Analysis of serum peptide barcodes and peptidome profiles of horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome by using MALDI–TOF MS and LC–MS/MS
Authors: Kris Angkanaporn, P. Tesena, Sitthirug Roytrakul
Journal: Animal Production Science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Non-invasive Serum Biomarkers for Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome Equine gastric ulcer syndrome remains a significant welfare and performance concern in racehorses and sport horses, yet current diagnosis relies on gastroscopy—an invasive, expensive procedure that limits early detection in many populations. Angkanaporn and colleagues analysed serum samples from 64 Thoroughbreds stratified by gastroscopic severity (36 normal, 14 mild, 14 severe) using advanced mass spectrometry techniques: MALDI–TOF MS for initial peptide profiling and LC–MS/MS for precise identification and quantification. The research identified disease-specific peptide patterns, with 16 unique peptides in healthy horses, 9 in mild EGUS cases, and 6 in severe cases, each cluster reflecting distinct biological processes including mucosal integrity, inflammatory signalling, and tissue repair mechanisms. These findings suggest that serum peptidome analysis could provide a reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tool capable of detecting EGUS severity without gastroscopic examination. For equine professionals, this approach offers potential for earlier diagnosis and targeted management in performance horses, though further validation and refinement of the peptide panel will be necessary before translating these results into routine clinical practice.
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Practical Takeaways
- •A non-invasive blood test for EGUS could eliminate the need for costly, invasive gastroscopy in many cases, making early diagnosis more accessible to practitioners and horse owners
- •Identifying specific peptide biomarkers may enable earlier detection of EGUS before severe clinical signs develop, improving treatment outcomes and performance horse welfare
- •This diagnostic approach could support monitoring treatment efficacy and disease progression without repeated gastroscopic procedures
Key Findings
- •Distinct peptide patterns were detected between healthy and EGUS-affected horses using MALDI–TOF MS and LC–MS/MS analysis
- •16 peptides were unique to normal horses, 9 to mild EGUS, and 6 to severe EGUS, associated with gastrointestinal tissue integrity, inflammatory regulation, and mucosal repair
- •Combined MALDI–TOF MS and LC–MS/MS enabled high-resolution discrimination of EGUS disease severity
- •Serum peptide profiling demonstrated strong potential as a non-invasive diagnostic alternative to gastroscopy for EGUS detection