Multicenter Placebo-Controlled Randomized Study of Ethyl Pyruvate in Horses Following Surgical Treatment for ≥ 360° Large Colon Volvulus

Identification of altered blood metabolic pathways in equines following ethyl pyruvate administration using non-targeted metabolomics

Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has emerged as a promising compound with potential therapeutic benefits attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to understand the effects of EP on plasma metabolites and immune cells in horses, utilizing advanced liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and blood chemistry analyses. Our comprehensive analysis detected 2,366 ions, and 126 metabolites were accurately identified. Remarkably, EP administration induced significant changes in 28 metabolites at 1 h and 11 metabolites at 8 h, highlighting its time-dependent impact on metabolic pathways such as phenylalanine and arginine biosynthesis. Moreover, EP significantly lowered the expression of inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1, indicating its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. Blood chemistry analysis revealed notable reductions in glucose and triglyceride levels. These findings demonstrate that EP is a substance with potential effects on pathways associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic processes.

Ethyl pyruvate, a versatile protector in inflammation and autoimmunity

Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has potent influence on redox processes, cellular metabolism, and inflammation. It has been intensively studied in numerous animal models of systemic and organ-specific disorders whose pathogenesis involves a strong immune component. Here, basic chemical and biological properties of EP are discussed, with an emphasis on its redox and metabolic activity. Further, its influence on myeloid and T cells is considered, as well as on intracellular signaling beyond its effect on immune cells. Also, the effects of EP on animal models of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders are presented. Finally, a possibility to apply EP as a treatment for such diseases in humans is discussed. Scientific papers cited in this review were identified using the PubMed search engine that relies on the MEDLINE database. The reference list covers the most important findings in the field in the past twenty years.