Microdialysis measurements of lamellar perfusion and energy metabolism during the development of laminitis in the oligofructose model.
Authors: Medina-Torres C E, Underwood C, Pollitt C C, Castro-Olivera E M, Hodson M P, Richardson D W, van Eps A W
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Lamellar Perfusion and Energy Metabolism in Oligofructose-Induced Laminitis Using tissue microdialysis in a standardised laminitis model, Medina-Torres and colleagues investigated whether impaired energy metabolism and reduced blood flow contribute to lamellar tissue damage during sepsis-associated laminitis. Six horses received oligofructose induction whilst six served as controls; microdialysis probes measured glucose, lactate and pyruvate concentrations in lamellar tissue and skin over 24 hours, with perfusion estimated via urea clearance. The lamellar laminae displayed marked glucose depletion (falling below 30% of baseline by 8 hours), dramatically elevated lactate-to-glucose ratios (>5-fold increase), and paradoxically increased tissue perfusion rather than ischaemia—findings that collectively suggest heightened metabolic demand rather than energy failure per se. Notably, whilst lamellar lactate concentrations remained stable despite these metabolic shifts, skin tissue showed clearer evidence of anaerobic stress through lactate elevation and extremely high lactate-to-pyruvate ratios (up to 80), indicating differential tissue responses. For practitioners, this research implies that during early laminitis development, the laminae's metabolic crisis stems from consumption outpacing supply rather than complete circulatory collapse, potentially redirecting therapeutic focus towards modulating inflammatory demand and supporting cellular metabolism rather than solely addressing perfusion deficits.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Laminitis development in oligofructose models involves increased tissue perfusion paradoxically accompanied by glucose depletion, suggesting metabolic disruption rather than simple ischaemia—this may inform therapeutic targets beyond perfusion restoration
- •The absence of definitive lamellar energy failure despite dramatic glucose and pyruvate changes indicates laminitis pathophysiology involves metabolic dysfunction distinct from classical ischaemic necrosis, potentially opening new intervention strategies
- •Early metabolic changes (by 8 hours) detected in lamellar tissue microdialysis may provide biomarkers for rapid laminitis detection and intervention before overt clinical signs or irreversible tissue damage
Key Findings
- •Lamellar glucose concentration decreased to <30% of baseline by 8 hours in oligofructose-treated horses (P<0.01)
- •Increased lamellar perfusion occurred during laminitis development, evidenced by significantly decreased urea concentration in lamellar dialysate indicating increased urea clearance
- •Lactate-to-glucose ratio increased >5-fold in lamellar and skin dialysate (P<0.03) despite no definitive evidence of lamellar energy failure
- •Pyruvate concentration decreased to <50% of baseline in lamellar dialysate (P=0.03), suggesting altered glucose metabolism without acute energy crisis