Abstract
Resveratrol, a phytophenol, is a commonly used equine nutraceutical supplement touted to exert anti-inflammatory effects. The effect of orally administered resveratrol on tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), leukocyte phagocytic activity or oxidative burst function have not been reported in horses. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a commercially available, orally administered resveratrol product on innate immune functions in healthy adult horses. Whole blood was collected from 12 horses prior to and following 3 weeks of treatment with either the manufacturer’s recommended dose of resveratrol or placebo. Phagocytosis, oxidative burst and pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) motif-stimulated leukocyte production of TNF and IL-1β were compared pre- and post-treatment between treatment groups. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst capacity were evaluated via flow cytometry. Tumor necrosis factor and IL-1β were measured using cytotoxicity and ELISA assays, respectively. There were no significant differences in phagocytosis, oxidative burst or stimulated TNF or IL-1β production between resveratrol and placebo treatment groups. Orally administered resveratrol at a routinely recommended dose for a duration of 3 weeks did not significantly affect phagocytic activity, oxidative burst function or PAMP-stimulated leukocyte cytokine production.
Highlights
Long-term management of inflammation and pain in equine patients is challenging due to the detrimental side effects of prolonged drug administration
The mean leukocyte count for all horses at the outset of the study was 7363/μL, the neutrophil count was 4223/μL, the monocyte count was 129/μL, and the lymphocyte count was 2897/μL
We found no significant difference in pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-stimulated cytokine (TNF or IL-1β) production or polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) phagocytosis or oxidative burst function between treatment groups
Summary
Long-term management of inflammation and pain in equine patients is challenging due to the detrimental side effects of prolonged drug administration. Major adverse effects of nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include gastrointestinal ulceration and nephrotoxicity [1,2]. It is well known that targeting the cyclo-oxygenase 1 (COX1) constituent isoform can result in the aforementioned side effects. Cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX2) is the inducible isoform and COX2 selective NSAIDs have been purported to result in fewer side effects [1]. Upon consideration of the fact that routinely-available anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs cannot safely be used on a long-term basis in horses, alternative therapies are needed
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