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Updated: Oct 20, 2026
Functional Assessment of Intestinal Motility and Gut Wall Inflammation in Rodents: Analyses in a Standardized Model of Intestinal Manipulation
Published on: September 11, 2012
Plasma myeloperoxidase level and polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation in horses suffering from large intestinal
S Grulke1, H Benbarek, I Caudron
1Anaesthésiologie générale, Pathologie chirugicale des grands animaux, Université de Liège, Sart Tilman, Belgium.
Abstract:
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a specific enzyme of neutrophil azurophilic granules with a strong oxidative activity. Thanks to a radioimmunoassay of equine myeloperoxidase, the authors have observed a significantly higher plasma level of MPO in horses operated for strangulation obstruction of the large intestine (n = 6) than in horses suffering from a non-strangulating displacement of the large intestine (n = 9). For the 2 groups, 3 phases were distinguished: reception (P1), intensive care (P2) and terminal phase (P3). The mean peak values of MPO for these phases were 121.6 ng/mL (P1), 168.6 ng/mL (P2), and 107.0 ng/mL (P3) for the non-strangulating group, and 242.6 ng/mL (P1); 426.0 ng/mL (P2), and 379.5 ng/mL (P3) for the strangulation group. The variations of the mean peak values of plasma MPO were significantly different between the 2 groups and between the different phases. A significant increase of the least square means of MPO was observed between P1 and P2. A significant decrease of the least square means of the number of circulating leukocytes was observed between P1 and P3. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil activation could play a major role in the pathogenesis of acute abdominal disease and endotoxic shock.
Insights
Horses with strangulating intestinal obstruction have significantly higher plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels than those with non-strangulating displacement. This finding highlights MPO
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Equine Health
Background:
- Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme found in neutrophil granules with potent oxidative activity.
- Elevated MPO levels are associated with inflammation and tissue damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma MPO levels in horses with different types of large intestine displacement.
- To correlate MPO levels with disease severity and phases of treatment.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay was used to measure equine plasma MPO levels.
- Horses were categorized into strangulating obstruction (n=6) and non-strangulating displacement (n=9) groups.
- Plasma samples were collected during three phases: reception (P1), intensive care (P2), and terminal phase (P3).
Main Results:
- Horses with strangulating obstruction showed significantly higher MPO levels (242.6 ng/mL P1, 426.0 ng/mL P2, 379.5 ng/mL P3) compared to non-strangulating cases (121.6 ng/mL P1, 168.6 ng/mL P2, 107.0 ng/mL P3).
- MPO levels significantly increased from P1 to P2 in both groups, with a notable peak in the strangulation group during intensive care.
- A significant decrease in circulating leukocytes was observed between P1 and P3.
Conclusions:
- Plasma MPO levels can serve as a biomarker for differentiating the severity of equine large intestinal displacement.
- Polymorphonuclear neutrophil activation, indicated by elevated MPO, may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute abdominal disease and endotoxic shock in horses.
