Effects of STRUCTURE-Joint on Horses' Inflammation Response
Author Information
Author(s): Lindsay Korac, Nadia Golestani, Jennifer MacNicol, Jamie Souccar-Young, Sophie Witherspoon, Arayih Wildish, Sydney Topfer, Wendy Pearson
Primary Institution: University of Guelph
Hypothesis
Providing a dietary PUFA supplement with a low Ω6 to Ω3 ratio to horses promotes transient inflammatory response to a stimulus, which is limited by formation of pro-resolving compounds.
Conclusion
Supplementation with STRUCTURE-Joint improved physiological parameters relevant to exercise performance and tissue adaptation in horses.
Supporting Evidence
- ST-J supplementation significantly increased synovial fluid nitric oxide and resolvin D1 levels.
- Joint circumference was reduced in ST-J treated horses after 30 days.
- Plasma hemoglobin and bilirubin levels increased in ST-J horses.
Takeaway
Feeding horses a special supplement helped them recover better from exercise and reduced inflammation in their joints.
Methodology
Sixteen healthy horses were divided into two groups, one receiving the supplement and the other a control diet, and were tested for inflammatory responses after an injection of IL-1.
Potential Biases
Randomization artifacts may have affected outcome measures due to baseline differences.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and baseline differences in lameness between groups.
Participant Demographics
Sixteen healthy, mature, light breed horses, with an average age of 11.9 years and average weight of 503.3 kg.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website