Systemic concentrations of antioxidants and biomarkers of macromolecular oxidative damage in horses with grass sickness

B C McGorum, R Wilson, R S Pirie, I G Mayhew, H Kaur, O I Aruoma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Reasons for performing study: The aetiopathogenesis of equine grass sickness (EGS) is unknown. The role of free radical-mediated neuronal damage has not previously been investigated in this condition.

Objectives: To investigate the potential contribution of oxidative damage and antioxidant status to neurodegeneration in EGS.

Methods: Systemic levels of surrogate biomarkers were determined in 10 horses with acute EGS and in 2 control populations; 10 healthy horses co-grazing with the 10 EGS horses at the onset of clinical disease, and 10 healthy mares grazing where EGS has not been reported.

Results: EGS horses had alterations in levels of several antioxidants, consistent with oxidative stress, the acute phase response and/or the secondary metabolic complications of EGS. EGS horses had elevated plasma dihydroxyphenylaianine (DOPA) levels.

Conclusions: The elevated DOPA levels probably reflected a generalised disturbance of catecholamine metabolism rather than increased DOPA production via free radical-mediated oxidation of tyrosime. However, there was no evidence of systemic macromolecular oxidative damage.

Potential clinical relevance: Further work is required to determine whether macromolecular oxidative damage occurring at the neuronal level contributes to EGS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)121-126
Number of pages6
JournalEquine Veterinary Journal
Volume35
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2003

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