Changes in Acute Phase Response Biomarkers in Racing Endurance Horses.
Authors: Mihelić Karla, Vrbanac Zoran, Bojanić Krunoslav, Kostanjšak Tara, Ljubić Blanka Beer, Gotić Jelena, Vnuk Dražen, Bottegaro Nika Brkljača
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Acute Phase Response Biomarkers in Racing Endurance Horses Endurance competition places substantial metabolic demands on horses, yet the acute inflammatory response triggered by prolonged intense exercise remains incompletely characterised in clinical practice. Mihelic et al. (2022) investigated acute phase protein dynamics in 23 endurance-racing horses by collecting blood samples immediately before competition and within 30 minutes of finish, then analysing changes in calprotectin, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and albumin alongside standard haematological parameters. Contrary to expectations, calprotectin and haptoglobin concentrations decreased post-race, whilst ceruloplasmin and albumin increased significantly—a pattern suggesting the acute phase response in endurance horses differs mechanistically from that observed in humans or following other forms of exertion. Breed-specific variations emerged, with Arabian horses demonstrating greater calprotectin fluctuations than other breeds, and longer race duration correlating with more pronounced haptoglobin depletion; notably, the magnitude of acute phase biomarker changes was more pronounced at higher average speeds. For practitioners monitoring endurance athletes, these findings underscore the value of measuring selected acute phase proteins as objective welfare indicators during competition, particularly when races involve sustained high-speed efforts, enabling more targeted recovery protocols and early identification of excessive physiological stress.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Monitor acute phase biomarkers in endurance horses as clinical indicators of race stress; greater changes at higher speeds suggest need for closer observation during intense competition
- •Arabian breeds show different acute phase response patterns to endurance exercise, warranting breed-specific assessment protocols
- •Post-race acute phase changes are normal but more pronounced responses in longer, faster races may indicate excessive fatigue requiring extended recovery periods
Key Findings
- •Calprotectin and haptoglobin decreased significantly after endurance races compared to pre-race values
- •Ceruloplasmin and albumin increased significantly post-race
- •Arabian horses showed greater calprotectin changes than other breeds
- •Haptoglobin decreases were more pronounced after longer races, with higher speed races inducing more pronounced acute phase biomarker changes