Investigation of the Effects of a Dietary Supplement on Insulin and Adipokine Concentrations in Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Dysregulation.
Authors: J. Manfredi, E. Stapley, J. Nadeau, D. Nash
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Hyperinsulinaemia represents a significant clinical challenge in equine metabolic syndrome and insulin dysregulation, with elevated insulin concentrations directly increasing laminitis risk; this 2020 study investigated whether a synergistic blend of polyphenols and the amino acid leucine (SPB+L) could improve insulin sensitivity in affected horses, drawing on human research suggesting resveratrol enhances glucose metabolism. Fifteen EMS/insulin-dysregulated horses received either high or low doses of SPB+L supplementation daily over six weeks, with researchers measuring insulin response during oral sugar testing, body weight, high-molecular-weight adiponectin, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, and inflammatory markers before and after the intervention. Both supplementation doses yielded clinically meaningful improvements: post-treatment horses demonstrated significantly lower bodyweight, elevated baseline HMW adiponectin concentrations (indicating enhanced insulin sensitivity), and notably reduced insulin levels at 60 and 75 minutes following oral sugar challenge, with post-treatment insulin profiles resembling those from a comparator study conducted three years earlier. For practitioners managing metabolically challenged horses, these findings suggest SPB+L supplementation may offer a practical nutritional strategy to reduce hyperinsulinaemia and its associated laminitis risk, though the mechanism—enhanced adiponectin-mediated insulin sensitivity rather than dose-dependent effects—warrants further investigation to optimise clinical application across different populations and management contexts.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •A synergistic polyphenol-leucine supplement may help reduce hyperinsulinemia and associated laminitis risk in EMS/insulin dysregulated horses at a lower cost than high-dose formulations
- •Monitor baseline adiponectin levels and insulin response to oral challenge as practical markers of supplement efficacy in your EMS cases
- •Weight loss occurred alongside metabolic improvements, suggesting this supplement may support overall metabolic health management in affected horses
Key Findings
- •Supplementation with polyphenol and leucine blend (SPB+L) significantly reduced insulin concentrations at 60- and 75-minute time points during oral sugar testing (P<0.05)
- •High-molecular-weight adiponectin concentrations increased significantly post-supplementation, indicating improved insulin sensitivity
- •Body weight decreased significantly after 6 weeks of supplementation regardless of dose
- •No significant differences observed between high and low dose groups, suggesting lower doses may be effective