Carbonate buffer mixture and fecal microbiota transplantation hold promising therapeutic effects on oligofructose-induced diarrhea in horses.
Authors: Tuniyazi Maimaiti, Tang Ruibo, Hu Xiaoyu, Fu Yunhe, Zhang Naisheng
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Carbonate Buffer Mixture and Faecal Microbiota Transplantation for Oligofructose-Induced Diarrhoea in Horses Diet-induced diarrhoea represents an increasingly significant clinical challenge in equine practice, yet therapeutic options targeting the underlying dysbiosis remain limited. Maimaiti and colleagues investigated this problem by inducing diarrhoea in twenty healthy horses using oligofructose, then comparing three intervention approaches: carbonate buffer mixture (CBM), faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and untreated controls, with comprehensive assessment of clinical parameters, serum biomarkers, colonic histology and faecal microbial composition. Both CBM and FMT substantially reversed the dysbiosis caused by oligofructose challenge—restoring microbial diversity and richness whilst reducing markers of intestinal inflammation (serum lipopolysaccharide, IL-17A, and lactic acid), normalising faecal pH, and repairing colonic tissue damage; clinical signs including elevated body temperature and diarrhoea scores also improved markedly in treated groups. These findings suggest that either intervention alone may offer clinically useful benefits, with the authors proposing that combined CBM and FMT approaches could optimise outcomes in managing diet-induced diarrhoea. For practitioners managing horses with feed-related diarrhoea, these results provide evidence-based justification for modulating the hindgut microbiota environment, though field trials will be essential before routine adoption of FMT protocols into equine practice.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Diet-induced diarrhea can be managed with FMT or CBM treatments; consider these approaches when oligofructose or other problematic feed components are suspected
- •Restoring healthy microbiota composition through FMT or buffer mixtures may reduce systemic inflammation and accelerate clinical recovery in affected horses
- •Combined CBM and FMT approaches may offer optimal outcomes—discuss with your veterinarian which intervention suits your horse's specific case
Key Findings
- •Oligofructose induction caused gut microbiota dysbiosis with decreased diversity and richness, elevated body temperature, diarrhea scores, and increased serum inflammatory markers (LPS, IL-17A, lactic acid)
- •Both fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and carbonate buffer mixture (CBM) restored microbiota composition toward healthier profiles and improved clinical parameters
- •FMT and CBM treatments decreased inflammatory responses and repaired colon tissue damage caused by diarrhea induction
- •Spearman correlation analysis identified specific bacterial taxa associated with host inflammatory parameters and clinical outcomes