The effect of a pectin-lecithin complex on prevention of gastric mucosal lesions induced by feed deprivation in ponies.
Authors: Murray M J, Grady T C
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Pectin-Lecithin Complex and Gastric Ulcer Prevention in Ponies Murray and Grady (2002) investigated whether a proprietary pectin-lecithin supplement (Pronutrin) could protect against squamous gastric mucosal lesions triggered by the feed deprivation patterns that naturally elevate gastric acidity in equines. Using eight ponies in a crossover design with blinded gastroscopic assessment, the researchers exposed animals to 72 hours of cumulative feed deprivation (alternating 24-hour starvation with ad libitum hay access) whilst administering either 250 g Pronutrin with 200 g pelleted feed or 450 g pelleted feed alone once daily. Despite pre-treatment conditioning and controlled dosing, seven of eight ponies developed squamous mucosal erosions or ulcers under both protocols, with no statistically significant difference between treatment groups (P = 0.6), whilst the glandular mucosa remained unaffected regardless of intervention. These findings suggest that whilst intermittent feed deprivation is a potent driver of squamous mucosal damage in ponies, pectin-lecithin complexes at this dose lack sufficient protective efficacy—a sobering result for practitioners seeking nutritional strategies to mitigate lesion development during periods of restricted feeding, and highlighting the need for alternative or complementary preventive approaches such as proton pump inhibitors or genuine sustained feed availability.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Pectin-lecithin supplements cannot be relied upon to prevent gastric ulceration in horses subjected to intermittent feed deprivation protocols
- •Intermittent fasting (alternating feed/no-feed periods) is highly likely to induce squamous gastric lesions in ponies, suggesting feeding management strategies should prioritize continuous or frequent access to forage
- •Consider alternative gastroprotective strategies beyond pectin-lecithin products for horses at risk of gastric lesions from irregular feeding schedules
Key Findings
- •After 72 hours of cumulative intermittent feed deprivation, 7 of 8 ponies developed erosions or ulcers in the gastric squamous mucosa regardless of treatment
- •Pectin-lecithin complex (Pronutrin) at 250 g daily showed no protective effect against gastric lesions compared to control (P = 0.6)
- •No lesions developed in the gastric glandular mucosa in either treatment group despite squamous mucosal involvement
- •Pre-existing focal mucosal erosions were present in 3 of 8 ponies at baseline before feed deprivation protocol