From Table to Stable: A Comparative Review of Selected Aspects of Human and Equine Metabolic Syndrome.
Authors: Ragno Valentina M, Zello Gordon A, Klein Colby D, Montgomery Julia B
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Metabolic Syndrome in Horses and Humans Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) mirrors human metabolic syndrome in prevalence and certain pathophysiological mechanisms, yet equine research lags approximately three decades behind human studies despite both conditions affecting 25–50% of populations in developed countries. This 2019 comparative review synthesises emerging evidence on shared disease pathways—particularly insulin dysregulation, adipokine-mediated inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction—that underpin metabolic dysfunction across species, whilst acknowledging that horses face laminitis risk whereas humans face primarily cardiac complications. Key mechanisms under investigation include the roles of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in vascular insulin signalling, dicarbonyl stress in promoting insulin resistance, and largely unexplored neuropathic pathways that may contribute to both laminitis development and pain perception in insulin-dysregulated horses. For practitioners, the evidence reinforces that obesity management, metabolic assessment, and early intervention in at-risk horses carry substantial welfare implications, whilst the human metabolic literature offers a valuable evidence base for designing novel preventative and therapeutic approaches in equine practice. The authors highlight critical knowledge gaps in neuropathic mechanisms and advocate for translational research that applies decades of human metabolic science to improve understanding and management of EMS in clinical settings.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Obesity management in horses should be prioritized as a preventive strategy against insulin dysregulation and laminitis risk
- •Practitioners should recognize that insulin dysregulation is a key mechanism linking metabolic dysfunction to laminitis, requiring targeted dietary and management interventions
- •Understanding inflammatory pathways related to adiposity and oxidative stress may inform future therapeutic approaches for laminitis prevention and management
Key Findings
- •Between 25-50% of cats, dogs, and horses in developed countries are overweight or obese, mirroring human obesity rates
- •Multiple studies have confirmed the link between insulin dysregulation and laminitis, though mechanisms remain incompletely understood
- •Adipokines play a role in metabolic syndrome-related inflammatory mechanisms across rodent models, companion animals, horses, and humans
- •Vascular actions of insulin through nitric oxide and endothelin-1 pathways are being studied in horses as potential laminitis mechanisms