2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Median age was not different between horses sampled for each breed. Although the Clydesdale breed had a lower BCS as compared to the Belgian breed, there was no difference in median INS between breeds or the proportion of horses with an elevated INS (>50 µU/mL). Further, there were significant, albeit weak, positive correlations between age and INS (R = 0.32, P < 0.01), BCS and INS (R = 0.19, P < 0.02), and age and BCS (R = 0.36, P < 0.01). However, of greatest interest, one-third to nearly half (varying with breed) of all horses tested had an elevated INS, supportive of insulin dysregulation despite horses being trained for competition and without evidence of laminitis. In conclusion, this convenience sampling study of draft horses provides support that INS may vary between light breeds and draft breeds and that breed needs to be considered when interpreting INS results. Among different causes of colic, intestinal obstruction has been identified as the major cause of hospitalization and death in horses around the world. In small colon occurs mainly due to fecalomas or enteroliths. During ischemic process, decreases in oxygen tension inside the cell occur, reducing the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and resulting in cellular homeostasis disorders. Calcium accumulation inside the cell produces significant increase in the phospholipase A 2 activity, which directly damage cell membrane through increased production of arachidonic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine and platelet aggregating factor. The platelet aggregation factor is a potent inflammatory mediator, which has an important effect on vascular permeability and on neutrophil activity. Neutrophils adhesion to endothelium may also cause damage to endothelial cells, thus amplifying the reaction. This occurs due to release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), proteoglycans enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and elastase from lysosomes during cell degeneration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate neutrophil migration and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 activity in horses with experimental intraluminal obstruction.