Search Results

Abstract

Objective—To compare responses of equine digital arteries (EDAs) and veins (EDVs) to human-acalcitonin gene-related peptide (hαCGRP), evaluate effect of the endothelium, and characterize receptors and sources of endogenous CGRP.

Sample—Palmar digital vessels (5 to 9/experiment) from healthy adult horses killed at an abattoir.

Procedures—Vessel rings were mounted under tension in organ baths containing Krebs-Henseleit solution at 30°C, with relaxation responses examined in vessels preconstricted with a thromboxane-mimetic (3 × 10⁻⁸M). Responses of endothelium-intact (+e) and -denuded (−e) EDAs and EDVs to hαCGRP C10⁻¹⁰ to 3 × 10⁻⁷M) were compared. Following incubation with an hαCGRP receptor antagonist (hαCGRP_8–37; 1μM), responses of EDA(−e) and EDV(−e) to hαCGRP (10⁻⁷M) were obtained. Responses of endothelium-intact and -denuded arteries and veins to hαCGRP (3 × 10⁻⁷M) or capsaicin (10⁻⁵M) were evaluated as well as responses of endothelium-intact and -denuded EDA and EDV to hαCGRP (10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻⁶M) after incubation with endothelin-1 (ET-1; 10⁻¹²M).

Results—hαCGRP resulted in nonendothelium, concentration-dependent relaxation in EDAs and EDVs, with greater responses in EDAs. Treatment with hαCGRP_8–37 had minimal effect on responses to hαCGRP in either vessel type. Capsaicin induced relaxation in both vessel types. There were no differences between responses to hαCGRP for vessels pretreated with ET-1 or vehicle.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Both hαCGRP and capsaicin induced digital vasodilation unaffected by a functional endothelium. This suggested that endogenous CGRP likely emanates from sensory-motor nerves and may contribute to digital vasodilation.

Abstract

Objective—To compare the responses of equine digital arteries (EDAs) and equine digital veins (EDVs) to endothelin-1 (ET-1) and determine the role of the endothelium and type of receptors involved in the modulation and mediation of those responses, respectively.

Sample Population—5 to 9 palmar digital vessels/experiment from 28 healthy horses.

Procedure—Rings of dissected vessels were mounted under tension between force transducer wires in organ baths containing Krebs-Henseleit solution at 30oC. Responses of EDAs and EDVs (with intact [+e] or denuded [–e] endothelium) to cumulative concentrations of ET-1 (10^–10 to 3 × 10^–7 M) were compared. For (+e)EDAs and (+e)EDVs precontracted with a thromboxane-mimetic (U44069; 10_–8 M) and (–e)EDAs and (–e)EDVs, responses to an ET_B receptor agonist (S6c; 10^–10 to 3 × 10–7 M) were evaluated. Responses to ET-1 (10^–7 M) in (–e)EDAs and (–e)EDVs were evaluated after incubation with an ET_A receptor antagonist (BQ- 123; 3 × 10^–7 M), an ET_B receptor antagonist (BQ-788; 3 × 10^–7 M), or vehicle solution.

Results—Endothelin-1 induced a concentrationdependent contraction of endothelium-intact and -denuded EDAs and EDVs; EDVs were more sensitive. Neither vessel type relaxed in response to S6c, although 2 of the (–e)EDAs contracted mildly. Whereas BQ-123 inhibited the (–e)EDA and (–e)EDV responses to ET-1, BQ-788 had no effect.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Endothelin-1 induced digital vasoconstriction (marked constriction in veins). This action was unaffected by endothelium and mediated predominantly by ET_A receptors. These findings suggest ET-1 can induce selective digital venoconstriction. (Am J Vet Res 2003;64:1438–1443

Abstract

Objective—To measure concentrations of amines formed in the cecum of clinically normal ponies, determine amine concentrations in plasma samples collected in spring and winter, and compare concentrations of amines and serotonin in plasma samples obtained from clinically normal ponies and ponies predisposed to laminitis.

Sample Population—Cecal contents obtained from 10 ponies euthanatized at an abattoir and blood samples obtained from 42 adult ponies.

Procedure—Cecal contents were assayed for amines by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Blood samples were collected at various times of the year from 20 ponies predisposed to acute laminitis and 22 clinically normal ponies. Plasma serotonin concentration was measured by HPLC, and tryptamine (TRP), tyramine (TYR), phenylethylamine (PEA), and isoamylamine (IAA) were measured by liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry.

Results—15 amines were identified in cecal contents. Plasma TRP, TYR, PEA, and IAA concentrations ranged from 10pM to 100nM in both groups of ponies. Plasma concentrations of serotonin or other amines did not differ between clinically normal ponies and those predisposed to laminitis; however, significantly higher concentrations of TRP, PEA, and IAA were found in samples obtained in the spring, compared with winter samples.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Various amines are found in the cecum of ponies, several of which can be detected in the plasma. Concentrations increase significantly in the spring and may reach concentrations close to the threshold for causing vasoconstriction. Release of amines from the cecum into the systemic circulation may contribute to hemodynamic disturbances in horses and ponies with acute laminitis. (Am J Vet Res 2003;64:1132–1138)

Abstract

Objective—To examine factors associated with short- and long-term prognosis for horses undergoing repeated celiotomy within 14 days after the first colic surgery.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—95 horses that had undergone 2 celiotomies within a 14-day period between 2005 and 2013 at 3 equine referral hospitals.

Procedures—Historical, clinical, and laboratory data were compared between horses that did not survive and horses that did survive to hospital discharge (short-term survival rate) and to > 3 and > 6 months after hospital discharge (long-term survival rates).

Results—Strangulating small intestinal lesions were the most common finding during the first celiotomy (60/95 [63.2%]), and persistent gastric reflux was the most common reason for the second celiotomy (56/95 [58.9%]). Reasons for a second celiotomy were not associated with survival rate. For horses that had long-term follow-up, 22 of 92 (23.9%) survived > 6 months after hospital discharge. Two of 13 horses with intestinal resections during both surgeries survived to > 6 months after hospital discharge. Compared with horses not undergoing intestinal resection, significantly fewer horses requiring resection during 1 or both surgeries survived to hospital discharge and to > 3 and > 6 months after hospital discharge. Incisional infections occurred in 68.4% (26/38) of horses that survived to hospital discharge, and 31.6% (12/38) developed incisional hernias or dehiscence.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that the prognosis for horses undergoing repeated celiotomy is guarded, and intestinal resection negatively affects the long-term survival rate.

Abstract

Objective—To measure plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations and digital blood flow in clinically endotoxemic horses.

Animals—To measure plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations and digital blood flow in clinically endotoxemic horses.

Procedure—On days 2 and 5 following surgery, Doppler ultrasonographic digital arterial blood flow measurements were obtained. Hematologic and biochemical analyses were performed, and plasma concentrations of ET-1 and endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) were determined. A scoring system based on 9 clinical variables was used to assign horses to group B (quartile with greatest cumulative score) or group A (remaining 3 quartiles). Follow-up at 2.5 years was obtained by telephone questionnaire.

Results—For all horses on day 2, median (interquartile values) plasma ET-1 concentrations were 1.4 (0.8, 1.7) pg/mL, whereas on day 5, plasma ET-1 concentrations were 1.0 (0.5, 1.6) pg/mL. On day 2, digital blood flow was 0.057 (0.02, 0.07) mL/min in group A horses and 0.035 (0.02, 0.03) mL/min in group B horses. On day 5, plasma ET-1 concentration was significantly (73%) higher in group B horses, compared with group A horses. Thirty of 36 horses were alive at 2.5 years; group A horses were more likely to have survived (odds ratio, 25; 95% confidence interval, 2.4 to 262). Significant associations were found between an increase in digital pulses, hoof wall temperatures, or both and increased digital blood flow (0.14 vs 0.04 mL/min) on day 2 and increased digital arterial diameter (0.32 vs 0.23 cm) on day 5.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Horses with more severe endotoxemia had decreased digital blood flow, increased plasma ET-1 concentrations, and decreased long-term survival. (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:630–636)

Abstract

Case Description—5 horses were evaluated because of decreased appetite, weight loss, fever, cough, tachypnea, and respiratory distress.

Clinical Findings—Tachycardia, tachypnea, increased respiratory effort, lethargy, fever, poor body condition, and nasal discharge were detected in various combinations on initial physical examination. Evaluation of the lower portion of the respiratory tract via radiography and ultrasonography revealed a severe nodular interstitial pattern. Histologic examination of lung tissue revealed interstitial expansion of alveolar parenchyma with collagen, intraluminal accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages within the alveoli, and occasional intranuclear inclusion bodies within alveolar macrophages. Equine herpesvirus type 5 was detected in samples of lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or both via polymerase chain reaction assay in all cases. A diagnosis of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) was established.

Treatment and Outcome—Horses were provided supportive treatment and were administered a variety of medications including corticosteroids and acyclovir. Two horses survived and returned to their previous level of activity. Three horses were euthanized because of either deterioration of clinical condition (n = 2) or failure to improve within 4 weeks of initiation of treatment (1).

Clinical Relevance—EMPF should be considered as a differential diagnosis for adult horses with interstitial pneumonia and should be suspected on the basis of characteristic radiographic, ultrasonographic, and histopathologic findings. Equine herpesvirus type 5 is found in association with EMPF; although the exact pathogenic role this virus plays in EMPF is unknown, equine herpesvirus type 5 may be an etiologic agent or cofactor in the development of EMPF.