Equine Neutrophil Elastase in Plasma, Laminar Tissue, and Skin of Horses Administered Black Walnut Heartwood Extract (BWHE)

Article Outline

• Take Home Message
• Introduction
• Materials & Methods (including Statistical Analyses)
• Results
• Discussion
• Clinical Relevance
• Conclusion
• Copyright

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Take Home Message 

Elastase concentrations are increased in the integument of horses during the developmental phase of BWHE-induced laminitis.

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Introduction 

Current evidence suggests the involvement of neutrophils and myeloperoxidase (MPO), a strong oxidative enzyme in the development of laminitis. Elastase is a protease recognized as a component of inflammatory disorders. Neutrophil elastase concentrations were measured in plasma, skin and laminar tissues from control horses and horses given BWHE

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Materials & Methods (including Statistical Analyses) 

The study included 4 groups, a control group (water) and 3 experimental groups (BWHE). Plasma was obtained hourly until euthanasia of BWHE-treated horses at 1.5 (n = 5), 3 (n = 6), and 12 hours (n = 10 plasma/n = 6 tissue) and control horses at 12 hours (n = 7 plasma/n = 5 tissue). Elastase concentrations were determined via ELISA. Log-transformed data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA (tissues) and unpaired t-test (plasma); significance was set at P < 0.05.

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Results 

Plasma elastase concentrations in the BWHE group were significantly higher at 6, 8 and 10h compared to the control group. Concentrations in skin and laminar tissue were significantly higher at 3 and 12h in the BWHE group. Elastase concentrations were significantly higher in skin than in lamina at 12h in BWHE group.

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Discussion 

Increased elastase concentrations are consistent with dynamic changes in circulating leukocytes in horses given BWHE. Collectively, MPO and elastase have the potential to cause significant tissue damage during the development of laminitis.

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Clinical Relevance 

Elastase may become an important target as new treatments for laminitis are developed.

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Conclusion 

Elastase concentrations increase in the integumentary system during the development of laminitis and may participate in the disintegration of the hoof basal membrane.