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Analysis of coagulation proteins as acute-phase reactants in horses with colic
1Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.
Insights
Equine colic alters coagulation proteins, with acute-phase proteins like fibrinogen, plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin, and C1-esterase inhibitor changing significantly. These changes impact hemostasis in horses with intestinal disorders.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Hematology
- Equine Science
Background:
- Colic in horses is often associated with an acute-phase response.
- Hemostasis abnormalities are frequently observed in horses with colic.
- Understanding changes in coagulation proteins is crucial for managing equine colic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure specific coagulation factors and acute-phase proteins in horses with colic.
- To compare hemostasis test results between horses with colic and healthy horses.
- To identify equine acute-phase proteins and their impact on hemostatic abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 54 plasma samples from horses with colic (inflammatory or strangulating intestinal disorders).
- Evaluation of coagulation factors (F.VII, F.VIII:C, F.IX, F.X), C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), antithrombin III, protein C, plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin (alpha 2AP), and fibrinogen.
- Measurement of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT).
Main Results:
- Horses with colic exhibited higher fibrinogen, alpha 2AP, and protein C levels, and longer PT and APTT compared to healthy horses.
- Mean F.VII activity was significantly lower in horses with colic.
- Positive correlations were found between fibrinogen and F.VIII:C, C1-INH, alpha 2AP; and between F.VIII:C and fibrinogen, C1-INH, alpha 2AP, plasminogen.
Conclusions:
- The acute-phase response significantly influences coagulation protein changes in horses with colic.
- Plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin (alpha 2AP), and C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) are identified as equine acute-phase proteins.
- These findings provide insights into the hemostatic abnormalities associated with colic syndrome in horses.
Objectives:
To measure coagulation factor VIII:coagulant (F.VIII:C) and C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), hemostasis-associated acute-phase reactant proteins and coagulation factors VII (F.VII), IX (F.IX), and X (F.X), hemostasis proteins not associated with an acute-phase response, in a select population of horses with colic and hemostasis abnormalities, and presumed to have acute-phase changes. To compare these values and other routine hemostasis test results in the horses with colic with values for a population of healthy horses. To correlate the values of known equine acute-phase reactants, F.VIII:C and fibrinogen, to those of other tests of hemostasis. To identify hemostasis-associated acute-phase reactant proteins and gain insights into the effects the acute-phase response has on hemostatic abnormalities in horses with colic syndrome.
Sample Population:
54 plasma samples from horses with colic attributable to inflammatory (n = 39) or strangulating (n = 15) intestinal disorders.
Procedure:
Plasma samples were evaluated for activities of F.VII, F.VIII:C, F.IX, F.X, C1-INH, antithrombin III, protein C, plasminogen, and alpha 2-antiplasmin (alpha 2AP); fibrinogen concentration; and prothrombin (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) times.
Results:
Horses with colic had significantly higher fibrinogen concentration, greater alpha 2AP and protein C activities, and longer PT and APTT than did healthy horses. Horses with colic also had significantly lower mean F.VII activity than did healthy horses. Significant positive correlations between fibrinogen concentration and F.VIII:C, C1-INH, and alpha 2AP values, and between F.VIII:C activity and fibrinogen, C1-INH, alpha 2AP, and plasminogen values were identified.
Conclusions:
An acute-phase response contributes to changes observed in coagulation proteins in horses with colic attributable to inflammatory and strangulating intestinal disorders. The data suggest that plasminogen, alpha 2AP, and C1-INH, should be considered equine acute-phase proteins.