The combination of trailer transport and exercise increases gastrointestinal permeability and markers of systemic inflammation in horses.
Abstract: Leaky gut syndrome (LGS) is an idiopathic disorder characterised by alterations in intestinal permeability and low-grade systemic inflammation. Factors contributing to development of LGS are not well-understood but physiological stressors such as exercise and transport may play a role which may be of pathophysiological relevance in horses. Objective: To characterise the combined effect of transport stress and exercise on gastrointestinal permeability, and to determine whether these effects are associated with increased inflammatory biomarkers in plasma. Methods: Controlled, randomised and cross-over study. Methods: Horses (n = 8 per group) were given a gastrointestinal permeability tracer (iohexol; 5.6% solution; 1 ml/kg bwt) via nasogastric entubation prior to being assigned to a stressed (EX; 1 h of trailer transport immediately followed by 30 min moderate intensity exercise; n = 4) or sedentary control (CON; n = 4) group. Plasma samples were obtained prior to iohexol administration (P1), after transport (P2), at exercise cessation (P3), and at 1 (P4), 2 (P5), 4 (P6) and 8 (P7) hours after cessation of exercise and were analysed for iohexol, inflammatory biomarkers (SAA, LPS, IFABP and LBP) and tight junction proteins (zonulin). Faecal samples were collected at times corresponding to before and after stress from both groups and analysed for zonulin. Data were analysed using a 2-way RM ANOVA. Results: In EX horses, a significant increase in iohexol was observed at P2 (1.5 ± 0.24 μg/ml; p = 0.03), P3 (2.1 ± 0.29 μg/ml; p < 0.001), P4 (2.1 ± 0.17 μg/ml; p < 0.001) compared with P1 (0.7 ± 0.21 μg/ml); iohexol was significantly higher in EX than CON horses at P3 (p < 0.001), P4 (p < 0.001) and P5 (p = 0.003). LPS and SAA were significantly higher in EX than CON at P4 (p < 0.001) and P6 (p = 0.04), respectively. Conclusions: Data from our small sample size may not be generalisable to the larger equine population. Conclusions: Combined transport and exercise increases gastrointestinal permeability and systemic SAA and LPS. The model described herein may be useful in further studies on the role of alterations in gastrointestinal permeability in equine disease.
© 2022 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2022-11-09 PubMed ID: 36210653DOI: 10.1111/evj.13888Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study was conducted to determine the effect of stress from transport and exercise on gastrointestinal (GI) permeability in horses. The researchers also aimed to identify if such effects are correlated with an increase in inflammatory markers in the bloodstream.
Research Method
- The study was organized as a controlled, randomized, and cross-over study for more robust and reliable findings.
- Eight horses were used for the research, and they were given a GI permeability tracer called Iohexol. Administration of Iohexol was done via nasogastric entubation.
- Once given the Iohexol, the horses were divided into two groups – a stress group (EX) which was subjected to an hour of trailer transport then 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, and a sedentary control group (CON).
- Blood samples from the horses were obtained at different intervals. These intervals were before the administration of Iohexol, after transport, at the end of the exercise regime, and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours after ending the exercise. These samples were analyzed for Iohexol, inflammatory markers (SAA, LPS, IFABP, and LBP) and tight junction proteins (zonulin).
- Faecal samples were also collected from all horses at two time points, before and after the stress, and analyzed for zonulin.
Results of the Study
- There was a significant increase shown in the amount of Iohexol in the EX group of horses at various time points, indicating an increase in GI permeability due to the stress of transport and exercise.
- After analysis, the levels of Iohexol were found to be significantly higher in the EX group when compared to the CON group at certain time points.
- The levels of two inflammatory markers, namely LPS and SAA, were also significantly higher in EX horses compared to those in CON at the 4th and 6th hours after exercise cessation, respectively.
Conclusions and Future Implications
- The research exhibits that physical stressors such as transport and exercise can increase GI permeability and systemic SAA and LPS in horses, markers of inflammation.
- Though the study’s small sample size restricts its generalizability to the broader equine population, the results provide critical insights.
- The research holds future scientific relevance as the model can be instrumental in further studies investigating how alterations in GI permeability can influence equine illness.
Cite This Article
APA
McGilloway M, Manley S, Aho A, Heeringa KN, Lou Y, Squires EJ, Pearson W.
(2022).
The combination of trailer transport and exercise increases gastrointestinal permeability and markers of systemic inflammation in horses.
Equine Vet J, 55(5), 853-861.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13888 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Cross-Over Studies
- Lipopolysaccharides
- Iohexol
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Permeability
- Horse Diseases
Grant Funding
- 054839 / Biozyme Inc.
- UG-T2-2020-100854 / Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
References
This article includes 49 references
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- McGilloway M, Manley S, Aho A, Heeringa KN, Whitacre L, Lou Y, Squires EJ, Pearson W. Dietary Fermentation Product of Aspergillus Oryzae Prevents Increases in Gastrointestinal Permeability ('Leaky Gut') in Horses Undergoing Combined Transport and Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 6;13(5).
- Swanson KS, Allenspach K, Amos G, Auchtung TA, Bassett SA, Bjørnvad CR, Everaert N, Martín-Orúe SM, Ricke SC, Ryan EP, Fahey GC Jr. Use of biotics in animals: impact on nutrition, health, and food production. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
- Calik A, Niraula A, Dong B, Blue CEC, Fenster DA, Dalloul RA. Iohexol-based assessment of intestinal permeability in broilers challenged with Eimeria maxima, Clostridium perfringens or both. Front Physiol 2024;15:1520346.
- Leduc L, Costa M, Leclère M. The Microbiota and Equine Asthma: An Integrative View of the Gut-Lung Axis. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 13;14(2).
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