Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 activity and endotoxin concentration in peritoneal fluid and blood of horses with acute abdominal disease.

The research aimed to understand the role of certain bio-markers in equine abdominal disease, finding notable increases in Tumor Necrosis Factor, Interleukin-6, and endotoxin levels in horses with colic, compared to healthy ones. Of these, Interleukin-6 was particularly useful in diagnosing lesion type and predicting survival outcomes.

Objective of the Research

• The primary objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) activities and endotoxin concentration in the blood and peritoneal fluid of adult horses experiencing acute abdominal disease (colic).

Methodology

• The researchers collected samples from 155 adult horses diagnosed with colic and 20 healthy adult horses for comparison.
• They specifically measured the activities of TNF and IL-6, as well as the concentration of endotoxin, in both the blood and the peritoneal fluid of the subjects.

Key Findings

• The research found that activities of TNF and IL-6 and the concentration of endotoxins were significantly higher in horses with colic compared to healthy ones.
• Within the colic group, horses had higher IL-6 levels and endotoxin concentration in their peritoneal fluid compared to their blood.
• Among horses with colic, IL-6 prevalence in their peritoneal fluid was the most frequently increased factor.
• Increased TNF and IL-6 activities were significantly correlated with the detection of endotoxins in the same sample.
• The levels of IL-6 in both blood and peritoneal fluid were higher in horses with inflammatory or strangulating lesions, compared to those with non-strangulating or non-inflammatory lesions.
• The researchers found that the likelihood of non-survival was greatest—80%—when blood IL-6 activity exceeded 60 units/mL.

Conclusion

• Based on the findings, the study concluded that endotoxins were present in the peritoneal cavity of at least one third of horses with any acute disease of the abdomen.
• In diagnosing colic, the study indicates that IL-6 activity is more useful than TNF activity or endotoxin concentration in distinguishing the type of lesion.
• While all the analyzed factors had a good degree of accuracy in predicting survival, the research found that negative values were more useful in predicting favorable outcomes than abnormally increased values were in predicting mortality.