The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in decreasing airway inflammation and mucus accumulation in horses with 18 hours of head confinement

BACKGROUND

During transportation many horses develop post-transportation infection, which can be life-threatening and end their sport career. Preventing mucus accumulation and inflammation during transportation is vital, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to enhance overall horse health welfare.

OBJECTIVES

Assess the impact of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on mucus accumulation and inflammation in horses subjected to 18 hours of head confinement.

ANIMALS

Six healthy crossbred horses, 5.3 ± 2.1 years of age and weighing 387 ± 30 kg.

METHODS

Prospective placebo-controlled cross-over design study. The horses' heads were restrained in their stalls for a period of 18 hours. They were studied under 4 conditions: Not confined (NC): before head confinement, placebo (P), and confined head (CH): 18 hours of head confinement without treatment, and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): 18 hours of head confinement treated with NAC before confinement (15 mg/kg/day NAC PO for 3 days). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in each condition. Mucus accumulation along the trachea was evaluated by endoscopy.

RESULTS

Endoscopic scores were significantly different between CH and other conditions, whereas no significant differences were found among NC, P, and NAC. The BAL cell count (34 291 ± 2624 cells/μL), neutrophil and lymphocyte count (18 601 ± 3193 cells/μL and 3337.4 ± 593 cells/μL, respectively) in CH were significantly higher compared to NAC. Neutrophil percentage was significantly higher in CH (53.8 ± 8%) compared to horses that received NAC (20.08 ± 8%). Conversely, in comparison to NAC (66.33 ± 9%), the percentage of macrophages was significantly lower in CH (35.7 ± 10%).

CONCLUSIONS

N-acetylcysteine was found to significantly decrease mucus accumulation and inflammatory cell counts in horses with head confinement.

Comparison of β-endorphin, lactate and cortisol concentrations in winning and losing racehorses

Understanding the physiological and biochemical changes in racehorses can be invaluable. Accurate information in this area could result in better understanding of needs of sport horses. The aim of this study was to prove the hypothesis that biochemical changes could influence the outcome of competitions. In this study, β-endorphin was evaluated as an indicator of analgesia, lactate as an indicator of fatigue and cortisol as an indicator of stress in the first two horses and the last ones that cross the finish line. This study was performed on 44 horses participating in the 1000-meter national championship. In Group 1, 22 winners and second place horses were included; for Group 2, 22 last and penultimate horses were included. Blood samples were obtained in the doping room after race (T0) and 20 minutes after finishing (T20). Results for beta endorphin at T0 and T20 were higher (P>0.05) for Group 1 compared to Group 2; on the contrary, lactate concentration was lower (P>0.05) for Group 1 than Group 2 at T0 and T20. However, differences (P<0.05) were obtained within groups at T0 and T20 for beta endorphin and lactate concentrations. No significant differences were found for cortisol concentration.The results of this study showed that winning horses had higher levels of β-endorphin and lower levels of lactate than losers. Further and deeper experimental studies are needed to prove the hypothesis that biochemical changes could influence the outcome of competitions.

Clinical dental finding in Iranian horses

BACKGROUND

A horse's well-being is directly related to the management of its dental health. A good knowledge of the epidemiology and aetiology of dental disorders could help the owners and clinicians to prevent not only dental problems but also severe gastrointestinal diseases.

OBJECTIVES

In this study we report the prevalence of dental disorders in horses in Iran.

METHODS

We examined 317 horses randomly in eight provinces in Iran and 21 diseases were characterized in the examined horses. The observed diseases were compared among different breeds, genders and ages of the examined horses.

RESULTS

The factor of age among the other three factors was more important in the incidence of diseases because most of the diseases found were significantly different among age groups. Between different breeds examined, only cheek teeth cemental caries in Kurdish and Arabian horses was significantly different (p = .022). Enamel point with an occurrence of 34.4% was the most common disease. Broken cheek teeth were more prevalent in male horses in comparison with female horses (p = .035).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed a moderate prevalence of dental disorders in Iranian horse clubs, which could be reduced with better management.

Generation of Lung and Airway Epithelial Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro

The epithelium covers the internal surface of the lung airways and is composed of numerous cell types that arise from the anterior foregut endoderm. The ability to generate pulmonary cells from embryonic stem cells will allow study of lung development, drug screening, regenerative medicine, and modeling of lung diseases. The aim of this review is to describe the methods used to produce lung cells in vitro, based on mechanisms of lung development in during embryology.

The Therapeutic Potential of Differentiated Lung Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells in Lung Diseases

Lung diseases cause great morbidity and mortality. The choice of effective medical treatment is limited and the number of lung diseases are difficult to treat with current treatments. The embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the potential to differentiate into cell types of all three germinal layers, including lung epithelial cells. So they can be a potential source for new cell therapies for hereditary or acquired diseases of the airways and lungs. One method for treatment of lung diseases is cell therapy and the use of ESCs that can replace the damaged epithelial and endothelial cells. Progress using ESCs has developed slowly for lung regeneration because differentiation of lung cells from ESCs is more difficult as compared to differentiation of other cells. The review studies the therapeutic effects of differentiated lung cells from embryonic stem cells in lung diseases. There are few studies of differentiation of ESCs into a lineage of respiratory and then investigation of this cell in experimental model of lung diseases.

The effect of 7.2% hypertonic saline solution on echocardiographic parameters of healthy horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY

The cardiovascular effects and duration of action of hypertonic saline are not yet fully understood in the horse.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of hypertonic saline on cardiac measurements derived from echocardiography over a period of 90 min after infusion in euvolaemic and healthy horses.

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental study.

METHODS

Five healthy conscious euvolaemic horses were infused with 5 ml/kg bwt hypertonic saline via a jugular catheter over 1 h. Immediately prior to infusion and at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 min after the completion of the infusion, echocardiographic images were obtained from the right parasternal window. The left ventricular internal diameter at end diastole and left ventricular internal diameter in peak systole were measured and ventricular volume measurements were calculated by the Teicholz method. Data were analysed using a mixed effects model, which included horse as a random effect. The effect of observation time was assessed accounting for correlation between observations.

RESULTS

Fractional shortening and ejection fraction increased significantly 40 min after completion of infusion. Left ventricular internal diameter at end diastole, end diastolic volume and stroke volume all followed the same pattern and were increased at 20, 40 and 60 min compared to preinfusion values. There were also significant differences between the 0 and 40, 40 and 90, 60 and 90 time points. Other parameters did not differ significantly between time points.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertonic saline increases end-diastolic and stroke volume for approximately 1 h after completion of a 60 min infusion in euvolaemic horses. This adds to the evidence available to clinicians regarding the duration of action of hypertonic saline.