Changes in Acute Phase Response Biomarkers in Racing Endurance Horses
Karla Mihelić,
Zoran Vrbanac,
Krunoslav Bojanić,
Tara Kostanjšak,
Blanka Beer Ljubić,
Jelena Gotić,
Dražen Vnuk,
Nika Brkljača Bottegaro
Affiliations
Karla Mihelić
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Zoran Vrbanac
Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostic and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Krunoslav Bojanić
Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tara Kostanjšak
Clinic for Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Blanka Beer Ljubić
Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Jelena Gotić
Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Dražen Vnuk
Clinic for Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nika Brkljača Bottegaro
Clinic for Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
This study aimed to evaluate if exercise-induced acute phase response (APR) occurs in endurance horses in response to the race. The study included 23 horses competing in an endurance competition with a successfully passed clinical examination before the race. Blood samples were collected before the start and within 30 min after the end of the race. Haematological and biochemical tests were performed and correlated to acute phase biomarkers changes. Values of calprotectin and haptoglobin (Hp) decreased after the races compared to values before, while concentrations of ceruloplasmin and albumin recorded a significant increase. Greater changes in calprotectin values were noted in Arabian horses compared to other breeds. Values of Hp showed a significantly greater decrease after longer races. Based on study results, endurance racing induces APR in horses characterised by significant changes in selected acute phase biomarkers. More pronounced changes were noted at races with higher average speeds, suggesting the need for thorough horse monitoring during exhausting races.
