Changes in saliva analytes in equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) after treatment: a pilot study
Authors: Muñoz-Prieto Alberto, Llamas-Amor Eva, Cerón José Joaquín, Hansen Sanni
Journal: Research in Veterinary Science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Salivary Biomarkers in Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome Equine gastric ulcer syndrome affects the majority of racehorses and performance animals, with current diagnosis relying on endoscopy—an invasive and costly procedure that limits routine screening. Muñoz-Prieto and colleagues tested whether non-invasive salivary analytes could serve as biomarkers of treatment response in 28 horses treated with omeprazole for six weeks, using automated chemistry analysis to measure enzymes, proteins, minerals, and metabolites before and after therapy. Horses demonstrating successful treatment (ulcer score reduction, n=15) showed statistically significant increases in bicarbonate and urea alongside decreases in adenosine deaminase and creatine kinase, whilst the unsuccessful treatment group (n=13) exhibited no meaningful changes in these parameters. The practical value lies in the simplicity and speed of automated salivary analysis, offering equine professionals a potential chairside tool to evaluate treatment efficacy without repeated gastroscopy. Whilst results are promising, larger cohort studies are needed to validate these analytes as reliable clinical indicators and establish standardised thresholds for practitioners; nonetheless, this pilot opens a practical avenue for monitoring EGUS management in working and competitive horses.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Saliva sampling offers a non-invasive alternative to gastroscopy for monitoring EGUS treatment response, with specific analytes (bicarbonate, urea, ADA, CK) potentially indicating treatment success within 6 weeks
- •Automated saliva analysis for these biomarkers could be incorporated into routine practice for objective assessment of omeprazole efficacy without requiring endoscopic re-examination
- •Lack of salivary analyte changes may help identify horses with treatment-resistant EGUS earlier, allowing faster intervention with alternative therapies or diagnostic investigation
Key Findings
- •Horses with successful EGUS treatment showed significant increases in salivary bicarbonate and urea after 6 weeks of omeprazole therapy
- •Successful treatment group demonstrated significant decreases in salivary adenosine deaminase (ADA) and creatine kinase (CK)
- •Horses with unsuccessful treatment showed no significant changes in any salivary analytes measured
- •Salivary biomarkers can be measured rapidly using automated chemistry analyzers as potential indicators of EGUS treatment response