Plasma concentration of serum amyloid A and lipopolysaccharide binding protein in horses with laminitis resulted from hindgut acidosis.
Authors: Safaee Firouzabadi Mohammad Sadegh, Paidar Ardakani Amin
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Inflammatory Markers in Hindgut Acidosis-Induced Laminitis Hindgut acidosis (HGA) is a well-established precursor to laminitis in horses, yet early detection remains challenging in clinical practice; this research examined whether two acute phase proteins—serum amyloid A (SAA) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP)—could serve as diagnostic markers for identifying HGA before lameness becomes apparent. Sixteen Arabian geldings with rumen cannulae were fed either forage-based or high-concentrate diets for 20 days, with blood and caecal samples collected on days 1, 10, and 20 to measure inflammatory markers alongside caecal pH and volatile fatty acids. Horses on high-concentrate diets developed significantly elevated lameness scores by day 10 and 20, and whilst SAA only increased markedly by day 20, LBP concentrations rose substantially by day 10—notably before obvious clinical signs manifested. For practitioners managing horses on grain-heavy rations or dealing with recurrent laminitis, monitoring plasma LBP may offer a practical window for early intervention, potentially allowing dietary modification before caecal pH disruption progresses to acute inflammation and lameness; the 10-day timepoint also suggests that concentrate challenges warrant vigilant monitoring during this critical period.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Monitor plasma LBP levels in horses receiving high-grain diets as an early warning marker for hindgut acidosis before clinical laminitis becomes apparent
- •High-concentrate feeding regimens warrant closer clinical surveillance and dietary management to prevent secondary laminitis development
- •Plasma LBP testing may enable earlier intervention in at-risk horses compared to relying on SAA or clinical lameness signs alone
Key Findings
- •Horses fed high-concentrate diet showed significantly elevated lameness grades on days 10 and 20 compared to baseline (P < 0.001)
- •Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration increased significantly on day 20 in high-concentrate diet group versus initial stage
- •Plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels were significantly elevated on days 10 and 20 in high-concentrate diet group
- •Plasma LBP concentration is more effective than SAA for early identification of hindgut acidosis in horses fed high-grain diets