title: Effect of sea buckthorn berries and pulp in a liquid emulsion on gastric ulcer scores and gastric juice pH in horses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sea buckthorn berries (Hippophae rhamnoides) are rich in vitamin C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, plant sterols, lignans, and minerals. A feed supplement containing sea buckthorn berries might have efficacy in treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test the efficacy of a commercially available formulation of sea buckthorn berries and pulp (SeaBuck SBT Gastro-Plus) for treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in stall-confined horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred-cross horses (3-10 years of age, 5 geldings and 3 mares, 380-600 kg body weight).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a 2-period crossover in which all horses received no treatment (untreated controls; n = 8) and treatment (SeaBuckSBT Gastro-Plus, 4 ounces [35.6 g berries and pulp], twice daily; n = 8) mixed with a pelleted complete feed (18% crude fiber; 9% starch; 14% crude protein). Horses were treated for 4 weeks followed by a 1-week (d28-d35) alternating feed-deprivation period to induce or worsen existing ulcers. Gastroscopic examinations were performed on days 0, 28, and 35. Gastric juice pH was measured and gastric ulcer number and severity scores were assigned by a masked investigator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean nonglandular gastric ulcer scores significantly (P < .05) increased in all horses after day 28, as a result of intermittent feed deprivation. Mean nonglandular gastric ulcer number (P = .84) and severity (P = .51) were not significantly different between SBT-treated and untreated control horses. However, mean glandular ulcer number (P = .02) and glandular ulcer severity (P = .02) were significantly lower in the SBT-treated horses compared with the untreated control at week 5.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SeaBuck SBT Gastro-Plus liquid fed to horses did not show efficacy in treatment or prevention of naturally occurring nonglandular ulcers in horses; however, glandular ulcer scores were significantly lower in SBT-treated horses after feed deprivation. Thus, SBT might have efficacy in prevention of glandular ulcers in horses housed in stalls and undergoing intermittent feeding.
authors: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Health Studies Program, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
authors: N K
authors: NK
authors: Huff
authors: A D
authors: AD
authors: Auer
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Garza
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Keowen
authors: M T
authors: MT
authors: Kearney
authors: R B
authors: RB
authors: McMullin
authors: F M
authors: FM
authors: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000378:metabolism; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D031281:Hippophae; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012621:Seasons; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*