Study of gelatin supplemented diet on amino acid homeostasis in the horse.
BACKGROUND
Gelatin supplementation is a common measure in an attempt to assist cartilage repair, but little scientific evidence exists to support its efficacy.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of gelatin administration on post prandial homeostasis.


METHODS
Twelve Standardbred horses (mean 404 kg bwt) were fed a hay-concentrate diet supplemented by soy bean meal and oil (control [C], n = 6) or with the addition of 60 g gelatin/day (G, n = 6). The horses were trained by an alternate order of interval and prolonged exercise every second day. The velocities of the treadmill corresponding to 2 and 10 mmol lactate/l blood were derived from lactate curves during a standardised exercise test at the start and middle of the 64 day training period. Blood samples for amino acid analysis were obtained weekly at rest (2 h post prandial). In the second part of the training period, a post prandial sampling was conducted on a day without exercise (prior feeding up to 8 h post prandial). Plasma free amino acids (AA) were determined by HPLC.


RESULTS
The change from pre- to the training diet induced an increase in many AA during the total training period. At rest free glycine and proline in blood increased with gelatin supplementation during 7 days after the start of supplementation. The AA in plasma showed a post prandial curve with peak concentrations 2-3 h after feeding. Significant post prandial effects of gelatin intake were detectable for glycine, proline and arginine.


CONCLUSIONS
The AA from gelatin are absorbed quickly and become available for AA metabolism.


CONCLUSIONS
It is evident that in the horse, gelatin influences the homeostasis of those amino acids required for cartilage synthesis. Further research is needed to elucidate the utilisation of those amino acids for the prevention or repair of cartilage damage.
Coenen
M
M
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutritional Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig, D-04159 Leipzig, Germany.
Appelt
K
K
Niemeyer
A
A
Vervuert
I
I
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005780:Gelatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006736:Horses / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000009:adverse effects; D019518:Postprandial Period
D000596:Amino Acids; D005780:Gelatin