title: Effect of Dexamethasone on Resting Blood Lactate Concentrations in Horses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Blood lactate concentration is a marker of tissue perfusion and helps guide therapeutic interventions in critically ill horses. In both humans and dogs, administration of corticosteroids can increase blood lactate concentration, leading to type B hyperlactatemia. This effect could be a consequence of the impact of corticosteroids on glucose metabolism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of daily IM dexamethasone administration on blood lactate and glucose concentrations in horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine healthy adult horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, blinded, controlled, cross-over study design was used. Horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups, either receiving 0.05 mg/kg of dexamethasone IM or an equivalent volume of saline, daily for 7 days. Blood was collected to determine lactate and glucose concentrations at baseline, 2 hours after the daily injections and 24 hours after the last injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dexamethasone treatment had a statistically significant effect on lactate (P = .006) and glucose (P = .033) concentrations. The least squares mean lactate concentration was 0.93 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.87-0.99) in the dexamethasone group compared to 0.71 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.70-0.73) for the saline group. A positive relationship between blood lactate and glucose concentrations was identified, with a 0.07 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.05-0.09) increase in lactate concentration per unit increase in glucose (P < .0001) concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexamethasone induces statistically significant increases in blood lactate and glucose concentrations in healthy horses. Awareness of the potential for corticosteroids to induce type B hyperlactatemia might be important in the management of critically ill horses receiving dexamethasone.
authors.affiliation: Northside Veterinary Clinic, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mizen
authors.affiliation: Alpine Pet Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Woodman
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: S R
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0936-4834
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Boysen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wagg
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greco-Otto
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Léguillette
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: M-F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019344:Lactic Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone
keywords: Corticosteroids; Equine; Glucose; Hyperlactatemia