Overview of current laminitis research

All cases of laminitis are characterized by failure of the attachment of the epidermal cells of the epidermal laminae to the underlying basement membrane of the dermal laminae despite the diversity of diseases that underlie the syndrome. The preponderance of evidence supports roles for inflammation, metabolic derangement, endothelial and venous dysfunction, and matrix degradation as causes of laminitis. Inflammation, oxidant stress, and matrix degradation may be factors common to each of these mechanisms that lead to the laminar damage of laminitis. The understanding of the pathophysiology and progression of the disease is incomplete, and this limits efforts to prevent and treat this devastating disease successfully. However, scientific investigations are occurring at a phenomenal rate and shedding light on the pathophysiologic events involved with laminitis.