2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

In our study, RAI was indicated by altered steroidogenesis in response to ACTH in critically ill foals. Hypocortisolemia was associated with poor prognosis for survival in septic foals. Endocrinopathies, such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) can lead to abnormal distribution of adipose tissue, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. Recent studies have shown that intravenous administered insulin and glucose cause laminitis. In addition, during insulin infusion, some of these horses develop mild colic signs and diarrhea. It might be that hyperinsulinemia causes alterations in large intestinal ion transport and transepithelial resistance. These factors might be critical when colon pH is decreased because of intake of feeds with high soluble carbohydrate content. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the pH on colonic mucosa in insulin resistant horses using an in-vitro Ussing chamber system.