Biomarkers of Intestinal Injury in Colic.
Authors: Ludwig Elsa K, Hobbs Kallie J, McKinney-Aguirre Caroline A, Gonzalez Liara M
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Biomarkers of Intestinal Injury in Colic Colic remains a leading cause of equine morbidity and mortality, yet early identification of severe forms—particularly intestinal ischaemia—remains challenging in clinical practice. Ludwig and colleagues undertook a comprehensive review of molecular and biochemical markers measurable in body fluids during colic, examining acute phase proteins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, endotoxaemia markers, and tissue injury metabolites that might accelerate diagnosis and guide treatment decisions. Whilst no single biomarker has demonstrated perfect sensitivity and specificity for intestinal ischaemia, serum L-lactate has emerged as a robust and clinically practical diagnostic indicator, with elevated concentrations reliably reflecting intestinal hypoperfusion and tissue compromise. The findings underscore that a multi-marker approach—rather than reliance on any single test—may offer the best opportunity for practitioners to differentiate simple from surgical colic and identify horses requiring emergency intervention. For farriers, physiotherapists and nutritionists working alongside veterinarians in colic management, understanding these biomarkers contextualises why repeat blood samples and trending of specific values (particularly lactate) provide more prognostic value than isolated measurements, and highlights the importance of rapid laboratory turnaround in determining outcomes for acute cases.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •L-lactate measurement should be a standard diagnostic tool when assessing horses with suspected severe colic, as it is currently the most reliable single biomarker available
- •A multi-marker approach combining acute phase proteins, cytokines, and endotoxemia markers may provide better diagnostic accuracy than relying on any single biomarker
- •Early biomarker-based diagnosis of intestinal ischemia can enable timely intervention and significantly improve survival rates and outcomes in colic cases
Key Findings
- •No single biomarker has been identified that is perfectly sensitive and specific for intestinal ischemia in equine colic
- •L-lactate has proven to be a highly functional and frequently utilized diagnostic tool for severe colic assessment
- •Acute phase proteins, proinflammatory cytokines, endotoxemia markers, and tissue injury metabolites are all currently used biomarkers in equine colic diagnosis
- •Early diagnosis of severe colic forms through biomarker identification could enable rapid interventions that improve case outcomes