinal obstruction, SIRS-positive horses, and SIRS-negative horses) were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.
• Changes over time within the groups were examined using Friedman’s two-way analysis of variance by ranks.
• Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to analyze SDMA and ADMA levels in the horses with colic.
• Further assessment was done using receiver operating characteristic curves, cut-off values, the area under the curve analysis, and the 95% confidence intervals.

Findings and Conclusion:

• Plasma concentrations of SDMA were significantly lower in healthy horses as compared to those suffering from colic at all sampling times.
• ADMA levels were found to be significantly higher at the T2 time point in horses with strangulating colic and SIRS-positive horses when compared to healthy horses.
• The GLMM analysis did not reveal significant differences in SDMA or ADMA concentrations based on the type of colic, SIRS status, treatment or outcome.
• The study concluded that neither SDMA nor ADMA are clinically useful as biomarkers to differentiate between strangulating and non-strangulating colic, or to identify SIRS-positive and negative horses.