Use of newly developed assays for protein C and plasminogen in horses with signs of colic.

This research studied the levels of protein C and plasminogen and their impact on the survival and disease complications in horses showing signs of colic, and found that lower levels of these proteins were associated with negative outcomes, suggesting these could be potential indicators for equine colic prognosis.

Study Design and Grouping

• The study involved 100 horses displaying signs of colic. Their plasma was analysed for protein C content and plasminogen activity.
• The horses were grouped in four different ways: survivors vs non-survivors, diagnosis (inflammatory disorders, strangulating obstructions, and other gastrointestinal disorders), clinical management (medical or surgical), and specific diagnostic groups with high expectation for activated hemostasis versus control.
• The last group was labelled as a pilot group due to the small sample sizes in each subgroup.

Main Findings

• Within 2 to 24 hours after admission, horses that did not survive had a lower protein C content than those who survived.
• Protein C content and plasminogen activity decreased during hospitalisation in horses with strangulating obstructions and in horses having surgery.

Group-Specific Observations

• In the pilot group, even though the results were not statistically significant (due to the small number of horses in each subgroup), trends were observed in protein C and plasminogen: horses with intestinal ischemia and endotoxemia showed low protein C content and plasminogen activity, protein C content was low in horses that developed peritoneal adhesions or laminitis, and plasminogen activity was low in horses that developed jugular thrombosis.

Implications

• The findings suggest that low levels of protein C content or plasminogen activity, or both, may serve as potential predictive markers for the outcomes and specific complications in horses with colic, allowing for earlier interventions and potentially improved prognosis.