Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration after training sessions in Arabian race and endurance horses

Anna Winnicka,Lucjan Witkowski,Anna Cywinska,Ewa Szarska,Antoni Schollenberger

doi:10.1186/1746-6148-9-91

Anna Winnicka, Lucjan Witkowski + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-9-91

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundSerum amyloid A (SAA) is the major acute phase protein in horses. Its concentration increases in various pathologies but also in response to prolonged, strenuous effort. The purpose of this study was to establish whether routine race and endurance training produces changes in the SAA level in Arabian horses. Additionally, the differences between SAA response in experienced endurance horses and endurance horses that were beginning their career were investigated.ResultsThere were no changes in SAA concentrations after race training and endurance training in experienced horses. In horses that were beginning their endurance training, exercise produced an increase in SAA level as compared with rest level.ConclusionIn Arabians, the SAA concentration seems to be a good indicator of endurance training but is useless in race training. The routine training of experienced horses, which were prepared for long distance rides, did not promote any changes in the SAA level. In contrast, a significant increase in the SAA concentration was observed in horses that were beginning their endurance training and were only prepared for moderate distance rides and underwent the same effort. Further research is needed to elucidate whether this difference reflects too heavy training or adaptation to an increasing workload. Additionally, the adaptation to long distance rides in Arabians may include a reduced acute phase response.

Highlights

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is the major acute phase protein in horses
We have reported that horses with pre-competition SAA levels higher than 1 mg/L failed to complete their long distance rides [25]
A p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Both race and endurance efforts were intense enough to produce biochemical changes that were typical for each discipline: the LA concentration increased in race horses, and the creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity increased in endurance horses

Summary

Introduction

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is the major acute phase protein in horses. Its concentration increases in various pathologies and in response to prolonged, strenuous effort. The reaction pattern differs from APR in inflammation and varies among species In the horses, this reaction is observed after long, but not moderate, distance endurance rides and is characterised by a marked increase in SAA but not other acute phase proteins levels [26]. Other authors have reported an increase in SAA concentration after moderate treadmill exercise during an experimental study on the effect of an antioxidative compound on exerciseinduced muscle damage [27] This observation is in agreement with Liburt’s et al findings that the level of proinflammatory and acute phase-related cytokines, including IL-1, TNF-α and IL-6 (in the muscles), increased after an incremental exercise test in unfit Standardbreds [28]. Sporting events induce various types of reaction due to different environmental factors and stress levels, different type of exercise and horse-dependent factors [30], which may affect the exercise-induced acute phase response

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion