Cardiovascular changes associated with intravenous administration of fumonisin B1 in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether cardiovascular dysfunction is evident in horses with leukoencephalomalacia experimentally induced by administration of fumonisin B1.


METHODS
11 healthy horses of various breeds (body weight, 252 to 367 kg).


METHODS
Horses were randomly assigned to 3 groups and administered fumonisin B1 daily. Horses received IV injections of 0 (control horses; n = 4), 0.01 (3), or 0.20 mg (4) of fumonisin B1/kg for 7 to 28 days. Horses were examined daily for evidence of neurologic disease. When neurologic signs consistent with leukoencephalomalacia were evident, horses were anesthetized, and catheters were inserted for evaluation of the cardiovascular system. After recovery from anesthesia, hemodynamic measurements were obtained.


RESULTS
Fumonisin-treated horses with clinical signs of neurologic disease had evidence of cardiovascular dysfunction manifested as decreases in heart rate, cardiac output, right ventricular contractility (assessed by measuring the maximal rate of change of right ventricular pressure), coccygeal artery pulse pressure, and pH and base excess in venous blood as well as increases in systemic vascular resistance, compared with values for control horses. Fumonisin-treated horses with and without clinical signs of neurologic disease also had higher serum and right ventricular sphinganine and sphingosine concentrations than control horses.


CONCLUSIONS
An association was detected among fumonisin-induced neurologic disease, increased serum and myocardial sphinganine and sphingosine concentrations, and decreased cardiovascular function in horses. Fumonisin-induced decreases in cardiovascular function may contribute to the pathophysiologic development of leukoencephalomalacia in horses.
Smith
Geoffrey W
GW
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61802, USA.
Constable
Peter D
PD
Foreman
Jonathan H
JH
Eppley
Robert M
RM
Waggoner
Amy L
AL
Tumbleson
Mike E
ME
Haschek
Wanda M
WM
D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000633:toxicity*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D037341:Fumonisins; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006736:Horses; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D013107:Sphingolipids / Q000097:blood; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood
D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D037341:Fumonisins; D009183:Mycotoxins; D013107:Sphingolipids; D019210:Troponin I; C056933:fumonisin B1