F. Garza

Effect of Sea Buckthorn Berries and Pulp in a Liquid Emulsion on Gastric Ulcer Scores and Gastric Juice pH in Horses

BACKGROUND Sea buckthorn berries (Hippophae rhamnoides) are rich in vitamin C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, plant sterols, lignans, and minerals. A feed supplement containing sea buckthorn berries might have efficacy in treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses. OBJECTIVES To test the efficacy of a commercially available formulation of sea buckthorn berries and pulp (SeaBuck SBT Gastro-Plus) for treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in stall-confined horses. ANIMALS Eight Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred-cross horses (3-10 years of age, 5 geldings and 3 mares, 380-600 kg body weight). METHODS This study was a 2-period crossover in which all horses received no treatment (untreated controls; n = 8) and treatment (SeaBuckSBT Gastro-Plus, 4 ounces [35.6 g berries and pulp], twice daily; n = 8) mixed with a pelleted complete feed (18% crude fiber; 9% starch; 14% crude protein). Horses were treated for 4 weeks followed by a 1-week (d28-d35) alternating feed-deprivation period to induce or worsen existing ulcers. Gastroscopic examinations were performed on days 0, 28, and 35. Gastric juice pH was measured and gastric ulcer number and severity scores were assigned by a masked investigator. RESULTS Mean nonglandular gastric ulcer scores significantly (P < .05) increased in all horses after day 28, as a result of intermittent feed deprivation. Mean nonglandular gastric ulcer number (P = .84) and severity (P = .51) were not significantly different between SBT-treated and untreated control horses. However, mean glandular ulcer number (P = .02) and glandular ulcer severity (P = .02) were significantly lower in the SBT-treated horses compared with the untreated control at week 5. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE SeaBuck SBT Gastro-Plus liquid fed to horses did not show efficacy in treatment or prevention of naturally occurring nonglandular ulcers in horses; however, glandular ulcer scores were significantly lower in SBT-treated horses after feed deprivation. Thus, SBT might have efficacy in prevention of glandular ulcers in horses housed in stalls and undergoing intermittent feeding.

Effect of pectin, lecithin, and antacid feed supplements (Egusin®) on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH and blood gas values in horses

BackgroundThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of two commercial feed supplements, Egusin 250® [E-250] and Egusin SLH® [E-SLH], on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH, and blood gas values in stall-confined horses undergoing feed-deprivation.MethodsNine Thoroughbred horses were used in a three-period crossover study. For the three treatment groups, sweet feed was mixed with E-250, E-SLH, or nothing (control group) and fed twice daily. Horses were treated for 21 days, then an additional 7 days while on an alternating feed-deprivation model to induce or worsen ulcers (period one). In periods two and three, horses (n=6) were treated for an additional 7 days after feed-deprivation. Gastroscopies were performed on day -1 (n=9), day 21 (n=9), day 28 (n=9) and day 35 (n=6). Gastric juice pH was measured and gastric ulcer scores were assigned. Venous blood gas values were also measured.ResultsGastric ulcers in control horses significantly decreased after 21 days, but there was no difference in ulcer scores when compared to the Egusin® treated horses. NG gastric ulcer scores significantly increased in E-250 and control horses on day 28 compared to day 21 as a result of intermittent feed-deprivation, but no treatment effect was observed. NG ulcer scores remained high in the control group but significantly decreased in the E-SLH- and E-250-treated horses by day 35. Gastric juice pH values were low and variable and no treatment effect was observed. Mean blood pCO2 values were significantly increased two hours after feeding in treated horses compared to controls, whereas mean blood TCO2 values increased in the 24 hour sample, but did not exceed 38 mmol/l.ConclusionsThe feed-deprivation model increased NG gastric ulcer severity in the horses. However, by day 35, Egusin® treated horses had less severe NG gastric ulcers compared to untreated control horses. After 35 days, Egusin® products tested here ameliorate the severity of gastric ulcers in stall-confined horses after feed stress.

Simultaneous quantification of free curcuminoids and their metabolites in equine plasma by LC-ESI–MS/MS

HIGHLIGHTSFirst validated LC–MS/MS method for detection of curcuminoid/metabolites in equine plasma.First LC–MS/MS method for quantification of curcuminoid/metabolites in equine plasma.First evaluation of curcuminoids/metabolites pharmacokinetics in horse. ABSTRACT The human health benefits attributed to turmeric/curcumin spice has resulted in its wide utilization as a dietary supplement for companion pets and other animals including horses. While the quantification of free curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin) and their phase‐2 metabolites (curcumin‐O‐sulfate, curcumin‐O‐glucuronide) have been extensively investigated in human and rodent biological samples (primarily plasma and serum), there is lack of similar data for horses. Herein, we report a validated LC‐ESI–MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of the aforementioned free curcuminoids and their metabolites in equine plasma. The linearity of the aforementioned curcuminoids and curcumin‐O‐sulfate was in the range of 0.5–1000ng/mL and 1–1000ng/mL for curcumin‐O‐glucuronide with 85–115% accuracy and <15% precision in equine plasma. The method was validated based on US FDA criteria and applied to characterize the pharmacokinetics of curcumin‐O‐sulfate in equine plasma.

Testosterone propionate effects on gonadotropin secretion in steers after administration of GnRH

Abstract Two experiments with steers were performed to determine the effects of 10 days of treatment with testosterone propionate (TP) on secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) after the administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). In Experiment 1, eight 15-month-old Holstein steers castrated at 12 months of age were used. In Experiment 2, eight beef-type steers between the ages of 12–18 months old and which had been castrated for 8–15 months were used. An initial injection of GnRH was followed by 10 daily injections of TP (175 ug/ kg of body weight) or safflower oil, and on the eleventh day a second injection of GnRH was given. Hormonal endpoints in long-term castrated steers (Experiment 2) were not altered by TP treatment. In contrast, TP treatment significantly suppressed FSH and LH concentrations in daily blood samples from Experiment 1 steers and significantly increased the response to GnRH. The lack of response in the long-term castrated steers (Experiment 2) to TP treatment is similar to the response observed in previous experiments with long-term ovariectomized cows. However, from the results of Experiment 1, it appears that the timing of castration influences the response to TP treatment.