Effects of β-Glucan Supplementation on LPS-Induced Endotoxemia in Horses.
Authors: Lacerenza Milena Domingues, Arantes Júlia de Assis, Reginato Gustavo Morandini, Passarelli Danielle, Balieiro Júlio César de Carvalho, Amaral Andressa Rodrigues, Vendramini Thiago Henrique Annibale, Brunetto Marcio Antonio, Dória Renata Gebara Sampaio
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: β-Glucan Supplementation in Equine Endotoxemia Endotoxemia remains a serious clinical challenge in equine practice, yet therapeutic options for modulating the resulting inflammatory cascade remain limited. Researchers administered 10 mg/kg/day oral β-glucan to eight young horses for 30 days prior to inducing experimental endotoxemia via intravenous E. coli lipopolysaccharide (0.1 µg/kg), measuring inflammatory markers, haematological parameters, and peritoneal fluid composition against a saline-control group. Whilst both groups developed classic endotoxic signs—tachycardia, fever, neutrophilic leukopenia, elevated bilirubin, glucose and lactate—the β-glucan supplemented horses demonstrated meaningful immunological shifts: increased serum total protein and globulins, elevated IL-8 cytokine levels, and a favourable shift in peritoneal cell populations toward macrophages with reduced neutrophil infiltration. Importantly, hepatic and renal function remained uncompromised, and the treatment proved safe throughout; however, these immunomodulatory changes did not translate into clinical amelioration of endotoxic signs. The findings suggest β-glucan warrants further investigation as a prophylactic agent, particularly in high-risk populations, though practitioners should recognise that immune optimisation does not necessarily confer clinical protection during established endotoxaemic crisis.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •β-glucan appears safe for preventive use in horses but should not be expected to eliminate clinical signs of endotoxemia; consider as adjunctive immune support rather than primary treatment
- •30-day pre-supplementation period may be necessary to achieve immune-modulating effects if β-glucan is used prophylactically in high-risk horses
- •While β-glucan shifted inflammatory cell populations favorably, clinical benefit remains unclear—additional research needed before recommending as standard prophylactic protocol
Key Findings
- •β-glucan supplementation (10 mg/kg/day for 30 days) modulated immune response by increasing serum total protein, globulins, and IL-8 in horses with LPS-induced endotoxemia
- •Peritoneal fluid analysis showed β-glucan group had lower neutrophil concentration and higher macrophage concentration compared to controls
- •β-glucan did not effectively attenuate clinical signs of endotoxemia (heart rate, body temperature, or hematological changes) despite immune modulation
- •Hepatic and renal function remained uncompromised with β-glucan supplementation, indicating safety profile in this population