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High-Resolution Fluoro-Respirometry of Equine Skeletal Muscle
Published on: February 3, 2023
Pulmonary dysfunction and skeletal muscle changes in horses with RAO
1Equine Clinic, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany. gehlen@pferd.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
|May 24, 2008
Summary
Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in horses causes significant skeletal muscle changes, including atrophy and glycogen depletion. Early treatment of lung disease may prevent these muscle alterations.
Area of Science:
- Equine respiratory medicine
- Veterinary pathology
- Equine exercise physiology
Background:
- Chronic pulmonary diseases, such as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), are known to affect skeletal muscle in humans.
- This study investigated the relationship between pulmonary health and skeletal muscle condition in horses diagnosed with RAO.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if chronic pulmonary disease in horses leads to alterations in skeletal muscle.
- To evaluate the correlation between the severity of RAO and the degree of muscular changes.
Main Methods:
- Compared 15 healthy horses (control) with 50 horses diagnosed with RAO.
- Conducted comprehensive lung examinations, assessed muscle enzyme activity (rest and post-exercise), and analyzed muscle biopsies from the M. gluteus medius.
Main Results:
- Horses with RAO exhibited significant skeletal muscle pathologies, including fiber atrophy/hypertrophy, myofibrillar degeneration, and ragged-red-like fibers, not seen in controls.
- Marked depletion of muscle glycogen was evident in RAO horses.
- A positive correlation (r=0.55) was found between the severity of pulmonary disease and the degree of muscle cell changes.
Conclusions:
- Chronic pulmonary disease is linked to structural skeletal muscle changes in horses.
- Early and effective treatment of RAO may prevent associated muscle damage, highlighting clinical importance.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand these findings.
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