The effect of oral sodium acetate administration on plasma acetate concentration and acid-base state in horses.

This research investigates the impact of orally administered sodium acetate on blood acetate concentration and acid-base balance in horses, suggesting it could potentially serve as an alkalizing agent and alternative energy source.

Study Overview

• The researchers aimed to delineate the fluctuations in acid-base condition in horses after the oral consumption of a sodium acetate/acetic acid complex, using a physical-chemical approach. This was prompted by curiosity about sodium acetate’s potential as an alkalizing agent and alternative energy source for horses, due to the limited knowledge about the effects of its oral administration.

Methodology

• Jugular venous blood samples were collected from nine exercise-conditioned horses at rest and continuously for 24 hours after a competition exercise test (CET). This test was designed to simulate the speed and endurance test of a 3-day event.
• Post-CET, the horses were permitted unrestricted water intake and were then divided into two groups: one that received 8L of a hypertonic sodium acetate/acetic acid solution via a nasogastric tube followed by a typical hay/grain meal (the NAA trial group), and the other that received only a hay/grain meal (the control group).

Results

• The oral intake of the sodium acetate/acetic acid solution resulted in a substantial blood alkalosis, as evidenced by reduced plasma [H+] and increased plasma [TCO2] and [HCO3-], compared to the control group.
• The fundamental contributor to the blood alkalosis was an elevated [SID] due to increased plasma [Na+] and diminished plasma [Cl-].
• An increased [Atot], resulting from increased [PP] and a maintained elevation in plasma [acetate], had a minor acidifying effect.

Conclusions

• Based on the results, researchers concluded that oral sodium acetate could potentially serve as both an alkalizing agent and an alternative energy source for horses. However, like any scientific research, these outcomes would require further investigation, preferably with larger sample sizes, to solidify these conclusions and determine the long-term implications.