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BMC veterinary research2021; 17(1); 121; doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02818-9

Variation of skeletal muscle ultrasound imaging intensity in horses after treadmill exercise: a proof of concept for glycogen content estimation.

Abstract: Glycogen in skeletal muscle is a major source of energy during exercise and an important determinant of endurance capacity, so that its measurement may provide a meaningful marker of athletes' preparation and a possible predictor of performance, both in humans and in equines. Gold standard of glycogen concentration measurement is the histochemical and biochemical analysis of biopsy-derived muscle tissue, an invasive and potentially injuring procedure. Recently, high-frequency ultrasound (US) technology is being exploited in human sports medicine to estimate muscle glycogen content. Therefore, aim of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility of US assessment of muscle glycogen in equines. Results: US images of gluteus medius (GL) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles were obtained on eight healthy horses (3-10 years) before and after a steady-state exercise on treadmill (velocity: 4.0-12.5 m/s; duration: 2-20 min; heart rate: 137-218 b/min). Average image greyscale intensity was significantly different between GL and ST, both before and after exercise (p < 0.001). Comparing baseline and post-exercise US images, significant increase in greyscale intensity has been observed in ST (p < 0.001), but not in GL (p = 0.129). The volume of the exercise was significantly correlated with exercise-dependent change in image intensity (R = 0.891), consistent with a reduction of glycogen muscle stores resulting from aerobic activity. Conclusions: US technique evidences also in horses muscle changes possibly associated to glycogen utilisation during exercise. Present results on a small sample need to be further confirmed and provide preliminary data warranting future validation by direct glycogen measurement through biopsy technique.
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Publication Date: 2021-03-16 PubMed ID: 33726767PubMed Central: PMC7962389DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02818-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores the possible use of high-frequency ultrasound technology to estimate muscle glycogen content in horses. Muscle glycogen is an important fuel during exercise, its quantity can indicate an athlete’s preparedness, and potentially predict performance. The study measures changes in two muscles after the horses performed treadmill exercises, showing some significant results that imply a correlation between ultrasound imaging and glycogen usage.

Objectives and Methods

  • The primary aim of this research was to evaluate if ultrasound technology could effectively estimate muscle glycogen in horses. This method would be a less invasive alternative to traditional means of measurement, which typically involve a considerably invasive muscle tissue biopsy.
  • The study utilised a sample of eight healthy horses, aged between 3 to 10 years old.
  • The horses were put through a controlled state of exercise on a treadmill, and ultrasound images of their gluteus medius (GL) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles were taken before and after the workout session.
  • The intensity of the images (in greyscale) was then analysed, looking for differences between the two muscles and changes after exercise.

Findings

  • Results indicated that the average image greyscale intensity was significantly different between the GL and ST muscles, both pre and post exercise, with p-values being less than 0.001.
  • When comparing pre and post-exercise images of the ST muscle, there was a significant increase in greyscale intensity, hinting that more glycogen was used in this particular muscle during the workout.
  • In contrast, the GL muscle did not show such a significant change.
  • Interestingly, the volume of the exercise was found to have a significant correlation with the exercise-dependent change in image intensity, aligning with the idea that glycogen muscle stores reduce during aerobic activity.

Conclusions

  • The research indicated that using ultrasound technology does show changes in horse muscles that could potentially correlate with glycogen utilisation during exercise.
  • However, these conclusions are based on a small sample and need further validation before being implemented as a standard procedure.
  • If further proven, the use of ultrasound technology would offer a less invasive approach to understanding the performance and preparation of equine athletes.

Cite This Article

APA
(2021). Variation of skeletal muscle ultrasound imaging intensity in horses after treadmill exercise: a proof of concept for glycogen content estimation. BMC Vet Res, 17(1), 121. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02818-9

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Pages: 121
PII: 121

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Exercise Test / veterinary
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Glycogen / analysis
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle, Skeletal / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

None of the authors declares a conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the reported information.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Frabasile L, Amendola C, Buttafava M, Chincarini M, Contini D, Cozzi B, De Zani D, Guerri G, Lacerenza M, Minero M, Petrizzi L, Qiu L, Rabbogliatti V, Rossi E, Spinelli L, Straticò P, Vignola G, Zani DD, Dalla Costa E, Torricelli A. Non-invasive estimation of in vivo optical properties and hemodynamic parameters of domestic animals: a preliminary study on horses, dogs, and sheep. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1243325.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1243325pubmed: 37789868google scholar: lookup
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