Measurement of Trace Elements (Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, and Iron) in the Saliva of Horses: Validation Data and Changes in Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS).
Authors: Muñoz-Prieto Alberto, Cerón José Joaquín, Tecles Fernando, Cuervo María Martín, Contreras-Aguilar Maria Dolores, Ayala Ignacio, Oudada-Guillén Adrián, Pardo-Marín Luis, Hansen Sanni
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Equine gastric ulcer syndrome remains prevalent in modern practice, prompting researchers to identify non-invasive biomarkers that might facilitate earlier detection and monitoring. Spanish researchers validated spectrophotometric assays for measuring four trace elements—zinc, copper, magnesium, and iron—in equine saliva, then compared concentrations across horses with squamous gastric disease (ESGD) only, glandular gastric disease (EGGD) only, concurrent ESGD and EGGD, and healthy controls. Horses with EGGD showed significantly reduced salivary zinc and magnesium levels, whilst iron concentrations were substantially lower in all horses presenting with either ESGD or EGGD; copper showed no significant variation across groups. These findings suggest that trace element depletion in saliva may reflect the underlying pathophysiology of gastric disease, potentially offering practitioners a practical, non-endoscopic tool for syndrome detection and disease monitoring—though further validation across diverse populations and management systems will be necessary before clinical implementation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Saliva trace element analysis could become a non-invasive diagnostic tool for identifying and differentiating EGUS subtypes in clinical practice
- •Low salivary zinc and magnesium may indicate EGGD specifically, while iron reduction appears in squamous disease; these patterns could guide targeted nutritional or therapeutic interventions
- •Horses managed intensively should be monitored for EGUS given its high prevalence; salivary biomarkers offer a practical alternative to gastroscopy for screening
Key Findings
- •Spectrophotometric assays for measuring Zn, Cu, Mg, and Fe in horse saliva were analytically validated as precise and accurate
- •Horses with EGGD presented significantly lower salivary zinc and magnesium levels compared to healthy controls
- •Iron concentrations were significantly reduced in saliva of horses with either ESGD or EGGD or both conditions
- •Trace element changes in saliva reflect physiopathological mechanisms of EGUS and may serve as biomarkers for the syndrome