Influence of Obesity on Serum Concentrations of Acute-Phase Proteins in Horses.
Authors: Girardi Fabricia Modolo, da Fonseca Leandro Abreu, Ribeiro Filho José Dantas, Souto Pollyanna Cordeiro, Ferreira Dayana Alersa Conceição, Dornelas Lorraine Rossi Signorelli Machado, Bento Lucas Drumond, de Carvalho Filho Wilson Pinheiro
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Obesity and Acute-Phase Proteins in Horses Obesity in horses triggers systemic inflammatory changes similar to those documented in other species, yet few studies have characterised the specific serum biomarkers involved in equine obesity—particularly in populations outside North America and Europe. Researchers compared acute-phase protein profiles in nine obese and nine healthy horses using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry identification, measuring relative protein concentrations via computerised densitometry. Three proteins showed clinically significant differences (≥25%) between groups: ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin increased in obese animals consistent with inflammatory responses observed in other species, whilst α1-antitrypsin elevation correlated positively with leptin levels, suggesting a novel obesity-related inflammatory pathway warranting further investigation. These findings establish preliminary evidence that serum acute-phase proteins could serve as practical biomarkers for detecting subclinical inflammation in obese horses, potentially enabling earlier intervention before secondary complications such as laminitis, insulin dysregulation, or metabolic syndrome develop. For practitioners managing overweight horses, this work supports the value of identifying inflammatory status through blood work as part of comprehensive obesity assessment and monitoring during weight-loss programmes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Obesity in horses triggers measurable changes in acute-phase proteins similar to other species, supporting inflammatory complications of equine obesity as a clinical concern
- •Ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin may serve as biomarkers for monitoring inflammatory status in obese horses, potentially aiding early detection of obesity-related comorbidities
- •Weight management programs should be prioritized as obesity-induced inflammatory markers could indicate systemic health risks beyond mechanical joint stress
Key Findings
- •Three acute-phase proteins differed significantly between obese and control horses: ceruloplasmin, α1-antitrypsin, and haptoglobin
- •Ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin behavior in obese horses was consistent with obesity-related inflammation patterns observed in other species
- •α1-antitrypsin was positively correlated with leptin levels, suggesting a novel relationship requiring further investigation