The effect of solarium light therapy on selected biological and biochemical parameters of peripheral blood in young and old horses.
Authors: Orzołek Aleksandra, Rafalska Katarzyna Teresa, Domosławska-Wyderska Anna, Rafalska Agata Monika, Dziekońska Anna, Jastrzębska Ewa, Dobbek Dominika
Journal: PloS one
Summary
Solarium light therapy during winter months produced measurable changes in peripheral blood parameters across both young and old recreational horses, with ten horses (aged 5–7 and 14–19 years) receiving fortnightly sessions over a ten-week period and blood sampled at baseline, five sessions, and ten sessions. The treatment generated consistent shifts in red cell indices (increased MCV, MCVr, MPV) alongside reduced basophil counts and RDW values in both age groups, whilst age-specific responses emerged in white cell populations and reticulocyte counts, suggesting differential physiological adaptation between younger and older animals. Antioxidant enzyme activity diverged notably by age: glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase increased in young horses but declined in older animals' plasma, though erythrocyte-level antioxidant markers improved across both groups, with malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation marker) declining significantly in older horses. Vitamin C levels progressively decreased during treatment whilst vitamin D3 remained unchanged, and total antioxidant status rose despite mixed results in individual enzyme activities, indicating complex systemic responses. For practitioners managing horses during winter turnout restrictions, these findings suggest solarium therapy may offer genuine immunological and metabolic support, though the authors appropriately caution that observed improvements may partly reflect natural physiological adaptation rather than direct phototherapy effects, warranting further investigation before definitive clinical recommendations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Solarium light therapy in winter may support blood health and antioxidant status in recreational horses, with particular benefits for reducing oxidative stress markers in older animals
- •Young and old horses show different biochemical responses to light therapy; consider age-specific monitoring if implementing this treatment
- •Effects on blood parameters are modest and may partially reflect natural physiological adaptation rather than direct therapeutic benefit; further larger studies needed before routine clinical recommendation
Key Findings
- •Solarium light therapy increased MCV, HDW, MCVr, CHr and MPV indices while decreasing basophil counts, MCHC, RDW and CHCMr in both age groups
- •Total antioxidant status (TAS) of blood plasma rose progressively in all horses, with MDA levels significantly reduced especially in older horses
- •Antioxidant enzyme activity (GR and GPx) increased in young horses but decreased in older horses in plasma, while showing opposite pattern in erythrocytes
- •Vitamin C levels gradually decreased during the experiment while vitamin D3 levels remained unchanged