Changes in circulating gut hormones in the horse during long distance exercise

Venous blood samples were collected before and immediately after an 80 km ride and a 42 km race. They were analysed for blood glucose and lactate, and for plasma non-esterified fatty acids, insulin, pancreatic glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide, gastrin, gastric inhibitory peptide, somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide concentrations. The 80 km ride was associated with marked hypoglycaemia and a slight lactic acidaemia together with an increase in plasma glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide values. The 42 km race produced hyperglycaemia and marked lactic acidaemia together with an increase in plasma glucagon, somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. The increase in these peptides is not related to alterations in blood glucose or the relative contributions of aerobic and anaerobic muscle metabolism. It is suggested that the changes in circulating gut peptides are part of the endocrine response to exercise and the possible physiological role of these changes is discussed.