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Changes in circulatory antioxidant status in horses during prolonged exercise
David J Marlin1, Katie Fenn, Nicola Smith
1Center for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. david.marlin@aht.org.uk
The Journal of Nutrition
|June 4, 2002
Summary
Equine endurance racing impacts horse physiology, decreasing antioxidants like glutathione and increasing oxidative stress markers. While not classical oxidative stress, these changes suggest physiological strain during prolonged exercise.
Area of Science:
- Equine sports medicine
- Exercise physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Prolonged exercise in humans is linked to oxidative stress.
- Equine endurance racing is a demanding discipline.
- Understanding physiological responses in racing horses is crucial for welfare and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a 140-km endurance race on circulatory antioxidants and systemic oxidative stress in horses.
- To determine if competitive equine endurance racing induces oxidative stress.
- To correlate race speed with physiological changes.
Main Methods:
- Forty horses were sampled before, immediately after, and 16 hours post-race.
- Plasma ascorbic acid, red cell hemolysate glutathione (TGSH), and plasma TBARS were measured.
- Creatine phosphokinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Plasma ascorbic acid decreased significantly 16 hours post-race.
- Total red cell hemolysate glutathione (TGSH) was reduced post-exercise and during recovery.
- Plasma TBARS increased post-exercise and during recovery, indicating oxidative stress.
- Higher race speeds correlated with higher post-exercise ascorbic acid levels.
Conclusions:
- Equine endurance racing causes significant changes in antioxidant status and markers of oxidative stress.
- While classical oxidative stress was not definitively proven, the observed changes suggest physiological strain.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the oxidative stress response in equine athletes.