Williams Louie E, Nieto J, Wensley F, Morgan JM, Finno CJ, Berryhill EH. Efficacy of the oral supplement, Equine Omega Complete, for the prevention of gastric ulcers and alpha-tocopherol supplementation in horses.
J Vet Intern Med 2023;
37:2529-2534. [PMID:
37775973 PMCID:
PMC10658587 DOI:
10.1111/jvim.16877]
[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: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Omega-3 fatty acid and alpha-tocopherol supplementation reduces gastric ulcer formation in humans and rodents; however, efficacy of prevention in horses is unknown. Equine Omega Complete (EOC) is an oral supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-tocopherol.
HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE
Determine if EOC supplementation prevents gastric ulcers and increases serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations in healthy horses.
ANIMALS
Nine thoroughbred geldings; 5-13 years old.
METHODS
Prospective randomized block design, repeated in crossover model. Horses were administered EOC, omeprazole, or water PO for 28 days. Horses underwent an established gastric ulcer induction protocol from days 21-28 via intermittent feed deprivation. Gastroscopies were performed on days 0, 21, and 28. Serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations were measured on days 0 and 28. The effects of treatment and time on ulcer grades were assessed with ordinal logistic regression, with significance at P-value <.05.
RESULTS
Ulcer grades increased during ulcer induction in control and EOC but not omeprazole groups (P = .02). Grades increased in EOC-treated horses after ulcer induction from a median of 1 [95% confidence interval 0-2.5] (day 0) to 2.5 [1.5-3.5] (day 28) and were similar to the control group (P = .54). Serum alpha-tocopherol increased in EOC-treated horses from day 0 to day 28 (mean 2.2 ± 0.43 μg/mL to 2.96 ± 0.89 μg/mL; P < .001) with high individual variation; this increase was not different from omeprazole or control groups.
CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Supplementation with EOC for 28 days did not prevent gastric ulcer formation nor increase alpha-tocopherol concentrations relative to the control group.
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