Plasma endotoxin levels in horses subjected to carbohydrate induced laminitis.
Thirteen (65 per cent) of 20 horses subjected to carbohydrate overload developed Obel Grade 3 lameness within 56 h. Increases in plasma endotoxin from control levels of less than 0.1 ng/litre to values ranging from 2.4 to 81.53 ng/litre were measured in 11 (85 per cent) of 13 horses during the onset of Obel Grade 3 lameness. Obel Grade 3 lameness was associated with rises in plasma Gram-negative endotoxin levels in 11 (92 per cent) of 12 horses. Two peak increases separated by 16 h were verified in five (45 per cent) of 11 horses that exhibited both endotoxaemia and Obel Grade 3 lameness. The first peak occurred, on average, at 32 h and the second peak at 48 h post overload when only one peak was measured, this occurred in four horses at the average time of 24 h whereas in another three horses only a 48 h or 56 h peak was detected after carbohydrate overload.
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65212.
R F
RF
Sprouse
H E
HE
Garner
E M
EM
Green
D000818:Animals; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D006724:Hoof and Claw; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004731:Endotoxins