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Puchalska M, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O. Gene doping in horse racing and equine sports: Current landscape and future perspectives. Equine Vet J 2024. [PMID: 39267222 DOI: 10.1111/evj.14418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Gene doping, the use of gene therapy or genetic manipulation to enhance athletic performance, has emerged as a potential threat to the integrity and welfare of equine sports, such as horse racing and equestrian sports. This review aims to provide an overview of gene doping in horses, including the underlying technologies, potential applications, detection methods, ethical concerns and future perspectives. By understanding the current landscape of gene doping in horses, stakeholders can work together to develop strategies to safeguard the integrity of equine sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Puchalska
- Department of Large Animals Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Olga Witkowska-Piłaszewicz
- Department of Large Animals Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Malin K, Dąbrowska I, Grzędzicka J, Ostaszewski P, Carter C. Immunology of Physical Exercise: Is Equus caballus an Appropriate Animal Model for Human Athletes? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5210. [PMID: 38791248 PMCID: PMC11121269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Domestic horses routinely participate in vigorous and various athletic activities. This enables the horse to serve as a model for studying athletic physiology and immunology in other species, including humans. For instance, as a model of physical efforts, such as endurance rides (long-distance running/aerobic exercise) and races (anaerobic exercise), the horse can be useful in evaluating post-exercise response. Currently, there has been significant interest in finding biomarkers, which characterize the advancement of training and adaptation to physical exercise in the horse. The parallels in cellular responses to physical exercises, such as changes in receptor expression and blood cell activity, improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the body's response to intense physical activity. This study focuses on the changes in levels of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and cellular response in the context of post-exercise immune response. Both the direction of changes in cytokine levels and cellular responses of the body, such as proliferation and expression of surface markers on lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils, show cross-functional similarities. This review reveals that horses are robust research models for studying the immune response to physical exercise in human athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Witkowska-Piłaszewicz
- Department of Large Animals Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Malin
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Izabela Dąbrowska
- Department of Large Animals Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jowita Grzędzicka
- Department of Large Animals Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Ostaszewski
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Craig Carter
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA;
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Wright I, Minshall G, Young N, Riggs C. Fractures in Thoroughbred racing and the potential for pre-race identification of horses at risk. Equine Vet J 2024; 56:424-436. [PMID: 38200406 DOI: 10.1111/evj.14046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Risk rates for and predisposing factors to fractures occurring in Thoroughbred racing that have been published in peer reviewed journals are documented. The potential for currently available techniques to identify horses at increased risk for fracture is discussed on the bases of principles, practicalities, advantages, disadvantages and current data. All are reviewed in light of justifiable decision making and importance of fractures to horseracing's social license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Wright
- Newmarket Equine Referrals, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK
| | | | | | - Christopher Riggs
- Equine Welfare Research Foundation, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Johnson MG, Adam E, Watt A, Page AE. Effects of High-Speed Training on Messenger RNA Expression in Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 128:104892. [PMID: 37433342 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating high-speed exercise has been identified as a significant risk factor for catastrophic injuries in racing Thoroughbreds. Injuries, regardless of severity, are a main cause of withdrawal from the racing industry, raising animal welfare concerns and resulting in significant economic losses. While most of the current literature focuses on injuries incurred during racing rather than training, the present study aims to help fill this gap. As such, peripheral blood was collected weekly, prior to exercise or administration of medication, from eighteen, two-year-old Thoroughbreds throughout their first season of race training. Messenger RNA (mRNA) was isolated and used to analyze the expression of 34 genes via RT-qPCR. Statistical analysis of the noninjured horses (n = 6) showed that 13 genes were significantly correlated with increasing average weekly high-speed furlong performance. Additionally, there was a negative correlation for CXCL1, IGFBP3, and MPO with both cumulative high-speed furlongs and week of training for all horses. Comparison of both groups showed opposing correlations between the anti-inflammatory index (IL1RN, IL-10, and PTGS1) and average weekly high-speed furlong performance. Furthermore, evaluation of training effects on mRNA expression during the weeks surrounding injury, showed differences between groups in IL-13 and MMP9 at -3 and -2 weeks prior to injury. While some previously reported relationships between exercise adaptation and mRNA expression were not noted in this study, this may have been due to the small sample size. Several novel correlations, however, were identified and warrant further investigation as markers of exercise adaptation or potential risk for injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie G Johnson
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Emma Adam
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | | | - Allen E Page
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
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Partridge E, Adam E, Wood C, Parker J, Johnson M, Horohov D, Page A. Residual effects of intra-articular betamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide in an equine acute synovitis model. Equine Vet J 2023; 55:905-915. [PMID: 36397207 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroids are regularly used in equine athletes for the control of joint inflammation. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to use an acute synovitis inflammation model to determine the residual effects of IA betamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide on various inflammatory parameters and lameness. STUDY DESIGN Crossover randomised trial. METHODS Five mixed-breed, 2-year-old horses were randomly allocated to an IA treatment of the radiocarpal joint with 9 mg of either betamethasone or triamcinolone acetonide. Two weeks following treatment, horses were injected with 1 μg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) diluted in 1 ml of saline. Following LPS injection, horses were crossed-over and both sets of injections were repeated after a washout period. Blood samples were collected at multiple time points for mRNA analysis, as well as serum amyloid A (SAA) and cortisol determination. At each time point, lameness was also subjectively scored. Additional injections with saline-only or LPS-only (twice) were conducted as negative and positive controls, respectively. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyse all data. RESULTS Corticosteroid-only treatments result in significant mRNA expression differences, as well as significant and prolonged cortisol suppression. Following LPS injection, there was a residual treatment effect with triamcinolone evidenced by a significant treatment effect on IL-6 and PTGS1 (cyclooxygenase-1), lameness, SAA and cortisol concentrations, while only IL-6 expression was affected by betamethasone. MAIN LIMITATIONS The acute synovitis model used here results in significant inflammation and is not representative of the low-grade inflammation seen with typical joint disease and residual anti-inflammatory effects may be more profound in naturally occurring joint disease. CONCLUSIONS Current regulatory guidelines may be insufficient if the concern is residual anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, intra-articular corticosteroid administration is not without risk, as evidenced by a significant suppression of serum cortisol concentration and, as such, the benefits of their administration should be weighed against those risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Partridge
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Emma Adam
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Courtney Wood
- Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jordan Parker
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Mackenzie Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - David Horohov
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Allen Page
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Taylor SD, Serpa PBS, Santos AP, Hart KA, Vaughn SA, Moore GE, Mukhopadhyay A, Page AE. Effects of intravenous administration of peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells after infusion of lipopolysaccharide in horses. Vet Med (Auckl) 2022; 36:1491-1501. [PMID: 35698909 PMCID: PMC9308407 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A systemic and dysregulated immune response to infection contributes to morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis. Peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (PB-MSC) mitigate inflammation in animal models of sepsis. Allogeneic PB-MSC administered IV to horses is well-tolerated but therapeutic benefits are unknown. HYPOTHESIS After IV lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion, horses treated with PB-MSC would have less severe clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities, inflammatory cytokine gene expression, and oxidative stress compared to controls administered a placebo. ANIMALS Sixteen horses were included in this study. METHODS A randomized placebo-controlled experimental trial was performed. Sixteen healthy horses were assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups (1 × 109 PB-MSC or saline placebo). Treatments were administered 30 minutes after completion of LPS infusion of approximately 30 ng/kg. Clinical signs, clinicopathological variables, inflammatory cytokine gene expression, and oxidative stress markers were assessed at various time points over a 24-hour period. RESULTS A predictable response to IV LPS infusion was observed in all horses. At the dose administered, there was no significant effect of PB-MSC on clinical signs, clinicopathological variables, or inflammatory cytokine gene expression at any time point. Antioxidant potential was not different between treatment groups, but intracellular ROS increased over time in the placebo group. Other variables that changed over time were likely due to effects of IV LPS infusion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Administration of allogeneic PB-MSC did not cause clinically detectable adverse effects in healthy horses. The dose of PB-MSC used here is unlikely to exert a beneficial effect in endotoxemic horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra D Taylor
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Priscila B S Serpa
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Andrea P Santos
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Kelsey A Hart
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah A Vaughn
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - George E Moore
- Department of Veterinary Administration, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Abhijit Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Allen E Page
- Gluck Equine Research Center, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Malek G, Richard H, Beauchamp G, Laverty S. An in vitro model for discovery of osteoclast specific biomarkers towards identification of racehorses at risk for catastrophic fractures. Equine Vet J 2022; 55:534-550. [PMID: 35616632 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Focal bone microcracks with osteoclast recruitment and bone lysis, may reduce fracture resistance in racehorses. As current imaging does not detect all horses at risk for fracture, the discovery of novel serum biomarkers of bone resorption or osteoclast activity could potentially address this unmet clinical need. The biology of equine osteoclasts on their natural substrate, equine bone, has never been studied in vitro and may permit identification of specific biomarkers of their activity. OBJECTIVES 1) Establish osteoclast cultures on equine bone, 2) Measure biomarkers (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRACP-5b) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I)) in vitro and 3) Study the effects of inflammation. STUDY DESIGN In vitro experiments. METHODS Haematopoietic stem cells, from 5 equine sternal bone marrow aspirates, were differentiated into osteoclasts and cultured either alone or on equine bone slices, with or without pro-inflammatory stimulus (IL-1β or LPS). CTX-I and TRACP-5b were immunoassayed in the media. Osteoclast numbers and bone resorption area were assessed. RESULTS TRACP-5b increased over time without bone (p < 0.0001) and correlated with osteoclast number (r = 0.63, p < 0.001). CTX-I and TRACP-5b increased with time for cultures with bone (p = 0.002; p = 0.02 respectively), correlated with each other (r = 0.64, p < 0.002) and correlated with bone resorption (r = 0.85, p < 0.001; r = 0.82, p < 0.001 respectively). Inflammation had no measurable effects. MAIN LIMITATIONS Specimen numbers limited. CONCLUSIONS Equine osteoclasts were successfully cultured on equine bone slices and their bone resorption quantified. TRACP-5b was shown to be a biomarker of equine osteoclast number and bone resorption for the first time; CTX-I was also confirmed to be a biomarker of equine bone resorption in vitro. This robust equine specific in vitro assay will help the study of osteoclast biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwladys Malek
- Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Hélène Richard
- Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Guy Beauchamp
- Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Sheila Laverty
- Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
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Finno CJ. Science-in-brief: Genomic and transcriptomic approaches to the investigation of equine diseases. Equine Vet J 2022; 54:444-448. [PMID: 35133024 PMCID: PMC9095347 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carrie J Finno
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Identification of Thoroughbred Racehorse Welfare Issues by Industry Stakeholders. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051358. [PMID: 34064709 PMCID: PMC8151680 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The thoroughbred racehorse has unique welfare issues, being highly trained for racing, as well as regularly transported to race meetings. Following their racing career, retirement often requires racehorses to adopt a new lifestyle, with inherent risks to their welfare. Currently, there is little information on the most serious welfare issues confronting racehorses. We initially sought the opinion of a panel of experts, which provided 14 key issues that were then explored in more detail in a survey of stakeholders in the industry. We found that the key issues were the quality of horsemanship, horses’ health, educating horses to cope with the welfare challenges, and track and stable quality. Focusing on these issues will provide the best potential to improve welfare. Abstract Identifying key welfare issues for thoroughbred racehorses could lead to an improvement in standards. A lack of scientific information on the relative importance of key issues was addressed by soliciting the views of, first, welfare experts in the industry and, second, a broader group of stakeholders, who selected the best welfare options by adaptive conjoint analysis. The experts represented racehorse breeders, veterinarians, trainers, owners, government officials, salespeople, farriers, transporters, and horse re-trainers for post-racing activities. In a focus group meeting, the experts identified fourteen key welfare issues, each with two to four levels that related to common husbandry practices. Then, in an internet survey, 224 stakeholders ranked the issues using adaptive conjoint analysis, in declining importance, as: horsemanship > health and disease > education of the horse > track design and surface > ventilation > stabling > weaning > transport > nutrition > wastage > heat and humidity > whips > environment > gear. Relatively uniform responses to the survey by the different stakeholder groups suggested that there was a common view on what had the biggest impact on welfare. An exception was a greater rating given by women than men to the importance of correct horse nutrition. The rating of importance for welfare of different levels of provision of each issue mostly conformed to the scientific evidence, with the exception of weaning. This understanding of the importance of welfare issues for thoroughbred racehorses could be used to target interventions to the most serious problems.
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