Investigating the Relationship Between Cardiac Function and Insulin Sensitivity in Horses: A Pilot Study.
Natasha J Williams1, Martin Furr2, Cristobal Navas de Solis3
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
|July 25, 2022
Summary
This study found that decreased insulin sensitivity in horses is linked to impaired cardiac function, particularly in diastolic and systolic measures. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in equine metabolic syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Equine Metabolic Disorders
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Metabolic syndrome in humans is linked to cardiovascular issues like diastolic dysfunction.
- Equine metabolic syndrome shares insulin resistance with human conditions, suggesting potential cardiovascular implications in horses.
- Understanding the relationship between insulin sensitivity and cardiac function in horses is crucial for managing metabolic disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between insulin sensitivity and cardiac function in horses.
- To explore the association between insulin resistance and echocardiographic parameters of myocardial performance.
Main Methods:
- Seven horses underwent insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance testing (IM-FSIGT) to assess insulin sensitivity.
- Standard echocardiograms, including tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), were performed to evaluate cardiac function.
- Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were used to determine associations between insulin sensitivity and cardiac measures.
Main Results:
- Insulin sensitivity was significantly correlated with key diastolic parameters: peak myocardial velocity during late diastole (r = 0.89, P = 0.0419) and the early to late diastolic velocity ratio (r = -0.92, P = 0.0263).
- Significant correlations were also observed with isovolumetric relaxation time (r = -0.97, P = 0.0072) and isovolumetric contraction time (ρ = -0.90, P = 0.0374).
- Preliminary data suggest decreased insulin sensitivity is associated with altered systolic and diastolic cardiac function via TDI.
Conclusions:
- Decreased insulin sensitivity in horses is correlated with alterations in both systolic and diastolic myocardial function.
- Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) can detect these functional changes.
- The small sample size necessitates further investigation into the relationship between insulin sensitivity and myocardial function in horses.
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