Effects of exercise and oral antioxidant supplementation enriched in (n-3) fatty acids on blood oxidant markers and erythrocyte membrane fluidity in horses.
Authors: De Moffarts B, Portier K, Kirschvink N, Coudert J, Fellmann N, van Erck E, Letellier C, Motta C, Pincemail J, Art T, Lekeux P
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary Twelve eventing horses received either an omega-3 and antioxidant-enriched supplement or placebo for three weeks, with blood sampling at rest, immediately post-exercise, and 24 hours after a standardised exercise test to evaluate effects on erythrocyte membrane fluidity (EMF), oxidative stress markers, and plasma fatty acid ratios. The supplemented group maintained glutathione peroxidase activity and copper-to-zinc ratios that otherwise declined in controls, alongside significantly elevated omega-3 to omega-6 ratios; however, the supplement produced minimal improvements across most antioxidant markers. Exercise triggered significant decreases in EMF in both groups, though this decline was notably less pronounced at 15 minutes post-exercise in supplemented horses, with both groups showing increased uric acid, oxidative proteins, and decreased vitamin E and lipid peroxides at various timepoints. For equine practitioners, these findings suggest that whilst omega-3 and antioxidant supplementation alone does not robustly counter exercise-induced oxidative stress, it may provide selective benefits in preserving red blood cell membrane integrity during the acute post-exercise window—a clinically relevant consideration for high-performance animals, though practitioners should view such supplementation as adjunctive rather than primary intervention in managing oxidative stress.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may help preserve red blood cell flexibility during strenuous exercise in eventing horses, potentially improving oxygen delivery during competition
- •While omega-3 supplementation showed limited benefit to overall antioxidant markers, it preserved key enzymatic defences (GPx) that placebo horses lost, suggesting possible performance or recovery advantages in hard-working horses
- •Three weeks of omega-3 supplementation appears necessary to meaningfully shift the omega-3/omega-6 ratio and influence exercise response; this may inform timing of supplementation protocols for competition horses
Key Findings
- •Exercise induced significant decrease in erythrocyte membrane fluidity (EMF) in both groups, but was significantly lower at 15 minutes post-exercise in supplemented horses compared to placebo
- •Omega-3 vitamin supplementation preserved glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity which decreased in placebo group, and prevented increase in plasma Cu/Zn ratio
- •Omega-3 fatty acid ratio (FAR) significantly increased in supplemented group and decreased post-exercise in both groups, with supplement group maintaining higher FAR
- •Exercise induced increases in uric acid and oxidised proteins in both groups, with omega-3 supplementation providing modest improvement to oxidative balance