Body Temperature and Plasma Nitric Oxide Metabolites in Response to Standardized Exercise Test in the Athletic Horse

Plasmapheresis Effect on Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Athletic Horses Subjected to Exercise

To evaluate the effect of plasmapheresis on clinical, hematological, and biochemical parameters after exercise, a plasmapheresis session was realized on six jumping horses (plasmapheresis group) that underwent three consecutive days of physical graded exercise. The control group (n = 6) went through the same exercise but not subjected to the plasmapheresis session. Seventeen milliliters of plasma/kg of body weight was harvested from each horse. The procedure was well tolerated by the horses. The plasmapheresis leads to a significant increase of the hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell, white blood cell, and lymphocytes counts. Plasmapheresis induced a very significant decrease (P < .001) of albumin and globulin levels and of total protein, which were reestablished 24 hours later. Plasmapheresis also generated a very significant increase (P < .001) in sodium levels and a significant decline of potassium (P < .05) and calcium (P < .01) levels. Several other biochemical variables remained unchanged. Results also showed that, after a significant rise of lactate, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine kinase levels which are subsequent to the exercise, the plasmapheresis session induced a very significant continuous decrease (P < .001) of these parameters. The present work has demonstrated that the plasmapheresis is able to modify the physiology after exercise and to affect both the hematology and the biochemistry of the blood hematobiochemical parameters in horses subjected to physical exercise.

Dynamic Change of Serum Levels of Some Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Tryptophan in Athletic Horses After Different Physical Exercises

Physical exercise induces several adaptations involving modulation of the energetic pathways to meet the energy demand during physical exercise. The branched-chain amino acids, leucine in particular, are considered as the most relevant amino acids, especially for exercise physiology. In this study, the change of leucine, valine, and tryptophan concentration was investigated in athletic horses before and after different exercise type. A total of 40 sport horses were equally divided into 4 groups according to the exercise type: group A (jumping), group B (reining), group C (32 km ride), and group D (72 km ride). Blood samples were collected before (T_PRE), immediately after (T_POST), and 30 minutes after (T_POST30) the race to assess leucine, valine, and tryptophan concentration. Two-way analysis of variance showed an effect of time and/or exercise on the serum leucine, valine, and tryptophan values in all groups (P < .01). Lower leucine and valine values were found in groups A, B, and D at T_POST and T_POST30 respect to T_PRE, whereas group C showed higher values at T_POST and T_POST30 compared with the values found at T_PRE. All groups showed increased tryptophan values at T_POST and T_POST30 compared with T_PRE. Lower leucine, valine, and tryptophan values were found in group D at T_POST30 compared with the values found at T_POST. These dynamic changes suggest the involvement of amino acid metabolism during different exercise types. These findings are probably related to the complex physiological adaptations to exercise stressor that allow reestablishment of the homeostatic equilibrium of the organism.

A time-course evaluation of inflammatory and oxidative markers following high-intensity exercise in horses: a pilot study

Exercise is a physiological stress resulting in reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators, the accumulation of which are thought to contribute to degenerative articular diseases. The horse is of particular interest in this regard as equine athletes are frequently exposed to repetitive bouts of high-intensity exercise. The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed description of the response of articular and systemic oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers following high-intensity, exhaustive exercise in horses. A group of horses (Ex) underwent repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise, at a target heart rate of 180 beats/min, until voluntary exhaustion. Baseline plasma and synovial fluid (SF) samples were taken 24 h before exercise and then at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h following exercise cessation. This time course was repeated in a group of nonexercised control horses (Co). Plasma and SF samples were analyzed for prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant status (TAS), and glycosaminoglycans (GAG). The Ex group had significantly higher plasma NO at 0.5, 1, and 2 h; and higher plasma PGE₂ at 0.5 and 1 h compared with Co. SF PGE₂ and GAG were also higher in Ex horses at 8 h compared with Co. It is concluded that high-intensity exercise in horses results in a rapid increase in systemic oxidative and inflammatory markers from 0.5 to 2 h after exercise, which is followed by local articular inflammation and cartilage turnover at 8 h postexercise. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In horses, the influence of exercise systemically and within the articular space remains unclear and requires further detailed characterization. In this study, we identify that an acute bout of high-intensity exercise in horses induces systemic inflammation and oxidative stress within 30 min of exercise cessation, which lasts for ~2 h. Articular inflammation and cartilage turnover were also be observed within the equine carpal joint 8 h following exercise completion.

Effect of electrolyte supplementation on electrolyte profile in Marwari horses during 20 km moderate intensity riding exercise

The effect of electrolyte supplementation on plasma electrolyte profile in horses in hot environmental conditions was studied using sweat loss and sweat electrolyte concentration. Eleven adult Marwari mares were selected for the study. To develop an electrolyte supplement, 7 mares were given a preliminary 20 km moderate intensity exercise and the electrolyte supplement was designed on basis of their body weight loss and sweat electrolyte concentration during exercise. In the subsequent trials, 4 mares were kept in an exercise control group that did not receive the supplement (ECG), while 3 mares were kept in the exercise supplementation group (ESG) that received the supplement. Four other mares were used as resting controls (RG). ESG mares were daily fed 50 g electrolyte supplement and 150 g supplement orally 1 h before the 20 km trial. Mares of ESG and ECG groups were conferred 3 km trot + canter riding every day in the morning and a 20 km trot + canter ride on every 10th day of the total trial period of 40 days. Blood analysis revealed a significant (P<0.05) decline in plasma calcium and chloride concentrations immediately after exercise in both groups. There was significant less post-exercise decrease of plasma calcium and chloride concentration in ESG mares. Post-exercise plasma sodium concentration was higher (P<0.05) and plasma potassium concentration was lower only in ESG mares (P<0.05) compared to pre-exercise concentrations. The supplement did not affect the physiological responses (heart rate and rectal temperature). However, the changes in plasma sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride concentration were in favour of better performance in supplemented (ESG) mares and advocate sweat-developed electrolyte supplementation in riding mares.