Plasma Non-targeted Metabolomics Analysis of Yili Horses Raced on Tracks With Different Surface Hardness.
Authors: Wang Tongliang, Zeng Yaqi, Ma Chaoxin, Meng Jun, Wang Jianwen, Ren Wanlu, Wang Chuankun, Yuan Xinxin, Yang Xixi, Yao Xinkui
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Metabolic Responses to Track Surface Hardness in Exercised Horses Researchers used advanced metabolomic profiling to characterise how eight trained Yili horses responded biochemically to exercise on tracks of varying surface hardness, collecting plasma samples before and immediately post-exercise for analysis via ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The study identified 938 significantly altered metabolites following exercise, with consistent increases in glucose, lactate, malate and methylmalonic acid alongside decreases in creatinine, tryptophan, carnitine and citric acid—patterns reflecting expected shifts in energy metabolism and muscle stress. Critically, four metabolites (acetylcarnitine, tuliposide, vitamin C and methylmalonic acid) demonstrated variable responses depending on track surface hardness, suggesting that substrate stiffness triggers distinct metabolic adaptations independent of exercise intensity alone. The authors propose vitamin C and methylmalonic acid as potential novel biomarkers for detecting locomotor injury risk, though these findings warrant validation in larger, more diverse populations before practical implementation. For practitioners managing athletic horses, these insights highlight that surface characteristics influence systemic metabolism beyond mechanical loading alone, potentially informing track selection and recovery strategies tailored to individual metabolic phenotypes.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Metabolomic profiling may help identify exercise-induced injury risk through novel biomarkers; consider discussing metabolic assessment options with veterinarians when evaluating training responses
- •Track surface hardness influences specific metabolite concentrations post-exercise; monitor horses more closely on harder surfaces as this may correlate with increased physiological stress and injury risk
- •Vitamin C and methylmalonic acid levels may become useful diagnostic tools for early detection of locomotor injury, potentially allowing earlier intervention before clinical signs appear
Key Findings
- •938 significantly different metabolites were detected in plasma after exercise, primarily involving glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism
- •Glucose, lactic acid, malic acid, and methylmalonic acid increased significantly after exercise while creatinine, D-tryptophan, carnitine, and citric acid decreased
- •Acetylcarnitine, tuliposide, vitamin C, and methylmalonic acid showed consistent concentration changes related to track surface hardness differences
- •Vitamin C and methylmalonic acid identified as potential novel biomarkers for equine locomotor injury assessment