Ultrastructural study of the equine cecum during onset of laminitis.
Authors: Krueger, Kinden, Garner, Sprouse
Journal: American journal of veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Krueger and colleagues examined how carbohydrate overload damages the cecal mucosa during the acute phase of laminitis onset, using transmission and scanning electron microscopy to assess ultrastructural changes in biopsy samples collected via cecal fistula at baseline and at 24, 32, 48, and 72 hours post-overload in four horses. The research demonstrated substantial deterioration of the mucosal barrier within the first 24–48 hours, with progressive epithelial damage visible at the cellular level throughout the observation period. These findings provide mechanistic insight into how excessive carbohydrate intake compromises the intestinal epithelial integrity that normally prevents bacterial lipopolysaccharide and other toxins from translocating into the systemic circulation. For equine practitioners, this foundational work underscores why aggressive management of grain overload cases—including rapid intervention to limit further fermentation and protect gut barrier function—remains critical to preventing secondary laminitis, and supports the rationale for therapies targeting mucosal healing rather than addressing only systemic inflammation after the fact.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Carbohydrate overload rapidly compromises the cecal mucosal barrier, providing a mechanistic link between grain overload and laminitis development
- •The acute timeline (changes within 24 hours) emphasizes the importance of preventing accidental grain access and rapid feed changes in horses at risk
- •Cecal mucosal damage may be a key trigger in the pathogenesis of laminitis, supporting nutritional management as a critical prevention strategy
Key Findings
- •Carbohydrate overload caused substantial damage to the cecal mucosal barrier within 24-72 hours in all 4 horses studied
- •Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed progressive morphologic and pathologic changes in the cecal epithelium following carbohydrate overload
- •Ultrastructural changes in cecal mucosa were evident as early as 24 hours post-overload and progressed through 72 hours