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Systemic concentrations of antioxidants and biomarkers of macromolecular oxidative damage in horses with grass sickness
Author(s) -
McGORUM B. C.,
WILSON R.,
PIRIE R. S.,
MAYHEW I. G.,
KAUR H.,
ARUOMA O. I.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.2746/042516403776114225
Subject(s) - oxidative stress , neurodegeneration , antioxidant , free radical theory of aging , oxidative phosphorylation , oxidative damage , detoxification (alternative medicine) , horse , medicine , physiology , chemistry , pathology , biology , disease , biochemistry , paleontology , alternative medicine
Summary Reasons for performing study : The aetiopathogenesis of equine grass sickness (EGS) is unknown. The role of free radical‐mediated neuronal damage has not previously been investigated in this condition. Objectives : To investigate the potential contribution of oxidative damage and antioxidant status to neurodegeneration in EGS. Methods : Systemic levels of surrogate biomarkers were determined in 10 horses with acute EGS and in 2 control populations; 10 healthy horses co‐grazing with the 10 EGS horses at the onset of clinical disease, and 10 healthy mares grazing where EGS has not been reported. Results : EGS horses had alterations in levels of several antioxidants, consistent with oxidative stress, the acute phase response and/or the secondary metabolic complications of EGS. EGS horses had elevated plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) levels. Conclusions : The elevated DOPA levels probably reflected a generalised disturbance of catecholamine metabolism rather than increased DOPA production via free radical‐mediated oxidation of tyrosine. However, there was no evidence of systemic macromolecular oxidative damage. Potential clinical relevance : Further work is required to determine whether macromolecular oxidative damage occurring at the neuronal level contributes to EGS.